Join James Barclay—an ex-Master of five English foxhunts—for Part 2 of his personal and revealing tour of elite hunting establishments through Middle and Eastern England. Barclay went out with twenty-one packs in just two months during the informal season, the last of which on the morning before the first of six Opening Meets. Click for Part 1.
Fitzwilliam huntsman George Adams and hounds with birdman John Mees at the kennel meet, Milton Park / James Barclay photo
Fitzwilliam
Hunting with the Fitzwilliam is always a treat, especially as my family and I spent twelve very happy seasons there. Although Peterborough is on the doorstep, the Park is beautifully laid out for hunting and many good days are enjoyed there. The kennels are situated on the eastern side of the Park and have a history going well back into the 1700s.
The combination of these hounds hunting with an eagle—[The Hunting Act allows a pack of hounds to flush a fox to a bird of prey]—in close proximity to the action is something we are seeing in all but a few places now and is very much a sign of the times. George Adams has hunted these hounds for over thirty years and is certainly one of the most popular men in his profession. This particular morning was when one realises just how lucky we are. On our side of the Park wall was a great gathering of like-minded people enjoying something that has taken place here for generations. On the other side is four miles plus of new houses, factories, roads and the roar of urban noise. Is it therefore, not up to us—those who love our countryside and its activities—to encourage and involve those who may never have come across us before? Our worlds may be far apart in one sense, but they are not in another. There may be just a wall between us in this case, but it should never be looked upon us as a barrier.
Neil Burton with the Burton Hounds blows for home / James Barclay photo
Burton
The Burton whose kennels are again only a very short distance from the City of Lincoln is one of the oldest packs in the Country. For many years now the hunt has been in the hands of the Lockwood family. To start a new season with them has been a must for me for quite some length of time. On the Saturday of Burghley Horse Trials, at the beginning of September, the Burton met at the kennels at Riseholme. The hounds looked exceptionally well produced by Neil Burton and were undoubtedly fit and ready for action.
Whilst modern English to a large degree, there has been some French blood introduced over the years, and this has been recently augmented by the addition of Gordon, a pure French dog hound, who believe it or not had originally been acquired by the Belvoir. He is not only notable by the way he stands out, but you can hear Gordon’s voice from a considerable distance away. The large field out that day certainly enjoyed their first morning and hounds did their level best in conditions which were far from easy.
Cottesmore huntsman Andrew Osborn and hounds draw toward their eagle. / James Barclay photo
Cottesmore
The following week took me down to the Cottesmore and the beautiful area of Grimsthorpe Park, near Bourne. There are five shoots here, all of which are extremely cooperative. This particular morning we were on the beat run by Mr Paul Neil, who, as well as running a most successful operation, is a keen supporter and puppy walker of both the Fitzwilliam and Cottesmore. Robert Medcalf had turned the hounds to perfection, and they were ready to show their true form for Andrew Osborn, now in his third season as Master and huntsman.
I have known these hounds a considerable time, and whilst still showing their Welsh and American genes, they have probably levelled up somewhat since the early part of the century. However conventional it was in the way I was taught to breed a pack of hounds, I would be crass and stupid to say that they have not benefited from what originally was brought in by Simon Clarke and then added to by Brian Fanshawe, who had the help of Ben Hardaway in America. It was up to us during our time there to continue to develop their good work, but any thoughts I might have expressed of introducing a pure English line as an outcross was certainly frowned upon, to say the least! However, it did not stop us trying it!
Brockelsby
So at the end of the week, it was to the Brocklesby meet at Ulceby, about as far north as you can go in Lincolnshire before meeting the Humber Estuary. We were lucky to hunt, as the mist had rolled in off the North Sea. It cleared off somewhat, and hounds adapted themselves well under the guidance of huntsman Gareth Bow. Gareth was well trained under William Deakin in Warwickshire, and this is his third season. The Brocklesby are a pack of hounds which take some handling, as their pure English breeding makes them tough, but Gareth has them handy and biddable and able to do their job in fine style. That is no mean feat. Again it was a real pleasure in the same week to see two totally differently bred packs of hounds, both doing their job to a standard which one can only say was highly satisfactory.
The new team at the South Notts hack home from Halloughton Wood with new Huntsman Raymond O’ Halloran. / James Barclay photo
South Notts
A trip across to the South Notts came next to see their new team in action. Margaret Morris former long serving Master of the Blankney has taken on the role of Joint-Master here with existing Joint-Master Kate Cressey. Raymond O’Halloran is the new huntsman having taken over from Dick Chapman who has gone on to hunt the newly formed Moorland. Being a pack of virtually all draft hounds makes it difficult to give an opinion, especially on a grey, scentless morning. However, as the photographs demonstrate, Raymond certainly has a rapport with hounds that stands out, and that is a very good start. If hounds don’t like you, you might as well go and do something completely different, like going to work in an office. From what I have heard since my day with them, the pack seems to be coming together well and in a way which bodes well for the future.
Sinnington
That afternoon we were up in Yorkshire to see another new huntsman in action—amateur huntsman Tom Roberts—who has come on as Joint-Master of the Sinnington. Tom’s father Simon was a former successful Master of the Derwent. These hounds, which had been successfully bred by Adrian Dangar for a number of years performed well for Tom, with scent improving as the evening progressed, which as we know, is often the case. Be they professional or amateur, it is always important to give those putting their head above the parapet a real good chance, and the best of luck goes to both Raymond (South Notts) and Tom for having a go, especially at this time.
The Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace foxounds with Huntsman Paul Roberts mid way through a hot morning at Tetworth / James Barclay photo
Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace
The following week took me to the Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace and their meet at Tetworth. Cambridgeshire may not necessarily be the most beautiful part of the country, but this is certainly one of the nicest estates you will find anywhere. Hunting go back very many years here, and it is deeply rooted into the traditions of the area. With its beautifully managed woodland and the whole estate being looked after to perfection, it is quite some place to go hunting. Paul Roberts has been huntsman here for over twenty years and has been responsible for breeding a most effective pack of hounds which are well suited to the Cambridgeshire ploughs. Paul produced a most interesting and successful morning, despite a lack of smell.
Huntsman Philip Stubbings and the Blankney foxounds at Billinghay, Lincolnshire / James Barclay photo
Blankney
On this day I was indeed fortunate to witness some of the best hound control I have ever seen performed by Philip Stubbings and his whippers-in. Roe Deer were on the move, and one decided to leap up right in front of hounds. There was no whip-cracking, no shouting, just quiet words spoken, the result being they just got on with the job in hand with no issue whatsoever.
The East Lincs Bassets hunting beautifully from a Meet at the South Wold Kennels / James Barclay photo
East Lincs Bassets
That afternoon, the South Wold kennels were the venue for a meet of the East Lincs Basset Hounds. Roger Finney, their new Joint-Master, ensured everybody was well entertained. Joint-Masters Mark Guy and Robin Jebb hunt the hounds, and how well they went on what was now extremely hard dry ground. Again from the photos you will see they have great drive and determination to do their job properly. The Basset is a interesting character in its own right, and to see them hunting in such fine style was fascinating.
Hunting with Goshawks at East Torrington, Lincolnshire / James barclay photo
A different form of hunting was to come the following week, hunting pheasants with goshawks at East Torrington and hares with Golden Eagles at Revesby. This came about as a result of the British Falconry Club holding their annual Meeting at the Petwood Hotel, at Woodhall Spa. This was a fascinating experience all round and a very good place to bring this sporting tour to an end. More to come! I wish all the Foxhunting Life readers a very Happy Christmas and wherever you are in the world, Good Hunting!
Posted January 3, 2015
James Barclay is a regular contributor to Foxhunting Life. A Master of five different hunts in England over a period of thirty years, he was born to the job. Members of his family have been Masters of the Puckeridge continuously since 1896. Click to visit his website or FaceBook page.
Hunting with Eagles at Revesby Lincolnshire / James barclay photo