Hunters bask in Boxing Day sun, watched by a crowd of 2,000
UNSEASONABLE bright sunshine attracted a large crowd to support the 250-year-old Holderness Hunt.
The fine conditions were in stark contrast to last year, when icy conditions on Beverley Westwood meant horses were unable to ride out.
Smartly dressed in his red tunic, with bugle tucked into his belt, joint hunt master William Bethell estimated 100 huntsmen and women took part, watched by a 2,000-strong crowd.
He said: "What a lovely day it is. Conditions were very bad the past two years, so to be able to get out riding today is fantastic."
Since 2005, the sport of hunting foxes with hounds has been illegal.
But supporters believe they are inching closer to the ban being lifted.
Mr Bethell said: "Today, we showed the public there is tremendous support for hunting.
"There are more important things for the Government to do than lifting the hunting ban.
"But there is an excellent relationship between the countryside and the Government – and we are the countryside."
Mr Bethell said hunting is supported by all walks of life.
He said: "Contrary to popular belief, it is not just a sport for toffs.
"Everyone from all walks of life enjoys it. It is a very social sport."
Among those on horseback were Lisa Marshall and her sons, William, 13, and Thomas, 11.
William said: "This is my third season. I love riding fast and jumping the dykes.
"To be a good huntsman, you have to have a good relationship with your horse and know all the dogs' names."
Mrs Marshall said: "I am extremely proud of my boys.
"The Holderness Hunt is a huge tradition for the Beverley area and is open to everyone from all walks of life."
The boys' grandmother Carol Wilson, of Burton Constable, said: "There is a good mix of people who turn out to the Holderness Hunt.
"It is a tradition that has been going for many years."
Mrs Marshall said she believed the ban needed lifting.
"Since the ban was brought in, only six people have been prosecuted," she said. "It is not workable."
Dorothy Walker, of Beverley, said she came to the hunt to see the horses and dogs on display.
She said: "It is nice to get some fresh air on Boxing Day.
"I remember the weather was bad last year and the year before.
"It is a real social occasion. I wonder sometimes where all the people have come from.
"It is lovely bumping into old faces."
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by Imagine_that
Friday, January 06 2012, 8:53PM
“redneckagenda
And of course you don't think that anyone should have feelkings - except fox hunters. On this story you also suggested a 'clip round the ear hole' and 'the birch'
"by redneckagenda Wednesday, October 19 2011, 2:14PM
"I didn't realise that kids at school were so sensitive & easily insulted these days"”
by Imagine_that
Friday, January 06 2012, 8:46PM
“redneckagenda
And on a story about the Facebook/Westcott Street issue
"by redneckagenda Sunday, October 23 2011, 1:50PM
"I heard that the tell-tale signs were having a mono-brow &/ or big buck teeth"”
by Imagine_that
Friday, January 06 2012, 8:43PM
“redneckagenda
You also wrote about the people of Hull (including fox hunters)
by redneckagenda Saturday, November 12 2011, 7:42PM
"As well as the City being hit hard by the recession the people are tight Yorkshire gits."”
by Imagine_that
Friday, January 06 2012, 8:40PM
“redneckagenda
I quote from a comment that you made on a news story about a Bridlington primary school
"by redneckagenda Sunday, November 20 2011, 12:21PM
"I bet the little b*****ds are all chav inbreeds."
So it's OK for you to call primary school children 'b*****ds' and 'inbreeds' but get upset because I call fox hunters 'inbred toffs'”
by Imagine_that
Friday, January 06 2012, 8:25PM
“redneckagenda
If you aren't fiddling benefits then what's your problem? And as for signing on messing up your credit rating, what did you expect? People lose their jobs and their standard of living suffers. Do you really think that the country can afford to pay everyone the wage that they used to earn when they lose their jobs?
"You called them inbred toffs."
And?”
by Imagine_that
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 8:02PM
“redneckagenda
"You probably have more options open to you than someone on benefits in Hull, are you implying that there's an element of jealousy here?"
Do I? Funny how posters on here have so much insight into everyone else. And are you saying that I'm jealous of someone on benefits, someone who is committing benefit fraud or that they are jealous of me?
Well if I have class issues with fox hunters and class issues with non fox hunters, that just about covers everything doesn't it? So can we now get back to discussing the news item we are posting under?”
by redneckagenda
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 7:38PM
“"Yes and people with jobs struggle too, but we aren't in the position to exploit any system."
You probably have more options open to you than someone on benefits in Hull, are you implying that there's an element of jealousy here?
"But I thought that your whole point was that I only oppose fox hunting because I have class issues with the 'upper classes'? Are you now saying that I also have class issues with people who aren't fox hunters?"
It's certainly possible.”
by Imagine_that
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 8:26AM
“redneckagenda
"I can understand how people become reliant & sometimes exploit the benefits system. While people lose their jobs & prices continue to rise the opportunities for many to function above subsistence just don't exist here."
Yes and people with jobs struggle too, but we aren't in the position to exploit any system.
"And as for it being a class issue, what does someone's class have to do with benefit fraud?
I could be wrong but I doubt if you get many of them at the Holderness hunt."
But I thought that your whole point was that I only oppose fox hunting because I have class issues with the 'upper classes'? Are you now saying that I also have class issues with people who aren't fox hunters?”
by redneckagenda
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 8:10PM
“"Your posts are getting further and further from the point.
Yes I would be prepared to report people who are fiddling the benefit system (grassing someone up is what criminals call it)
What is your problem with that? Maybe you don't work and pay taxes but I do."
While those people are probably in the wrong given that Hull has one of the ****pest local economies in Britain I can understand how people become reliant & sometimes exploit the benefits system. While people lose their jobs & prices continue to rise the opportunities for many to function above subsistence just don't exist here.
"And as for it being a class issue, what does someone's class have to do with benefit fraud?"
I could be wrong but I doubt if you get many of them at the Holderness hunt.”
by Imagine_that
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 10:56AM
“redneckagenda
Your posts are getting further and further from the point.
Yes I would be prepared to report people who are fiddling the benefit system (grassing someone up is what criminals call it)
What is your problem with that? Maybe you don't work and pay taxes but I do.
And as for it being a class issue, what does someone's class have to do with benefit fraud?”