The music of the pack is it’s
CRY!
Spring 2006
“Animal welfare groups and ministers praised the law, saying there were no
loopholes or grey areas.”
“A spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment, Food and Regional Affairs
(Defra) said the Act was "clear and simple. But, as is common with new
legislation, there is no shortage of people with ideas about how the law might
be evaded, I'm delighted that there are lots of people going out and enjoying
themselves in the countryside.” she said.”
“Rural Affairs Minister Jim Knight told the BBC he was glad a countryside
tradition like hunting was continuing to flourish despite the ban. "We are happy
with the way the law is working. We are monitoring it carefully but I'm
delighted that there are lots of people going out and enjoying themselves in the
countryside." he said.”
"We are delighted that many hunts have changed their practices in order to obey
the law and that, one year on, the much anticipated collapse of the rural
economy, along with the mass slaughter of horses and hounds, has not occurred,"
said the League Against Cruel Sports.
Quotes from various sources on February 18th 2006 – one year after the Ban
was enforced.
So there we have it – official recognition from all sides
that we were seriously trying to mislead Parliament that, in the event that
hunting was banned, thousands of horses, hounds and jobs would be lost.
“Nonsense!” our opponents cried - “You will just have to adapt!” So adapt we
have. Given the financial uncertainty every Hunt Follower – from the Mastership
down – has been extremely generous in ensuring our survival over the last twelve
months when, this time last year, uncertainty was staring us in the face.
Ironically David Attenborough's 'Planet Earth' started the other Sunday night to
– deservedly – rave reviews. What did it consist of? Basically one hunting scene
after another – wolves hunting an elk calf which did not escape, wild dogs
hunting an impala which did, a great white shark hunting a seal and tossing it
high into the air before catching it between its jaws. Nature wild in tooth and
claw and all from the comfort of your armchair.
The Government is prepared to spend billions on 'Global Warming' when the Met
Office cannot even provide a reliable three day forecast. At the same time they
are prepared – nay, intend - to allow farming to go to the wall. The Rural
Non-Payments Agency has failed to pay subsidies due in November, plunging many
farmers into unprecedented debt. The farmer receives 4p for a loaf of bread, 12p
or less for a pint of milk, 20p for a pound of mince. Breakfast cereals and
frozen pizzas typically contain 2-5p worth of raw material. Farmers receive
£12bn for 'indigenous type food' produced in this country. The UK population
spends almost £60bn on buying this food.
Tesco has a greater turnover than the entire agricultural sector. £9bn a year -
75% of agricultural turnover - is spent on sandwiches alone. In effect, if
everyone paid farm gate prices for their food it would cost them £254 each to
feed themselves for a year, including all agricultural subsidies. Just a few
reminders to encourage you to support your local suppliers and farmers.
On a much happier note I am delighted to report the arrival of Annie Tyacke, 8 ½
lbs, on Monday 6th March 'in between milkings' as Baz would have it but I was a
bit disappointed not to see Alice out hunting on a horse the following
day.......
FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
The Wynnstay Hunt Supporters Club goes from strength to
strength under the great leadership and energies of three wonderful Area
Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers. Last year was a record one in fund raising
achievements and I hope we will be able to match it again this year although it
will take some beating! This year's fund raising activities have already started
with the Probins arranging a brilliant Farmers Ball in February. Of course a
great deal of the funds raised have come from yourselves, the Hunt Supporters,
so thank you for your generosity in supporting our various efforts.
Bangor on Dee Racecourse have kindly offered WHSC members special rate tickets
for the Evening Meeting on Friday 5th May which features the WHSC Handicap Chase
and Parade of Hounds. If you would like to take full advantage of this extremely
generous offer please complete and return the application form in Cry. Normal
advance booking price is £15 but tickets are being offered to WHSC members at
£12 with the Racecourse donating £3 to WHSC for every ticket sold. So book now
and come and enjoy an excellent evening's racing in the company of your hunting
friends.
We have been very lucky to attract Charles Moore to entertain us at the Annual
Dinner which will be on Friday 24th November at Bangor so please please put this
in your diary now and don't miss out on this very special evening. Charles Moore
is a former editor of the Daily Telegraph, The Spectator and the Sunday
Telegraph. He is currently writing Margaret Thatcher's authorised biography. In
spite of his many commitments he is also a passionate Foxhunter who is
apparently keen to return to the Wynnstay country despite having an extremely
adventurous day with us some time ago when he was inadvertently squashed by
Peter Rosselli resulting in an article in the Spectator and a letter of apology
from Peter's horse.
I must lastly thank our excellent main committee and welcome our new Secretary
Jo Roberts and Treasurer John Godwin. We had our first meeting of the year on
20th February which proved to be a very constructive session and I hope that we
can continue to work together and support Sir Watkin Williams Wynn's Hounds
Forever!
AREA I (Wrexham)
Following the success of our Donation Ride at Pickhill last autumn we have had
wonderful thank yous for our donations to Isycoed Church and the Nightingale
Hospice, Wrexham. We would like to say a thank you once again to the Hunt
Supporters Club Members who supported this event.
Our attention has now turned to our Show at Bryn-y-Pys, Overton on Sunday 21st
May. This long standing event is always a great favourite and has classes for
everyone – traditional Showjumping, Gymkhana and the internationally famous
Handy Pony course.
Finally if there are any of you out there who feel that you could help on the
Area I Committee or just help at events then please don't be backward in coming
forward – contact Annie Jones or Catherine Byrne – details listed later in
'Cry.'
AREA II (Whitchurch)
Our Area II Ride – with 347 Riders - was a huge success again
due to the combined efforts of Charlie Barnett, Geoff Bourne and the rest of
their team. It is impossible to thank everyone by name but so many people go to
a huge amount of trouble and thank you very much. I know that Charlie and Geoff
are busy bringing on the next generation of course builders. We raised a good
sum of money and, in addition to the Hunt Supporters Club, we were able to make
donations to the Air Ambulance, Clwyd Special Riding Centre and Driving for the
Disabled.
The Quiz Night at Welshampton was, as ever, very popular and we were pleased to
welcome several adjacent Hunt teams. The Quizmaster seems to have a bottomless
pit of difficult to answer questions and the hotpot supper was a delicious and
welcome relief to taxing the little grey cells. A big Thank You to all the many
helpers and supporters who make it such a jolly evening.
It seems that one has to book earlier and earlier to get tickets for the
Farmer's Hunt Ball so ably run by Bryan and Mary Probin. Once again this was a
sell out and a great evening was enjoyed by all although there were a few
delicate souls at the Meet the following morning. Another big Thank You to Bryan
and Mary.
AREA III (Malpas)
Area III was very lucky last year with two successful rides
and the Art Exhibition by Daniel Crane at Lower Carden Hall which meant we have
been able to hand over £5,500 to Central Committee, £500 to Malpas Church and
£200 to Coddington Church; not bad work for a committee of only eleven people
with help from their family and friends!
Our AGM was again held at The Bickerton Poacher alongside a Skittles night which
ended up with the same committee and officers to be joined by Ray Randles,
husband of Janet; he has been such a help during the year we weren't going to
let him get away! This night coincided with the visit to Cheshire of the Albany
Bassets and they had won the skittles last year but were unlucky this time as it
was won by The Stew Eaters although they did well in the draw! As this team was
made up mostly of committee members the first prize of £25 was sent back into
funds. If you can visit the Poacher, do sample the hot pot, it is scrumptious!
BATTLELINES
I am unable to thank Battlelines members for their Herculean
efforts in facing the hunting ban because every member wanted to save hunting as
much as I did. All I can say is that it was a privilege to be part of such a
super group. I would, however, like to thank Mike and Jane Jennings for their
great winter hospitality at Stockton when parking at Hinton was not possible.
About forty five people from all across our country met regularly of an evening.
We battled for years in order to set the record straight in the media. We did
not attempt to write letters at meetings but spent time in discussing and
allocating the next target projects and de-briefing on the previous ones amidst
much laughter. Each member had their own style in demonstrating the truth and
needed no guidance after the initial start up some ten years ago.
We were able, many times, to swing telephone phone ins on both the radio and
television and also by the swift use of the cascade. In particular the Chester
Chronicle needed much attention. Sometimes we flooded Ministers with mail, 2,000
letters in one special week with everyone's help including by-standers at Meets.
Probably our best results were obtained by simple personal letters written from
the heart to target Newspapers, MPs and Peers.
We had one remarkable victory over IFAW which, when setting up a nationwide
Draw, claimed on the tickets that they were indebted to most prestigious firms
such as Vauxhall, Currys and Marks and Spencer giving the impression that these
famous firms were on their side. When the various Managing Directors were
informed they were exceedingly angry and the draw did not take place – IFAW were
merely buying the prizes and using the vendors famous names to promote their
cause with the firms concerned knowing nothing about their purpose.
I think that we all learnt the lesson that if a few dedicated people lobby hard
enough and with conviction much can be achieved. It was acknowledged that
Battlelines, together with many other letter writers, had contributed to the 700
hours of Parliamentary debate which in itself helped to postpone the ban. Had we
done nothing the cause would have been lost much earlier and therefore, today,
hunting would not have such a bright future.
The ban will be overturned and our Grandchildren will not live under such
injustice. Good hunting to us all and to all the generations to follow.
Typically, no mention is made of the author and Supreme Battleaxe who has
been the tireless mastermind of all our activities – Jill Hutchinson Smith and
the wonderful David who, in addition to having Hinton Manor invaded on regular
occasions, provided superb hospitality and support over the years. The Supreme
Battleaxe is a bit remiss in suggesting that Battlelines has been going on for
ten or so years – on the telephone to me the other night she thought it might
have been five or six. In actual fact the seeds were sown as far back as 1992
when we all went to Stoneleigh to campaign against Kevin McNamara's Private
Members Bill. As phase I of this operation draws to a close I thought that it
might be interesting to review the history of the campaign so far:-
1992 - A private member's bill to make hunting with dogs illegal is rejected by
the Commons. The Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill, proposed by Labour MP Kevin
McNamara, is defeated on its second reading.
1993 - Labour MP and animal rights campaigner Tony Banks fails in his attempt to
get Parliament to pass his Fox Hunting (Abolition) Bill.
1995 - Labour MP John McFall is unsuccessful with his private member's bill to
ban hunting with hounds. The Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill passes its second
reading in the Commons. But it is heavily amended before it falls in the Lords.
May 1997 - The Labour Party wins the general election. In its manifesto it
promises: "We will ensure greater protection for wildlife. We have advocated new
measures to promote animal welfare, including a free vote in Parliament on
whether hunting with hounds should be banned."
5 November 1997 - Labour MP Michael Foster publishes a private member's bill to
ban hunting with dogs. The government delivers a blow to the chances of the bill
becoming law by refusing to grant the legislation any of its Parliamentary time.
1 March 1998 - After the Foster bill passes its second reading in the Commons,
the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance organises a massive protest rally in
London. An estimated 250,000 people join the countryside march to protest
against the bill and threats to other aspects of rural life.
13 March 1998 - Hunt supporters celebrate as the Foster bill runs out of time
during its report stage in the Commons. The bill is talked out by
hunt-supporting MPs who table hundreds of amendments to block the legislation's
progress. Mr Foster pledges to fight on.
3 July 1998 - Mr Foster withdraws his bill citing the "cynical tactics" of his
opponents. He insists that to carry on would deprive other valuable legislation,
such as a law on puppy farms, of valuable Parliamentary time. He predicts that
fox hunting will still be banned during this Parliament. But he says it is now
up to the government to see the job through.
8 July 1999 - Prime Minister Tony Blair makes a surprise announcement that he
plans to make fox hunting illegal and before the next general election if
possible.
12 July 1999 - Labour denies that Mr Blair's pledge is connected to an extra
£100,000 donation it had received from an anti-hunt pressure group. The
Political Animal Lobby (PAL), had previously given £1m to the party before the
1997 election.
21 July 1999 - Labour MSP Mike Watson announces plans to put forward a private
member's bill in the Scottish Parliament to ban hunting with dogs in Scotland.
He predicts the bill could come into force by Spring 2000.
15 September 1999 - Hunt supporters set up a national body, the Independent
Supervisory for Hunting, to ensure hunting is carried out in a "proper and
humane manner".
1 October 1999 - Tony Blair insists he can deliver his promise to ban fox
hunting before the next election, despite claims that it will have to wait until
the House of Lords is reformed.
11 November 1999 - The government announces it will support a backbenchers' bill
on fox hunting.
14 November 1999 - Home Secretary Jack Straw announces an inquiry into the
effect of a fox hunting ban on the rural economy, to be led by Lord Burns.
April 2000 - Mr Straw looks at producing a bill where MPs choose between the
three options of an outright ban, no change and stricter regulation of hunting.
30 May 2000 - Labour backbenchers urge the government to put its weight behind a
hunting ban or risk losing voters, and Labour MP Gordon Prentice proposes an
amendment to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill to ban the sport.
June 2000 - The Burns inquiry says between 6,000 and 8,000 jobs would be lost if
hunting was banned, half the number suggested by some pro-hunt groups. It finds
no conclusive evidence that foxes suffer physical pain when pursued, but accepts
they do not die immediately.
February 2001 - Hunting suspended because of the foot-and-mouth disease
outbreak.
28 February 2001 - MPs vote by a majority of 179 for an outright ban as the
hunting bill clears the Commons
26 March 2001 - House of Lords votes by 317 to 68 against the ban. The hunting
bill runs out of time when the general election is called.
June 2001 - The Queen's Speech promises another free vote for MPs on hunting.
October 2001 - More than 200 MPs back a Commons motion calling on the government
to honour its promises and make time for a vote on banning hunting.
February 2002 - Scottish Parliament bans hunting in Scotland.
28 February 2002 - Ministers ready to set out timetable for a hunting bill.
March 2002 - The House of Commons and the House of Lords are asked to choose
between three options: a complete ban, the preservation of the status quo and
the compromise of licensed fox hunting.
The Commons opted for a complete ban while the Lords chose the "Middle Way"
option.
22 September 2002- Around 400,000 people join the 'Liberty and Livelihood' march
through central London. The main focus of the protest was opposition to a ban on
hunting with dogs in England and Wales.
3 December 2002 - Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael unveils the Hunting Bill,
which would allow some fox hunting to continue under a strict system of
licensing but would outlaw hare coursing and stag hunting. Mr Michael says he
hopes the compromise would avoid further lengthy battles between the pro-hunting
Lords and the anti-hunting Commons.
26 June 2003 - Commons Leader Peter Hain tells MPs he has been advised that
major amendments to the bill - such as moves towards a complete ban on hunting -
could mean it has to be sent to a standing committee and cause delays.
30 June 2003 - An amendment from Labour MP Tony Banks proposing a complete ban
is passed by 362 votes to 154.
1 July 2003 - Alun Michael says that he would be surprised if there was not a
ban on fox hunting, with a few exemptions, by 2005. MPs vote to turn the Hunting
Bill into an outright ban on hunting with dogs after five hours of intense
Commons debate by 362 votes to 154.
10 July 2003 - Hunting Bill clears the House of Commons after MPs give the
measure, which makes no provision for compensation, a third reading by 317 votes
to 145.
21 October 2003 - The bill returns to the House of Lords for its committee
stage. A cross-party group of peers throws out MPs' plans for a complete ban and
replace them with a licensing regime for fox and stag hunting, as well as hare
coursing. But anti-hunting MPs vote for the bill to be re-written to become a
wholesale ban on hunting with dogs in England and Wales. The House of Lords then
rejects that call in a vote and the legislation runs out of parliamentary time.
8 September 2004 - The government announces plans to give MPs a free vote on the
Hunting Bill by the end of the parliamentary session in November. The Bill is
similar to the one originally proposed and would lead to an outright ban on fox
hunting. Commons leader Peter Hain says, if the bill becomes law, an actual ban
on fox hunting would not come into force for two years. This would allow people
involved in hunting to wind down their businesses, but also avoids pro-hunting
demonstrations during 2005's expected general election campaign.
16 September 2004 - MPs again vote for a ban on hunting with dogs as protesters
are involved in violent confrontations with police outside Parliament. On the
same day pro-hunt demonstrators manage to evade security and break into the
House of Commons chamber.
12 November, 2004 - Alun Michael urges peers to accept a compromise deal on
licensed hunting. Backing this option could stave off the use of the Parliament
Act and an outright ban, he says.
18 November, 2004 - After a period in which the Bill "ping pongs" between the
Commons and the Lords, where a ban is rejected, Commons Speaker Michael Martin
invokes the Parliament Act and pushes the bill into law on 18 February 2005.
PENNY BROOKS
When Penny arrived in the Wynnstay country with David thirty
five years ago to live at Croft Bank, Redbrook, no-one could have imagined the
impact that she would have on the lives of so many of us right up to the day
last November when the Opening Meet was at Higher Barns. It was here that she
and David spent more than thirty years of their lives and where on the day of
that mee, Penny lay in silent and poignant support of foxhunting.
Penny was a very good horsewoman and this, combined with an eye for riding the
country, gave her an edge to ensure that she was upsides generations of field
masters throughout her life. She rode good, but not always brilliant horses, but
she made them look the best. Micky, pictured on the acknowledgement card sent
out by the family, was one of her favourites, as subsequently was Sam and there
were many others that enjoyed a long period of tenure and t.l.c. in the Higher
Barn stables. Penny’s quiet but firm style of horsemanship was well illustrated
when David bought Smokey Joe against the advice of many of his friends. He came
from a very good horseman who could not manage him but it was Penny’s almost
psychic ways with a horse that turned this one into a real star.
With David and their horses Penny often travelled to hunt further a-field; new
country – just as bold riding – be it Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Dartmoor, or
Exmoor she wore the hunt collar with pride and rode the country as if she new it
as well as she knew the Wynnstay. Back at base Penny’s wire area was The Wyches,
which is one of the most challenging. She kept it both rideable and huntable
which meant every wicket could be opened from the back of a horse. All this was
achieved through hard work and many soothing words to farmers who withered under
her charm.
Just as much as her love for horses were Penny’s dogs who must have thought that
Higher Barns was heaven. A free range system prevailed for dogs; such athletes
as Wizz, Pepper, Woody and Ziggy, along with the hound puppies that she had at
walk each year, would welcome friends, occasionally upset neighbours, and deter
strangers.
More than anything else Higher Barns and Penny will be remembered for the
hospitality on a multitude of occasions be it dinner parties or so called “lawn
meets” with literally hundreds present or those “after hunting teas” for all, be
it Paul who came out from underground or The Prince of Wales from his horse, all
were treated as “best mates”. In this idyllic scenario, Penny was always
supported and often guided by David, Emma and Jonathan. The ease with which it
all happened was very much due to the family working as a great team. The only
time cracks appeared was if David was to hunt Penny’s horse since his style of
riding was quite different and this resulted on more than one occasion, with him
trying to get the horse back in the stable after hunting without Penny seeing
the damage!
Penny made the best of life, laughed a lot and took a lot out of it, but she
also put a huge amount back. Her giving was discreet with the exception of the
Riding for the Disabled, where during her chairmanship of the Clywd Special
Riding Centre from 1990 to 1994 she cajoled her friends and raised almost single
handedly the £180,000 that was required for the Residential Holiday Centre which
was opened in 1992. Each of us will think of Penny’s legacy as something
different; for some the rideability of the Wyches, for others that building at
the RDA. We shall remember her for riding the country and refreshing her
friends. What happy memories we all have.
I Saw a Child
I saw a child who couldn't walk,
sit on a horse, laugh and talk.
Then ride it through a field of daisies
and yet he could not walk unaided.
I saw a child no legs below,
sit on a horse, and make it go
through wood of green and places he had never been
to sit and stare, except from a chair.
I saw a child who could only crawl,
mount a horse and sit up tall;
Then put it through degrees of paces
and laugh at the wonder in our faces.
I saw a child born into strife,
take up and hold the reins of life
and that same child, was heard to say,
Thank God for showing me the way ....
John Anthony Davies
PHILIP WARBURTON-LEE
When Philip Warburton-Lee died on the fifteenth of November,
the Wynnstay Country lost a larger than life character. Devoted to his family,
neighbours and friends he was a stalwart supporter of local organisations and
activities. Philip spent much of his childhood living abroad as his father was a
serving officer in the Royal Navy. He himself spent five years in the Navy
before coming to live at Broadoak in 1950 where he farmed. He was Hunt Secretary
for nineteen years succeeding the legendary Bill Martin, a difficult role to
follow. However he soon made his presence felt and was always very kind to the
young and the impecunious. In those days there were a lot of army officers
stationed at Park Hall and Chester and Philip went out of his way to encourage
them to hunt. He was inclined to be independent in the hunting field and one
good scenting day the hounds were flying across the middle of a large farm near
Adrefelyn which was strictly out of bounds. Bill Lander was struggling to keep
in touch, galloping up the road pursued by an impatient Saturday field, when a
large grey horse carrying a large person in a red coat and a battered top hat
was seen sailing serenely across the forbidden land. Words were exchanged but
Philip was unabashed. He hunted with great enthusiasm until a heavy fall over a
big fence near Iscoyd forced him to give up hunting on a horse.
In 1982 he became hunt chairman, a role he attacked energetically and with great
success for a decade. For many years the large slightly stooped figure with a
smouldering pipe, in a well worn pair of corduroy trousers, digesting the latest
pieces of hunting news and gossip, was a familiar sight at many a meet.
Philip always participated in the London marches and on the last great march,
despite becoming increasingly immobile he insisted on taking part. Having got to
Parliament Square, just about exhausted, he wondered how on earth he would get
back to his club in St James’s. As the roads were closed to all traffic he could
not get a taxi and the underground would not have helped. So he tapped on the
roof of a parked police car with the bowl of his pipe. The policeman wound down
the window and inquired as to what the problem was. Philip never short of
initiative or confidence said that he would like to be driven back to his club.
No problem said the officer before ceremoniously conveying him back for well
earned refreshments.
Philip was a countryman through and through, he shot well, he fished, he loved
his annual trips to Sutherland with the Ritsons and also his wildfowling
expeditions to Scotland. He greatly enjoyed his gun dogs, all of whom - like
their owner – were prone to a somewhat independent nature. Above all he loved
his Hill Farm at Gilar near Cerrygidrudion. He planted woods, excavated ponds
and transformed the farm into a wonderful small sporting estate. He was a
knowledgeable and enthusiastic forester. He served on many committees connected
with the countryside and was never afraid to put forward his strongly held views
often prefixed with “In my considered opinion....” His considered opinion was in
fact invariably well considered and to the surprise of some, often radical. He
served as a trustee on several local estates where his wise council was greatly
respected.
We will all miss him not only because he was a very special one off, but also he
held very dear those principles which form the backbone of country life. Above
all he was never afraid to stand up and be counted for what he believed was
right.
Happy the Man
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.
John Dryden
Once again I am extremely grateful to John Wright for sending extracts from a
Hunting Diary written some hundred years ago. Regarding the Earthstoppers Dinner
I wonder how they all got home afterwards......
EXTRACTS FROM A VICTORIAN WYNNSTAY HUNT DIARY 1896
Marchweil (February)
The Wynnstay Hounds were in this neighbourhood the greater part of Monday.
Meeting at Wynnstay a move was first made in the direction of Gyfelia which did
not result in any find. Another disappointment was in store when Old Sontley
Dingles were reached, for these covers too proved blank. At Marchweil Hall
Warren the needful was supplied, Reynard dashed away in the direction of the
Kitchen Gardens and managed to squeeze through the high iron railings. As there
was a danger of the Hounds getting impaled with jumping the fence the Master
thought fit to whip them off.
The Hounds were then taken through the village of Marchweil to the gorse near
the station. Here a capital going fox was found which dashed across the
Bangor-on-Dee and Overton roads and made for the Old Hall. From there the chase
led past Renolds Grave and onto Erddig where the hounds were completely baffled.
There was a good company present which included amongst others Sir Watkin and
Lady and Miss Williams Wynn, Mr Edmund and the Misses Peel, Miss Williams The
Brow, Mr Dyke Dennis, Mr Roper and Mr C M Holland & Co.
September 18th
Cub Hunting has commenced and the Gamekeeper is glad. It is an anxious time for
him when the foxes are nearly as numerous as the pheasants as in the case of
Gredington. It is a puzzle how that at Hanmer with its scarcity of covers there
is sure to be a bit of good Sport.
The hounds commenced Cub Hunting on Wednesday when the Meet was at the Hop Yard,
Eyton. There was a large company present which included Sir Watkin Williams
Wynn, Mr Owen Williams, Mr Hill, Mr & Misses Howard, Broughton Hall; Captain &
Mrs Fenwick, Plas-y-fron; Dr Jordison, Malpas: Operations were commenced at the
Hop Yard covers and it was soon evident that foxes were in strong force. The
Pack were kept busily employed for an hour, during which time they succeeded in
killing a brace of foxes.
A move was next made to Brynafon Gorse, near Cock Bank, which is a never failing
stronghold for the Reynard tribe. A good number were set afoot and after some
chevvying one was killed. To the Groves at Strytyrhwch was the next order, when
the music of the hounds proclaimed that Reynard was there too! Some enjoyable
Sport resulted and after accounting for one of the number a move was made for
the kennels.
October 7th
Earth Stopping Dinner
On Monday Sir Watkin Williams Wynn attended at Overton Bridge for the purpose of
paying those men who were engaged in Earth Stopping operations last season. A
large number were present from Gresford to Ellesmere on the one hand and Ruabon
to Whitchurch on the other – a very large sum of money being required to meet
their demands.
After business had been transacted Sir Watkin invited them to a substantial
dinner which had been well prepared by Mr & Mrs Sides, Cross Foxes, Overton
Bridge. The health of Sir Watkin and Lady Wynn, Mr Lockie, the Huntsman, and
George Frank, the Whip, were drank with enthusiasm. A very pleasant evening was
spent.
The importance of punctuation - is it:-
"Woman without her man is useless."
or
"Woman! Without her, man is useless!"
As I stood at the corner of Wolvesacre Wood,
One still November morn,
My good horse suddenly cocked his ears,
And I fancied I heard a horn.
I listened again and sure enough,
Came the eager note of a hound,
I rammed on my hat and shortened my reins,
As I heard that welcome sound
Then the dead leaves rustled, a dry twig cracked,
And sneaking along the ride
Comes a rare good fox. He's through the fence
And takes the ditch in his stride.
One whisk of his brush and away he goes,
No time now to look back.
For he hears in Cover a glorious burst
From every hound in the pack.
Ian spots him too - “Hark Forrard Away!”
Wilkin touches his horn.
They're out in no time and onto the line,
Leaving the Field forlorn.
Not all of them tho! Sir William is here,
Galloping up on a Grey.
The Masters are coming, young Lonsdale too,
And Joe who's riding a Bay.
The Godsals from Iscoyd delighted to find
The old fox that grows fat on their pheasants.
'No fox at Iscoyd!' A rumour quite false!
- Tis proved by the fact of his presence.
The Fearnall's from Alkington – David & Ann
The Bridges and Benson both keen,
With 'Enry Wycherley close on the left
And Gilbert in between.
Across Slater's stubble, down the grass lane,
And over the Grindley Brook.
In and out we splash to a man
- No time to stop and look.
Joy Sherwin is sailing along in front,
Mary Needham is close to her side:
Mike Griffiths who comes from the F&D Hunt
- Tis a pleasure to see him ride.
As we gallop across the grass beyond
I turn and look behind.
Half the field are in Wolvesacre still
- To catch us hard work they'll find.
From Agden to Bradley we simply race
To keep the hounds in sight.
The fences are easy – no looking for gaps,
And the plough rides nice and light.
Now we check in a field of kale
But only a moment or so:
Hichen and Heaton now catch us up,
Then “Forrard, yonder they go.”
Turning left handed towards the Goodmoor
We cross the Bradley lane.
Here are the funk sticks riding hard
But “We meet to part again!”
There's a nasty fence in the field beyond
With a ditch that's fairly wide.
The good one's have it – it's nothing to them,
But the shirkers turn aside.
John Ormrod flies it & Bobby O'Neill
Liz Matson on her black mare.
When hounds catch up with their fox at last
It's certain that they'll be there.
The doctor from Prees is pounding along,
John Cormes is going the better,
And 'Bruno' is busily taking notes
To put in his next week's letter.
Jane Robinson's there on a hog-maned Grey,
Her father not far behind.
The Smiley's from Eaton, he on a Bay,
And Norman well up you'll find.
Gordon Williams saving his old grey nag,
John's Fearnall and Evans I see,
McDowell from Emral on a blood 'oss,
And Malise as keen as can be.
Up Hampton Hall drive we all take a pull,
The field is reduced to forty.
By this time the nonsense is out of our nags
- Were they ever inclined to be naughty?
“No rest for the Wicked” & little for us,
When we get to the top of the Park.
Our fox is viewed in the valley beneath,
Does he mean to run on until dark?
They're holloaing now on the Duckington road,
O'er the bottom hounds simply fly.
Thank goodness here is a line of gates,
So to keep them in sight we'll try.
With a scramble up that zig zag path,
And we're out on top of the hill.
As we prayed for a check not so long ago,
Now we long for a kill!
Whattie astride of his bike declares
He'd “seen the fox pass by.”
Yet that patch of gorse is just the place,
For a beaten one to lie.
Yes, sure enough, as we speak the words,
Hounds pick up the line before us,
And tear away on the level turf
To a soul inspiring chorus.
Just as they reach it he struggles out,
So still and draggled and done:
I hate to think that now he must die,
When he's given us such a run.
A few fields further they roll him o'er,
And he dies – game to the last.
I own they richly deserve him now,
They've run him so straight and fast.
Too fast for the many, to judge by the few
Who are standing round about;
How few, if you think of the crowd at first,
Have ridden the run throughout.
It's a puzzle to me why lots I know,
Ever come out at all.
Who stick to the hard high roads all day,
Rather than risk a fall.
On the likes o' they I'll waste no words,
Let them funk and shirk forever.
To mention some to whom praise is due
Has been my humble endeavour.
And if I have failed my misfortune is,
That I was not born a poet.
Wynnstay people all – take 'Punch's' advice
- Harden your hearts and 'Go it.'
And I only hope as the years go by,
And winters come what may,
That there'll be forever a Wynnstay Hunt
And a Wilkin to show us the way.
14th February 1967
THE AREA II QUIZ
RAG BAG I
1.Two European countries differ in spelling only because the
second letter in their names is different. Which countries?
2.In what TV comedy series did Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs appear?
3.What is the nearest Commonwealth country to the UK?
4.What was Robert Maxwell's yacht named?
5.This city was known as Eboracum by the Romans, what did the Vikings call it?
6.What historic event took place on the 15th of March 44 BC?
7.A Nectarine is a cross between what?
8.What was the name of Pinocchio's father?
9.What term is used to measure the fineness of silk and synthetic yarn?
10.What is the wettest racecourse in the UK?
HORSES
1.Gandalf's horse from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R.
Tolkien?
2.Who pulled the fastest milkcart in the West in the Benny Hill song "Ernie The
Fastest Milkman in the West?"
3.Mythical creatures part human, part horse?
4.Velvet Brown's horse in National Velvet?
5.Steptoe and Son's horse?
6.An American racehorse by Fair Play out of Mahubah, he raced only as a
two-year-old and three-year-old, but in this short time (1919 - 20) he won 20
out of 21 races and set five world records and went on to become a leading sire,
although he would be unpopular if he turned up on the beach. What was he called?
7.Famous British Olympic Showjumper who ended his days at Lower Carden near
Malpas?
8.Emperor Caligula's favorite horse?
9.Zorro's horse?
10.The horse in The Godfather?
PLACES
1.Stoke on Trent was considered to be the centre of what
Industry?
2.Which town was considered to be the centre of the UK cutlery industry?
3.Llanberris was considered to be the centre of what Industry?
4.Which town was considered to be the centre of the UK Silk Industry?
5.Walsall was considered to be the centre of what Industry?
6.Witney in Oxfordshire was famous for what product?
7.Nottingham was considered to be the centre of what Industry?
8.Redditch was considered to be the centre of what Industry?
9.Ravenscar in North Yorkshire was considered to be the centre of what Industry?
10.Up until the mid 19th century Belper in Derbyshire was renowned for what
product?
POLICEMEN
1.Desk Sergeant at Dock Green?
2.Noddy's Policeman?
3.The detective inspector in the Sweeney?
4.Former shot putt champion and winner of the worlds strongest man, this
ex-policeman now breeds budgerigars?
5.Who failed to arrest Ronnie Biggs in Brazil?
6.Tintin's policemen?
7.Sherlock Holmes' policeman?
8.The policeman in the television cartoon Top Cats?
9.Raffles the Gentleman thief's adversary?
10.Inspector Morse's first name?
COUNTRY MATTERS
1.What is the process of heating and cooling milk to kill
bacteria is called? .
2.Blackface is a breed of which animal?
3.What is a polled animal?
4.Saddleback is a breed of?
5.Which tractor manufacturer makes tractors with a green body and yellow wheels?
6.How much does an average sheep fleece weigh?
7.A plot of Oilseed Rape the size of a football pitch could supply enough
bio-diesel to run a family car for how long?
8.To the nearest million, how many individual grains are in one tonne of wheat?
9.Which country is the world's largest wheat producer?
10.What is a Freemartin?
LIFEBOATS AND THE SEA
1.What do the initials R N L I stand for?
2.What is the name given to the scale devised by a British Admiral to denote
wind velocity?
3.On this scale what force of wind is a Hurricane?
4.What is the Irish equivalent of the RNLI?
5.To the nearest million pounds, how much State subsidy does the RNLI receive?
6.What was the name of the Northumbrian heroine who, in September 1838, rowed
with her father to the rescue of a ship wrecked on the Farne Islands and after
whom the lifeboat at Seahouses is named?
7.What was the name of the ship?
8.In 1981 the lifeboat Solomon Browne was called to the aid of the freighter
Union Star. Tragically the boat was lost along with 16 lives. From what station
with the same sounding name as a large village in the Maelor did the Solomon
Browne set out?
9.What was the name of the Schooner that brought the news of victory at
Trafalgar and the death of Nelson to England?
10.In 1953 Norfolk was subjected to torrential flooding. One coastal village
received a flood warning by telephone but were unable to pass it on as the
telegraph lines were down. It was suggested that someone should be sent to warn
the neighbouring village but the village elders turned this suggestion down.
Why?
DOGGY MATTERS
1.What was the name of the dog in the Famous Five series of
books by Enid Blyton?
2.What was the name of Tintin's dog?
3.What was the name of Obelix's dog?
4.What was the name of Guy Gibson's Labrador who gave his name as the codename
for the Dambuster's Mission in 1943?
5.What was the name of the dog used by the record company HMV to advertise their
records?
6.What was the name of the three-headed dog in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone?
7.The narrator's unruly Fox Terrier in Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome?
8.On February 2, 1925, the Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen drove his team, led by the
husky Balto into Nome, Alaska after an epic 1,000 mile journey involving 20 dog
teams in blizzards and temperatures as low as -53 degrees Centigrade. What was
the purpose of this epic mercy dash?
9.Whipcord 1905 is widely regarded as the founding father of the modern English
Foxhound. From which pack was he from?
10.Tiverton Actor 1922 was a famous Old English sire - what was unusual about
him?
RAGBAG II
1.What does the acronym for Dr Who's TARDIS stand for?
2.What is the title of Ginger McCain's recently published biography?
3.What is the only US State that can be typed on a single row of letters on a
typewriter keyboard?
4.How many Bash Street Kids are there?
5.Who is the Honorary Vice President of Blackburn Rovers Football Club?
6.Which finger nail grows the most quickly?
7.Who invented the pillarbox?
8.At what temperature are Centigrade and Fahrenheit the same?
9.At the wedding in Cana how much water did Jesus turn into wine?
10.What is a tittle?
THE ROW
The late Victorian period is regarded as one of peace and
tranquillity, which it was if one disregards the Boer War, and the Puckeridge
Row. It was not so much a row, but more of a Civil War. The cause of the
disturbance was the then Master, Mr Robert Gosling, who lived and built new
kennels on the western end of the country. The eastern, or Saturday country,
became less frequently hunted and the farmers there, all good hunting men,
became dissatisfied and, in 1885, formed their own pack, built their own
kennels, and found their own Master, a Mr EC. Swindell - the perhaps
unfortunately named son of a highly successful bookmaker.
The country was therefore divided, but not along set boundaries. The division
being between whether the landowner was a Gosling supporter or a Swindell
supporter. Assorted petitions by both sides were sent to the Masters of Foxhound
Association containing the signatures of 'Owners and Occupiers of upwards of
100,000 acres. Some seem to have signed up for both sides. The tenants at Brent
Pelham changed sides when their landlord, Mr J.G. Barclay, opted to become a
Goslingite and they all followed suit.
Matters were not helped by the behaviour of the contesting parties. Mr Gosling
was particularly annoyed when some Swindellites obtained a herd of donkeys from
a travelling circus and drove them into his opening meet. Nor was he pleased
when his hounds ran into a leading Swindellites covert at Furneux Pelham. The
owner, Felix Calvert, armed his farm men and attempted to impound the Huntsman,
Wells, and his horse. Wells escaped by jumping a man, a gate and a pitchfork in
one leap.
By 1889 the Row was becoming a danger to all concerned. A drag was laid from a
covert which Mr Gosling's hounds were due to draw into a nearby Swindellite
covert. The Swindellites laid inviting brush fences across the rides of their
covert with a strand of telegraph wire on the landing side. They then lurked in
the undergrowth with cudgels to beat the fallers on the head, the excuse being
that they were trespassing. The plan fortunately misfired.
Attempts to resolve the dispute were many and various. The MFHAs early.attempts
were unsuccessful and a prizefight was therefore arranged between Mr Harry
Sworder of Stocking Pelham Hall (for the Swindellites), and Mr Frank Stacey of
Wickham Hall (for the Goslingites), the result to settle the entire dispute.
Both sides went into training, but unfortunately news of the plan came to the
police authorities and it was cancelled, as neither participant was able to
spend harvest time in prison.
Eventually the will of the MFHA prevailed and a new Master, Hon L.J. Bathurst,
acceptable to both sides, was found. He stayed only two seasons but did much to
heal the wounds of the Row. Two Years later he was succeeded by Mr Edward
Barclay, grandfather of the present Senior Master, and son of the aforementioned
L G. Barclav.
Having spent my formative years in the ' York and Nasty' country the Newby
Ferry disaster was part of the Hunt's folklore and, judging by the way that the
locals spoke, you would have thought it had happened only a few years ago but
then Yorkshiremen love a great disaster. It is my firm conviction that every
Wynnstay subscriber should, as a condition of subscription, be forced to
exchange a day's hunting with packs such as the York & Ainsty in order to be
reminded just how lucky we are. The Sir George Wombwell mentioned as being
rescued by Mr Vyner must have indeed lead a charmed life. Some fifteen years
earlier he had been appointed aide de campe to one Lord Cardigan and was by his
side throughout the Charge of the Light Brigade.
THE YORK AND AINSTY - REFLECTIONS ON A HUNTING TRAGEDY
I stood on the parapet of a bridge over the River Ure in
North Yorkshire on a dark, rainy night and looked into the churning waters
below. It was a fearsome spectacle. I learned later that the night had been the
wettest for 20 years. The mighty swirling river had burst its banks and the
surging spate battered the cut waters and flooded the arches. There was
something eerie and terrifying about the awful sight. I felt a compulsive desire
to get away from the scene and quickly returned to the motor car and drove off,
glad to leave the bridge.
The previous day I had travelled from my home in Scotland to Yorkshire to visit
the haunts of my grandfather, the late Ted Parker, who was first Whipper-in to
the Bedale Foxhounds between 1888 and 1902. Mrs Sheila Hollins, the Bedale
Secretary, informed me that at the time of my relative's service, Fred Holland
was Huntsman and Captain Wilson Todd, Major Henry Dent and the Duke of Leeds
were Masters. Having spent the day touring the Bedale country I was making my
way back to my hotel in Leyburn when the frightening experience at the river
bridge occurred. When I arrived back home a few days later, I did some research
into the history of the area I had visited by reading books and old newspaper
clippings.
Some time later I came across the harrowing account of how six followers and
eight horses from the York and Ainsty Hunt had been drowned in the River Ure on
4 February 1869, during a chase. The meet had been at Stainley Hall and hounds
had found in a covert named Monkton Whin. The fox crossed the river opposite
Newby Hall with the pack close behind in full cry.
The river - normally about 50 yards wide and 15 feet deep - was in spate and
provided a formidable obstacle for the mounted followers to cross. Furiously
they galloped along its banks towards Newby where the ferry - a large, flat
bottomed vessel nearly 30 feet long and ten feet broad - was stationed. Eleven
riders, along with their horses, leaped on board and - piloted by two ferrymen,
one named Warriner, who worked at Newbv Hall - the cumbersome boat sailed out
onto the river. Disaster beckoned - and a few moments later the inevitable
happened and the vessel capsized because of the weight it was carrying. The
human and equine passengers were catapulted into the raging waters amidst scenes
of chaos and horror.
The terrified neighing of the horses and the screams of drowning men were
terrible to hear. The mounted followers who had been unable to find a place
aboard the ferry did their best to help their struggling colleagues, but there
was little they could do to rescue them. Each person on the doomed ferry battled
valiantly for survival.
Sir Charles Slingsby, the Master and Huntsman, was seen swimming strongly for
the riverbank when he was seized with cramp and sank into the dark depths of the
torrent. His horse, Saltfish, which was said to have caused the ferry to
overturn, floundered ashore and spent the remainder of his life in retirement.
The Hon. Henry Molyneux, who served with the Royal Navy, dived into the water
and swam to the safety of the shore completely exhausted. Mr Vyner, whose family
owned the elegant Fountains Hall not far from the scene of the catastrophe,
heroically secured a firm position on the water-logged vessel and pulled Sir
George Wombwell and Captain Mussenden aboard. From there they struggled ashore.
Sir George recovered from his ordeal and was subsequently appointed Master.
Others, sadly, were less fortunate and perished. They included Orvis, the Kennel
Huntsman, along with a Mr Robinson, a Mr Lloyd and both the ferrymen.
Altogether, six men were drowned in the terrible flood as well as most of the
horses.
The dreadful drama lasted for about ten awful minutes. Ironically, the hunt
itself was said to have been one of the most memorable in the York and Ainsty
history. Before crossing the river soon after having been found at Monkton Whin,
the fox was pursued for nearly an hour in the Burton Wood and Cop Grove Park
neighbourhoods. The tenacity of the pack then forced him across the Ure then on
towards Skelton where he went to ground just ahead of hounds. Inevitably, the
drive and perseverance of the pack paled into insignificance in the aftermath of
the attendant horrendous events.
It is reported that the melancholic spectacle of the second Whipper-in making
his way homewards to the Hunt kennels alone with hounds was etched forever in
the memories of those who witnessed it.
HUNTING REPORT
On January 30 1969 Mr. and Mrs. A Arthur Broad entertained
all comers very warmly at their home at Castletown on a lovely morning after
slight frost. The moment hounds reached Mrs. Leche's, a good fox was away to run
past Mr. Whittingham's over Wetrein Lane towards Rowley Hill, to run by
Caldecott for Castletown, disturbing another on Mr. Darlington's. Hounds ran
well to Grafton Hall where the hunted fox got in. Taking another with less scent
up to Stretton Hall, where motors intervened, hounds ran between Barton and
Rowley Hall, over the Wrexham road for Marsh Farm, before working across to The
Starlings where this good hunt ended. One and a quarter hours on wet going.
Finding at Mate's Gorse, hounds ran well over the Grafton Brook for Tilston
Church. Checking here by Mr Baskerville's farm, hounds recovered the line by
Tilston Green to continue down the brook for Mr. John Huxley's, Stretton and
back. The huntsman jumped on to his second horse here at 3 pm. Hounds ran back
by the Grafton Coverts to lose or check at Castletown farm on Mr. Broad's big
field, just in front of the horses. Wilkin took hounds to Large's, a brace
coming away by Horton Green, past Whitewood, along Overton Scar and back across
Chorlton Lodge fields to ground in the big badger earth in Cherry Hill Dingle at
dusk, 4.45 p.m. with only four attendants. We were very glad to see Sir Watkin
Wynn in the saddle again. A good hunt in the mud with plenty of jumping, hounds
going as well as ever, splendidly led by the Joint Master Mr. R. L. Alatson. How
very proud his father would have been. Hounds met at Bangor-on-Dee village on
Monday, Mr. Matson in command. The minute Wilkin put hounds into Cottage Gorse
foxes were on the move, a brace slipping away down the meadows to Pickhill
Suspension Bridge. Hounds ran well on a fair scent to Donenion and, headed on
the road, one fox turned back for his original point, to run well along
Worthenbury brook where he was nearly lost at the second crossing. Twice over
this brook, right along the banks of the River Dee well below Castletown and
Caldecott, the fox ran for Crewe Hill front door, taking refuge in a drain,
whence a different fox was bolted by the terriers, to continue in the same
straight line through Farndon to be lost by Sir Harry Barnston's monument. This
was a fine hunt by any standards and quite one of the best in a very good
season, with a six-mile point. Hounds ran well in the late afternoon from Emral.
"EARTHSTOPPER"
Once more I am indebted to Don Rutter for his reminiscences of life at Old
Beachin from the 1940's onwards........
LIFE AT OLD BEACHIN FARM
FLOODS, WILD GEESE AND THE PLANE CRASH.
Floods were a regular winter occurrence when I was a boy as
the main brook was a lot narrower than it is today and the water level was a
good four feet higher. As a result the meadows right up to Stretton Mill could
be filled with water. I can remember Cousin Eric made a raft on the small meadow
on Middle Beachin - the one with the hunt bridge in - and we played on it for
almost six weeks.
The main cause of the problem was the bridge between the two Lea Farms; this
bridge has a stone raised bottom in it and two small square holes for the water
to go through with slots in the sand stone sides to drop planks in to act like a
dam in summer time and to maintain the pressure on the hydraulic ram which
pumped water to both farms. It wasn’t until after the first flood of the year
that anyone thought to take the planks out. This bridge was the main cause of
concern to all the farmers up stream - Dad always said that it wanted blowing up
because all the water had to go through to the equivalent of two pig sty door
holes.
After many meetings with the Dee and Clwyd River Authority by all concerned -
bearing in mind that all riparian owners at that time paid a drainage rate per
acre up to a certain contour line above sea level. The meadows being flat this
had to be paid on most of them and because this money was used to improve the
water courses and aid the drainage of the land it landed on the tenants to pay
it. Having to pay for the privilege of getting regular floods and not being able
to do anything about it was a very sore point.
The main obstacle in removing the bridge was that a consent had been granted to
put in the ram and extract water from the brook, and as Dad said it would take
an Act of Parliament to do away with these ould writings and they didn’t want to
bother the Duke. So by a good old British Compromise a new brook was dug out and
another bridge built which left the old one and the ram high and dry and only
takes the extra water if there is a flood. When you next exercise hounds between
the two Lea Farms you will see there are two brooks and two bridges, in the
words of the old song “oops there goes a silly old dam.”
In the middle of the 1800’s the good old days of British Farming and forward
looking Government the land was tile drained on a Government scheme. This
included the Aldersey estate and to overcome the high water level of the brook
the land on both Beachin Farms was drained into a gutter behind the cover that
emptied below the bridge. The drains where piped under the ditches and through
the brooks with cast iron pipes. The main drains came from the back of the
Beachin cover to the Highfield lane with laterals up the reames at eight yards
apart; the final act was to install the flood gate below Aldford Bridge to
prevent the tides sending the flood water back up the brooks and flooding the
land. A great feat of engineering, all carried out by hand labour and without
moving the bridges. Planned by forward thinking men generating wealth and
building for the future whilst owning the land, hunting and shooting over it
with great pleasure. And they thought brussels were sprouts and set aside was
something for a rainy day.
Before this work it was a regular thing to bring the milk churns from Lea Manor
with horse and cart or later with tractor and trailer to meet the milk wagon at
Old Beachin. Mr Nain Pickering kept a boat down by the cottages to row over to
get out. On one occasion his tractor broke down in the middle of the rising
flood and the next day he rowed over to it and he said he could just touch the
exhaust pipe with the paddle. We had a Shorthorn bull that would insist on
crossing the brook to Calverley Hall. On one such visit the brook filled up
overnight so the next morning we brought him back to the brook and pushed him
in; he went under twice before he managed to pull himself out on our side and we
thought that we had drowned him, but it cured him he never crossed it again.
GEESE
Every winter we had a large flock of wild geese which came to graze on the
fields - these where White-Fronts, Pink -Footed and Greylag geese in the days
before the arrival of the dreaded Canada geese. When they landed they covered
about thirty to forty acres of ground and came every morning through out the
winter. A gentleman named Commander Boyd came to study them and later wrote a
bird book in which he described them giving brother Bill a signed copy; he said
there were between twelve and fifteen hundred at any one time and brought Peter
Scott who later became Sir Peter of great fame to study them.
One Saturday morning they were on the Middle Beachin just below the lane when we
went out in the car. They went in to small groups but did not fly away and did
the same when we came back, so with Jim Humphreys driving and Dad in the back of
the car with his twelve bore he fired two shots across their heads and got five
geese with two barrels. Two things led to them leaving and not coming back; the
absence of the floods and the introduction of the Jet Planes.
They had got used to the old slow moving prop engine planes and could hear them
coming and did the same as the farm ducks who put their heads on one side to
watch birds and planes go over. Don’t say it you silly old B, like Confucius he
say “Man spend too long watching ducks looking at aeroplanes.” You won’t find
this sort of knowledge on the web - in those days a mouse was some thing the cat
brought in.
But with the Jets you first see the plane and then hear the noise and this
scared the living daylights out of them. On one occasion they had landed on the
top side of the House Field and Night Pasture and we were under the Dutch barn
watching them when a low flying jet came over. They flew up in panic and some of
them flew over our heads under the roof of the barn.
THE PLANE CRASH
Another highlight in the life at the Beachin was when a training plane
practising low flying stalled the engines and, trying to make an emergency
landing in the Field on the Farm side of the cover, touched the end of the wing
on a small oak tree just up the hedge from the end of the lane where the bridle
path turns at right angles to go to the Lea. You can still see the mark on the
tree just about six feet off the ground. This spun him round along the top of
the hedge going towards the new Bull Unit and he came to rest just in the field
having crumpled up one wheel and bursting a fuel tank.
We where then host to the Royal Air Force who sent a crash gang of eight men and
four guards, two for the day watch and two for a night guard, but as there was
very little damage the foxes could do as soon as it was dark they came up and
went to bed. The day guard brought camp beds and slept in the big cheese room
over the kitchen and the two night guards slept in the spare bedroom because
they were not supposed to be there. The job was very complicated and they were
in no rush to go because we had their rations combined with a farm house
breakfast and evening roast they really didn’t miss camp life.
They had to remove the engines and wings to be able to move it and this meant
draining the other fuel tank. It seemed such a shame to waste the fuel so they
put it in forty five gallon drums and told us the correct mixture of T.V.O and
aviation fuel to run the car on without doing any damage to the engine, all in
the cause of the war effort. They then came with a crane and a sixty footer and
took it away.
SIR W. W. WYNN'S HOUNDS
Hounds met in Shocklach village on February 13 1969 on a pleasant morning but
all land very wet with hundreds of acres of meadows flooded. At Mate's Gorse
they found and had a good hunt running well over the flooded Grafton Brook by
Grafton Hall nearly to Carden across to Edge up through the Park over the main
road for Duckington and towards Cholmondeley, a four mile point, much of it in
pouring rain. How well Mate's Gorse has held this season! What a stronghold! How
well The Royalty did the week before providing two topping hunts both mainly on
The Duke of Westminster's estate up to Aldford.
So to Malpas on Monday when Maesfen Covert provided two good hunts with
Tushingham foxes. Hounds had been in Maesfen covert only a few minutes before a
grand mahogany coloured fox slipped away behind the holly bushes for Millmoor
crossing the railway by Whitegate. Swinging left in a north wind he ran by
Bradley Brook through all the cattle and sheep he could find, although slipping
on well and straight, recrossing the railway by Agden and High Ash past Hinton
Manor, over the canal and the main Tarporley road by Hinton Old Hall, below
Wirswall, to be lost just short of Quoisley Mere. Another good hunt with a three
mile point, a fine big fox, all most enjoyable. And so back to Maesfen where,
perhaps surprisingly, another fox was pushed away to run round in a good circle
before going through Taylor's Rough and the Cae dai where, alas, hounds split,
seven and a half couple running well on their own through Iscoyd Park, seen
there close behind the fox. Another four miles, enough for any horse. A good
day's sport.
"EARTHSTOPPER."
QUIZ ANSWERS
RAG BAG I
1.Two European countries differ in spelling only because the second letter in
their names is different. Name the countries. Ireland and Iceland
2.In what TV comedy series did Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs appear? Fawlty Towers
3.What is the nearest Commonwealth country to the UK? Malta
4.What was Robert Maxwell's yacht named? Lady Ghislaine
5.This city was known as Eboracum by the Romans, what did the Vikings call it?
Jorvik
6.What historic event took place on the 15th of March 44 BC Ides of March -
assassination of Julius Caesar
7.A Nectarine is a cross between what? A Peach and a Plum
8.What was the name of Pinocchio's father? Gepetto
9.What term is used to measure the fineness of silk and synthetic yarn? Denier
10.What is the wettest racecourse in the UK? Putney to Mortlake – the Boatrace
HORSES
1.Gandalf's horse from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien? Shadowfax
2.Who pulled the fastest milkcart in the West in the Benny Hill song "Ernie The
Fastest Milkman in the West?" Trigger
3.Mythical creatures part human, part horse? Centaurs
4.Velvet Brown's horse in National Velvet? Pie
5.Steptoe and Son's horse? Hercules
6.An American racehorse by Fair Play out of Mahubah, he raced only as a
two-year-old and three-year-old, but in this short time (1919 - 20) he won 20
out of 21 races and set five world records and went on to become a leading sire,
although he would be unpopular if he turned up on the beach. Man o' War
7.Famous British Olympic Showjumper who ended his days at Lower Carden? Nizfella
8.Emperor Caligula's favorite horse? Incitatus.
9.Zorro's horse? Tornado
10.The horse in The Godfather? Khartoum
PLACES
1.Stoke on Trent was considered to be the centre of what Industry? Pottery
2.Which town was considered to be the centre of the UK cutlery industry?
Sheffield
3.Llanberris was considered to be the centre of what Industry? Slate
4.Which town was considered to be the centre of the UK Silk Industry?
Macclesfield
5.Walsall was considered to be the centre of what Industry? Saddlery and
Lorinery - bits, buckles, spurs etc
6.Witney in Oxfordshire was famous for what product? Blankets
7.Nottingham was considered to be the centre of what Industry? Lace
8.Redditch was considered to be the centre of what Industry? Needles
9.Ravenscar in North Yorkshire was considered to be the centre of what Industry?
Chemicals - Alum production
10.Up until the mid 19th century Belper in Derbyshire was renowned for what
product? Horseshoe nails
POLICEMEN
1.Desk Sergeant at Dock Green Dixon
2.Noddy's Policeman? Mr Plod
3.The detective inspector in the Sweeney Jack Regan
4.Former shot putt champion and winner of the worlds strongest man, this
ex-policeman now breeds budgerigars Geoff Capes
5.Who failed to arrest Ronnie Biggs in Brazil? Jack Slipper
6.Tintin's policemen Thomson and Thompson
7.Sherlock Holmes Lestrade
8.The policeman in the television cartoon Top Cats Officer Dibble
9.Raffles the Gentleman thief's adversary Inspector MacKenzie
10.Inspector Morse's first name Endeavour
COUNTRY MATTERS
1.What is the process of heating and cooling milk to kill bacteria is
called? Pasteurisation.
2.Blackface is a breed of which animal? Sheep.
3.What is a polled animal? One without horns.
4.Saddleback is a breed of? Pig
5.Which tractor manufacturer makes tractors with a green body and yellow wheels?
John Deere.
6.How much does an average sheep fleece weigh? 3 kg / 6 1/2 lbs.
7.A plot of Oilseed Rape the size of a football pitch could supply enough
bio-diesel to run a family car for how long? 1 year.
8.How many individual grains are in one tonne of wheat? 21,000,000.
9.Which country is the world's largest wheat producer? China
10.What is a Freemartin? A calf with hermaphrodite properties twinned with a
bull calf.
LIFEBOATS AND THE SEA
1.What do the initials R N L I stand for? Royal National Lifeboat
Institution
2.What is the name given to the scale devised by a British Admiral to denote
wind velocity? Beaufort Scale.
3.On this scale what force of wind is a Hurricane? 12
4.What is the Irish equivalent of the RNLI? The RNLI operates in the UK and
Ireland.
5.To the nearest million pounds, how much State subsidy does the RNLI receive?
None
6.What was the name of the Northumbrian heroine who, in 1838, rowed with her
father to the rescue of a ship wrecked on the Farne Islands and after whom the
lifeboat at Seahouses is named? Grace Darling
7.What was the name of the ship? Forfarshire
8.In 1981 the lifeboat Solomon Browne was called to the aid of the freighter
Union Star. Tragically the boat was lost along with 16 lives. From what station
with the same sounding name as a large village in the Wynnstay country did the
Solomon Browne set out? Penlee
9.What was the name of the Schooner that brought the news of victory at
Trafalgar and the death of Nelson to England? HMS Pickle.
10.In 1953 Norfolk was subjected to torrential flooding. One coastal village
received a flood warning by telephone but were unable to pass it on as the
telegraph lines were down. It was suggested that someone should be sent to warn
the neighbouring village but the village elders turned this suggestion down.
Why? On the grounds that the neighbouring village never warned them when the
Vikings were coming.
DOGGY MATTERS
1.What was the name of the dog in the Famous Five series of books by Enid
Blyton? Timmy
2.What was the name of Tintin's dog? Snowy
3.What was the name of Obelix's dog? Dogmatix
4.What was the name of Guy Gibson's Labrador who gave his name as the codename
for the Dambuster's Mission in 1943? Nigger
5.What was the name of the dog used by the record company HMV to advertise their
records? Nipper
6.What was the name of the three-headed dog in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone? Fluffy.
7.The narrator's unruly Fox Terrier in Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome?
Montmorency
8.On February 2, 1925, the Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen drove his team, led by the
husky Balto into Nome, Alaska after an epic 1,000 mile journey involving 20 dog
teams in blizzards and temperatures as low as -53 degrees Centigrade. What was
the purpose of this epic mercy dash? To deliver diptheria anti serum.
9.Whipcord 1905 is widely regarded as the founding father of the modern English
Foxhound. From which pack was he from? Four Burrow
10.Tiverton Actor 1922 was a famous Old English sire - what was unusual about
him? He was white
RAGBAG II
1.What does the acronym for Dr Who's TARDIS stand for? Time and relative
dimensions in space.
2.What is the title of Ginger McCain's recently published biography? From Red to
Amber
3.What is the only US State that can be typed on a single row of letters on a
typewriter keyboard? Alaska
4.How many Bash Street Kids are there? 9 - Danny, Plug, Erbert, Fatty, Smiffy,
Wilfred, Spotty, Sidney and Toots.
5.Who is the Honorary Vice President of Blackburn Rovers Football Club? Margaret
Thatcher.
6.Which finger nail grows the most quickly? The middle nail
7.Who invented the pillarbox? The novelist Anthony Trollope
8.At what temperature are Centigrade and Fahrenheit the same? -40
9.At the wedding in Cana how much water did Jesus turn into wine? The Bible
tells us that there were 6 water pots of 2 or 3 firkins each. A firkin is 9
gallons which means around 500 litres or 675 bottles - some wedding.
10.What is a tittle? The dot over the letter 'i'
Now that Catherine Zeta-Jones-Douglas has become firmly established in
Hollywood, Charlotte Church is a well-known celebrity in the UK and Niki-J has
hit the big time in Oz, the Welsh film industry is to receive additional funding
to step up production. They are going to remake many well known films, but this
time with a Welsh flavour. The following are planned for release 2006:
9½ Leeks, Trefforest Gump, Cwmando, The Lost Boyos, An American Werewolf in
Powys, Huw Dares Gwyneth, Dai Hard, The Wizard of Oswestry, Cool Hand Look-you,
Sheepless in Seattle, The Eagle has Llandudno, The Magnificent Severn,
Haverfordwest Was Won, Austin Powys, The Magic Rhonddabout, Independence Dai,
The Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch That Time Forgot,
Seven Brides from Seven Sisters, Welsh Connection, Welsh Connection II, The
Bridge on the River Wye, Lawrence of Llandybie, A Beautiful Mind-you, The Welsh
Patient, The King and Mair, Breakfast at Taffynys, Look You Back in Bangor,
Evans Can Wait, A Fishguard Called Rhondda, Where Eagles Aberdare, Dial M For
Merthyr.