THE Duke of Westminster has given his blessing to a public show of defiance by the fox hunting fraternity. A protest hunt is to be held on the Duke's Eaton estate on the Welsh borders, at which riders and followers will pledge to break the law if hunting is banned. Hundreds of hunt support-ers are expected to turn up for the event, called Declaration Day, at Eaton Aerodrome, on November 1. It will involve hunts from Cheshire, Manchester, Mersey-side and North Wales, including the Wynnstay Hunt, based at Bangor-on-Dee. Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "This is not a step that anyone will be taking lightly, but many people feel that it is a legitimate act of protest in response to the threat of deeply prejudiced legislation." Protesters say they want the right to carry on hunting legitimately, but will continue regardless if it is outlawed and will face the consequences, including prison. Sir Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the sixth Duke of Westminster, is a strong advocate of rural pursuits and hosts grouse shoots on his Lancashire estate. Last year he was one of 10 "famous" hunt supporters named on a "hit list" by campaigners. The Urban Alliance, a self-proclaimed umbrella organisation for activists in the anti-hunting movement, also singled out Prince Charles and Prince William. The protest is one of 12 meetings being held across Wales and England. The official Welsh meet is at Builth Wells. Foxhounds, lurchers, greyh oun ds, beag l es, minkhounds, terriers and other hunting and working dogs will all be present. Mr Hart added: "This nation-wide show of strength and unity will send a clear message that we will not accept unjust law." In June this year MPs over-whelming voted in favour of an outright ban and blocked the Government's bid to find a compromise. The bill is due to go before the House of Lords before Christmas. Gregg Metcalfe, from the North West division of the League Against Cruel Sports, has condemned the Eaton protest. He said: "This is just another example of their hypocrisy. "For years they have claimed to be law abiding, but this so called declaration shows their true colours. "They are arrogantly saying they will ignore any laws they don't agree with. "This an empty political gesture by a small group of people. More than 80pc of the public agree that hunting with dogs is barbaric and should be banned and we hope that happens sooner rather than later." | 
