Protests set for Boxing Day hunts

A protest will take place at Tenterden’s long-running Boxing Day hunt, it has been confirmed.

Activists will be targeting the Ashford Valley Tickham event in the town, as well as the East Kent with West Street meet, which assembles annually in Elham village square.

Campaigners from the East Kent Hunt Saboteurs have told the Kentish Express they are organising the demonstrations, having held several protests against the rides in previous years.

The activists claimed a “massive victory” last year after forcing organisers of the East Kent with West Street meet to abandon a 100-year-old tradition of gathering in Elham.

Instead, supporters were invited up to the hunt kennels at the top of Cullens Hill, where security was in place to ensure protestors could not access the premises.

Despite this, the event was marred by trouble as a demonstrator in Elham was allegedly thrown in front of a passing car before being punched and kicked.

And in Tenterden a 19-year-old woman was reportedly attacked and a band had its equipment destroyed.

Earlier this year, a 8,000-signature online petition was sent to Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Kent Police, urging the authorities to ban the festive gatherings.

Several councils across the country have already acted to ban hunt meets on public land.

Since the introduction of The Hunting Act in 2004, hunting wild animals with dogs has been outlawed. Hunts now hold ‘drag’ hunts, where an artificial scent is laid for hounds to follow.