Shropshire Star

Boxing Day hunt cancelled due to pandemic

A traditional Boxing Day hunt which usually attracts thousands of visitors will not be held this year due to the pandemic.

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The Albrighton and Woodlands Hunt at Hagley Hall, Stourbridge in 2018

The Albrighton and Woodlands Hunt normally meets at Hagley Hall, Stourbridge, before making its way across the countryside to Penkridge, watched by crowds lining parts of the route.

However following a meeting of the joint masters, a decision has been made to delay the event which features trail hunting methods.

Organiser Hazel Sheppard said: "Most hunts are not meeting on Boxing Day because of the Government's guidance.

"We normally get crowds of between 2,000 to 3,000 coming out to watch. We feel it wouldn't be fair to put people at risk by having large groups gathering here and there.

"We're not meeting at Hagley all on Saturday this time round. Lord and Lady Cobham would normally see us off and they're quite sad about it.

"Children who normally come to watch on their ponies will be upset too."

"We will lose a tremendous amount of income," Mrs Sheppard added.

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