Boxing Day Battle: Hunts Clash on Lewes Streets
Get ready for a Boxing Day showdown as traditional foxhunting meets fierce protest in Lewes. London Road will be shut for about 30 minutes at 11am, while Lewes High Street faces closures for up to an hour from the same time.
Two Road Closures, Two Opposing Sides
Lewes District Council received two road closure requests for Boxing Day 2022. One came from the Southdown and Eridge Hunt, aiming to carry on the age-old tradition. The other was from Action Against Foxhunting, planning a counter-demo.
Cllr Johnny Denis, Cabinet member for communities and customers, explained the tough task of handling both. “Following a consultation with statutory agencies, both events have been granted separate road closures in Lewes on Boxing Day,” he said.
Peace Urged Amidst Boxing Day Tensions
“Guidance from Action Against Fox Hunting was carefully considered in the processing of these applications, as was the national legislation under which all road closure applications must be handled,” said Cllr Denis.
“The issuing of a road closure is not an endorsement of an event. We would ask anyone who is planning to attend either event to do so peacefully.”
