Students welcomed the Avon Vale hunt when it met at Lackham House in Wiltshire for the first time in more than 60 years, on Tuesday (19 January). Lackham House is now part of the Wiltshire College's campus and the centre of its land-based courses, but was once owned by George Palmer, one of the founders of the Avon Vale Hunt .
The hunt has not met at Lackham House since 1954. The meet was hosted by students from the college's equestrian department and a field of around 20 riders turned out including several of the College's own equestrian students for a day's trail-hunting. Another 150 students turned out for the meet.
Assistant Principal Ian Revill said: "We recognise that hunting is a controversial subject but there is widespread support for it on this campus and it's an important part of the equine sector and rural life for many people. "It's not so much a case of taking sides, it's more a case of allowing students to see what happens and make their own minds up about this issue. The Hunt takes all the fallen livestock from our working farm and hosts our Gamekeeping and Equine students on visits to the kennels and stables and so it seems appropriate to host them here today".
Equine student Jason Bull said: "We enjoyed seeing how a typical hunt meet is organised and catered for before they set off. It's great that our own students are able to take part."