Hunt to meet in Melton on New Year's Day with a trail hunting ban looming

The Belvoir Hunt is preparing to gather in Melton Mowbray for the annual New Year’s Day Hunt Meet in the wake of the government’s announcement yesterday (Monday) that it plans to ban the practice of trail hunting.

Using dogs to hunt foxes and other wild mammals was outlawed in 2004 but hunts have continued to meet with hounds and follow the trail of an animal scent dragged on a rag.

The traditional Melton New Year hunt meet when it was held at the Play Close

placeholder image — The traditional Melton New Year hunt meet when it was held at the Play Close

But the government says this is a ‘smokescreen’ for hunting wild animals and wants to end it as part of its new animal welfare strategy.

The League Against Cruel Sports has released figures showing that 264 reports were made of illegal hunting since the start of August and 211 where foxes were observed to have been followed – those numbers increased from 2024.

The last Melton New Year Hunt Meet back In January when it was held for the first time at the livestock market

The Countryside Alliance argues that trail hunting is vital for the rural economy, generating about £100M and providing 500 direct jobs attached to the hunts.

It also points out that ‘there have been fewer than 50 convictions under the Hunting Act in relation to registered packs of hounds’ in the last 20 years.

The Belvoir’s New Year meet is at 11am at Melton Livestock Market – the event was traditionally held for many years at Play Close Park but it moved to the market in January 2025 because it was no longer financially viable to do it at the Melton Mowbray Town Estate venue.

The boundaries of The Quorn, Belvoir and Cottesmore Hunts all converge in Melton and the trio have met in the town, on a rota basis, for 40 years at New Year.

The Belvoir Hunt is also planning to meet on Boxing Day at the Engine Yard, adjacent to Belvoir Castle, at 11am.

The hunt posted on its Facebook page: “We were thrilled to see so many of you last year and hope as many (if not more!) supporters will join us this time.”

The Countryside Alliance expects big support for local hunts this festive season in the wake of the government’s announcement. It stated: “Thousands of people who don’t usually follow come and enjoy the tradition and ritual that is such a part of the fabric of this country.”