Thousands attend annual Berkeley Hunt Meet (From Gazette Series)

Thousands attend annual Berkeley Hunt Meet in Thornbury

11:08am Wednesday 29th December 2010 in News By Liza-Jane Gillespie

THE BERKELEY Hunt Boxing Day Meet attracted large crowds despite the freezing conditions.

Around 3,500 people braved the cold weather to watch members of the Berkeley Hunt take part in the traditional Boxing Day Meet held in Thornbury High Street.

This year the meet was held on December 27, because Boxing Day fell on a Sunday. Also, because of the sub-zero temperatures experienced in the region over recent weeks there was no hunt after the meet.

Henry Berkeley, master of the hunt, said: "We only had 40 mounted people this year and because the ground was so hard, we didn’t go hunting after the meet.

"We had 3,500 on foot. Thornbury High Street was packed.

"We are very pleased with the turnout, it was just a pity about the weather."

Members of the hunt did several laps of Thornbury High Street for the spectators to enjoy and members of the public were also allowed to meet the Berkeley foxhounds.

Mr Berkeley said: "We’ve always been very lucky and owe a lot of thanks to the people of Thornbury who come out and support us."