Traditional South Nottinghamshire Hunt spectacle banned by Newark Town Council
A traditional hunt spectacle has been banned by Newark Town Council.
The Town Council voted to ban the traditional New Year’s Day meet, held in Newark Market Place by the South Nottinghamshire Hunt, at the finance and general purposes committee, which described the event as the most appalling thing.
Deputy leader and chairman of the committee, Mrs Gill Dawn, said: “The hunt is the most appalling thing to happen, encouraging people to abuse animals and dress up and drink.
“I take the greatest pleasure to recommend that it doesn’t happen.”
The hunt has traditionally taken place on January 1 for the past nine years. It had returned after a break but prior to that had met in Newark Market Place for decades.
Riders and hounds usually congregate in the Market Place at around mid-morning, where the mayor greets the hunt and hounds and inspects them, before offering the huntsmen a stirrup cup.
Kate Cressey, of the South Notts Hunt, said: “The South Notts Hunt takes great pride in meeting the hundreds of members of the public, as well as our own hunt supporters who attend this meet as part of their annual festivities.
“We are determined not to disappoint them, despite the best efforts of the few who have mounted this campaign against us, and will ensure we are present in Newark on New Year’s Day 2020. We look forward to sharing details of the new venue in due course.”
Polly Portwin, head of hunting at the Countryside Alliance said: “We are delighted to advise the residents of Newark and beyond that plans are already under way for the South Notts Hunt to meet at an alternative venue in Newark on New Year’s Day.
“It is obviously disappointing that the local council has bowed to pressure from a handful of activists and sneaked through this motion without any consultation with the hunt, but there is determination to support the local community who look forward to this wonderful spectacle.
“The South Notts Hunt operates within the law and there is huge local support for them, as was demonstrated with the hundreds of spectators who filled the streets on New Year’s Day in 2019.”
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