Did you know?

• The phrase ‘painting the town red” originated in Melton when some young aristocrats up for the hunt went on a drunken spree in the 1800s and literally painted Melton town centre red.

• Both Edward VIII and George VI loved Melton - in fact they both refered to the town as their 'second home'.

• Until the 1950s the Melton Times, as the official hunt newspaper, faithfully recorded the events of every Quorn, Cottesmore, Belvoir and Fernie hunt meeting.

But recently, there have been moves to ban the ancient sport.

In 1982, the hunts joined forces to successfully defeat proposals by Leicestershire County Council to ban hunting on all council-owned land.

Then came the 1997 anti-hunting bill, which received massive support from Labour in the House of Commons – but was bitterly opposed here.

With its hunting connections, Melton Mowbray was a focus of attention and thousands showed their support by turning out to demonstra

-tions at Melton Airfield.

It was a historic occasion because it was the first time that the Belvoir, Quorn, Cottesmore, Fernie and Atherstone Hunts had met and hunted together.

Hundreds of people from Melton went to London to join the 284,000 amassed for the Countryside March, one of the biggest demon- strations the country has ever seen.

The bill was defeated – but a new threat was raised this year when Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to ban foxhunting before the next

General Election. It is estimated that 800 people in the area will lose their jobs if hunting is banned. And they contribute £9.2 million to Leicestershire’s economy.

Again the hunts are preparing for another fight for survival against the townies. Ironically, it was people from London and other big towns who were responsible for finding Melton Mowbray in the first place back in the 1700s.

Whatever the outcome, foxhunting will remain part of the rich heritage of Melton Mowbray. It will never be forgotten!