AT 75 years of age Howard Jones (pictured) lives in the house where he was born, in Lower Machen, on the outskirts of Newport.

He says he has witnessed the growth of the city with bewilderment.

"Both my father and my grandfather lived here at The Forge Farm prior to me," he says. "In terms of a trade I followed my father and am still a registered farrier and blacksmith, but only really do my own three horses."

Mr Jones' younger brother, Lloyd, died in 1972 while participating in a horse race, but that never put Mr Jones off riding Milly, his three-quarter-bred horse.

"I still ride as well now as I ever did, I hunt every Tuesday and Saturday." Though both he and his wife are native Newportonians - June, Howard's wife of 50 years, was born to a Bettws farming family - both avoid going into the city if they can.

Mr Jones said: "Things have changed beyond all recognition round here. I remember hunting years and years ago in areas where there are now vast housing estates.

"I don't go to Newport too much anymore if I can help it, I remember when it used to be such a lovely little town, but everything has changed.

"I prefer to go to Pontymister or Caerphilly if I need something major. We are the last village before you reach the valley, and that's the way we feel."

If the changes around him are unsettling, Mr Jones takes comfort from the fact that in many respects his beloved village of Lower Machen remains the same as it was in his childhood.

"There are only about 20 houses in the village so I know pretty much everyone, though there are a couple of new people.

"I have an aunt living next door, she was also born and bred here, and another distant relative of mine lives on the other end of the block June and I live on. She's over 80 years old and the pair of us played together as children.

"My wife and I share the same interests, she probably knows more about hunting than I do.

"My daughter and son-in-law tried to modernise us recently, when they bought us a video player, but I don't watch much television, just the news and one or two other shows."

Pro-hunt campaigners yesterday lost their High Court challenge to the law banning hunting with dogs in England and Wales.

The Countryside Alliance told judges the law was invalid because it was passed using the Parliament Act.

Campaigners are now expected to apply for an injunction to allow further appeals and to launch a challenge on human rights grounds.

Mr Jones stopped short of vowing to continue hunting if a ban goes ahead.

He said: "I think we will be able to sort a situation with the government where we hunters can remain within the law.

"People in London just don't understand hunting. I wear my hunting uniform with red coat and black collar and they think I'm a toff, but it's just a uniform. You wouldn't expect a footballer to take to the pitch wearing cricket whites, would you? It's just the uniform."

Proud of his position as a local figurehead, Mr Jones said: "Tredegar Farmers' Foxhounds, now known as the Tredegar Farmers Hunt Club, was established after the war in 1947 and I've hunted with them ever since. It's a great tradition and I don't understand why so many want it taken away from us. But we won't be dictated to.

"At the moment, because of the political climate, we are enjoying great support and large numbers on each hunt. On Boxing Day last year we had 63 horses out with us, the community is rallying round.

"The media make it seem as if the foxes are all Basil Brush characters, cuddly types. But they are vicious hunters. If a fox gets into a chicken house he'll kill 30 but take one."

And Mr Jones believes hunting has more supporters within government than many would have us believe.

"I don't think Tony Blair and others high up in the government really care too much. I certainly don't get the feeling they strongly disagree with hunting.

"Rather, I think it's the Labour backbenchers putting all the pressure on but they need to understand that this is a way of life to many of us, if not for them.

"I hope to be hunting for many more years to come."