ONLOOKERS will not be allowed to watch the hounds and horses gather for the traditional Boxing Day hunt meet in Ledbury this year, because of Covid regulations and the need for social distancing. Veteran Huntsman, Donald Haden said the Ledbury Hunt would also not be riding out anywhere on Boxing Day this year, but planned to go out on Christmas Eve and December 28, to follow pre-laid artificial trails. Ledbury Hunt secretary, Helen Smith said: “Due to the impact of the coronavirus, the Ledbury Hunt will not be holding its usual annual Boxing Day meet in the centre of Ledbury this year. We are disappointed that the meet will not go ahead but very much look forward to welcoming the usual large numbers of supporters in 2021.
ONLOOKERS will not be allowed to watch the hounds and horses gather for the traditional Boxing Day hunts this year, because of Covid regulations and the need for social distancing. The Worcestershire Hunt and the Croome Hunt in Worcestershire, and also the Ledbury Hunt in Herefordshire, have all pulled the plug on their usual Boxing Day meets. Chloe Stiley, a spokeswoman for the Worcestershire Hunt, which traditionally has its Boxing Day meet in Droitwich, said: “Unfortunately, this can’t happen this year, but we hope to be there next year. We have to be safe.” She said of past Boxing Day meets: “We can get up to 2,000 people in lines along the High Street.”