Boxing day hunt to go ahead ‘behind closed doors’ – with no meet at Petworth Park

Officials of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt said they had taken the ‘unusual step’ not to hold the event at The Kennels in Petworth Park, in order to avoid large gatherings and to ensure the wellbeing of the local community.

More than a thousands people attended the event in 2019.

Hunting activities will still go ahead as usual this year, the officials confirmed.

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said: “Subject to the government guidance in place at the time, it is anticipated that hunting activities will still take place on Boxing Day, but like so many other leisure and sporting events, these will sadly have to take place behind closed doors.

“Over a quarter of a million people usually support Boxing Day meets each year so we appreciate that seeing the hounds and watching the spectacle of the meet is often one of the highlights of the annual festive activities for so many in the local area.

“The Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Hunt is disappointed that their Boxing Day meet will not go ahead at the normal location and will follow a different format this year due to coronavirus restrictions, but is very much looking forward to welcoming large numbers of supporters back again in 2021.”