The many hundreds of South Pembrokeshire Hunt supporters who turned out at the usual Cresswell Quay venue on Boxing Day, considered to be a near record crowd, confirmed that countryside activities of this nature are still popular.

Boxing Day is a wonderful celebration of our rural way of life and will ever remain so as huge gatherings across the country support their local hunts, whilst hundreds of thousands more were shooting, racing, fishing and enjoying the best of the outdoors.

Under an almost cloudless sky, many holidaymakers to the area and relatives and friends, young and old, returning to the south of the county for Christmas, truly enjoy the social atmosphere and reflect with joyous memories of the years gone by.

Over a pint and a burger, mince pies or sausage rolls, this was the opportunity to meet up with numerous old friends, perhaps the only time in a year, in a whimsical, time-honoured fashion.

Around 60 mounted followers joined the Hunt Master, Simon Jones, and his helpers as they headed off up the hill following the pack as they probably have done for many generations over some 220 years.

Report by Meyrick Brown