Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: ROCKWOOD HARRIERS

Rockwood Harriers assortment. Given the dark wild wet windy weather since the beginning of the season I have not had much opportunity or inclination to take photographs. However the blog is still running – I was asked today if it was – and today, 3rd February, was lovely so it made it worthwhile to add some more photos at last.

Rockwood Harriers cubbing. For those who are not familiar with the term you can look it up, but in essence it is an informal autumnal precursor to the official season, without hunt uniform, where young hounds in particular are introduced to the formal pack activities. Copyright image by David Swanbury

The Rockwood Harriers at Clayton West on the 20^th January, a respite from the dire weather with a lovely fine day and with a slight mist in the bottom. This is virtually all I ever saw as by the time I had got the big heavy inverted mushrooms of adhesive clay off my boots from the sodden field, they had crossed the main road and vanished over the hills. Copyright image by David Swanbury

My next attempt was near Midhope, pronounced Middup, when there was another fine day. Apart from attending this small Meet, on foot of course, my viewing was limited to some of the activity from a distance until as usual they disappeared.

No he is not being sent off! Copyright image by David Swanbury

I wonder what they are doing? Copyright image by David Swanbury

And finally, a midweek Meet at High Hoyland on a lovely fine day. The Huntsman, Jake, was working! So Joe did a splendid job in his absence. And I actually saw a bit more than my previous efforts this season despite getting some misleading info about where they were going to go. Well, maybe I misled myself as I certainly went astray for a good while.

Joe at the meet. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Setting off. The last I would see for a while until I caught up. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Can only mean “Forward!” or in hunting parlance - "Forrard!" Although in this case I actually think it was simply a gesticulation in the course of a discussion as to the next general direction to take, but it looks good. Copyright image by David Swanbury

A hunting horn is not the easiest of instruments to blow. Which is why Hunts hold horn blowing competitions at Hunt Balls etc.. 'Blowing-up' wayward hounds can render the most handsome young chap into an image of a choleric Colonel Bagshot Rtd. Copyright image by David Swanbury

This is my last view of the Rockwood Harriers before they cantered off down the side of this big wood and disappeared. It helps to know the country, which I don’t very well, but by mid afternoon Shank's pony had decided it was time to head back to the car, content on having enjoyed some wonderful countryside on a glorious fine day in good company.

It struck me when walking back, that it would be interesting when there is a large field of mounted followers, to replace the harriers with the CVB huntsman and pack of beagles to see what they make of the difference in style and substance. It would be fabulous beagling over that rolling green countryside, a welcome change from dire rough moorland for the beagles and an eye opener to the mounted followers leaving them stirred by the music of the hounds, especially when resonating in the woodland .

Finally, one I missed out -

Too much hassle to try to fit it in sequence now.

Thursday 4 February 2016

ROCKWOOD HARRIERS

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