THE Blackmore Vale hunt continued its tradition over the New Year period with scores of riders and spectators turning out in support.

Fox hunting was banned under the 2004 Hunting Act and much debate remains among hunt protesters and those who see it as a traditional part of countryside life providing employment and pest control.

The Countryside Alliance claims support for hunting has grown since the ban took effect with record numbers said to have attended Boxing Day hunts around the country.

A recently uncovered 19th-century Western Gazette article offers an insight into how the event was once viewed by the public and those taking part.

John McCreery lives in Templecombe and his family has lived and farmed in the area for over 40 years. His father was once master of the Blackmore Vale hunt.

"I was looking through the library archive for stories about my family in Sherborne and came across this fox hunting article," he said.

"I thought it was wonderfully well written and really shows what a large part of community life the sport once was in rural areas and how differently it was viewed then.

"I remember going out with my father around Somerset and Dorset to watch hunting and it was certainly very dramatic.

"It was hugely popular in this area up until the First World War but its popularity has gradually waned since then.

"I believe there are still three or four hunts a week but they are very different now."

The article printed in the Western Gazette on Friday, January 2, 1891, titled Extraordinary Run tells the story of a four-hour fox hunt in the snow by the Cotley Harriers.

An extract from it reads: "As the messrs. equines were returning from giving the pack a long exercise in the snow, a message was received that a fox had been tracked in a double hedge by the village of Radstock.

"Mr Wale was very anxious to have him run as he thought that Reynard might take a fancy to his lambs."

The fox was named in the article after a figure from medieval European folklore.

Reynard the Fox was said to be a nasty but charismatic character who was always in trouble but able to talk his way out of any retribution.

"The hounds were at once taken on and sure enough the varmint was unkennelled, nearly losing his life by his reluctance to leave his snug quarters," it read.

"They view him for several fields when a check is caused by the idiotic holloaing of some foot people.

"This gives the wily one a start and thinking his pursuers mean business, takes advantage of it."

The hunt continued over the border from Somerset to Dorset at Westford Mill and then through Little Park and Western Park to the Forde Abbey covers.

The fox turns back when faced with a steep hill at the Iron Age fort Lambert's Castle and looks to be tiring before breaking clear once more.

With the snow covered ground lit only by the bright moon, it was not clear if the fox had been killed or had escaped.

The hounds were finally returned to their kennels at around 8pm.

The Blackmore Vale hunt was out again over the Christmas and new year period with eyewitness accounts proving the events remain popular, although scent and trails are now used for the hunt to follow.