Hundreds gather for traditional Melton New Year hunt meet

This year it was the turn of the riders from the Cottesmore Hunt to visit the town for what was the 41st annual event organised by Melton Mowbray Town Estate.

Horses and hounds entered Play Close Park shortly before 11am.

Senior Townwarden, Adrienne Holland, was unable to attend the event, so Junior Townwarden, Eric Tindall, deputised and after he and other board members had distributed cake and drinks amongst riders and the crowd, he gave a short speech welcoming the hunt and all those present.

The master of the hunt responded with a short speech before the hunt set off on a trail hunt on surrounding fields via Mucky Lane.

Cottesmore Hunt posted on their Facebook page after the event: “Thank you Melton Mowbray.

“A great welcome and fantastic support for your New Year Meet.

“Thank you to all the hundreds of people that came along to see us.”

Melton is at the centre of three territories used for hunting by The Quorn, The Belvoir and The Cottesmore and they take in turns, on a rota basis, to meet at New Year.

Hunts have been prevented from hunting foxes with dogs for nearly 20 years.

They are are able to follow trail hunts, where dogs follow the scent of a fox.

However, there have still been many incidents where the hounds have killed foxes, with recent figures showing 573 successful prosecutions under the Hunting Act between 2005 to 2021.