Attempt to ban Boxing Day meet in Devon is rejected

A motion opposing any trail hunt meeting in Tiverton, Devon, on Boxing Day has been defeated. 

Councillor Chris Berry, who proposed the motion, said the council had “embarrassed itself” by not taking action against the meet of hounds and horses of the Tiverton — the hunt that bears the town’s name. 

The debate featured a number of impassioned speakers arguing for the hunt’s tradition and economic benefits to the town centre, as well as accusations of intimidation and calls for modernity. 

Nine councillors voted for the motion, nine against it, with four abstaining. This meant the town’s mayor and meeting chairman, Councillor Neal Davey, had to cast the deciding vote. He voted against, meaning the motion was defeated. Similar motions were proposed and defeatedin 2022 and 2023.

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said: “Boxing Day meets are enjoyed by thousands of people from all walks of life, in many cases bringing much needed footfall to towns and village centres, boosting support for local businesses. Often criticism of these popular events is whipped up by small groups of activists from outside the local area.”