The Cottesmore Hunt have announced that their traditional Boxing Day meet will take place at Exton Park on 26th December 2022.
The gathering, which attracts hundreds of spectators and mounted supporters, usually takes place on Cutts Close, Oakham, but has also used the Market Place and Council Offices in recent years.
Exton Park is the ancestral seat of the Noels, and is currently the home of Henry Noel and family.
The Cottesmore Hunt, based in Ashwell, was founded in 1666, and a Boxing Day meet has been an annual event for over 350 years.
In a statement, the Cottesmore Hunt wrote, “The Cottesmore Hunt would like to inform all those who wish to show their support for our hounds, the the annual Boxing Day meet will be held at Exton Park on Monday 26th December at 11am. Entrance to the park is through the white gates off the Barnsdale to Cottesmore road. Stewards will direct you to the car park.”
The statement continues, “We are delighted ’For Rutland’ will be holding their traditional collection - please be generous to this amazing local charity.”
Fox hunting was banned in 2004, but continues in the form of trail hunting, or by using one of several exemptions laid out in The Hunting Act.
