Strong turnout in the face of hunt ban

The first autumn meet was held from the kennels at Little Fencote, near Northallerton, with over 50 horses turning out and many foot followers, all showing their support for this now threatened sport.

The morning was a huge success with three and a half brace accounted for in just two coverts and a field of sugar beet, ending on a high note at 9.30am.

Master of Foxhounds for the past six seasons, Charles Frampton yet again did the Bedale proud and has started his seventh season with a 'bang'. Accompanied by 25 couple of clean hounds they started the day drawing a covert near the kennels. After all the rain, the going resembled a quagmire resulting in some very black hounds in the first few minutes. The covert held many good foxes, much to everyone's delight.

Riders included adults and children, all very eager for this new season to start. The large number of children was refreshing to say the least, proving that this sport has a purpose and is attractive to all ages.

Accompanying Charles for the day, learning the ropes and acting as whip-in, was the talented Harry Thompson. Harry, at 13 years old, is already a mine of information on the subject of hunting.

"He did a great job and is so keen to learn", said Charles. "He's a joy and pleasure to have with us".

Charles Frampton hails from Somerset but ventured north in 1998 to join the Bedale as Master of Foxhounds. He has been riding to hounds since he was six years old, starting with the Blackmoor Vale, Stowe Beagles and Exmoor hunts.

Charles attended the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, reading land management. He also hunted with the local pack, the RAC, at the same time.

Today he manages 31 couple of hounds, of which only eight couple are dogs, the rest are bitches. He has a complicated and very effective breeding programme with some fine hounds as the result. Each year they endeavour to breed eight couple of puppies, which are given out to selected hunt supporters for 'puppy walking', before returning to the hunt kennels for training.

Charles brought with him into the mastership four of his own horses, with his favourite being Felix, a stunningly well-mannered and very experienced bay gelding.

The staff at the kennels consists of two grooms whose job it is to look after ten horses, Kevin Newcombe the terrier man whose role within the hunt is vital for successful days, and Richard Tabberer, the kennel huntsman, who not only looks after a total of 31 couple of Bedale hounds, but also 30 couple from the West of Yore Hunt. Together they make a formidable team.

Another vital part of the team who help make each day a success are the other two joint masters, Mary Tweddle and Peter Patrick. Mary is the field master with a reputation for being one of the finest in the country, and very highly respected by all the hunt members. Peter, who joined the mastership last year, comes from Lancashire and makes the long journey twice a week to fulfil his hunt duties.

When I asked for Charles's view on the current political situation facing hunting, Charles replied: "I try not to think about the politics and just get on with my job at hand. It is hard, but all that one can do. If they do ban hunting then I guess I will have to move abroad. At least politics doesn't matter and I can do what I love - hunt hounds".

Anyone who is interested in hunting with the Bedale as full members or visitors may contact the Hon Secretary Shelia Hollins on 01609 772633.

With several autumn hunting meets still to come before the opening meet, we all wait with bated breath to see how this season will span out.

Blair's Folly

Well here we go again; as the leaves start to turn the Government once again turns its attention away from defeating international terrorism and concentrates on banning hunting.

At the time of writing we have just been told that it will be banned in 2 years time.

In another month, in the time-honoured tradition, a BBC newscaster will announce mournfully that "hunts held their opening meets today at the start of what is probably their penultimate season before a ban", whilst showing footage from the home counties, using camera angles worthy of Leni Riefenstahl, that contrives to leave the impression that equal numbers of 'antis' were out in force.

I may lead a rather sheltered life but I don't sense much pressure for a ban locally and, in contrast to the BBC, the Darlington and Stockton Times accurately reports what it sees on hunting without feeling the need to invent another side.

Sadly ever since the Brigantes were duffed up by the Romans in AD 74 decision making has taken place further and further away from North Yorkshire. It seems very odd to me that this issue should now be decided in Westminster any more than it should in Brussels, the United Nations Headquarters in New York or some extraterrestrial assembly beyond our ken.

If democracy has to intrude at all on a matter of individual conscience I would make parish councils responsible for licensing hunting within their boundaries.

I'm sure that the Vicar of Dibley et al would bring more wisdom to bear than Tony and his cronies.

I have always thought, probably wrongly, that in the catacombs of New Labour's Milbank offices, where the dark arts are practised, a cynical strategy of dynamic inaction had been formed.This theory supposes that it actually suits Blair better to play to the crowd on the backbenches by torturing the hunting lobby slowly than to proceed with a ban and have to deal with the mess it creates. Certainly it has sometimes seemed that way with the stream of opaque and often contradictory statements and innuendo coming from ministers.

However, even if the theory was right this is now a Prime Minister that no longer has a reliable grip on his party. And the trouble with such a strategy is that sooner or later, having raised the expectation, the government feels it has to deliver a ban or appear weak.That's where we are now. So, um, we'll ban it after the next election, OK guys?

Well Tony, I think you may just have bitten off more than you can chew. As any employer can tell you the way to really anger people is tell them that they are about to lose their jobs. . . in two years time.

As de Tocqueville wrote, when democracy fails the people take to the barricades.

Shame, it may even prove difficult for MPs to get into the Commons to vote for a ban when Parliament Square is full of protestors. Oh, and wouldn't it be awkward for Gordon if all those rural businesses and self-employed people stopped filing their tax returns? The countryside now has 24 months when the gloves will come off and we will see who really governs Britain beyond the urban fringe.

Jamie Blackett

Published: 01/10/2004