Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: MY BEAGLING REVIEW OF 2008

I did a summary of 2006, 2007 and 2009 a while ago and so here is 2008 as time is passing and some are with us and some are not and some look no different either. I may get around to doing 2010, ten years ago, a bit later on when nothing much is happening here.

Colne Valley Beagles New Year's Day Meet from Wills O 'Nats.

I can't remember why, but the regular huntsman was indisposed for a couple of weeks so Simon stood in. Also. we used to be able to go directly into the countryside from the Will's as shown here. Regrettably this is not now possible.

Bull's Head Meet - 5th January

Now a long time since we met there.

Brushes Meet - 19th January

A follower's dog takes a wet centre stage!

This was a combined meet with the Holme Valley Beagles.

As Brushes is Holme Valley Beagles country, this meet is used as a memorial to Fred Langfield who was a notable supporter of hunting in the area as well as a longtime member.

A Master of the HVB gives his conditions for exercising.

A visit to Cheshire - 26th January

A meet from the White House - 2nd February. The White House in no longer the superb old pub where the CVB and others have had some memorable moments, but a private house now

The bump on the left is Meltham Cop.

That's Meltham down there.

The one above looks like one of those illustrations where you are asked to find some hidden object - so I will make this an easy one for you!

9th February, an ill starred visit to Midhope by invitation, but not the right one!

Midhope moor was HVB country then and the invitee had not arranged it properly on their behalf. It caused some weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, well, mostly just teeth gnashing.

An invitation Meet from the Airedale to Widdup - 16 February.

Back burning of the heather in the distance to create new growth.

A bridge too far!

Some coped.

CVB Goathland visit - 18th/19th February

Two pics below of a Stokesely Farmers Meet in Goathland - regrettably a pack no longer with us.

A Master at that time was a top shooting man, hence the dogs.

I think he had those red gaiters given as no one else would wear them!
Looks a daft spot to stand!

And to sit. The eroding Goldsborough cliffs near Whitby.

Cop Hill Meet - 23rd February

A master laying out the rules for the day.

Maybe wind?

A former Master nicknamed Snowdrop in his heyday, which he didn't like, and a current one of 2008.

Where there's a wind there's a way.

This is Lively, a retired Pennine Foxhound adopted by the greatly missed late Dr. Carole Smith.

A black burnt bit of moor from back burning.

End of season from Jack O'Mitre - 8th March

Must have had our dog's titbits in my pocket again!

CVB Hound Show at Honley Showground - 14th June

Judges

Holme Valley Beagles parading in the main ring.

Pennine Foxhounds parading.

Colne Valley Beagles parading

And all together for children to come in to meet the hounds.

Harden Moss parading - 22nd June

CVB foreground with the Holme Valley Beagles arriving.

CVB

It may look as though there is no one there but this is the sheepdog trials field and the public areas, trade stands etc., are across one end, behind the HVB huntsman below.

HVB at 'meet the hounds' time for children.

The HVB ultimately merged with the CVB to form the H&CVB and so regrettably the rather flash HVB huntsman's uniform is now a thing of the past, with a new subdued green H&CVB huntsman's uniform with not even a coloured collar. In his alter ego at this time, the huntsman above wore green as the Ecclesfield Huntsman.