THE traditional Boxing Day meet of the Tetcott Hunt brought hundreds of supporters into Holsworthy Square.
Pavements were packed and the crowd spilled onto the road mingling with hounds and tinsel decorated horses, their riders enjoying refreshments kindly provided by the King's Arms.
Such has been the scene for the last 100 years indicating that hunting is as popular as ever despite the act banning foxhunting brought in almost four years ago.
But the accepted sport of trail-hunting, which is allowed under the act, brings with it certain challenges.
Since just after daybreak Barry Butler, the hunt's official trail setter, had been out on his quad bike with a farmer colleague laying miles of trail for the hounds to follow. A zig-zag trail which resembles as closely as possible the route that a hunted fox would take.
A spokesman for the hunt said: "Clearly, as we have seen here today, there is still huge support for hunting. The act is something of an ass with so many loopholes; it has brought no benefit at all and is almost impossible to police.
"Animal rights protestors seeking to protect foxes would admit that more foxes than ever are now been killed by shooting, snaring and poisoning with many suffering lingering and painful deaths."
The spokesman added: "At the end of the day the fox is classed as vermin which, without a natural predator, will continue to affect farmers' livelihoods by preying on lambs and poultry and quite often just for pleasure."
The Countryside Alliance is currently campaigning towards a repeal of the foxhunting ban but until then the Tetcott Hunt, like many others, will continue to hunt within the law.
Until that happens, hunts will continue to bring enjoyment to many and thus maintain a tradition that over centuries has become so much part of the British countryside.
As the huntsman, Lee Peters, led the hounds, and a field of more than 30 mounted followers, out of Holsworthy Square, the buzz among those watching indicated just how popular this tradition is.