THE East Cornwall Hunt traditional Boxing Day meet at Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, was cut short this year due to foggy conditions, but a festive time was still enjoyed by a strong number beforehand.

Before the group set out on its pre laid drag trail, members and followers came together in the courtyard of the inn to converse with riders and meet the hounds.

Before the horn was sounded the hunt master Graham Higgins wished everyone a ‘merry Christmas and happy New Year’ and led all present in a rendition of ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’.

Hunt secretary Mrs Mary Martyn said: “The weather detracted a few people this year but we still had 30 plus riders come out and several hundred foot followers. Our hunt master was Graham, Lindsey hunted the hounds and we took 12 and a half couple hounds out.”

This year saw a shortened course for the riders as the weather made it unsafe to continue.

Mrs Martyn said: “We had to pack up at around 2.30pm because the fog came down and it wasn’t safe for us to stay out as the weather clamped in — it was chucking it down with rain by the end so we made the right decision to come back when we did.”

However, Mrs Martyn said despite the weather it was nice to see some new faces joining the meet, with one young girl and her Shetland joining the start of the run.

She said: “We always get a few cuties come out with us. A few people we would normally see bring their children and grandchildren along which is always nice.”

This year the riders’ shortened path took them out to Priddacombe Moor, around Brown Willy and back again.