THOUSANDS are set to turn out for one of Gwent’s longest running traditions on Boxing Day.

Hunts in Abergavenny, Bassaleg and Devauden attract supporters and spectators to the annual meet.

The Monmouthshire Hunt, Tredegar Hunt and Curre and Llangibby Hunt has part of a strong tradition dating as far back as 1695 and sees the young and old gather to support the event.

There have been many changes to the way the hounds have been hunting in the county over the centuries but Peter Swann, Master Huntsman of the Curre and Llangibby Hunt says it remains an intrinsic part of the rural community.

Mr Swann, who has been the Master Huntsman for this event for the past three years, explained that this hunt was a result of an amalgamation of The Curre and Llangibby Hunts in 2000.

He said that following the death of Edward Curre in 1897, the two groups were joined under the Mastership of John Lawrence and Charles Lewis and became known as the Llangibby and Chepstow Hunt until 1885.

Since 1600, Llangibby Castle had been the home of hounds owned by the Williams family. The authenticated master was Addams Williams known as the ‘Great Old Squire’, who was succeeded by his son, William Addams-Williams, in 1785 . This family has strong connections with the present day owning the kennel at Llangibby.

The history of the Curre Hunt goes back to the latter part of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The Lewis family of St Pierre had for more than 100 years kept a pack of hounds. In 1854 Edward Curre of Itton Court took over the hunt which he ran until 1867. It was not until William Curre took over the Mastership in 1896 and purchased the pack that it became known as Mr Curre’s. He built new kennels at the Home Farm in Itton and until his death in 1930, took great care in breeding his hounds.

When he died his wife Lady Augusta took over the pack until she died in 1856 when the hounds were sold.

The hunt then became a subscription pack under the leadership of Mr and Mrs John Meade. The hunt was run by joint masters and a committee until the amalgamation in the 2000-2001 season.

“The traditional Boxing Day hunt meets on Devauden Village Green at 11am,” explained Mr Swann.

“It’s the highlight of the season which starts in November.”

“This year we are expecting 40 riders to take part and around 500 spectators and supporters to join us on the green.”

“In many places the hunts meet in the centre of a market town or like us on the village green.”

“It’s a good chance for families to walk off the Christmas puddings and get outdoors.”

“It’s very public-orientated.”

“This is my third season here but I have been a Master Huntsman for 17 years with other hunts.”

“I usually take part but this year I will be there but not riding due to suffering a broken hand.”

“My role is to liaise with the farmers and landowners and to make sure that we can ride across their land and access either woods, tracks and farmlands. I also look after 60 hounds that belong to the hunt at the Itton Kennels.”

Mr Swann is involved in making sure the hunt complies with the law since the Hunting Act was passed in 2005 making the hunting of foxes illegal.

The hunt has been adapted to comply with regulations and since the ban fox scented trails, bought from the States to mimic how they hunted before the ban, are laid along a route.

“Our riders range in age from members of the pony clubs to the retired- we have a good cross section of people from a range of professions.”

“Riders usually wear their riding kit and you will see our members wearing a green collar.”

Mr Swann said that once the riders have gathered on the green they set off at around 11.15am.

He says riders are attracted to the hunts for a combination of reasons- to watch the hounds at work, to ride and jump the fences and for the social aspect of meeting friends and enjoying a day out.

“A great attraction for riders is that you can access land that isn’t normally available to the everyday rider. On a non hunting day riders will use tracks and bridal ways.”

“Because we have permission from landowners and farmers they can enjoy jumps and areas they haven’t been before.”

“It’s one of the reasons people enjoy the hunt.”

“Some people will stay for an hour while others make a day of it and stay until it finishes at 3pm.”

The Monmouthshire Hunt is organised by the Abergavenny Hunt Committee and will meet outside The Angel Hotel, Cross Street, at 11am on Boxing Day. Last year almost 1,000 people lined the street to see 70 riders set off, some of who were from riding clubs and equestrian centres.

Rider and one of the Joint Masters, David Harrison, who came to the town 32 years ago said that the hunt in Abergavenny is always well-supported.

“Abergavenny is a rural market town and many people living here have connections to the farming and are very supportive.”

“Each year people bring their families and we see people over the years bring their children and now grandchildren to watch the riders set off from The Angel Hotel.”

“I remember when I first came here there were 14 year-old riders coming out on the hunt who are now bringing their children along.”

As the hunt starts in the middle of the town the riders, after making their way along Cross Street, transport their horses to the Monmouthshire countryside to continue their hunt.

In Bassaleg, hundreds are also expected to gather for Tredegar Farmer's' Boxing Day hunt.

The riders and hounds will meet at the Tredegar Arms just before 11am for a trail hunt, following a scent which had been laid down earlier.

Howard Jones, who has been Master of the Hunt since 1963 said this will be his 46th year.

“It’s a big social event which attracts hundreds of spectators, including many families,” said the 85-year-old.

“I have hunted with Tredegar Farmers all my life and breed most of the hounds myself.”

“The hunt has been meeting for over 50 years. Many years ago we would meet at the Coach and Horses in Castleton before moving to the Tredegar Arms to be closer to the kennels.”