Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: July 2017

The annual Pennine Foxhounds Puppy Show took place on the local cricket field, just managing to dodge a couple of heavy showers. In fact the forecast I saw an hour or so before gave the impression there would be some thunder but that never happened. So just a few photos, but don't miss the YouTube video link to the Puppy Christening at the end

(The format here has again refused my own font and text size so it looks like this one will have to be the norm now).

The judges - and a small boy

A trophy there.

More silverware - and a small girl.

So if you click on the link below you will see a video of the full Pennine Foxhounds Puppy Christening. There is some unavoidable roaring wind noise as it was gusting about.

Puppy Christening

Anyone with an interest in what they see on some of these posts, and for those many Russians who are kind enough to visit and can grasp a bit of the Yorkshire intonation, our way of life and countryside is well illustrated in the following video. But you need to set aside nearly an hour to watch it all and it is well worth it! - by Pennine Lad when huntsman of the Colne Valley Beagles. Click on the link below.

The Horn of the Hunter

The end of the year 2006 – THE START OT THE 2006-2007 SEASON.

I well remember my trip to Lorton in Cumbria with the CVB at the end of September before our season officially opened. I had a small old caravan and decided to use it to stay in behind the pub at Lorton, a location where the CVB were going for a couple of days or so. Near the top of the the M6, before my turn off, I was surprised to see the nearside caravan wheel overtake me on the hard shoulder of the motorway and disappear down a slip road a 100 yards or so further on.

Before the CVB arrived I was able to spend time with the Melbreak Foxhounds who were in the area. Here is the late Pritch Bland. He was huntsman there from 1974-2007. If you Google him there is lot about him. I think when I first saw him he was whipping-in to Harry Hardisty, his predecessor. YouTube tribute

The following day, 29th September there was a joint meet with the CVB and the Black Combe Beagles. Copyright image by David Swanbury

A lovely warm September.

The following day it was just the Colne Valley Beagles.

With a view to the sea.

I the old days we seemed to be in the Lakes, by invitation of the Melbreak, for a few days with meets all over the place -'but times they are a changing.' Copyright image by David Swanbury

Without a helping hand barbed wire over sheep netting can be a pain in more ways than one. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Reflecting on a wonderful couple of days in the Lakes.

The Airedale Beagles from a meet at the Devonshire Arms at Cracoe on the 7th October, another beagle pack where the huntsman wears red. I think I just went for a look on my own that day. Copyright image by David Swanbury

The Colne Valley Beagles, by invitation of the Hunsley Beacon Beagles at Arnold, North Humberside on the 18th October Copyright image by David Swanbury

The CVB turned out after lunch, the HB in the morning.

Huntsman of the Hunsley Beacon.

Time to give up.

Hannah and happy hound!

And with a CVB Master.

Finally the Colne Valley Opening Meet at the Rose and Crown Cop Hill. I thought I was never going to get to one! 28th October! Copyright image by David Swanbury

There was the usual sing afterwards with the usual star entertainer being Grommit who not only sings after a fashion, but can play the bagpipes and do very comical routines. Copyright image by David Swanbury

No sooner do we have an opening meet than we are off to Dumfriesshire at the beginning of November. (The spell check wanted to change Dumfriesshire to Cambridgeshire!) What a cracking spot! And wonderful hospitality. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Some old bloke with the huntsman. Those terrible gaiters were actually quite good and a gift from the huntsman once, but much commented on.

The Colne Valley Beagles in Dumfriesshire.

The Holme Valley Beagles on the 7th November at Midhope. At that time the HVB were with the Ecclesfield Beagles and the huntsman wore the livery of either depending upon the occasion. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Midhope Moor and beyond with smoke drifting across from distant heather burning by the keeper to stimulate new growth for the benefit of the grouse. Copyright image by David Swanbury

The Holme Valley Beagles on the 11th November near the Huntsman Inn with the drag man laying a scent along with a rather large spare container of the essence for topping up. Copyright image by David Swanbury

The Holme Valley Beagles moving off on the 11th November.

The Holme Valley Beagles at Dunford on the 19th November.

The Holme Valley Beagles at Dunford at the end of the day.

The CVB at Wills O'Nats on the 25th November

On Meltham Cop, not somewhere the CVB go now.

West Nab from Meltham Cop.
Copyright image by David Swanbury

The CVB visit to Wales courtesy of the Nantcol Valley Foxhounds at the beginning of December. Copyright image by David Swanbury

6th December and a joint Meet with the Cheshire Beagles at another of the fine establishments that seem to be a feature of their country.

The Cheshire Beagles huntsman.

On the 9th December there was a Meet at the Moorlands Restaurant for Scammonden.

And this is Scammonden Water with the M62 motorway running on the far embankment. There was a time when we hunted from side to side across this valley, now below the water. Copyright image by David Swanbury

The CVB at Standedge Edge on the 20th December.

Lively, a retired Pennine foxhound below Deer Hill on the 23rd December.

It was low cloud on Deer Hill for the CVB.

The Colne Valley Beagles Boxing Day Meet at the Jack O'Mitre, previously referred to as 'T'upper Royal' and may still be by some.
Copyright image by David Swanbury

And that's it for 2006! Sigh!

Sunday, 30 July 2017

PENNINE FOXHOUNDS PUPPY SHOW AND PUPPY CHRISTENING - JULY 2017

Friday, 21 July 2017

MY BEAGLING REVIEW IN THREE PARTS OF THE YEAR 2006 – PART THREE