Hunting reports

Skycastle French Hounds - Midwinter report

Our 2009-2010 season has been plagued with rough weather conditions at times, but hounds have shown very good sport. November 1st, was a meet at Marsh Creek. Nick Booth did a nice job hunting hounds, and the pack had short runs on two rabbits in tough scenting conditions. At Silberman’s on the 8th, we had short running rabbits which quickly got to ground at the Cadwalader’s, and finished with a team tag bunch in the lower hedgerows. Wesley Sessa’s on the 15th was much better, after a near blank through the Bently’s where hounds ran one to ground in the top hedgerow. Crossing back to Wesley’s, we hit pay dirt in the bottoms and had several good runs all through the covers to the James’s’ and back to the far end, to the delight of the field. Tea afterwards was great. On the 22nd at Doug and Kirsty Grabosky’s, a new meet, scent was poor, and hounds worked hard to keep their first rabbit moving through the long swamp cover, finally putting it to ground toward Route 41. After a long draw through the fields on the other side and up the hill, I tried the dense swampy patch by the drive again and they got up a good big rabbit that blew out on the opposite side and ran up to the hilltop to ground. Hallman’s on the 29th was a very good day. Two young entry hounds, Tuppence and Teasel, did very well indeed, along with the usual suspects. We had two good runs to marks around the lower fields. Hounds were steady to deer during the first run. In the upper hedgerows, they got up a nice one for a run and mark towards Theurkauf’s. Then they got a rabbit going which ran into a deer—hounds came back to horn quickly with the help of an alert Pat and Laura, and we ran another rabbit in the hedgerow above Sue Thayer’s paddocks. It ran into briars near the barn and I lifted hounds across to Hallman’s field where we drew back to end the day. Tea at the Geer’s afterwards was super, especially the deer chilli! Wickersham’s on December 6th was a hunt in snow-covered and sodden fields. Hounds did a fine job getting rabbits out for short, doubling runs to ground in and out of the hedgerows with good views for the field. Hounds had one good run from the lower pastures up through two hedgerows and to ground in the briary fence line near Unionville-Wawaset Road. Hot soup, tea and goodies for the field were most welcome after we tucked them into the hay-filled trailer. We started out at Cheslen Preserve on the 13th in light rain, which turned into mist as hounds worked the cover along the farm lane up to the rail-road tracks. After a long draw towards the creek, we crossed the tracks to work the hedgerow at the base of the hillside. Sabine literally dug a rabbit out of cover which ran to the big hillside covert and the chase was on! Hounds ran the rabbit from the base to the top of the covert and drove it for two big loops to ground in the upper right corner. Two more were run inside to marks, the final one blew out at my feet to lead them to the top and back down the middle to ground. We drew back past the potter’s field across the tracks and I blew home to end this surprising day. Tea at the Booth’s was a fine ending to this very wet though exciting hunting day. Maria’s wonderful ham and pea soup and Gillian’s pastries were outstanding. Sadly, the Moore’s’ Great Marsh Farm meet on the 20th was snowed out. Lisa and Nick Booth were a great help with Dave Duvall and me in clearing out the runs at kennels that day. Conditions at Allerton Farm made it necessary to cancel our Boxing Day meet as well on Saturday the 26th. Nick Booth carried the horn on the 27th at Church Farm School, and hounds had a rabbit marathon of a day. The local rabbit population all seemed to want to get out to enjoy the slight thaw and fields now mostly clear of snow. There was truly a rabbit for every hound. Hot tea and soup had plenty of takers at end of this last day of hunting in the old year. New Year’s morning, Friday, at MilkyWay Farm was [as cold as the] Arctic, and a blank draw until we got a couple of rabbits up in the hedgerows across the road that sensibly got to ground after short runs. Coming back across to the farm, hounds ran another back and forth inside the connecting hedgerow bordering the big pastures and to ground to end the day. Hot snacks and soup at the tailgate helped thaw fingers and noses. Sunday the 3rd at Welkinweir was bitter cold, but happily no wind. We started with a steady working hunt through the lower bank briar cover from the right toward the house and to ground, and then I lifted the pack to the upper field where they pushed a big rabbit out of a large forsythia stand for a run across the top of the property into a briar tangle. They worked it back through and the rabbit exploded out for a run to ground in a big azalea mound above the lower lawn. We drew back along the bank and accounted for one after a short burst near the trail, then crossed to the right hand slope, driving our final rabbit downhill in briars to ground. The tailgate in the pavilion at the top of the hill with hot tea and soup as well as snacks was most welcome. Arctic cold [conditions] under clear skies at the Mohr’s’ Sevynmor Farm in Unionville on the 10th made for little scent. Hounds got one rabbit up near the road, which quickly buried itself in the woods towards Scott’s. We drew down the hedgerow to Cadwalader’s and put another quickly to ground along the drive. Hounds worked a rabbit inside the centre hedgerow, which came out and crossed the back field into forbidden ground. The final action of the day was another inside job the rabbit broke out of Eli’s back hedgerow for a quick view, then back in it went and to ground. Hounds worked the woods edges and the bottom briar tangle on the way back to the Mohrs’ to end the day. The “4 o’clock rabbit” stayed warm in its hole. Steady light rain for the first 3/4 of an hour at Twin Ridges Farm on the 17th made it tough on our stalwart field and visitors from New York City, but hounds ran rabbit in the quarry cover for a half hour, putting it to ground at the east end above the farm road. As the rain stopped, they got two good runners going from the corner on the south slope tangles, back and forth the length and marking one to ground to end the day. We then trudged back to the trailer in the slop and got hounds loaded to snuggle into the hay, and drove to the Farnham\'s for tea and hot soup and sandwiches and goodies. Back at kennels we towelled off the hounds and got warm feed into them before settling them in for the night. The 24th at Church Farm School was great. Hounds got up two rabbits in our first draw along the upper field hedgerow, marking the first in a patch in the field, and running the second to an accounting the length of the line toward the creek. They worked another down to the pond in dense briars, where they ran more to ground along the walking trail. The cover along the trail produced a couple more which got to ground, and then I lifted them across the lane to the far trail cover strips where they had several short runs before crossing to the creek line. They immediately drove a rabbit out for a good run to a mark in the briars at the corner of the hill on the far field. Drawing back to the centre, hounds found again and ran their rabbit across to a hole in the open grass below the hill. They got up their final rabbit along the centre creek again, which they ran back across the lower field to the trail strips to ground to end this great day. Staff went to kennels to de-burr these hard-working hounds, and then we joined the field at the super hunt breakfast at America Bar & Grill. Bye day training hunts Wednesdays and Saturdays have been very helpful in getting the young entry and other young hounds steady. Soon we’ll be starting the “U” boys hunting with older hounds.

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Stonewall Hounds - Meet Report

Today Lili, Kate, Jenner, Judy, Susan, Howard and I braved the hard icy footing again and took hounds out. We went to the Meadows, where we often run grey fox, in a smaller sort of contained area, hoping that it would not require us covering a lot of frozen ground. Following is my version, hopefully others will chime in with theirs! Hounds found in the Church Pines, true to form, and went around in there a bit, then we figure the fox crossed the road, but hounds had a little trouble following. They finally struck again in the pines over on the other side of Plum Branch. I stayed at the end of farm road watching up and down Plum Branch Rd., and our road whip, Howard, was up further where a dirt road goes in the other side (normally Kate’s spot but she was back on the power line in case they went toward the woods). I was watching intently sure I would see the fox come out. Judy and Susan came down behind me to watch too. I started thinking about moving to a non-covered area (the vineyard). I told them to watch up the road in case Howard can’t see down here. I turned my head, and heard, “Tally Ho!” Howard viewed a gray crossing back into the church pines. Susan caught a glimpse of it too! RATS I just missed the view. Then all of a sudden I thought, I better get to the farm road to see if it crosses there. I galloped up to a place where I had a good view up the farm road and watched, and wondered…. would the fox cross, and would it be the same path he went in the other side? Sure enough, after a just a bit it darted out and crossed the farm road in a straight and fast line right from where he came. WHEE!!! Up I go to see which hounds come out first. Allison was first on and came out to where it crossed, but she didn’t find the line on the other side right away. Lili came up and blew doubling and cheered the hounds onto the line. Then I saw Jazz coming up the farm road after Lili, and I thought, great, Jazz (the old lady) will help find it. Just at that moment I noticed a little game trail going into the woods—and so did Jazz. Her nose went down, then up went her head and her beautiful booming voice echoed the call… “I found him I found him” and all hounds honoured. Off they went. I galloped up to the top and made a right toward the snow covered field up top and we listened to them go round and round trying to keep track of the fox, but he gave them the slip down in the snowy woods. At one point I was able to look down in the woods and see them all against the snow covered ground. Great sights and sounds for all of us who have missed hunting so much over the past month! Can’t wait to go again Saturday.

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Potomac Hunt - Out, Out Damp Fog

It was nothing like Carl Sandburg’s fog that "comes on little cat feet." The fog hovering over Potomac Hunt members gathered at Austin Kiplinger’s Montevideo for the annual Thanksgiving Day hunt was dismal, dark and dank. However, it didn’t deter diehard foxhunters from crawling out of a warm bed to prepare for the 10 a.m. meet where Potomac Hunt members and their guests have gathered for the Thanksgiving Day stirrup cup and hunt since 1980. The tradition started here at historic Montevideo, built in 1828-30 for Martha Washington’s great- grandson, John Parke Custis Peter, when the old Potomac Hunt kennels and clubhouse moved from its original Glen Road, Potomac, location, to its present home in Barnesville. Admittedly, it was one of the smallest hunt fields in memory for the ultra-formal hunt, however, holiday spirit abounded as baskets brimming with home-baked cookies and muffins and cups of sherry and cider were offered to all. Conspicuously missing from the hunt staff, and negotiating afoot with a cane, was Potomac huntsman of 29 years, Larry Pitts. "The bone has healed, but the knee is still swollen and sore, " he said, referring to the broken femur from an accident last August when his horse bolted just as he was mounting. When jokingly asked if he knew the exact day, he quickly replied, "Aug. 7, 8 a.m., or maybe two minutes before eight!" It was obviously a moment he won’t soon forget. CONVERSING WITH hunt staff whipper-in Stephen Currey, who has temporarily taken over huntsman duties, Pitts gave advice on what ground to cover to obtain the maximum sport for hunters and hill toppers. It was apparent the advice was well taken for soon after huntsman and hounds went to work. "We had several good runs," jtMFH Vicki Crawford later recalled. Riding in the back of the field, Crawford is slowly recovering from a hunting accident last February. Two plates have been installed in her neck where two broken vertebrae are, the result of a nasty spill. "I have to pull out by 12:30 p.m. in order to get home in time to get the turkey in the oven," she confessed. She also hinted her strength has not yet fully returned. "I’m gradually building up arm and back muscles again," she admitted. Broken bones in horse-related activities are not uncommon, but the recent horrendous accident Potomac Hunt member Steve Alred had, resulting in his death, was very much on the minds of many this Thanksgiving day. Alred was on a trail ride with his wife, Gwen, near their Upper Marlboro home, when a dog chased after his horse, nipping at the horse’s legs, causing the horse to panic, throwing its rider. The dog’s continuous attack on the horse resulted in the horse kicking out at the dog and hitting the fallen rider. THERE WAS little doubt that the Rev. Merritt Ednie, while blessing hunters and horses had this in mind. The Rev. Ednie, who, on Oct. 25, celebrated his 40th year as minister of the Boyds Presbyterian Church, has been a regular at the traditional Thanksgiving hunt for about the past 10 years. "Ever since Father [George] Reid of St. Mary’s retired," he said. "This is a classic Irish hunting day, jtMFH Peter Hitchen remarked to the gathering of about 45 hunters and as many hill toppers. With the fog hanging heavy, and a chilly wind cutting across the fields of Montevideo and neighbouring farms, it was a typical hunting day for his brethren abroad, where, as he spoke, one Potomac hunt member, Catherine Hanagan, was indeed hunting the Irish countryside. While Catherine’s parents, Nellie and Mike Hanagan, honorary whippers-in for Potomac Hunt, were busy in the hunt field here, their daughter Catherine, who had been nominated by the Seneca Valley Pony Club, and Potomac Hunt MFH’s to represent the United States Pony Club Foxhunting Exchange, was across the pond. "We are so proud of her. There are hundreds of Pony Clubbers throughout America who apply for this and only a few are chosen," Vicki Crawford marvelled, adding, "Her sister, Lela, was chosen two years ago. Can you imagine two children in one family achieving this?" Vicki Crawford queried. The Crawfords, Vicki, and her husband jtMFH Skip Crawford, hope to see Catherine in Ireland when they take off for a few days of Irish hunting. Skip Crawford, should be in great shape for the Irish venture, having been among the last of the few Potomac members returning to their trailers at the Kiplinger’s following more than four hours in the saddle. The Hanagans, including daughter, Lela, and Ivan Blumberg and his son, Corbin, also numbered among the diehards who were more than ready to hunker down for Thanksgiving dinner. Reproduced with permission from the Potomac Chronicle 3rd Dec 2009

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Skycastle French Hounds - 2009-2010 season

Our 2009-2010 season began in earnest in June. Walking out and hunting three days a week got the pack in fine shape. White Acres Farm, Bob Berry’s, the Hallmans’, the Flaggs’, the Silbermans’, the Cadwaladers’, the Theurkaufs’, the Wickersham’s, and Church Farm School all have had game. Our thanks to them all for letting us use their land for training hunts last summer. Our hard-working staff—Gillian and Paul Wiedorn, Coopie Heisermann, Laura, Nick and Lisa Booth, Patrick Loughran, Sally, Liz and Megan Roberts, and Phyllis Allen—made Summer training and exercise really work. Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday hunting and exercise the season through have really made this little pack a team. We have acquired two fine doghounds from the Barths, Larry (sire of Salsa and Sousa) at the May annual meeting, and Checkers (sired by our Riddle) in September. Both are AKC champions and never hunted. Larry has become a fine pack hound, and Checkersis starting to hunt. Quarry had a litter of two males (sired by Larry), Uwchlan and Uproar, on July 22, which are super. Our Opening Meetand Blessing of the Hounds at Marsh Creek State Park on October 11 was very special. It marked the start of our 61st season hunting in Chester County. It was great to see Ruth Maconachy and her son Jamie and wife Marjory. Rick Litts was back out and recovering nicely. Hounds worked very well with runs in the racetrack oval to ground and in the centre hedgerow to the top of the rise, then two rabbits were run from the crossover hedgerow and the woods above the road to marks. The Wessells’ tea was super. The Bedwells’ on the 18th was again very dry, but hounds had a slew of rabbits along the centre pasture hedgerow and three good runs, especially the find and driving run out of the upper power line briar hell from cover strip to cover strip, holding steady on deer and fox. The Fall Basset Pack Trials were great. The weather varied from dry and warm to rainy, constantly changing. Our three couple on the 23rd October was outstanding, and the longest hunt of the day. Scenting conditions were tough. Several packs hunted to losses with little action before and after us. We started in the centre cover strips with no action til we worked up to the back area. Hounds dug in the brush piles and worked through all around, then Sabine, Pampa and Mischief opened strongly. The rest flew to them and drove the rabbit out for a doubling run in and out of several patches of cover, then ran it to the left back side woods where it ran through Bob Dougherty’s horse’s legs. Quarry led the charge as it doubled back, and the pack ran it to ground in a large brush and log pile. They got a second one going for a short run through two patches and to ground, and then drew left handed towards the centre. Pampa spoke, then Daphne and Sabine, and a rabbit exploded back towards the back fence cover with the pack all on in cry as our time ran out. It was a well-earned win of the Three Couple Pack Bohemia River Plate, the Carpenter Plate (50% Field and 50% Bench) and first place ribbon. Hounds were impressive. Laura and Nick did a fine job. The next day was the turn of the five couple class. They found the first rabbit in the bank briars below the cabins and ran to a loss, then worked another line for a loop in the bottom along the stream briars and began working the cover below the drive as time ran out. Liz and Megan Roberts did a super job whipping in. Megan’s performance earned her the Best Whipper-In Award of the Fall Trials. A fine weekend. The 61st season is going very well indeed so far, with two new meets added this fall, and new ones we will be exploring on bye dayhunts the second half of the season.

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Colne Valley Beagles - Various meets

After what seemed like a very long summer break, with work parties galore, shows and puppies, as previously reported, the season 2006/2007 did eventually arrive. The weather never really altered an awful lot, and scenting conditions were generally as fair to good as in any season I can remember. The ongoing difficulties that our Masters have battled long and hard with over the years both pre- and post-ban didn’t improve dramatically, in spite of their sterling efforts, we were pretty late in getting going. This really couldn’t be helped, frustrating as it was to staff, followers and hounds alike, but to constantly hear that such & such a pack had had a splendid day on Saturday, or that they’d not only had that splendid day, but that it was their eighth in succession got a trifle wearing, as I’m sure you’ll sympathise. Hounds (and staff!) obviously don’t have “bits”, but if they did they’d have been chomping at them, desperate to get going. This, in spite of it being the second post-ban season, is still new territory though, and it is reassuring that everyone seems to have accepted that things are not “as normal” but in fact very far from it. Every meet is a bonus and another that “they can’t take away from us”. If last season was a “tester” then this one was always going to be more so. The authorities haven’t quite got to grips with the hunting legislation, the antis don’t seem to be able to grasp the fact that we haven’t simply melted away like the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz, and the whole thing is really just as much of a dogs’ dinner as we’ve come to expect from an administration prepared to put bigotry and bias over rationale, scientific evidence, common sense, and who’s Junior spokesman for DEFRA (well he was back then) admitted it was nothing to do with animal welfare anyway….Madness! I digress. The season 2006/07 had finally arrived. The annual Lakes Trip proved to be another treat, and provided two cracking meets, albeit due to some local issue on the same piece of ground. For the first we ran both packs (CVB & Black Combe) together, and on the Saturday we had the meet to ourselves, both showed our hounds in a very good light as they went about their work in a first rate fashion. The social side was as good as ever and I’m sure will have been reported on elsewhere….Further “away trips” include the ones to our friends at the Hunsley Beacon, the Cheshire, and the Airedale, all of which provided some excellent hound-work, but I think the best viewing, for staff & followers alike, would have to be the Airedale one. High on the Stainforth side of Settle. A huge piece of ground, (I was informed that it had been ‘cleared’ for some seven miles, to the next road!) and again, running both packs together, a tremendous day was had. The distinctly inclement weather did let us down quite a bit, and my early decision to abandon my waterproof turned out to be a huge mistake…… A new venture, courtesy of our friends ‘north of the border’ at the Dumfriesshire Foxhounds, was the invitation to take ours to visit. Two cracking meets were laid on, although sadly didn’t just quite go quite according to plan…the first day, hounds were going like trains, the music ringing out around the enormous belt of forestry, and all was well with the world, when….they were distracted from the matter in hand by something unidentified. Whatever it was took them deeper and deeper into said forestry, and further and further away from the field, a potential nightmare! Fortunately though, in spite of the day being over, as such, before it had really got going, the last hound was eventually brought out (To my huge relief) into the daylight just as it was fading to dusk at ten to five! Socially the trip was very entertaining with a lovely Thai meal on the first evening, after which and by coincidence we met up with the Dumfrieshire FH Committee as they finished their meeting nearby and joined us for a drink. On the second evening we joined them for supper and a thoroughly enjoyable sing followed, and new friends made. The second day was a little disappointing and in effect was reminiscent of the long walk at Rishworth, although to be fair the countryside we crossed looked absolutely spot-on, and perfect for the anticipated day. When eventually, some two hours after turning out things did get moving a bit, the whole day crashed to a grinding halt when one of our bitches, Cameo, was on the receiving end of a jolt of electricity from a live fence. Being wet through from having just swum through a stream, and not perhaps being in her first flush of youth, her heart couldn’t stand the shock and gave out on her. Steady and dependable, and a proper little character, she is much missed. Eventually we did get going again, but I think the long stop in between, while the owner of the fence was sought out, and the fence turned off, diminished some of hounds’ enthusiasm, as well as perhaps that of some of the field. Still, it was another day out, with hounds, in some cracking country, and in good company, so it wasn’t entirely a disaster. I must say thank you to Chris and Lenise Bell for making hounds & me as welcome as they did, and for looking after us, as well as to Malcolm Bell, (no relation!) for helping Chris to line up the two meets. We do very much hope to be back! Personally perhaps the highlight of the ‘aways’ though was without doubt, for me at least, the invitation to re-visit the Nantcol Valley, in North Wales. Although we did lose the second day because of gale-force winds, the meet we did manage was outstanding. High on the hillside overlooking the estuary at Barmouth, “The Mawddach”, hounds simply flew. The scenting conditions were spot on, the weather wasn’t too unkind, and the larger than normal CVB contingent, together with a very good level of local support, were treated to a splendid day’s viewing. The day was followed by a very convivial evening, and the “craic” was good! A huge thank-you to Alun Owen for arranging the meet and for kenneling hounds. Back home, we had some very good days at Dean Head, from the Jack O’Mitre, Cop Hill from the Rose & Crown, Goat Hill from the Breakfast Meet at Moorlands, Meltham Cop from the Will’s O’ Nats, and the “Billy Ground”. This last is perhaps worth commenting on. I don’t think we’ve been to the Billy Ground for a couple of seasons, and in the past it has provided some very hard and unsatisfactory days, at least in my time as huntsman. We have always struggled to make a good meet out of it, and have usually ended up going on a long route-march out and up on to the tops, even then the day may have been hit & miss. Odd good runs have been had, but for some reason its nearly always been a struggle. This particular day, in the week before Christmas, was to be the exception to the rule though. At the meet, or just shortly after we had got going, a well known regular follower asked me if I was going to draw the lower ground rather than just follow the line of the hill, and added that if not then he was going home! It had been the plan in fact, but even so I hadn’t really expected hounds to provide such a top show…..A fast and furious day, and I don’t know how many times we had to climb the hill but it was more than worth it. A brilliant day, but one the memory of which will always be tinged with sadness, as it was the last time I saw Fred Langfield, who had been so insistent as to where I should draw…..Each time I saw him on the the top of the hill he made a point of complimenting the hounds, and was keen to tell me “what a good do” it was. I have known Fred, with the Holme Valley, the Pennine and latterly with the Colne Valley Beagles, since I was in my mid-teens. Ever ready with a joke, a mint-imperial, or toffee, and frequently, words of advice! If you turned up at a show, a meet, or the pub and saw he was there you knew it was going to be “a good do”. I won’t go on at length, but did want to just say how much you will be missed Fred. Boxing Day was far more eventful than perhaps we’ve become used to, the sheer size of the crowds following are a blessing and if the truth be known a curse too! Every corner we turned around seemed to reveal another huge gathering of people, and heartening though it is that support for the hunt, and for the broader hunting world, is as incredibly strong as it clearly is, and it really is heartening, it meant that every single step we took was under close scrutiny, every note on the horn questioned, and so on. Although we are operating under difficult times, and doing so very conscientiously, we have to be seen to be doing so. This is vital, not just on Boxing Day, but always. From then, and more recent meets, it seems as if one or two of our followers have slightly patchy memories, (and I know that I can be guilty too!) or perhaps there is another explanation, though I don’t know what it is… but suffice to say there needs to be a little less ‘noise’….The Hunting Act 2004, whether we like it or not is still in force. Lecture over! The New year’s Day Meet was excellent, if a little dicey at times, especially when a fox left the hill in the direction of Meltham! Fortunately hounds didn’t notice, and the whips were correctly placed to stop them if they had. Again we were a little let down by the weather, but it didn’t put any dampers on the sing afterwards! Bizarrely though the following meet, at South Crosland, saw hounds crossing out through Helme and straight back onto the Cop….I wouldn’t like to say its never happened before, but certainly not in my time. And so the first-half of the season is past, some very good days, a couple of very frustrating ones, (I haven’t mentioned the incredibly lengthy walk across the moors at Rishworth have I ….?) a lot of songs sung, a fair amount of refreshment shared in some tremendous company! And kennels housing some wonderful hounds, who have given us all an enormous amount of pleasure, with their music and drive on the hills, and with their pace and determination across them. Thank you to all who’ve done anything for the hunt, either in kennels, in the background support system, the Masters, the Hon Sec, our farmers, gamekeepers and other land-owners, at meets, out on the hills, or wherever.To Mum & Dad for all their support, and for carpeting the cottage kitchen, and countless other things! Virtually every week has seen new faces turning out, new members joining, and support constantly growing, it is so very very reassuring that we must be doing something right! These hounds really do deserve your support, and do everything that they can to earn it! A big thank you to the team of whippers-in, for all their attention to their duties, not all of which mean that they get to see half as much as the rest of the followers. My job would be very much harder without all your help, and even if I occasionally grumble and grouse, I really do appreciate everything you do! Really! If I’ve missed anyone out then I’m sorry, but I would like to say one last and special thank-you to Helen for putting up with, as well as supporting in every way, my hunting-life and all that goes with it! I truly couldn’t do it without you, but you know that, don’t you?! See you all out and about on the hills sometime soon.

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Colne Valley Beagles - Second Half of 2006/07

Second Half 06/07 The Christmas break came and went, and the first half of the 2006/07 season with it, was it really four months ago that I wrote my last Beagler report? It scarcely seems possible. The “T” & “W” litters had all more or less got the hang of this hound exercise business, with naturally one or two ups & downs along the way, and even last year’s “C”s had a very promising start to their CVB careers. Little Chantress definitely one to watch out for next season. The turn of the year saw the latest additions (The “F” litter) returning to kennels in ones and twos, all in brilliant fettle and with more than a passing resemblance to clones of the infamous escape artist “Gaiety” or taking more after their mother “Puzzle” with the single dog-pup looking like the spitting image of Dad-Galloway. One way or another they’re absolutely full of life, and are a joy to have in kennels. I can say this now as up to pres they haven’t yet learned to scale the fence and seek out a neighbour’s sofa. Yet. All credit to the walkers, Charles Ainley & Debs Leigh, Danny & Wendy Mulligan, Lyn & John Metcalfe, Chris Horsman, and David & Hazel Sill for turning out such healthy happy little characters. They are all already off couplings while walking out and are immensely looking forward to their sheep-education and the start of next season… I have tried to explain that they might have to come with me to a show or two over the summer months, but I’m not sure I’ve really got through to them quite. It is more or less customary by now for me to mention the high days, but as there weren’t really any low ones, (with the possible exception of being hit by a sudden snow-fall on the day of the newly opened invitation Langsett Meet, effectively postponing it for a year) it would be difficult to choose. If I had to then I have particularly fond memories of our visits to the Cheshire, (Shirt sleeves hunting, in February!) the Catterick, (What magic country, its very easy to be a bit jealous) and of course the wonderful Goathland trip, as well as a particularly enjoyable day courtesy of the Hunsley Beacon. The meet at Wessenden, put on hold last year, was rather more entertaining than it sometimes has been, but I suspect that the long long (& I hope fairly thorough!) draw followed by the quick ascent to the top of West Nabb meant that the brave few that turned out possibly struggled to enjoy it quite as much as hounds, or I, did. We did have a bit of a chaotic and very high speed day, courtesy of our friends at the East Lincolnshire Bassets, followed by a rather welcome tea in the village hall, after eventually the last hound had been retrieved from the meet…..As I keep saying in these reports, you really had to be there. Likewise when we were able to host our friends and neighbours from the Airedale to a day from the White House, you really did have to be there. A top day all round, good country, good hound-work, and good company. It would be nice to think that we might be able, in years to come to host one or two of the other packs who have helped us out when things seemed pretty dark and bleak, as well, but in spite of the strongest support, some incredible ‘fields’, and the determination of the followers and membership, we aren’t quite out of the woods yet. While I must thank the puppy walkers mentioned above, helping bring on and educate and ready the upcoming generation of young-entry for the future; the committee and other volunteers (Whips, road-watchers, cap-collectors, stew-makers, singers, photographers, picklers, auctioneers, sticklers, veg-growers, stick-makers & cake-bakers and so on), for their energy and support, none of it would be possible without Stewart Shaw and his sheer bloody-mindedness to keep the whole show on the road. Now in partnership with his able assistant and Joint Master Steve Burns, he should get a medal for his dedication to the job. (If you snapped him in two, I’d bet the letters CVB run through him like a stick of Blackpool Rock!) and it more or less goes without saying that keeping the whole shebang together and running smoothly is our very own Beagler Editor….. Thank you Meryl! Now is the off-season of our discontent….Well the season proper has finished, on a high note it has to be said, with a cracking day from the Jack O’Mitre, and hounds and staff will have to make do with the lanes and tracks around South Crosland to get hounds out of kennels. The social diary for the summer months is as busy as ever, if not more so perhaps, and there are several refurbishment projects in the pipeline for kennels too. The annual plea for volunteers hereby goes out, there are always things to paint, things to mend, make, build or rebuild, as well as tea to drink and bacon sandwiches to enjoy…. By the time this gets into circulation I’m hoping that Trespass will have produced the first litter of the next generation, courtesy of young Grayling, and somewhere in the second week of June Gossip will hopefully have the second. In due course the pups will be ready, and the call will go out for walkers ….those who have walked them before either get hooked, and take a pup or two every year, or very occasionally swear they’ll absolutely no way no how ever do it again, and that the kitchen/sitting-room/study will never be the same again….Then you may overhear them at the following Puppy Show being subtly (Or not so subtly) coerced, sometimes by their junior offspring, or even their husband/wife…..and its all over, the new pups are already in the back of the car ready to embark on a year of fun & games…. On an entirely different note, if anyone has any old-style plastic/rubber dustbins that they don’t use any more, (They’re the kind I use for collecting feed in the van) all donations of spares would be very welcome as the current crop wear out. Thank you! Even better would be the newer narrow-style wheely-bins, but I suspect that people will be keener to hang on to them… Puppies, painting, shows, building-projects, and no end of social activities on the calendar….it must be summer! Looking forward to seeing you out and about sometime over the coming months….

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Colne Valley Beagles - Summer 2007

Admittedly the first few weeks after the closing meet has been in my experience a slightly strange and surreal period, a letting out of a deep breath, a sense of loss for the season just gone, and the revisiting of some fond memories of good hound-work, good companionship, good meets and those not so….When you feel you ought to be doing something, but can’t quite put your finger on exactly what. Saturdays lose their “specialness”, and Friday evenings have no sense of expectation of the coming day, and likewise Saturday evenings have no sense of the day well spent with hounds and friends….. No chance of that this year to speak of…. No sooner had we hung our scarlet and green coats, waistcoats and white breeks up after the closing meet then Simon Shaw’s work parties began in earnest, not that they’d ever really stopped over the season 06/07 just that the gaps between them seemed to suddenly get a lot smaller…. The main project, begun last year, to demolish and rebuild anew the little puppy lodges at the top of the kennels’ cottage garden must have cost Simon and Ruth too I suspect, a few sleepless nights. What started off as a fairly straightforward plan hit snag after snag, teams of volunteers appeared and then evaporated in an untimely fashion, and Simon soldiered on, with a look of determination in his eyes…. On top of the new puppy pen though the additional burden of organising the CVB Hound Show also weighed on his shoulders……For the first time the Show was to be combined with the 72nd Honley Show, by kind invitation of the Show’s President Donald Bamforth, following a casual remark by someone or other last year, (can’t imagine who that might have been…) that the combination could be of mutual benefit. Sadly though this meant moving the date of our show and bringing about a clash for our stalwart show organiser Meryl who was otherwise pre-engaged. Simon and a small team of dedicated helpers shouldered the burden and a very successful venture it turned out to be. In the meantime, at the end of the season hounds aren’t simply put in a box until needed again. They are walked out (virtually) every day, and the normal kennels routine must go on. It does seem to have been a very long summer, my regular “hound-exercise” helpers have been tied up with work commitments, exams, and all sorts of other distractions, notwithstanding the many and various work-parties already alluded to. But within a month of the end of the old season, little Trespass had produced her first litter, to/by master Grayling…..the old heat-lamp was brought out of retirement, and did it’s job as ever before and Remedy, Relish, Ramone, Ranter and Reaper appeared to renew the bloodlines of the pack. Some six weeks later, or so, young Mistress Gossip said that she could do better, and promptly did, with a little bit of help from Mr Pirate it has to be said, and turned out a litter of eight, five dogs and three girls. The second litter have been a bit late in acquiring their names it has to be said. If you have seen them then you may appreciate why that might be though, as the phrase “like peas in a pod” is somewhat apt. Both parents being predominantly black& tan their offspring are unsurprisingly perhaps…..predominantly black & tan. How on earth the staff at the Dumfriesshire Foxhounds, as it was prior to being recreated anew latterly, when their pack was exclusively black & tan, could ever distinguish their hounds has always mystified me, but, admittedly on a much smaller scale I find myself in a similar quandary. They do now have names though….. Peregrine, Padre, Proctor, Puritan, Peerless, Purity, Poppy and Patience…Little tinkers one and all…I know I will need some to learn them all, but there’s time yet! For one reason or another we seem to be desperately short of puppy walkers this time around, well to be frank nobody at all has stepped forward and said the magic words as yet. They are all inoculated, and micro-chipped, very healthy and happy, and would so love hogging the rug in front of your fire this winter, no really you know it’s just one of those things that you’ve been meaning to do but just haven’t quite got around to yet……. The new puppy pen & lodge mentioned above couldn’t possibly have come at a more timely moment. With an official opening date of 7.7.7 there must have been some real luck involved too, though I suspect that one or two might think that sheer hard work played more of a part in things than luck. It’s very fitting that when it was officially opened at the Puppy Show that a plaque dedicating it to the memory of the late Neil Pogson was unveiled. I think he would have approved. For one reason or another we (alright “I”) missed getting the entries in to Harrogate in time, but managed to have hounds at Lorton and Rydal, with plenty of success at the one and none whatsoever at the other. It was very heartening though to have chance to see the standard of hounds that are out there, the Cheshire and Black Combe in particular have some lovely youngsters coming through and we can only look forward to seeing how they turn out when doing their job out in the field. Both packs have faced their own “Waterloo” in one way or another and bounced back in a very positive fashion, not to say inspiring. The fact that the determination and belief among hunt supporters that we still have something that is so desperately valuable and worth preserving for future generations that this is so should inspire all of us. The overall standard of hounds at Rydal was as high as ever I can recall, and even though we didn’t bring home any ribbons or silverware this time I am proud to say that not for a moment did I feel that we were in any way out of our class. I for one am genuinely proud of the Colne Valley Beagles and wouldn’t dream of suggesting the Judges ought to see an optician…… Sadly we also missed taking hounds to Lowther, but that was down to being aware of the Foot & Mouth outbreak in time to make the decision not to go, rather than anything else. Many other packs attended and only found out when they got there, by which time the only sensible thing to do was to carry on. It was a shame, but sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing… Summer carried on, the routes for walking out were restricted for a few weeks, but otherwise the FMD situation didn’t really affect kennels directly. We paraded at Harden Moss Sheepdog Trials & at Halifax Show and in a bit of a radical departure for me at least, the dust was wiped from my old bike, air pumped into the tires and we started to stretch hounds’ legs that little bit more in anticipation of the pending season….Not bad to say I haven’t even been on a push-bike for over 20 years! Hounds are doing well, the pups are coming along nicely, and Gremlin (the cat) has her paws full for another year making sure that all is in order. She couldn’t manage her job (and more importantly nor could I) though without you and all those who have helped over the year, and especially the summer months. A lot has been achieved, far more than I can begin to document here, trailer loads of debris (where on earth does it all come from?) has gone to the tip, layers of paint, and latterly even tiles (!), have been applied to the lodges & runs, and I’m quite sure that the management committee will have worked their way through whole acres of paperwork, letters, accounts, meetings and telephone conversations to keep the whole shebang together. Meets have been cleared, away trips organised, socials planned, and merchandise sold, and all in support of the CVB. Teamwork? What better demonstration could you ask for? This hunt is yours, and its my job to try to make sure that the hounds are a credit to the effort that you all put in. Thanks to all who have wielded a paint-brush, pushed a wheel-barrow, bashed a hammer, revved up a power-drill, brought extras for the pups & their mums, and countless other bits & bobs too many to mention. Thank you, really, thank you. That annual time has come once more to say I look forward to seeing you out in the field, around a fire in one of our supporting pubs, or even at kennels, or wherever. On the very verge of the season 2007-2008 there’s a sense of CVB optimism in the air and I think you ought to share in it. The CVB is your hunt after all! James As a Post Script, the sense of optimism remains, but has to be bolstered now by an equal measure of patience and understanding, as our hearts go out to those farmers directly affected by the latest FMD crisis, and just as much to those indirectly so. It doesn't look much as if there will be any "hound activities" with the exception of the usual walking-out for the foreseeable future. The call for "painters and doers" remains though, kennels will always need you!

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North Down Hunt - Childrens' meet

Childrens meet with over 40 children out from the age of 4 up to about 16 it was a eventfull day with all them out jumping and galloping flat out to start we give them a jump and gallop around a eventing ireland event course behind hounds to warm them up before we started hunting after they warm and a spin to take the sting out they ponys it was time to hunt on our 1st draw held with hounds hunting well in covert untill Charlie hit open ground where hounds could only own the line for 2 or 3 fields i picked hounds up and decided not to try and continue anymore on our 1st pilot due to it being a wet windy day so it was better to keep the kids moving and warm so i headed for 2 blocks of pine wood which would be about 30 or so acres each with a few fields in between the 2 blocks we jumped into the 1st block and found straight away hounds were away full cry with us in hot pursuit there was times when i thought some of the kids on they ponys was going to over take the hounds and hunt the fox them selfs but anyway it all good craic and good to see they keen we must have rattled this fox around for about 30 mins or so before he went to ground and terrierman blown for this is where my 4yr old boy dismounts his pony leaves it grazing where it stood and was across the drain to get in on the dig with the terriermen so i asked if he was coming on with the rest or staying there to dig the reply i had was no i stay and dig and thats where him and his pony stayed with the terrierman and accounted for a dog fox. anyway in the mean time the rest of us was busy hunting another in he 2nd block of wood which they alll thought it was great galloping flat out around the tracks and also seeing the fox cross a track in front of them with hounds tight to his brush this is when our piolt took us back out of the wood into the 1st wood we drew and on again into the resvoir covert where we hunted him across a main road and on to some farm land where hounds threw up and could not take him any further the time by now was 3.30pm and no child had left to go home so it was decided to call it a day and blow for home and a fair way to hack back to the meet where every child rode up and thanked me and the whip for a great day which was nice to hear all hounds accounted for then it was time to go and find my boy and his pony so a bit of a drive and i find them not to far away from where we left them digging he was being lead by 1 of the boys who helps with terriers beaming from cheek to cheek quite happy to tell me the story of the dig

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North Down Hunt - Opening meet

well the time came it was the 31st oct time for opening meet drew out 26 1/2 couple and off to the meet it was good to have visters staying and hunting with us from the Crawley & Horsham . any way off we went it was a very good turn out of horses on we go to the 1st draw finds charlie straight away in some very thick gorse but our piolt took us straight towards the meet which is a built up area of houses so we give him best on we go finds another but heads for mountsteward estate(national trust) where hounds are not welcome so again abit of blowing gets the pack togeather and off we went this time i had to dismount my horse to draw the next has the landowner want have horses on his land so i sent the field up a lane to the top right hand side hounds are on and our pilot points his mask for some game crop quick rattle around this and away they go next thing the landowner is out in 4x4 shouting some of the field had spilt off and jumped a gate into a field hounds were stopped and taken on to next draw into next draw and away they go charlie pops out and hounds are coursing him in the open he thinks this is a bit tricky and slips back into covert where he breaks at the bottom side hounds failed to take his line on due to the field jollying about all over the line by this time i am pulling my hair out and about to explode so i pick hounds up and go on to next draw where we were safe for miles and i knew of a brace and half in that area the farmer had told me he sees a bigish fox in 1 patch of gorse every morning so i approach with hounds quietly and just let them drift on calm next thing they give tounge and away they fly we kept back off them so the field couldnt get to close to mess this up they swing left handed heading for the farm yard with our piolt just in front of them then it was woof woo boo bo woof they marking in him left the terrierman to his job and on we go to find another next thing up jumps charlie no more than 50yds from where i found the last one this time running more or less the same line as the the last giving me and a visitor a good view of hounds hunting down a headgerow away from us then swinging below us only for this fox to try the same earth the terrierman was on but he had 2nd thoughts when he sussed out it was already occuipied he then set his mask for the biggest pile of gorse he good find with hounds hunting hard behind him then it was woof woo boo bo woof our pilot decided to pop in by this time it was getting dark so decided to send our horses back and wait with hounds for them to have they fox quick blow to ground and the terrierman sent the new countryman up with his terrier he crashes in to the gorse and sends word back its a big place but he will try to fill in as much he could by this time it is more or less dark anyway cut a long story short he bolted it cry.gif then the terrierman arrives but at least he had his fox for the hounds to break up

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North Down Hunt - 3rd November 2007 meet

the next meet 3rd nov seen us down near the coast not much covert about a lot of thick gorse hedge rows any 1st draw would be small gorse patches and a strip of white grass growing with it up jumped reynard laid hounds on and away they went couldnt go straight with them due to so much wire well fenced so just sat back off them and let them go on we had to go around to get in contact with them the other side any way quickest way out of this field was over a electric fence with a bank and on to the road my Whip went on while I waited to make sure the field never damaged the fence anyway on we go and hounds have nailed they fox on top. we hunted on only to find 1 more fox which give us a run of more than 40mins before running him into a big bog where there was 5 or more foxes on the move due to us running out of country hounds were picked up and home was blown.

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Colne Valley Beagles - First half 2007/08

Colne Valley Beagles Huntsman’s Report First Half 2007/08 No sooner had we got the Puppy Show & the Hound Show out of the way then suddenly it seemed as if the season was already upon us….The first part of summer always drags a bit in kennels, with winding hounds down for their rest, while keeping them relatively fit and happy. The seven pups, the “F” litter all took their turns on couplings before getting the hang of pack-living and walking out, though Farrin in particular would have tested the patience of a saint, (probably still would a bit!) in wanting to say “hello” to any and every domestic dog we came across while out & about. The end of summer saw me resurrecting the old established practice of biking-out, with Paul, Simon & Jonathan all digging their velos out at different times. The art of riding a bike while carrying a whip took a little mastering, but we got the hang of it eventually. (I hadn’t ridden a bike for over twenty years!) Hounds took to the new style of exercise very quickly and only the untimely buckling of my front wheel on the path through the wood curtailed the practice. The customary introduction to Paul Thorpe’s “Wildboarclough” sheep went ahead and the pups’ education continued into the season proper. The two new litters (“P”s & “R”s) of pups watched from their new pen with great interest as their older cousins grew into proper grown ups…. The pack’s fitness levels were tested on visits to the Cheshire, North Wales, North Yorkshire courtesy of the Cheshire Beagles, the Nantcol Valley Foxhounds and the Hunsley Beacon Beagles respectively, and by various home sorties. By the time Christmas came about it has to be said that regular stalwarts pretty much had got to know the slopes to the West of Black Hill rather well. It is perhaps only by the grace of Chris Crowther and his continued support for the CVB that we are still here at all, so it wouldn’t be fair to grumble. In spite of our growing fields, our very good turn outs and some cracking days watching our hounds perform like little demons we are still in the middle of very difficult times, and without the hard work of Stewart & Steve & Meryl we almost certainly couldn’t have survived this long. No sooner had we got going as Autumn started to arrive, then so did Foot & Mouth Disease! Oh no, not again was the call as despondency looked certain. A forced three week lay-up ensued after such a promising start, effectively “doing for” the annual pilgrimage to Cumberland and to our friends at the Melbreak FH & Black Combe Beagles. The outbreak was fortunately very limited this time though, and we all sighed with relief at not having to see the nightmarish burning pyres again. In due course the restrictions were eventually lifted and things more or less got back to somewhere close to normality. Our thoughts did go out to the handful of farms directly affected though and this was brought home to us even more when we took up the invitation to visit Dumfriesshire again, which you may recall had been so badly hit during the 2001 outbreak. The fabulous hospitality of our hosts Chris & Lenise Bell put such dour thoughts aside and the CVBers who made the journey, as well as a large contingent of Dumfriesshire & Stewartry supporters were treated to a couple of days of cracking hound-work. Songs were sung, suppers devoured and friendships renewed or forged anew. Those of you who didn’t make it really should get your names down now for next season! I really can only say the same about the Wales trip, which in spite of some icy blasts off the Irish Sea threatening to spoil things at times, really did surpass all expectations. What magical country, high & wild mountain sides, with stunning views across an enormous valley to the estuary beyond, and excellent food & very “more-ish” draughts of the local beer to look forward to at the end of the day! We really couldn’t have asked for an awful lot more. In the meantime the dozen pups back in kennels have for one reason or another, been deprived of actual walkers, resulting in none going out this time. Volunteers have occasionally risked taking a couple on leads for a bit of an outing in the wood & park, but more are always welcome! I do take them out around the wood, but after an interesting incident involving a squirrel & someone’s very shy (but speedy) sheepdog it became apparent, especially as I retrieved the last from a neighbour’s garden on the Delves Wood Road estate that they are a bit of a handful to say the least! Great fun for pups perhaps, but it did take a while to get my blood pressure back to normal. Many of you will be aware of the Puppy Sponsorship scheme that Simon & Ruth have set up, so I won’t repeat it all here, but I do hope that you can give it your support. The puppies need you! No sooner had we got back from Wales then it seemed as if we were in the run-up to Boxing Day. We were, and another enormous field joined us as tradition demands. How very reassuring that so many do turn out, no matter what the weather, I hope they always will. Notwithstanding politics and the manipulation of “New” Labour by the antis similar scenes were played out at hundreds of pubs, farms and even stately homes from one end of the country to the other, brilliant stuff! Those that saw our hounds off were treated to a very fast and furious day, great fun followed by a huge sing as we were again joined by our friends from the Scarr View back at the Jack O’Mitre. Struck down by the dreaded ‘flu almost immediately after the subsequent meet, (up on the moors, in some truly foul conditions,) just about floored me for days afterwards. Fortunately Simon was able to deputise for me for the New Year’s Day meet from the Wills O’Nat’s but I’ll have to leave him to report on that in the next Beagler…. As I write this we are already well into the “second half” of the 2007/2008 season, hounds are going well, and next year’s entry look very promising. Our support is as strong as ever and you should all take heart from that, as well as perhaps giving yourselves a pat on the back too. You’ll no doubt be aware of some structural uncertainties in the management of the CVB, changes are coming, but quite how they’ll manifest themselves is yet to be seen. Your continued support, both on and off the hunting field, is the crucial element though. There has been a Colne Valley Hunt for well over a century now and it’s up to us all to ensure that there always will be. There wouldn’t be now if it wasn’t for those I thanked above, as well as all our farmers, keepers, land-owners and many friends from other packs who have helped us in these very difficult times. Thank you one & all for ensuring the continuation of the Scarlet & Green! Happy New Year & Happy Hunting.

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Colne Valley Beagles - Second Half 2007/08

(These are my thoughts and not an official statement) I’m writing this some four weeks after the Closing Meet of 2007/08, and three after the bonus By-day courtesy of our friends at the Catterick Beagles. The uniform has been brushed down, pending a trip to the dry-cleaners & tailors to sort out a repair or two to the jacket (Split lining in the sleeves) which isn’t bad considering I’ve been wearing it for seven years. (Not continuously obviously!) New breeches have arrived, and unlike the cuckoo so have the first work-parties…. Gone are the days of a lull in kennels activity, a breathing space in the aftermath of the season proper, Saturdays in particular have seen the place become a hive of activity, and while the workers are keen, they are but few and could really do with a bit of company….Please, if you can spare an odd morning, or even just an hour or two to lend a hand to proceedings it would be much appreciated. Simon has again taken the helm as chief project manager, and has a list of prospective works as long as his arm…..For those who feel this might be beyond them, there are always walls to paint…. But we have put behind us another season. Another “Post-Ban” season too, and who’d have put a bet on that ten years ago? Our ever faithful band of followers have carried us through some dark days, firmly quashing the nonsense being perpetuated on the over imaginative grapevine that the CVB’s days are numbered. They’re not, we’re as strong as ever and our support keeps on growing, and I for one can’t tell you how heartening that is. Things have been difficult as most will know, “home” meets have been in short supply for one reason or another, the political climate having made one or two large corporate land-owners over sensitive to their PR images and so on. But an awful lot of work does go into diplomacy, relations with the powers that be, and somehow Stewart keeps managing to pull ever more elusive rabbits out of his hat and arrange and produce enough meets, and enough meets of quality to keep things together. A more or less thankless task sometimes, as I’m sure he’d agree, but one which he can be justly proud of. “A day spent with the CVB can be many things, but always entertaining…” I’m sure I heard a follower from another pack say as I got back in to earshot with about a quarter of the pack, while the rest were having a fabulous time thank-you-very-much in hot pursuit of what might as well have been a dozen deer, shortly before the hounds I’d retrieved decided that standing around waiting was far too boring and they’d rather be off having fun with their pals….I hesitate to name our hosts that day, but I can assure you that “entertaining” wasn’t remotely one of the words going through my mind at the time. Not for the first (or possibly the last) time have we been christened the Colne Valley Staghounds. In the normal run of things this fact would be too embarrassing to relate here, but as we have virtually no resident deer population on our own meets neither hounds nor staff are used to dealing with them. A contributory factor may be that one of our predominant blood-lines (More or less half the current pack in fact…) emanated from Brighton & Storrington Galloway ’98 who was drafted by Wayne O’Brien precisely because he had such a fine nose for venison! I sometimes have to question my thinking there, perhaps not the best choice of stud to use… The entertainment has been prodigious in all sorts of ways though, hounds have given some tremendous days, in all weathers, and have worked well and nicely together as a pack. Our ever-evolving team of formal and informal whips and helpers have worked very well together, and deserve everyone’s thanks for their dedication both on & off the hunting field, and helped to make one or two run of the mill days into memorable ones. On top of all that Jonny has even started to stand up and give us a song when called on, I wonder if we can now work on Sarah to do the same when she hasn’t got her Master’s hat on…? In such ways are traditions carried on, and it’s fabulous that they do….Even if I have absolutely no idea what “To me ring domma do domma dah, work for me daddio” actually means, whether the Thin Lizzy or Dubliners version…..Or Jonny’s. I admit I do know what “There’s whiskey in the jar” means though. As in previous reports it isn’t really my intention to recount the second half of the season meet by meet. There were some days that really did stand out as worthy of mentioning though, just in case you weren’t there. Even if you were, I always think it’s nice to have those memories rekindled by the telling. Should auld acquaintance be forgot? Definitely not when you can say that you hunted with Fred Langfield, who as most of you will know we sadly lost last year. In his memory the Holme Valley Beagles, of whom Fred was a regular follower, as well as the CVB & Pennine FH, hosted what was to be a Joint Meet at Brushes, near Stalybridge. Unfortunately Adrian, the HVB/Ecclesfield huntsman was recuperating from surgery so for the inaugural event we had the moor to ourselves. The fog, or low cloud really, threatened to curtail hounds’ exercise, but thank Fred & St Hubert the bit of breeze that there was sufficed to allow just enough visibility to “get forrard” and a cracking day was enjoyed by both Holme & Colne Valley supporters together. Our sincere thanks to Andy Kelly, the Brushes keeper, and a long time supporter of all three packs, for making the necessary arrangements. Fred would have been in his element, and it wasn’t for nothing that I carried a packet of Extra Strong mints in my pocket. Another invitation meet, this time right on the Rockwood/Ecclesfield boundary, near Langsett/Midhope ,was one of, (if not The) best meets of the whole season though. A huge field saw our hounds perform at very close to their best, in country to die for. Miles and miles of open space, unfettered by roads, houses, railways, or more or less anything, all conveniently in a landscape that made for some excellent viewing even to those who couldn’t venture too far away from where we turned out. I’d like to tell how the hounds stuck to their trail, how hunt staff bust their guts to keep with them, and how magical the echoing bursts of music were as they came down the valleys to the field below, but you really had to be there. You also had to be in the Dog & Partridge afterwards…..and that might not have been conducive to even the best of memories….Suffice to say that it was a day well worth remembering. A couple of very good days at the Goathland Hunting Festival were spoiled a bit for me, fortunately after the event, by the onset of what I can only think must have been a migraine, or something akin to one. Two very fast and hard meets, Monday & Tuesday saw hounds excel though, and it was only on the second day when they ran into an area which I can only describe as bursting with game that we had to curtail things and call it a do. Good hound work, good crack & good company and fabulous country, what more could we ask? In my case “more painkillers” might have been the answer. I hope I never have a headache like that ever again….Our sincere gratitude must be expressed to the Goathland FH, the Ampleforth Beagles, and everyone else who made the festival happen, as well as to Mark & Shelley at the Postgate who always make us feel so very, very welcome. (They’re open all year round you know? Go on, treat yourselves!) Last year’s enormous moor-fire at Cupwith has seemingly done the place the world of good, especially from the beagling perspective. What was knee, or even waist deep heather has made way for new growth, and new (Or very old in fact) grounds for hound exercise. A tremendously busy day there, from the Rose & Crown, surpassed expectations at least ten-fold, and after a number of years of more or less disregarding this meet as having much beagle-sporting merit to speak of we can hopefully look forward to some interesting times ahead. Once again, you kind of had to be there. A very interesting day with the Cheshire Beagles saw both packs running together, and it was a pleasure to see how far Charlotte Murray & Eric (?) have brought the pack on in recent years. Admittedly neither they nor us took a full complement of hounds, but all worked nicely and went well. Unfortunately it could be said “too well” as they left the area we were meant to be in, and one particular point will stay with me for a long time…That’ll be when staff and field had become separated by more or less a mile, and staff and hounds by goodness only knows how much. As half the pack turned back towards the meet we managed to hold them up and watch Jonny disappear along a road, and in towards the nearest village in hot pursuit of the rest…..As it turned out things did get a bit “hairy” and to avoid upsetting one of the Cheshire’s farmers we had to call it a day….. The official Closing Meet saw nearly the wettest and coldest “horriblest” day imaginable, but those who wrapped up in their oil-skins & jumper (Sorry “Chip-Shop” John, couldn’t resist!) saw hounds perform admirably, and working together, text book style, they must have circumnavigated Goat-Hill, and Wort’s Hill at least six or possibly seven times, just magic. Even though, yet again, we came in absolutely soaked to the bone, after a particularly long and hard day, it was truly a fine way to end the season. Ok, it wasn’t quite the end….The pack I wasn’t going to name in one of the earlier paragraphs, in fact the Catterick, generously did give us a day, but I think I might have said enough about that already! Apart from the fact that it was followed by an impromptu “Sing-off” between us & them, though we did have to allow “singing from the book” to keep the job going, still, very good fun & in very good company. Without such good friends, the Cheshire, the Airedale, the Catterick, Ecclesfield/Holme Valley, and so on, and so on, the CVB would really be in dire straits, and I don’t mean playing second guitar to Mark Knopfler either. I really do hope that in time, as one or two, or more of our home meets do come back on to our card, as they surely will, that we might be able to repay some of their incredible hospitality, all in the name of beagling. As some of you will know, when hounds aren’t out following rabbits, trails, or exercising, they get walked out. Daily, all year round. As I mentioned in my last report I “killed” my old bike riding down the wood at kennels a bit too hard & fast for it’s slender road-worthy (but not wood-worthy) construction…So following receipt of the generous Boxing Day cap, (A very belated “thank you!”) I decided that I’d have to invest in something a bit sturdier. So don’t be surprised if at any time in the South Crosland area you see a bright red mountain bike surrounded by beagles….you have been warned. Even the pups have got used to it now. Since the clocks have now gone to “British Summer Time” (Exactly when does that start? There’s still snow on Holme Moss as I write this after all!) I’m mostly taking hounds out in the evening, so if you too have a trusty & sturdy steed that you think might be up to the job of hound exercising, and that you are too of course, then by all means let me know. The end of the season clearly doesn’t mean that everything grinds to a halt, there are plenty of summer events to attend, jobs to be done, and much more. I remember one of my first ever riding lessons when I was told by Sue Riley, (still going strong at Sycamore Stables, Thongsbridge) that the first lesson is that horses aren’t machines. Nor are hounds. They are living things. You can’t simply wrap them up in tissue paper, box them and put them away now that the season’s over. Nor can you do that with kennels, nor the spirit that makes up the CVB. They/it/we all need a good coat of looking after, and making sure that things are kept up to. That maintenance is done, that support, comradeship and bonhomie is fed & watered (!) and sung about and nurtured. There has been a Colne Valley Hunt for many generations, there have been highs, and there have been difficult times, not just recently but decades ago, and yet, because of you we are still here. We are here for you, and for generations to come. I sincerely hope that that is so. Others will no doubt have reported on the internal changes evolving in the management structure of the CVB, and the reasons perhaps behind them, but with thanks to all, Farmers, Keepers & land-owners, followers, supporters, members, committee, Masters, Hon Sec, the central concern of all remains a thriving healthy & happy pack of beagles, and for many many years to come let it remain so. I look forward to seeing you at kennels, or at a social, or a show, or wherever, over the summer months. The season 2008/09? Bring it on! James

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Skycastle French Hounds - Master's Report

Skycastle celebrated the start of its sixtieth season with a 60th Anniversary Dinner at Stonewall Golf Club in Elverson on September 26th. It was a grand evening, highlighted by the presentation of a Congratulation Certificate from the Senate of Pennsylvania by Senator Andrew Dinniman, in recognition of our sixty years of providing sport to the community and our continuing efforts to promote open space conservation in Chester County. Our Opening Meet and Blessing of the Hounds at Marsh Creek State Park on October 12 was very special. It marked the start of our sixtieth season hunting in Chester County. Our Chairman, Rick Litts, who has helped to refocus the hunt on enjoyment of hunting and the countryside, was back out and recovering nicely. And on a hot, dry afternoon hounds worked very well with a long run along the right side woods to ground at the top of the rise, then two rabbits were run from the crossover hedgerow and the woods above the road to marks. The Kalmbachs’ tea was super. The Bedwells’ on the 19th was again very dry, but hounds had three good long runs, especially the find and driving run out of the upper power line briar hell and in two loops from cover strip to cover strip and to ground after a good 35 minutes to end the day. The Fall Basset Pack Trials were great. The weather varied from dry to rain and gale winds. Our three couple on the 24th October was outstanding, and the only solid hunt of the day. Scenting conditions were tough. Several packs hunted to losses with little action before and after us. We started in a cover where a rabbit had been viewed, but the preceding pack could do nothing with it. Hounds dug in the brush piles and worked through all around it, then Sabine and Mischief opened strongly. The rest flew to them and drove the rabbit out for a doubling run in and out of three patches of cover, then ran it down into the left back side woods to the bottom of the enclosure and turned it back up the hill. Pampa led the charge as the pack ran it to ground in a large brush and log pile. They got a second one going for a short run through two patches and to ground, and then drew left handed towards the center. Pampa spoke, then Daphne and Sabine, and a rabbit exploded back towards the back fence cover with the pack all on in cry as our time ran out. It was a well earned win. Hounds were impressive. Laura and Nick did a fine job. Laura’s performance earned her the Best Whipper-In Award of the Fall Trials. The next day was the turn of the five couple class. We hunted in driving rain and wind, so loud we could barely hear hounds or each other. They found the first rabbit in the bank briars below the cabins and ran to a loss, then got another going for a loop in the bottom along the stream briars to a possible mark left of the kennel woods, and worked back through the “graveyard” bottom to get another up and running across the drive for a run back and forth behind the kennels and to ground on the wooded bank above the drive. We crossed and began working the cover below the drive as time ran out. It was good for a third place, and I was very proud of our hounds in such conditions. Liz and Megan Roberts did a super job whipping in. A fine weekend indeed. Welkinweir on November 2 was a new meet for us, and proved to be a winner—6 rabbits were run, 3 to ground, with plenty of views for the field, as the pack scoured one hillside cover after another. At the Silbermans’ on the 9th, we had a short run in Eli’s hedgerows and held off deer, then a really nice run at Joanie Cadwalader’s from the road end up to the back of her property. There hounds drove the rabbit up the long stream cover and back across the drive to ground. They then got a couple up in and out of the center field hedgerow and to ground to finish up. We hunted JamesMill Farm, another new meet, from Wesley Sessa’s on the 16th. It was a long blank through the lower pastures til we go back to Wesley’s and drew the swamp and hedgerows. Paydirt! Three rabbits were found and run all over the area, one to ground on the far hillside and two were accounted for in the bottom covers. Mireine and Sabine were the drive, and young Salsa was great. The 23rd at Amy and John McKennas’ yielded only one rabbit, and hounds were repeatedly tempted by fox and deer, but they worked every bit of cover. Audrey Cole, Mary Jane Wallace and Pat Roche gave us a great tea afterwards, and Amy’s soup was super. The Hallmans’ on the 30th was a very good day, with excellent houndwork on 5 rabbits—nice runs in the hedgerow and fields above the barn and in the coverts and hedgerows at Thayer’s and the woods above Theurkauf’s. Tea afterwards at the Geers’ was welcome, especially the venison chili. Wickersham’s on December 7 was a great day in icy, howling wind. A stalwart field saw hounds find almost immediately in the hedgerow and corn strips beyond the corn maze area. They put their first rabbit to ground and were quickly on another that looped out through the corn, where two more got up. After a split they got together and holed one, then another, working steadily the length of the field cover. Drawing toward the new development they flushed out another and drove it up toward the fields nearWawaset Road, running it right hand to the corner of the thick briary fence line, where rabbits blew out in all directions. Hounds ran one up the left line and marked near the road, then followed another one back to the corner to ground. After a steady hunt back the length of the field tracking a rabbit to ground, we ended this amazing day and got hounds loaded up in the trailer while our field and staff warmed up on hot soup and tea. Meeting in Embreeville at the Cheslen Preserve on the 14th, we had several nice long runs to marks along the old railroad cut and the big covert up to the power line hedgerow at the top of the hill, and finished the day with a good hunt back down to the railroad line and a run past the potter’s field to ground below the bank on the left side of the big field. Gillian and Maria’s tea at the Booths’ was very welcome, and we surprised Laura with a birthday cake. Our next meet was iced out on the 21st, but the Boxing Day meet at Josie Parman’s Allerton Farm on the 26th was very good. We put two to ground in the woods covert at the meet and didn’t break on fox and two deer, and ran another to a loss in the woods above Allerton road, again steady to deer. Then hounds worked the briars in the power line cut for a short run to ground and a good long looping run from one briar hell to another, with deer interruptions, til it finally got to ground in the top big briar patch. Josie Parman’s tea was super. We finished the year with a young staff hunt at Twin Ridges Farm on the 28th. Sally Roberts hunted hounds. It was a tough scenting day, but hounds never stopped working, and got good runs on two rabbits in the quarry covert. Hot soup, tea and goodies were most welcome. It has been great to have Megan and Sally Roberts, Eliot Kalmbach and Gwen Knight with us over the holidays. Bye day training huntsWednesdays and Saturdays have been very helpful in getting the young entry and other young hounds steady. Gillian and Paul Wiedorn, Coopie Heiserman and Lisa Booth have been great. Our young staff, Laura and Nick Booth, have also helped out Saturdays, and Liz and Teddy Roberts have helped whenever their job schedules have permitted. We owe them all alot for their time and effort, week in and week out. Soon we’ll be starting the “T” litter hunting in ones and twos with older hounds. Everyone is welcome to join us on bye days. Call Jim Scharnberg or Gillian Wiedorn Tuesday and Friday evenings for times and locations. The 60th season is going very well indeed so far, with two new meets added this fall, and new ones we will be exploring on bye day hunts the second half of the season. Our First Whipper-In, Phyllis Allen, has opened up some great property in the old Brandywine country, notable Cheslen, Allerton Farm and the Wickersham’s. We can also use new locations north of Route 30, as more of our old meets in the Pickering country get developed each year. Happily, Welkinweir, which Julie Geer gave us a lead to, has proved to be a success. Please let us know if you have any friends’ properties in mind. We owe our sport to our wonderful landowners.—JFS

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Ian Burns - whip maker
Traditional hunting whips made to order. Old whips repaired and refurbished. Replacement leather thongs handcrafted. Contact: email linnieb@tiscali.co.uk or phone Ian or Lyn on 01772 614731

Betty Fold
Hunting Images at bettyfold.co.uk Also: "In the steps of Mighty Men" - a history of the first 100 years of the Coniston Foxhounds.