Scaled back Boxing Day Hunt meets set to take place tomorrow across the UK

Scaled back Boxing Day Hunt meets set to take place tomorrow across the UK, with packs in Scotland and Wales cancelling their public gatherings.

Traditional Boxing Day Hunt meets and other festive meets being held in England, Scotland and Wales look likely to all be conducted under different guidelines this year, giving them a very different feel compared to normal years, although obviously normal years are currently in short supply.

As Boxing Day falls on a Sunday this year, traditionally a day of rest for the hunting community, the majority of meets had been planned for Monday 27th December.

In line with government rules and under the guidance of the Hunting Office, packs in Scotland (where outdoor gatherings are now limited to 500 people) and in Wales where the limit is 50 people, will no longer be able to host their traditional and public Boxing Day and New Year's Day meets where large gatherings may take place.

Like many people trying to make plans for the days between Christmas and New Year, those organising meets in England were left in limbo by the uncertainty over any potential "circuit breaker" announcements that had been alluded to. Knowing that changes could be forced upon them at any stage leading up to their meets, organisers had been conflicted by concerns over running an outdoor event with large crowds while not wanting to disappoint the thousands of people who often turn out to line the streets and show their support for hounds.

One of the hunting community's main concerns was the impact wide cancellation of meets in towns and villages would have on the local shops and businesses that have already suffered considerably throughout the pandemic, but who would benefit so greatly from the additional custom they would have as a result of meets continuing to taking place.

In the majority of cases, Boxing Day meets in England being planned for Monday, 27thDecember, will be going ahead but in the knowledge that any government announcements regarding legislative changes may mean plans have to change at the eleventh hour.

Hunts have been advising supporters to take lateral flow tests on the morning of the 27th December and not to attend in the event of a positive reading or if feeling unwell. Masks have been encouraged to be worn, should supporters find themselves in an enclosed space.

With some 250 packs of foxhounds, harriers and beagles still going strong 17 years on from when the Hunting Act was passed, hunts have proved they can adapt to legislation which tried, but failed, to wipe them off the rural map, and will yet again prove their adaptability by conducting their festive meets in accordance with any last-minute rule changes to ensure the sound of hounds rings out across the festive period.

Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance said: "Festive meets such as the hundreds taking place outside tomorrow are hugely popular and well attended by both hunt followers and local communities, for whom the event has become a cherished family tradition. While this year many meets are likely to be smaller scale and some people will opt to stay at home, they still provide a big boost both socially and economically throughout the countryside, as does trail hunting throughout the season. We would urge those who plan on attending to please take a lateral flow test and not to attend in the event of a positive reading or if you are feeling unwell."

If you're looking to join your local pack tomorrow (27th December 2021), check our interactive map here to see where your local pack is meeting and join them, whether you're planning to just meet the hounds, see them off or follow on foot.