Countryside Alliance efforts see a council vote AGAINST severing ties with Belvoir Hunt

Last night, South Kesteven District Council voted against a motion to 'sever all ties with the Belvoir Hunt'. The controversial call had been proposed by Independent Councillor, Virginia Moran.

The decision means that hounds will continue to be permitted to meet in Grantham on Boxing Day, as they have for many years.

Members of the Countryside Alliance, residents and supporters of hunting in Lincolnshire were rewarded for lobbying their local councillors effectively.

Polly Portwin, Head of Hunting at the Countryside Alliance said: "We are delighted that the Council voted against the motion to 'sever all ties with the Belvoir Hunt' and therefore permit the hounds to meet in Grantham on Boxing Day. It is a great shame that councillors had to waste time on such a pointless and divisive debate but we are very grateful they rejected the proposal, even though we understand that some came under incredible pressure from anti-hunting activists."

"The Belvoir Hunt have been hunting within the law since the Hunting Act came into force in 2005 and hunting continues to attract huge support across Lincolnshire and beyond as people enjoy following and watching hounds working in the countryside.

"The Boxing Day meet in Grantham is not only incredibly well-supported by local residents, but also brings in huge numbers from out of the town which in turn, helps local businesses that open to host and support the large crowd."

A similar direct-lobbying campaign by the Countryside Alliance, saw a similar motion to ban trail hunting on land in Essex, defeated recently.