Bungay: Protesters attend Boxing Day hunt parade in town

The spectacle has taken place for more than 50 years and sees the Waveney Harriers march through the town before going trail hunting.  

But not everyone in attendance was welcoming, as an organised peaceful protest was carried out by Action Against Animal Cruelty. 

Action Against Animal Cruelty were out in force (Image: Sonya Duncan)

A spokesman from the group said: “We were very pleased to see a large number of hunt protesters peacefully protesting."

Police were present to ensure there was no animosity (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Chris McDaniel, Waveney Harriers senior master, was riding one of the horses at the event said "95pc of people there were supportive".

He said: "It was a positive event. There were a lot of people supporting us, cheers and smiles as we passed.

"It is good for the town, if we didn't do it there would be loads of people upset.

"The town benefits from the thousands of people we attracted out, with 95pc of people there supportive."

Protests were largely peaceful (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Honor Whyte, who was riding a horse at the event, said that the protesters made the traditional event feel "hostile". 

Since 2005 it has been illegal to hunt foxes with a pack of dogs.

Instead, dogs can be used to simulate hunting where mounted riders hunt the trail of an artificially laid scent with hounds.

Last month a petition to have the Bungay Boxing day hunt parade was launched, which has now amassed over 42,000 signatures, at the time of writing.

A spokeswoman from the Countryside Alliance said there were "benefits" to such parades. 

She said: “Many of the tens of thousands of people that attended Boxing Day meets in public places today will have been supporting local cafes, shops and pubs which opened their doors to coincide with the hunt’s presence.” 

There were cheers as the hunt passed (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Police were keeping the event calm (Image: Sonya Duncan)