Defending a festive tradition
CHRISTMAS and hunting with hounds have always gone together like goose and dumplings; port and hangovers; Brexit and screaming at an aunt across the dining table. The Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets are the fulcrum of the hunting year; the best opportunity to showcase our sport to a disconnected public.
The UK isn’t alone in making the link: continental traditions reflect this enduring connection between Christmas and hunting. Germany’s dark ages proto-Santa drew on pagan mythology; their Yuletide gift-bringer was the Norse god Wotan (from
