Expected confrontation between huntsmen and protesters turned out to be little more than a damp squib when the East Essex Hunt was cancelled.
The deserted forecourt at the Onley Arms, Stisted, after the cancellation.
But passions ran high as protestors moved on to the Essex Farmers and Union meet at Grange Farm in the Street, Steeple.
The Hunt was due to gather at the Onley Arms pub in Stisted at 11am on Boxing Day but overnight rain had left the surrounding countryside waterlogged and unsuitable for the horses.
Protesters from the League Against Cruel Sports barely stepped out of their cars to see the Hunt Cancelled notice before leaving, while a crowd of spectators who had come to see off the hunt disbanded shortly after.
Huntmaster Simon Fordham, of Little Maplestead, said the hunt had to be cancelled due to the bad weather waterlogging areas of land, adding it had nothing to do with the planned demonstration by animal rights protesters.
The deserted forecourt at the Onley Arms, Stisted, after the cancellation.
About 30 people turned up with placards for the annual event in Steeple, which was held out of Maldon High Street for the second time in more than 60 years.
They were outnumbered by more than 100 supporters who cheered and clapped as the group set off.
There were angry exchanges between the two groups and the protesters also taunted the riders and their supporters about the possibility that the hunt could be the last.
Published Friday, December 27, 2002
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