News Beat
Pictures as New Year’s Day Holcombe Hunt returns to Wheelton
The annual meet took place in Wheelton, with riders assembling outside The Red Lion pub on Blackburn Road.
From late morning, members of the public lined the roadside and nearby fields to watch as mounted riders and a pack of hounds gathered ahead of the hunt moving off.
The Holcombe Hunt is one of the oldest in the country, with its history stretching back more than 900 years.
While the event has moved locations over time, it continues to attract large crowds each year, with hundreds of people turning out to watch the spectacle and take part in the New Year tradition.
This year’s hunt comes at a time of uncertainty for trail hunting nationally.
The Government recently outlined plans to consult on ending the practice, citing animal welfare and public safety concerns.
The proposals have sparked debate across rural communities, with supporters arguing that trail hunting is a legal and regulated countryside activity, while opponents continue to call for tighter restrictions.
Despite the wider discussion, the New Year’s Day meet went ahead as planned.
The images in the gallery are by photographer Phil Taylor, capturing the scale and atmosphere of the day, from the mounted riders and hounds preparing to set off, to families, locals and visitors watching from the roadside.
