Autumn 2011
Supported by
Issue
Autumn 2011
Ian Tolputt
Editorial photos
The season is about get
into full swing but our
success at the shows this
summer deserves a
special mention.
On page we look at
the big 3 shows. Page
features our Puppy Show
we take a
and on page
look behind the kennel’s
door. We enjoy the magnifuicent Country House
Plant Sale on page
and there is an amusing
review of the Camel Race
and Fair on page
The regularly featuredField Forager is on page
Howard Milton
Design
news of Summer events
A
4
note from the
Editor
In order to make the
Hack as readable and as
profitable as
possible, your
editorial team have
divided their labours
12
18
Roy Sanders
Editorial
[email protected]
10
Jess Douglas
Advertising
[email protected]
Martin Gannon
Sponsorship
14.
[email protected]
20 and you will find
[email protected]
along the Diary for the
coming months on pages
We hope
pages
you enjoy this edition
and whatever the climate,
good hunting!
howard@
smithandmilton.com§
8 & 9.
Cover
‘Any late subscriptions?’
painting by
Howard Milton
2011
The next issue
The copy date for the Spring edition of the Hack will be 31st January 2012, so please be sure to let us
know in good time if there is an article, photo or advertisement you would like us to include.
Please send any suggestions to the Editor: Roy Sanders [email protected]
The Hunt Club, is very grateful to our sponsors and advertisers for making the publication possible.
3
HOUND SHOWS
H
aving started the
Autumn with great
success, the season was then
blighted by bad weather.
“this is the winter of
our discontent”
quoted Richard III,
a comment agreed by the
majority of the Heythrop
followers. When at last the
weather did break, it was
followed by an immensly
dry spring, which made life
extremely difficult for the
Huntsman and staff. But they
ended on a high note on the
final day of the season.
Photographs by kind permission of Judy Hart
A Summer of success
There is always a lot of work to be done at
the end of the season, with holidays to fit
in, and two new members of staff in the
Kennels and a lot of maintenance to catch
up with. The new passage which has been
built at the Kennels will be an immense
help to the staff. Many thanks are owed to
the Hunt Supporters Club, Mikey Elliot
and lastly but not least to Julian who put in
many hours every evening doing the metal
work for the railings. Inspite of all this, the
hounds taken to Ardingly on 9th June. did
everyone proud.
Judging in the morning was the responsibility of Mr and Mrs.Nigel Peel. In the unentered doghound class, the Heythrop won
with WISEMAN and MAGNUM, walked
by Mrs Heaney and Ian Lewis. The Championship for the best unentered hound in
the first two classes went to WISEMAN.
In the entered couple, the Heythrop’s
STOCKTON and RODEO were beaten
into second place by the V.W.H.
In the two couple class, RODEO, STATESMAN, STOCKTON and STORMER
were second. but PARAGON won the
Stallion hound class, walked by Judge Alexander and his wife. In the Championship,
the Heythrop had a dark horse in STOCKTON, and he duly won, much to the delight of the Masters and Huntsman.
The afternoon judging by Captain and
Mrs. Farquhar resulted in much the same
pattern. In the unentered couple of bitches,
the Heythrop stood second to the V.W.H.
again, with RASPBERRY and STORY but
as in the morning, the Championship for
the best unentered hound in the first two
classes went to RASPBERRY. The V.W.H
stood first again in the entered couple, class
4
with the Heythrop’s ROBBERY and ROSARY placed second. In the two couple
class, the quartet of MELLOW, ROSARY
ROBBERY and STARTLE stood third.
MELLOW who had been shown only in
the two couple class, was brought out a very
hot favourite for the Championship, which
she duly won.
To win all four Championships was a great
feat, and many congratulations must go to
Julian and Richard for this. No-one can remember if and when it was done previously.
Above
WISEMAN unentered Champion
Peterborough and Great Yorkshire
RASPBERRY, unentered Champion
at Ardlingly and Great Yorkshire.
Reserve Peterborough
Luck held for the Hunt Staff for the Puppy
Show held on 7th July. The days before had
been stormy and unsettled, but the weather
held all day, with just a minor shower at
lunch time. As ever everything was immaculate, and Mr. Nigel Peel and Mr. Ian
McKie judged as last year. In their speeches
they said in their opinion, it was the best entry the Heythrop have produced for many
years, and they were robust in the praise of
Julian, who day after day, provides entertainment for the many followers, despite
the difficult situation.
As ever the hounds looked and showed
well, with MAGNUM walked by Ian Lewis
standing first above WISEMAN, walked
by the Heaneys with BROKER walked by
David Guilding third and SAFEGUARD
walked by Mrs. Wills fourth. The bitches
showed tremendous enthusiasm and turn
of foot when they were galloped for the
judges. RASPBERRY as expected took the
first prize, walked by Mrs. Gunn, who also
walked the second prize winner RATTLE.
Third was BRAVERY walked by Mr. D.
Guilding and fourth STORY walked by the
Bacon family. The Championship was duly
won by RASPBERRY.
MELLOW,
Champion, Ardingly, Great
Yorkshire, Peterborough, 2010
unentered Champion Peterborough,
reserve overall Champion,
Champion Honiton.
An excellent tea was then had, provided
by Emily Campbell and her helpers and all
who attended agreed it was a great day attended by more Huntsmen and hunt staff
than every before. This is a great reflection
on the doghounds produced by the Heythrop. More than 60 visiting bitches from far
and wide have come to Chipping Norton
this year , and one look at the catalogue of
any of the hound shows, prove what an
enormous influence the Heythrop have on
the hound breeding throughout the country. The many who stayed on to look at the
old Hounds were generously entertained by
Julian and Polly.
A long journey to Harrogate on 12th July,
with only the bitches, as Nessie Lambert
was judging Doghounds in the morning
with Ian Farquhar. The afternoon the judging was passed to Ian McKie and the Countess Goess Saurau.
5
The Duchess of Cornwall came into the ring
during the unentered bitch class, and spoke
to all the Hunt Staff and took a great interest in their hounds. She said how sad she
was no longer able to go hunting.
It was very generous of Ken Gamble to
provide his small horse box for the transport. It is a long journey in a big lorry, and
with only a few hounds to take, this was
ideal.
Peterborough was the final for these
hounds, and in the unentered doghounds,
WISEMAN and MAGNUM were placed
first by the judges who in the morning were
Major T. Easby and Mark Hankinson from
the Wilton. WISEMAN was then judged
the Champion unentered doghound out of
the first two classes. This was a very great
start, but although they stood up well, the
two couple consisting of RODEO, PARAGON PARTNER AND STOCKTON
were beaten into third place by the Duke
of Beaufort’s and V.W.H. In the Stallion
hound class PARAGON stood third and
in the Championship sadly STOCKTON
who was Champion at Ardingly, did not really get given a chance to show his paces and
was unplaced.
This sporting life . . .
Eyford House
Country
Plant SaleHouse
the
Plant Sale
The Giant
Country House
Plant Sale.
held at Eyford
Park, raised
over £202,000,
In aid of ABF
The Soldiers’
Charity, Remount, and
The Countryside Alliance.
Sunday 11th May 2011
Eyford Park
Sunday 22nd May
2011
Full story
on page 12
A tough act to follow.
In 1984 Richard Sumner joined the Mastership.
This will be his last but no means least, memorable
season. After 27 years in office, he has made his name
as a brilliant man across country and as
a fine hound breeder.
Surtee’s words of wisdom
“‘Unting is all that’s worth living for - all time is lost wot
is not spent in ‘unting - it is like the hair we breathe - if
we have it not we die - it’s the sport of kings, the image of
war without its guilt, and only five-and-twenty percent
of its danger”
A couple of diary dates.
Remember this.
November 11th
The Heythrop Golf Day Friday 3rd June
The day I have to write a gloomy report about the annual golf day
being a complete disaster, with dwindling numbers, lousy weather and
grumpy participants vowing never to come to such a dreadful event
again is definitely the time I take a long walk into the rough for good
and hand the reins over to someone new. Luckily such a report will
not be forthcoming in this issue, since this year’s event was once again
another triumphant success!
As is so often the case, we were blessed yet again with wonderful
clear blue skies and sweltering temperatures in the 80’s. 44 golfers tee’d
off pretty much all on time without any last-minute hiccoughs or ‘noshows’….(I think I may have mentioned this important fact in one of
my previous reports, but when everyone turns up and tees off punctually, it is a golf organiser’s dream – this year being no exception.) The
condition of the course was in great ‘nick’; it seems to get better and
better each year – a fitting testament to Tony Pennock and his hardworking team.
It was also refreshing to see some new faces this year, and in particular, one of my ‘livery mates’ Howard Milton. We all know how
immaculately well-dressed Howard is in the hunting field; a (literally)
‘shining’ example to us all; so even though his golf on the day may not
have been quite good enough to walk off with the silverware, it will
come as no surprise to many of you hunting subscribers that I had him
as the runaway winner for the ‘sartorial elegance’ prize in his pristine
chinos and panama hat !
There was one all-ladies team comprising of Min Bovill, Fleur
D’Antoine, Nicola Dugdale and Georgie Hall. Despite the incessant
gossip that could be heard coming from their group, all insisted that
their golf was of the highest quality, and their match was extremely
serious, and fiercely competitive; (even though their score cards told a
rather different story!) It was also nice for Nicola to let off some steam
with the girls before her impending nuptuals two weeks hence on 18th
June….(and a wonderful wedding it was too!)
At the business end of proceedings it was very, very close, with only
3 points separating the top 4 placings. John & Catherine Latham came
3rd with 37 points, Peter & Jane Summers came 2nd with the same
number of points but had a better ‘inward 9’. They therefore claimed
the higher spot. The outright winners on 38 points were John &
Cynthia Orchard, so many congratulations to them. Min Bovill won
the longest drive on the 8th hole; thus keeping the prize in the Bovill
family for the 2nd year running, as Miles won the prize last year. My
nephew Thomas Clark won the nearest the pin prize on 17th. I would
finally like to single out my playing partner Tim Haworth for putting
up with my appallingly bad play, occasional fruitily expletive, and for
the amusing banter he provided throughout our round.
As usual the BBQ nosh in the evening was delicious, so top marks to
all at Rye Hill once again, and thank you all very much for making our
day so relaxed and enjoyable.
See you all next year…… Mark Hall.
6
and this. . . .
Daily
Express
August 17th
2011
Saturday 3rd December
Frog Racing
Bourton British Legion Hall, 7.30pm
Tickets or more information before Saturday 26th November
please contact Bill Lane 07860 796687 or 01451 820 224
Claire Dempster 01608 651368 or mobile 07784 722317.
£10 per ticket to include fish & chips. Cash bar available.
Proceeds to the Heythrop Hunt funds and
Bob Champion Cancer Charity.
Tuesday 20th December (provisional date)
Candlelit Carol Service
St Paul’s Church, Broadwell 6.00 or 6.30pm.
Organised by Emma Ashton.
For further details, please contact her on [email protected]
January 2012 Point-to-Point at Dunthrop
I hope that the readers of the “Hack” are
looking forward to the coming season,
hunting of course,” within the law”, which
by a quirk of fate, we are lucky enough, so
to do, when after the “ban”, all seemed lost.
Nine years ago, this coming September, we
joined together in London, for our biggest
“March” so far, leading to the vote in the
Commons. Although the number counted
was 407,791 (who was the one?) the police
estimated over one million; maybe a hiccup
on our part, nevertheless, had it been more,
it would not have been enough to change
the minds (already made up) of the majority, 160 odd, of Labour Backbenchers and
Strickly Come Dancing, the ungraceful
Ann Widdecombe.
Unless David Cameron, has the courage,
unlike Gordon Brown, to call an election, to take fully command of running
the country and rid himself of the Liberal
Coalition, his promise of repealing the
ban, looks light years away,as will all the
other measures for the good of the country,
which the left wingers will oppose too.
Meanwhile,tally-ho and good hunting.
The Moreton Show
Saturday 3rd September
Dreaming of
who knows
what in the
Heythrop
tent.
Photographs by kind permission of Ian Tolputt
Norman Stevens
7
HOUND SHOWS
continued
The afternoon started disapointingly as
RATTLE and RASPBERRY were beaten
into second place in the unentered class,
with RASPBERRY standing reserve for the
Championship.
The afternoon continued in this vein, until
MELLOW was brought in for the Championship. The judges, Martin Scott and Otis Ferry
deliberated long and hard, although those
of us on the Heythrop benches could see no
problem in coming to a decision but in the
end MELLOW was announced the winner
amongst much cheering.
Mellow
has now won the
Championship at Ardingly, Yorkshire and
Peterborough this year, and last year was unentered Champion at Peterborough, and reserve
overall Champion: She was Champion unentered bitch at Honiton,
going on to take the overall
Championship.
This is a record which will take some beating.
Lady Ashton of Hyde was present to see this
great achievement with her husband, who had
just been elected to the House of Lords. We
all congratulate him on this great honour.
In all it was a lovely day with many puppywalkers and supporters who came to watch
the hounds and partake in the hunt relay.
Many came for a drink and picnic at lunch
time and to celebrate Mellow’s great win.
It was interesting to note that Heythrop
STORMER, STRIKER and PORRIDGE
were responsible for the Duke of Beaufort’s winners in Class 7 and the Unentered
Champion. The Grove and Rufford’s winners
and placed hounds throughout the day. Also
for the Bicester with Whaddon Chase and
Albrighton Woodland’s entry, The Cotswold
won the first bitch class with a couple by
STORMER and the North Cotswold‘s entry
in the unentered doghounds were also by
STORMER. The Heythrop’s influence still
stretches afar.
Hunt Chairman’s Letter. Autumn 2011
As we move through the autumn
hunting season by the time you
read this you may have forgotten the
unseasonable hot weather, 28c.
How I could have done with this during August
when combining!
This is Richard Sumner’s last at the helm.
To give over a quarter of a century of time and
endeavour is an astonishing achievement, retaining
at all times his enthusiasm. This retirement
has led to a very difficult October in trying to
appoint new Masters for the 2012/13 season.
The wonderful access to the countryside that the
Hounds enjoy should not be forgotten as without
it we have nowhere to go. Those canvassing farmers
and landowners to close this access if they do
not achieve their desired proposal should not be
forgiven. When a new Mastership is appointed we
should all row in behind it as much as humanly
possible and bury any hatchets.
A couple of points I have been asked to
mention firstly, kennel cough is rife through
out the country, if you must bring your dog
out hunting please keep it well away from the
hounds, and preferably leave in the car or at home.
Secondly, if you see someone working in a farm
yard or in a field please give them a smile, wave or
thank you they are likely to be the farmer and are
vital to us. They feel ignored!
Happy Hunting,
Mikey Elliot
8
Market Comment - October 2011
“ Following the extremely buoyant spring and
summer markets, stock levels are creeping
up with the media continuing to focus on
predictions of a further recession. However
the desire to live in Oxfordshire and the
Cotswolds remains. With a limited supply of
houses in the most sought after areas,
we are still achieving surprising premiums.”
Harry Gladwin, Knight Frank, Oxford
SOLD
SOLD
Shilton
SOLD
Icomb
Over Worton
SOLD
SOLD
Milton-under-Wychwood
Shilton
If you are contemplating a sale or for any property related advice, contact us.
Harry Gladwin
Oxford 01865 790077
280 Banbury Road
Oxford OX2 7ED
Damian Gray
Rupert Sweeting
James Prewett
Regional Farms
The Giant
Country House
Plant Sale
What better causes could there be than supporting those who defend our country, and
our countryside? United on this endeavour,
dozens of people organised, eighty volunteered, and thousands came, to support, The
Giant Country House Plant Sale at Eyford
Park on Sunday 22nd May 2011.
It would be a grave error to suppose, as
with so many hunt events which are made
to seem just to happen, that an event of this
dimension “just grew”. The gestation period
was about as long as it takes to conceive and
produce a baby elephant, and the product
was no less surprising. It is not hard though
to imagine that the cruise to a successful landfall was not without its tensions
amongst the crew, the principal amongst
which were of the fairer sex.
It is a token to the importance of the mission that unity of purpose produced such a
stunning outcome.
Since someone who plays a minor role,
(but without whom chaos would have
reigned), is therefore as important as the
obvious figures, we are not intending to
embark upon a catalogue of all contributors, save to say that without the wonderful
setting of Serena and Rupert Prest’s Eyford
Park, Charlotte Heber-Percy, her ‘ever-willing helpers Mark Webb,Tim Hammett and
Tony Goodwill; the members of the committee and the leaders of the eight hunts
which contributed; the many others, and
the administrative support of the Countryside Alliance; a fiasco, rather than a triumph
would have resulted.
10
In aid of ABF The Soldiers’
Charity, Remount, and The
Countryside Alliance.
At Eyford Park
The Plant Sale was, however, an undoubted
triumph. Neither would anything have
happened without the generosity of donors,
sponsors, and those who provided services
free, or on a non-profit basis. It is hoped
that the acknowlegments in the catalogue,
which surely must have become a collectors’
item, will reflect at least the principal of the
contributions made. If anyone feels that
their contribution has not been sufficiently
recognised, we hope too that the reward
will lie in the fact that a very large sum has
been raised, with their help, for very worthy
causes.
The preparations, stretching over more than
a year involved an enormous commitment
by a few and a significant commitment by
so many more. Frustrations and constraints
had to be overcome, For example: “Elf
an Safety” demanded, since there was an
entrance fee, that lest someone slip on a
fresh cow pat, all areas where the public
might tread be cleared of cattle three weeks
before the event. Since no-one had control
over the weather; since many would come
in entirely unsuitable vehicles, and without
waterproof clothing, tracks had to be laid,
and marquees erected. Traffic had to be
directed, road signs, lavatories and address
systems, had to be provided. Food for the
multitude had to be fresh and ready.
Eight hunts (The Warwickshire, The North
Cotswold, The Cotswold, The V.W.H. The
Beaufort, The Berkeley, The Old Berks, and
The Heythrop) had been charged each to
produce 4,000 plants. They did! They arrived on the appointed minute, in order, on
the day before.
By the Grace of God it only rained a little, but blew a gale. Eyford is well set under
a hill, so it was only in the car parks where
umbrellas were inverted. The day got off
to a great start and continued as a wellorganised occasion should do. Jilly Cooper
opened the day: gardening experts Val
Bourne, Mary Keane and Roddy Llewellyn
gave their time and expertise to answer our
questions:
11
The Light Cavalry Band entertained us:
Baroness Anne Mallalieu and Kate Hoey
M.P. addressed us, and doves flew (to
remind us that peace and unity are better
than conflict). Ducks and chickens and
mysterious and feather-legged bantams,
added a great deal of amusement, were sold
to add to the funds. Trade stands, food
stalls, bars, and the magnificent Hunt plant
centres offered something for everyone.
Purchases were delivered by some most
willing and attractive young people to our
cars. Some 4,000 people attended (though
a stream of cars went to an unauthorised
car park and 300 escaped without contributing an entrance fee!). Thousands of
the plants were sold. Those not, went to
village fetes, the Country Fair at Dunthrop,
or were sold “off the back of a lorry.” The
sculpture park, with Hamish Mackie’s fabulous sculptures, and the Eyford Gardens
gave us a day out to remember. Perhaps
equally important, is that we, who love our
country and our countryside, and those
who defend it, joined in common purpose
and community for a fabulous event, to
which mere commentary can do no justice.
The totals sum raised was £202,000. Does
that not go to show what an important
role the hunting community plays in our
nation’s heritage?
photographs by Ian Tolputt 01608 810918
Summer at the kennels
Julian Barnfield and Jess Douglas
A
s I am sure everyone involved in hunting
understands, just because the season is over, the
kennels does not simply pack up shop and head
away for a long summer holiday. With hound
showing, open days, summer fairs, new members
of the team to settle in, summer cleaning to take
place, puppies, terriers and horses to look after,
the hustle and bustle from behind the tall hedgerow on the A44, can almost be felt by passing
cars en route to Chippy.
As Julian recounts, the Summer started early
with the first hound show in June at Ardingly.
So preparations got underway not long after last
season ended. However, these paid dividends and
the Heythrop started with a bang, winning all
four championships: doghounds were taken with
Wiseman, unentered champion and Stockton
was overall champion. Then the bitches won the
unentered championship with Raspberry. Mellow won entered champion.
Off to Yorkshire in July, but only with the
bitches as Miss Lambert MFH was making
her judging debut with the doghounds. Again,
another great result with Raspberry and Mellow
winning the championships.
Peterborough loomed on the horizon and
the Heythrop were in with the ‘big guns’, but
Wiseman showed well and won the unentered
championship. In the afternoon, Raspberry was
unfortunately beaten into second place by a
very nice Beaufort bitch. Mellow held her own
though and scored a hat-trick, claiming the bitch
championship crown. An incredible season all in
all, winning 8 of 10 championships.
Back home, there was work to do on a kennel
refurbishment with the addition of a front passage, which, feedback has stated, has improved
life in the kennels immeasurably. According to
reports, an awful lot of midnight oil was burnt to
achieve this in time for the puppy show. The brilliant work was carried out by Mick Jones and his
team and the end result has been a huge success.
Before everyone at the Kennels had a chance
to breathe, it was time for horses to drag themselves away from the free rein of the field and
start out on hound exercise. The harvest was
going well and things were hotting up for the
season to start. The ground was extremely dry
and, in fact, to date, still is. As we are now in the
full swing of Autumn hunting, Julian reports that
the scent has been quite good – even, at times,
fantastic in the open. In early October, they had
managed to achieve a 3-mile point and several
hunts of over an hour each.
So, all in all, a successful summer was had by
all. A good time for entering young Heythrop
hounds to their job, which all bodes well for the
coming season. Full steam ahead and good luck
to everyone!
12
13
Photograph by Ian Tolputt
The Heythrop Country Fair.
and camel race!
By Nessie Lambert.
Early on the morning of Sunday 5th June I was beginning to get emotional: There were violentlooking black clouds hanging over Dunthrop, and gale force winds that made putting tents up
harder than building flat-packed furniture with no instruction manual. Luckily Sophie Longsdon
proved far more practical than me and we managed to tape, rope, pin and prop up the bar and
bookie tent that Bill Lane had courageously lent us. It was all coming together, not before time
though. The shop owners were arriving with tales of severe weather warnings....and the organising
committee decided to settle their nerves with an Irish coffee at 10.30am.
There was then a pause for lunch where those with tickets were treated to a grandiose buffet in the sponsors’ tent, a real Chendy-special,
it was completely delicious. Two Camel races took place during the
afternoon with an inter-huntsman’s race to begin the proceedings.
They dressed up as Arabians which made them a little difficult to
identify but I am told that it really was Tony Holdsworth who cajoled his steed across the line first to regain the pride of the Beaufort
Hunt after the hound racing! There was then a mock wrestle before
the paddock bell rang for the second race as each of our celebrity
jockeys tried to vie for the winning Camel from the previous race:
“Who says it’s just the taking part that counts?” said Sam Butler
who appeared to win the “Camel-off ”. Charlie Brooks had dressed
up so well he was almost unrecognisable...apparently his aim. Luke
Tomlinson, international Polo Player looked a little uncomfortable
as he told the handler: “promise me it won’t buck me off ?”
The hound racing began at midday and was a great success. Julian
had built a fantastic race track, though he might have wished it was
a little shorter having had to sprint up it blowing the horn for each
heat. The climax was the inter-hunt finale which involved a hound
representing each of the Beaufort, the North Cotswold, the VWH
and the Cotswold hunts as well as one of our own. The gloves were
off. The Beaufort brought the mother of all dogs that was a previous
Peterborough Champion, it was hot favourite and practically had
fire rising from its nostrils. Voices rang hoarse as loyal spectators
cheered the Heythrop hound home by a short head which was more
than a little satisfying!
Jeremy Clarkson in pre-race zone mode.
above
Nick Hopkins
North Cotswold
Kennel Huntsman,
leading the other
huntsmen out
Major Richard Waygood was happily riding his backwards whilst Jeremy
Clarkson, after a long lunch, was merrily lighting up a cigarette on the back
of his speed machine. As the flag went up Sam rode like a dervish to pass
the post first...while Jeremy Clarkson was still stood at the start line encouraging his to move forwards! The others were strung out somewhere
in between. How grateful we were to all of the camel riders for supporting
our cause and giving up their time. Thank you.
Despite the adverse weather
conditions the day was a great
success and raised over £7,000
for us and Help4Heroes; so a
thank you to Mr Coates for
allowing us to host it on the
point to point course and to all
those who helped on the day. A
special thanks goes to the committee members who were all
extremely busy people even before they took this project on;
Frances Lambert, Rob JonesDavies, Oliver Corbett, Lucy
Rivers-Bulkeley and Sophie
Longsdon. Make sure you come
along next year for the donkey
derby, it isn’t worth missing!
Top
Charlie Brooks
Luke Tomlinson
international polo player
Tony Holdsworth
Beaufort Kennel Huntsman
er . . . racing news?
Sam Butler ‘sprints’ for home.
14
15
National Pony Club
Championships.
Pony Club Camp Report
By Florence Woods.
Bella Makin, Connie Sale, George Rigby
and one of the Facon boys go swimming!
The highlight of the pony club
calendar has got to be summer
camp. Every year, tireless volunteer mummies spend months and
months getting everything in place
so their pony club progeny can
have the fun of their lives.
With a residential senior camp, a junior camp,
and a mini camp (with minimus morning sessions for the super-small) this year the Heythrop really did have something for everyone.
The real weenies, aged 6 upwards got to spend
five days at mini camp - big thanks go to camp
organisers Nicky Bennell, Tania Corbett, Fran
Bird, Sarah Rogers, and Rachel Griffin for ensuring everything ran so well.
Some lucky children got to stay on an extra
week, progressing from mini camp up to junior
camp, which this year took children aged 8-13.
Amelia Barker headed up an enthusiastic team
of junior camp organizers.
Both junior and mini camps were held at Dunthrop House, near Chipping Norton, with huge
thanks to Mr and Mrs Robin Coates for letting
the pony club use their land…not for the first
time. Young Simon Lawrence has fond memories of pony club camp held there 20 years ago
when he was just a boy (!).
One highlight for the children was being able
to hack over the point-to-point course with the
kind permission of course steward Mr Maddan.
They were also allowed to ride over Mr & Mrs
Richmond Watson’s land (and were very lucky
to be able to use their swimming pool).
A selection of the older riders spent a glorious
morning at Lyneham Heath Farm making the
most of Sam Sandberg’s fantastic cross country
course, but few will forget the inter-ride camp
challenge which included an instructors top
score competition with each instructor selecting
a pony from their ride on which to compete.
The competition was craftily timed for the end
of the week so they had enough time to select
the mount most likely to get them over the
jumps!
Senior camp was an altogether much more
grown-up affair (not!) with 50 children aged
12-17, camping in a field for four nights beside
the temporary stables.
Bertie and Nicola Facon very generously let
the pony club run amok on their land once
more, and – just as last year – were the most
fantastic hosts, generous with their time and
help and always sporting a friendly smile!
Lessor Grange in Milcombe really is the
perfect camp venue.
The Facon family must have fallen asleep
each night to the sound of raucous laughter and tuneless singing drifting across
the fields from the campsite into the early
hours, as those senior campers battled it out
against any instinct to actually sleep.
This was the first year for many years that
pony club DC, Caroline O’Kane and website co-ordinator, Tor Gloag handed over
the reins of responsibility.
Gaelle Richards and Wendy Sinclair leapt at
the chance to take over (!) and ran the show
brilliantly with a light touch and loads of
good humour.
There were nine rides in all. Some focussing on the serious stuff (team training for
the area qualifiers), some taking the opportunity to get to grips with new ponies and
horses, and others clearly out to just have
fun, fun, fun.
One ride of boys (no surprises there!) ended
up particularly reluctant to do any dressage so their instructor, Johnie Trice-Rolph
threw in a touch of army-style quadrille to
keep them amused.
The weather was idyllic (so that’s where the
summer went!) even quite hot at times, but
the children were treated to the singular
joy of taking their horses swimming in the
Facon’s lake (Roy see pictures enclosed).
Loads of people worked extremely hard this
year (many behind the scenes) to make sure
the Heythrop Pony Club camps remain
legendary in camp land, and that all the
children were safe, educated, nurtured, but
above all, had a great time.
Huge thanks to everyone involved. Let’s do
it all again next year!
Louise Woods
16
The intermediate team consisted of Tom
Martin riding Aston, Milly Browne on Blue,
Flo Woods riding Clio and Tilly Rigby on
Seamus, still flying high from the thrill of
coming first at the area qualifiers at Crown
Farm. We all arrived early in Derbyshire on
the Monday morning in time to support the
open team (Tor Smith, Alice Sandberg, Chloe
O’Kane and Francesca Baillieau pick up a
few tips, walk the fiendishly difficult course
and prepare for the dressage section.
Flo’s dad had printed special T-shirts for
all the riders and their mums so we looked
pretty formidable as a gang in green with
HHPC INTERMEDIATE EVENT TEAM on
our chest. Team coach, Simon Lawrence
proudly wore his T-shirt too (happily stripping off in the warm-up arena to put it on).
Tom, Flo and Milly were pleased with
the dressage, ending up with 29.5, 36.7 and
35.7 respectively) but Seamus most definitely
wasn’t in a dressage mood so Tilly’s score
ended up (at 53) higher than she’d hoped.
There were high spirits in the HHPC
camp that night as we all gathered around
Sarah Smith’s BBQ (with Tom’s dad, farrier,
Andrew Martin demonstrating his smelting
skills on the burgers and sausages), but we
were up horribly early the next day to get
ready for show jumping and cross country.
Only Tom and Tilly rolled a pole each in
the show jumping so we went into the XC
phase looking really promising with three
scores in the 30s. With barely time to change
into the green HHPC colours, the team were
back at the start of the cross country, with
more last minute tips from Simon.
Although the course was very technical
- with tough drops, sharp turns, undulating
ground, a MASSIVE ditch and hedge, and
a pretty-scary-looking Tipi encampment
(complete with fluttering dream catchers
and log fires), all four came home unscathed
and within the time.
We were all thrilled! So, by 11am we were
all finished, and just had to wait, wait, wait
for the other 27 teams to run and for the
scores to trickle their way on to the board.
For hours the HHPC INTERMEDIATE
EVENT TEAM were lying in an impressive
first place with a combined score of 105.79,
but gradually better scores appeared and
by 6pm we had dropped down to a still
extremely excellent 5th place (all the better
considering ours was such a young team
with two members aged 13 and one just 14).
There were only 14 points between the
first five teams - and it seems that despite
the tricky cross-country challenge, it was the
really low dressage scores that won the day.
Tom was thrilled to find he’d come third
in his section, and Flo just made it into the
rosettes by coming 10th in hers.
The whole champs experience was brilliant
fun, with a wonderful sense of camaraderie
for the team (and supporting families).
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T
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MEET THE HUNT STAFF
Matthew Cretney
Whipper-in.
Beth Kearn. Stud Groom.
As reported in the Spring issue of this excellent
journal, Matthew joins the Heythrop on the
Hunt Bursary scheme. With his background
it was perhaps inevitable that Matthew should
find himself in steeped in hunting, since he
always has been. Here is another example of the
Hunt Bush Telegraph’s effectiveness since Matthew is a buddy of Jack Seal.
Beth has joined the Heythrop this Season as
Stud Groom. She is a West Country lass, born in
Taunton, whose Mother had a riding school, so
she could ride before she could walk. She comes
from good stock. Her Mother’s family, appropriately surnamed “Hunter,” for generations have
been involved with hunting.
As far as hunting was concerned, Beth had a
baptism of fire, because when she was eight her
Mother sent her out hunting with the Taunton
Vale, on her own. She had a 12hh. pony which
promptly carted her into the mist, during which
little adventure she jumped her first gate (it
was on the floor!). She was lost, then found, by
Mr Day who collected the Cap: he attached
Beth and pony to himself with a piece of
binder twine, and gave her a good day’s hunting.
Whenever now he sees her he never fails to tell
her how much she has grown! Unlike most of
the Heythrop staff
(and a good many
members of the
Pony Club) she
was never allowed
to play truant to go
hunting, but such
was her enthusiasm
for it, that at16,
when she left
school, her Father
insisted she get
“a proper qualification” first. She did! She got a National
Diploma in computing. With that under her
belt she took to horses again and got a degree in
Equine Science at Plymouth University, whilst
working with David Pipe and Robert Oliver’s
horses at the same time.
Beth then moved back into the hunting world
as groom to Bridget Burbage, Senior Master of
the Taunton Vale, followed by two years at The
Warwickshire.
Since coming to the Heythrop she has been
busy visiting the hunt horses at grass, has been
out with Duncan on a tour of the Country, and
wherever she goes keeps an eye on the Sat Nav
and a map, so that, by the time second horses
become part of the routine, she knows exactly
where to go.
Beth has met a lot of us at the Puppy Show and
the Hunt Open day and has found everyone very
friendly (so far).
Her ambition she describes as “To do a good job
here, and then think about the rest of life”. With
that background she seems well-equipped
to do both.
From his earliest
memories in the
Isle of Man (along
way from the Virgin
Islands as Winston
Churchill used to
say) Matthew has
been hunting. He
followed the beagles,
and with his friends
had a trencher-fed,
scratch pack of
terriers, lurchers
and ferrets, which put the local wild life at some
risk. Ratting, ferreting, and watching hounds
work have been his joy, cheering them on with
a horn.
Matthew’s family are all musical: all of them
play musical instruments. He is a whizz with the
guitar and banjo, and Mr Avis is going to have
to look out on the singing front.
He was the Junior British Ballroom Dancing
Champion (aged 15) in 2008. To get to that
level, he had to give up riding for a while, but,
like riding a bicycle (at which he has had some
recent practice), riding horses has come back
easily.
Matthew already has some acquaintance with
the Heythrop Country as, last Season he was
out on a quad bike with Steve Adams and Jack
Seal (minus the jumps).
Since he joined us in the Spring he has been
busy with summer hunting things: building
jumps, kennel chores, walking out, and learning
the names of the hounds and puppies. He has
not been called upon for canine midwifery
duties yet.
His ambition is
to be Huntsman
to the Heythrop!
There may be
some stiff
competition.
Charlie Higson
2nd Whipper-in.
With a slightly lacklustre approach to stable
management growing up, Charlie Higson
realised early on that by getting his mum and
sister to do the ponies, he could concentrate on
more pressing matters at hand – the hunting!
He himself admits that he rides to hunt, not
hunt to ride and it is with this passion that he
has ended up in a position he is “chuffed to
bits” to have acquired at the Heythrop. Charlie
started riding at about 6 years old and began
hunting with the South & West Wilts at the
same time. He says he would attach himself to
the Whipper-In (his ‘nanny’ for the day!), from
whom he learnt much about hunting and where
his love for the sport grew.
At 12 years old, his family relocated to Scotland
as his father took a job running a sporting estate
in the Highlands. It was here that he carried
on his love of fieldsports and enjoyed much
stalking and fishing. However, unfortunately,
hunting had to take a backseat (driving four
hours to the nearest meet in Fife is not quite
logical!). When not at school at Gordonstoun,
he would spend the holidays helping the keepers
out on the estate.
Moving back to Dorset 6 years later gave Charlie the chance to start hunting again. He helped
out the 2nd whipper-in at the Portman both
in the field and with country work and it was
here that he realised a life in hunt servancy was
something he was very keen to pursue.
Two years at Cirencester Agricultural College
and a gap year playing Polo in Argentina gave
him good grounding for his first job as amateur
Whipper-In for the Blackmore Vale, where he
was for the past two seasons.
Charlie is enjoying being at the Heythrop and
says everyone has been very welcoming and
friendly and he very much looks forward to the
season ahead.
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To discuss your property requirements
Please call us on 01608 644 000 or email:
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www.maxwelldouglasproperty.co.uk
Leah Cunliffe
Groom.
Fleur Alcorn
From a non-horsey background, Leah Cunliffe’s
passion for a life in the equine world has been
purely down to her own determination. She had
lots of friends who were horsey growing up so
would use any excuse to help ride their ponies
or take part in local shows. Her studies followed
the same path reading Animal Management at
Minehead Agricultural College.
It was here she started
to gain experience in
the hunting world,
using her 1-day a week
release to work for
a local Master at the
Devon and Somerset
Staghounds. After
college, she took a
full-time position at
the same yard and was
there for the following
two seasons.
She then headed further away from home to
South Africa where she worked on a riding safari, which was a fantastic experience for her.
Although she’d only been at the Heythrop for
two weeks at the time of writing, she was very
much enjoying her time at Chipping Norton
and loving the amount of riding she is getting to
do. She can’t wait for the season ahead.
Fleur is with us at The Heythrop Kennels probably for one Season only, for she has many other
talents and things she wishes to do, but we are
lucky to have her, as she too comes from a
hunting family in Sussex.
From early years, with her Mother, Fleur
followed the South Downs and Eridge.
Being born into it, and then educated at
Cirencester, where she has proceeded to a degree
in Agriculture and Farm Management, she is
well-versed in matters of the countryside.
As ever, the Hunt Bush Telegraph has provided
us with an excellent recruit: Fleur is good
friends with Charlie Higson’s girlfriend. That
everybody seems to be friendly is perhaps a
good recruiting reputation for the Hunt to
have. Fleur joined us at the beginning of August, when the hard work of getting horses in
and fit began though Fleur has found the traffic
on the roads a bit of a nightmare: but soft legs
do not make for fit horses.
What will Fleur do after the end of the oncoming Season? She intends to follow her Father
into the wine trade. So a little advice may be
taken from her, by the Field at change
of horses!
Louise Lock
19
The
FIELD FORAGER
Chocolate and chestnut terrine
can be an unusual alternative to Christmas pudding –
extremely rich so only needed to be served in thin slices.
Makes 8-12 portions.
Foraging ‘on the hoof ’ by Jess Douglas
E
veryone loves Christmas.
Don’t they? Well, if we are truthful, perhaps the thought and run-up to it is often
more enjoyable than the actual day, which,
hard to admit as it is, can be somewhat of a
letdown. Weeks of planning, preparation,
carol singing, card signing, present buying
and wrapping are filled with excitement
and anticipation. Will granny like that
scarf you so painstakingly picked out for
her? You can’t wait to see the children of
the family open the toys you think will
make them shrill with delight. Will the
new Jamie recipe for turkey work out as
well as you hoped? Will you get all the presents you have longed for? Unfortunately,
the reality can often be a tad disappointing.
Granny looks nonplussed about the scarf,
the children are more interested in the
wrapping paper, the turkey is dry and noone picked up on what you thought were
‘blatantly obvious’ hints about the silver
bracelet you’d had your eye on. You feel
far too full, the house is a mess and there
have been at least two family arguments
over the course of the day. And tomorrow,
you’ve got to do it all again with the other
side of the family.
In reality, the best part of Christmas is the
build up. The anticipation and everything that comes with it: The first signs
of Christmas paraphernalia in the shops;
The Pogues or Cliff Richard on the radio;
Turkeys and chocolate bar-filled stockings
adorning the shelves of the supermarkets.
When I was a child, we would always make
a Christmas trip to London too - a chance
for my mother to finish her last minute
shopping. We would go and see a West
End musical and would not do without a
trip to Hamleys.. Oxford Street still holds
a special place in my memories for that
time of year.
Not only for the Victorian Dickensian feel
Christmas seems to bring to it, but also
the fairy lights decorating the buildings,
the magical shop window displays and the
smell of the sweet chestnut stalls dotted
along the pavement. And that smell of
roasted chestnuts is so intoxicating and
delicious. However, I have to admit, like
Christmas, some people think that the actual taste of chestnuts is a bit of a letdown
and rather bland - but they are extremely
versatile and can be added to a mixture of
recipes , such as stews, stuffings or soups,
to give a depth and richness perfect for the
time of year.
You can buy chestnuts in supermarkets during the winter months but they are just as
easy and good to forage. As always, check
that you are legally allowed to take them
from where you are intending to. They
are best to pick late October/ November
when the winds get going and they can be
easily gathered from under the trees. Don’t
confuse them with horse chestnuts (conkers), which are inedible. The hedgehog-like
cases are covered in long, pliable, green
spikes. Split open, they contain 2-3 shiny,
roughly triangular nuts with a distinctive
tuft on the end. Although the European
sweet chestnut originated in Greece, and
is therefore not strictly speaking native
to this country, references to the nuts as
a foodstuff are found from ancient times.
The Romans planted trees across the
empire, explaining why “castan” (the Latin
word) appears in various versions throughout Europe, for instance “castanwydden”
in Welsh, “kistin” in Breton, “châtaigne”
in French and “chestnut” in English.
Chestnuts are not like other nuts. They
have a mealy, floury texture and are mostly
carbohydrate, unlike most nuts which are
protein-rich.
20
Preheat oven at 170˚C/Gas 5.
- Cut butter into small dices and put into the bowl of
a food mixer with the caster sugar. Beat until light and
fluffy. Sieve together the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. (Don’t miss this step: it is really important
that the dry ingredients are well mixed.)
Crack the eggs into a small bowl, beat them briefly to
mix, then stir in the milk.
Where land was not suitable for
cultivating grain crops because it
was mountainous and/or forested,
the nuts were a valuable food
source and were ground into flour.
Chestnut flour is still used in rural
French and Italian cooking to this
day. It is also worth noting that
chestnut flour has no gluten and
is therefore suitable for a glutenfree diet.
- Introduce the flour mixture and the eggs and milk
to the butter and sugar, adding a little of each at a
time, with the mixer going all the time, till you have a
smooth mixture. Finally, mix in the coffee.
- Spoon the mixture into the lined cake tin and
smooth the top, then bake for 45-50 minutes till risen
and firm to the touch.
- Remove from the oven, leave to settle for 15 minutes, run a palette knife around the edges, then gently
turn out onto a cooling rack and peel off the baking
parchment.
Preparing chestnuts is not difficult
but a bit laborious. Put the nuts
in a big bowl and pour boiling
water over them. Leave them for a
couple of minutes to let the skins
soften. Then scoop some out into
a second bowl of cold water to
cool them enough for you to be
able to handle them.
- Make the chestnut and chocolate filling. Break the
chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a glass or
china bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Do not
stir, other than to push any unmelted chocolate down
into the liquid chocolate. Turn the heat off as soon as
the chocolate is melted.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and stir gently into
the chocolate until it is melted. Beat the chestnut purée together with the sugar until well mixed then fold
gently into the melted chocolate and butter. Try not to
over-mix. Set aside.
Chestnut Hearty Soup
perfect after a day on the
Hunting field.
Ingredients
A couple of handfuls of peeled chestnuts
2 pints of chicken or ham stock
Butter or oil
1 chopped onion
Grilled bacon, chopped
Parsley or chives
Salt and pepper
Method
Soften the chopped onion in a knob of
butter or a tablespoon of oil. Add the
chestnuts and stock and bring up to the
boil. Simmer until the chestnuts have
collapsed. Season to taste, and add some
cubed bacon and chopped herbs.
Method
You will also need a 20cm square cake tin lined with
baking parchment and a 20cm x 9cm loaf tin or similar
for shaping the cake (measurements are taken across
the bottom of the tins)
For the cake:
250g butter
225g golden caster sugar
225g Self-raising flour
2 tsp baking powder
30g cocoa powder
4 eggs
80 ml milk
3 tbs hot espresso coffee
For the chocolate filling:
250g dark chocolate (79% cocoa solids)
125g butter
400g puréed chestnuts
2 tbs caster sugar
To finish:
250g dark chocolate
10-12 cooked or candied chestnuts
“There was a guy roasting chestnuts on the street corner, and the smell wafted over, hinting at
the coming Winter, but in a good way, in the way that makes you think about Christmas and snow days and
fires crackling away in fireplaces.”
Sarah Dunn, Secrets to Happiness
21
- Cut the cake in half lengthways. Slice each half
in two horizontally and trim them to fit the loaf tin.
Place a piece of cake in the base of the tin, add half
of the chocolate chestnut cream and smooth the top.
Place a second piece of sponge on top, followed by the
rest of the chestnut cream. Place a third and final piece
of cake on top (you will have one remaining piece that
I suggest you freeze for later or nibble at will).
- Wrap the entire loaf tin in cling film, pressing down
firmly to encourage the layers to stick together and
refrigerate for at least 2 or 3 hours.
- Remove the cling film, loosen the cake from the
sides of the tin with a palette knife, then turn the cake
out onto a cooling rack. Place the chestnuts along the
top, if you are using them. Melt the chocolate as before
then pour over the top of the cake, smoothing it over
the sides. Leave to set before serving.
Letter from the Chairman of theMasters of Foxhounds Association
Stephen Lambert Esq.
At the start of another season we are all focussed on the joys the next few months will bring but it is also worth standing back for a moment to consider where Hunting PLC is, how we arrived here and what the future might hold.
First and foremost it is astonishing that six and a half years after the Hunting Act came into force the majority of
hunts around the country are as popular and robust as ever. Of course there are problems, and there are packs for
which the legislation has caused particular difficulties, but then our challenges have historically never been straightforward. In the nineteenth century it was the arrival of the railways which, they thought would finish hunting. In the
early part of the twentieth century wire caused consternation. And only twenty years ago the level of animal rights
activity in the hunting field was a serious threat. Like those other hazards The Hunting Act has been a trial, but not
an insurmountable one. In six full seasons we have seen just five successful prosecutions involving registered hunts.
From the whole of last season there is just one hunt facing charges brought by the Crown Prosecution Service and
our own facing a private prosecution by the RSPCA. Both cases will be defended vigorously. This success has not
been accidental. The Countryside Alliance and the CHA/MFHA have worked tirelessly with hunt executives to
adapt field work to our understanding of the law. And when that understanding has been challenged in the courts it
is our lawyers who have, more often than not, won the day. Many hunts have faced investigations, often as a result of
spurious allegations, and no-one should underestimate the difficulties that hunt staff and Masters face. It is, however,
the Hunting Act rather than hunting which has come under the most pressure.
Throughout the last Parliament our confidence in rapid repeal of the Hunting Act grew, and we were exuberant
when William Hague told us at the MFHA AGM in 2009 that the commitment to repeal would be in the Conservative manifesto. We trod the streets and did our bit up to Election Day on May 6th last year. And then on May
7th 2010 woke to a result which brought us so near, yet left us so far.
That one was for
you, Penny!
Penny Stephens-Clarkson walked puppies for the
Dummer Beagles for many years.
One never quite knows how the 7-week-old bundles
that arrive with a Puppy Walker are going to turn
out but we knew the pups walked at Nether Swell
Farmhouse would always have a good and varied time
there. Of the hounds she walked in recent years,
three stand out, Cheerful 08, Pepper and Petal 09.
Cheerful 08 – a very pale lemon hound with one mottled ear – has been a
consistently good hound for us in both the field and in the show ring. She
won the Entered Bitch class at Honiton in 2009,
going on to be Bitch Champion; she won the Entered class at
Peterborough in 2010.
The year after Cheerful, Penny walked Pepper and Petal. These were
the pups of Plenty 05 and this hound, also walked by Penny, had a particular trait – not a particularly helpful one when being shown: she would lie
down, fixing her eyes unwaveringly on Steve. Pepper and Petal came 1st and
2nd respectively at the 2009 Puppy Show and won the Couples. Penny was,
of course, delighted.
Pepper, a dark lemon hound, was/is a prolific winner at the hound shows.
She won the Unentered at both Peterborough and Honiton, being the Unentered Champion and Reserve overall Champion at the latter show. She
won both the Bitch and the overall Championships at Builth in 2010, and
was part of the winning Two-Couple team at Peterborough in 2009, 2010
and this year.
Both Pepper and Cheerful were in the final line-up in 2010, and she was
so thrilled when Pepper won Reserve Champion.
Life teaches us that we seldom acquire what we crave, on demand, but tenacity, astuteness and courage almost always
win through in the end. So it will be with repeal. A child of ten knows why hunting is not yet legal: we have a coalition Government, not a Conservative Government, but omens for the future remain excellent and the objective
remains to achieve repeal as soon as possible..
The path we follow to achieve the objective is entirely logical:
Above Steve Duckmanton at Kennels, with Pepper closest to
him, and the potential 2x2-couples for Peterborough 2010.
Below Penny Stephens-Clarkson at the 2010 Dummer Beagles
Puppy Show.
• To remain closely in touch with likely voting intentions of every MP in Parliament, and so continuously update
our estimate of the outcome of any repeal vote.
• To explore initiatives in support of the repeal or replacement of the Hunting Act that might help swing the
middle ground of MPs who currently say they would abstain or are mildly against repeal.
• To ensure that in the short term, whilst the Hunting Act remains in force, hunting is as straightforward and risk
free as possible
Petal, also dark lemon, had a slightly less prolific array of rosettes but this
was due primarily because she had inherited her dam’s habit of lying down.
Steve worked wonders with her and she did improve but she would stand
superbly for 30 seconds, then wham, down she would lie. But one place she
would never lie down was on the hunting field and Steve unhesitatingly
nominated her as the hound who had hunted most days last season, winning the Liam Cup at our Puppy Show this year. I had publicly dedicated
the afternoon to Penny’s memory and it was, of course, a huge sadness that
she wasn’t there to receive the cup. We missed her – in her brightly coloured
summer dress – so much.
Notwithstanding this mildly irritating habit, Petal was part of winning
Two-Couple teams at Peterborough in 2009, 2010 and this year, and at
Builth in 2010. Steve would place her in the middle of the foursome, and
young Monique Le Breuilly who holds hounds for us perfected her toeshove under Petal’s bum to get her standing again. When Petal was racing
across the ring after biscuits, there was no doubting her quality. But she
still did occasionally lie down, and our expectations were not high in the
Peterborough championship this year – that is, until it was down to just
two hounds and Petal’s rival, Chilmark & Clifton Foot Waver, decided to
come out in sympathy and sat down! That made the judges’ decision much
easier, and Petal was awarded the Bitch Championship.
It is possible to change the views of MPs who oppose hunting. This is often where the work of Jim Barrington,
wildlife consultant to the Countryside Alliance and Council of Hunting Associations, and one time Director of the
League Against Cruel Sports, comes in. Nobody is better placed than Jim to make the case for hunting on the basis
of welfare and wildlife management.
And so to the Supreme Championship: Petal 09 running off against Old
Berkeley Beagles Poacher 07. The three judges (the fourth had left his
bowler hat in the car at lunchtime and couldn’t find one big enough to borrow) didn’t take long and declared Petal the Supreme Beagle Champion for
2011. Amidst the applause round the ring, I heard a huge shout – and there
was no doubt that Penny was leaning over the boards at the end, yelling her
congratulations. Penny, that championship was for you!
Jenny Dereham
We look forward to the future with confidence. Things may shake out in our favour quicker than we anticipated.
22
The strategy remains constant whilst the emphasis alters in response to the ever changing scene. Ten years ago, the
accent was on high visibility, the marches, and remodelling our image with the media and public in our efforts to
resist legislation. Today the emphasis has changed, because the law has changed. Hunting is illegal and we need to
alter that.
Therefore the spotlight is on Westminster and it is there that we must keep all options open. No one can forecast
exactly the moment when the Repeal button must be pressed. This will be decided by ‘events dear boy, events’, as
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan said. So we must be ready at all times.
In the meantime our resolve to bring about a change in the law will never change and it is high time that those who
query the need for it become mute, before their voices are overheard.
It is worth remembering that hunting has a lobby in Parliament that would be the envy of every PLC in the land.
Co-ordinating our work in The House of Commons is Simon Hart, ex Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance,
and top amateur huntsman, ably assisted by legendary Pytchley huntsman Frank Freeman’s great nephew George
Freeman MP. Nick Herbert, an ex Master of Beagles of long standing is the Minister in charge of the Police. There
are more than a smattering of hunting Peers, (three serving or recently serving as Hunt Chairmen), and, above all, a
Prime Minister and cabinet who are wholly supportive of us and our aims.
Stephen Lambert
Chairman MFHA and CHA.
23
From the Archives
HORSES & COURSES
UKSpill
ASSOCIATION
Mr Albert Brassey’s Mastership
Part 2
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the Great War Years
The opening meet was held at Heythrop with
lavish entertainment for the farmers, and his
friends and neighbours assembled for the
Heythrop Ball. Under his benevolent despotism there were no hunt crises for the members
to face, and nothing for them to quarrel about.
The Heythrop was regarded as a friendly country particularly popular with undergraduates,
one of whom described the Heythrop Field as
“a lot of nice old gentlemen in long coats, who
don’t curse you as they do with the Bicester”.
Mr Brassey’s second son, Percy, killed in the
South African War, was a very popular member
of University College, Master of the Drag, and
introduced into the Heythrop country a notable strain of foxes from Austria which endured
for nine seasons.
His third son, Ralph died after a fall at Cottenham whist still an undergraduate at New
College. In their day the hunting special to
Chipping Norton Junction (Kingham was not
yet recognised by the Great Western Railway),
and eggs and bacon at the Langston Arms after
hunting, were well-recognised features of university life.
In 1898 Mr Brassey was assisted by his son-inlaw, Captain Denis Daly, who had retired from
the 18th Hussars, and settled at Over Norton
Park. He acted a deputy master whenever necessary. He was a fine horseman: would play a
set of tennis at Heythrop after a day’s hunting,
and could outwalk a Scotch keeper on the hill.
He was popular with the farmers, who won
good money by backing him at the point-topoint races.
Mr Foster Mellior, having been secretary for
forty years, died in 1908, and was followed by
Mr Albert Hall, the eldest son of Mr Brassey’s
predecessor in the mastership, thereby being
the third generation to hold office in the Hunt.
He was a good man to hounds, a good shot, the
best fisherman in the district and a capable man
of business.
The poultry fund was administered by Mr
Egerton Leigh of Broadwell Manor, the owner
of one of the best fox coverts in the country.
There was the “Squarson” Mr Lowbridge
Baker of Ramsden, My Byas of Wick Hill who
could be relied on to make peace with any
farmer who had cause for complaint, long after
his infirmities prevented him from hunting.
Albert Brassey MFH
1878
Larger fields, poorer farmers, more wire,
and tarred roads brought their share of difficulties, which were compounded by the Great
War. Mr Brassey again came to the rescue. In
1916 he accepted half the fixed guarantee, and
did the same in 1917.He then expressed his
desire to hand on the mastership to a younger
man “If someone could be found to drive the
engine, he would gladly continue to act as
stoker.”
The members of the Hunt subscribed for a
Motor Ambulance and presented it to the
War Department. The establishment was reduced, a lot of the best of the dog hounds were
given to other hunts, and hunting was continued on a reduced scale, so that it could be
re-established at the end of the black period.
A few days’ hunting was snatched whilst on
leave, with a miniature field, and Sturman,
assisted by a single whipper-in and a reduced
pack. These hunts included two notable invasions of North Cotswold country, one from
Bourton Wood to ground in Weston Park
Wood, and another from Eyford, past Spring
Hill and Broadway to ground in Broadway
Coppice- another hunt from Pat Cat finishing at Quenington from which Sturman had
to get his hounds back to kennels twenty miles
away without a whipper-in.
The 11th November 1918 disclosed a skeleton
hunt conducting business as usual. The armistice was announced by the hooter at Chipping Norton tweed factory.
Mr Brassey died, without the trials of a lingering illness in January 1918.
The loss of Mr Brassey, the continuing war, and
the absence of many members of the Hunt, or
preoccupation with other war-related duties,
and the fact that it was not possible to count
on the subscriptions sufficient to carry on the
country created something of a crisis.
The hounds were the property of the late Master: theexecutors of his will were to offer the
pack to members of the Hunt for £1,500, but
in the circumstances it was not possible to take
advantage of this offer. Captain Robert Brassey, the only surviving son of the late Master,
though he had settled in Cottesbrooke in
Northamptonshire came to the rescue, and
consented to carry on the Mastership with a
guarantee of £400 per day per week hunted.
Captain Brassey then moved to Heythrop, retaining Sturman as the Huntsman.
To be continued.
24
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Time for Rupert
CALL US
01386 853 030
by Bob Johnston
EMAIL US
[email protected]
At the Hunt Grand National Draw and entirely due to the
generosity of his owner, the brilliant idea of the trainer and
Alice Plunkett’s persuasiveness, I was cajoled into purchasing
a morning on the gallops at Cropredy Lawn with a chance of
riding Time for Rupert. Christine & I arrived at 7.30am on
the most stunning morning and I was led into a stable where
stood the magnificent 17hh chestnut gelding. “Can you ride
on that”? said Paul, pointing to a rather small exercise saddle.
“No thanks” I said, “my knees won’t bend that much anymore
so could I have a bigger one please”.
Now seated on something much more comfortable we
proceeded to the exercise area where everyone got their orders
and then onto the farm to trot to the gallops. Not having ridden much recently my legs were like jelly by the time we got
there, but once I could stand up in the stirrups everything felt
fine. Twice up the gallops, once at half speed and then one at
a proper clip I was on a high with beads of perspiration on my
forehead. What a fantastic feeling.
Back into the yard when all the horses had a swim in the
pool and Rupert was turned out for a pick and a roll. Then
into Paul’s car accompanied by his wife Ku and the dogs to
watch second lot. We then watched a few of varying abilities
schooling over fences. Into the house for breakfast and what a
wonderful spread Ku prepared (ably assisted by Paul with the
scrambled eggs), and especially the mushrooms picked on the
farm that morning. And then to be presented with six colour
A4 pictures of my escapade.
What a huge thank you must go to all involved, we had
the most amazing time. Although the Heythrop benefitted
by £250, we had much more fun than that, all in all what an
amazing experience, and not to forget he is a real contender
for the Gold Cup. Of course if he wins it will be due to my
expert schooling!!!
GARDEN PLANNING, PLANTING
AND PRUNING
Please contact me if you are considering:
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The renovation/ rejuvenation of existing
trees and shrubs.
The restocking of parts of the garden with
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The seasonal pruning of shrubs, roses or
climbers.
JOHN HATCH
Tel: 07960 650714
25
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