Huge crowds drown out jeers of hunt protestors

Picture by ©Owain Betts

Cheering supporters drowned out the jeers of anti-hunt supporters in Welshpool this morning.

Record crowds turned out to support the annual parade organised by the Tanatside Hunt – lining Broad Street beyond the Town Hall from the starting point at the Royal Oak Hotel.

A group of around 15 objectors held banners aloft and jeered as the hunt went past but their protest was quickly drowned by applause from the large crowd.

Since the enforcement of the hunting act in 2004, the hunt now follows trails of scent instead of wild animals. The Tanatside Hunt says its hunting is held in accordance with the act.

With over 30 horses and even more dogs on show, it has proved a popular family event but while the crowds have grown on the town’s high street year on year, the voice of local opposition was present for the first time today.

“There is a good number of local people who wanted to make their opinion known in a peaceful way to show that not everyone supports it,” said local resident, Heather Chave. “We believe this activity should not be happening in this day and age.”