Stoke Hill Beagles, 1983. (front) Huntsman C.W. Allen, MH and first whipper-in/kennel huntsman Suzy L. Allen, (rear) second whipper-in Richard K. Hill, Esq.
As reported in an earlier News item, Boxing Day—the day after Christmas—traditionally draws large numbers of riders and spectators at foxhunting meets in England. According to The Daily Mail, a quarter of a million hunt supporters turned out for Boxing Day meets last month.
It’s a banner day traditionally for all forms of hunting with hounds, including beagling. Here’s a report of a Boxing Day meet of the Stoke Hill Beagles that took place on December 26, 1983 in Devon, England. It was a red letter day according to C.W. Allen, MH.
He writes:
Twelve-and-a-half couple of hounds were greeted by a large holiday crowd at Crabhayes Farm, Broadclyst. They found at once in the sheep pastures, and ran at top pace across the A30 Main Arterial Road, which was mercifully quiet, thankfully due to the holiday. They went into Rockbeare Manor Park and our pilot was seen swimming the lake.
‘Puss’ looked to be a traveling jack hare, and the hunt staff took to four wheeled transport. David Linford was driving the hunt Land-Rover and hound trailer and was sent on ahead as hounds were heading for the next main road.
The pack crossed the main A3052 Exeter-Lyme Regis road, close by the old East Devon hunt kennels at Broadclyst. They were picked up soon after by Linford, giving every appearance that they had accounted for their hare.
A remarkable Beagle hound hunt, totally un-aided throughout, with a point of six miles as they ran, in just under one hour and twenty minutes. All hounds on.
Posted January 9, 2012