The Alternative Meet - 13th January 2010

George Grammer writes:

An alternative was held last Saturday at Tagents Farm by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Martin Heaton and Andrew Heaton. By 11.00 there was an ever increasing number of hunt supporters and families from the village gathering around a roaring brazier. Some arrived on foot, others in 4x4s, some on toboggans and one or two arrived in style on skis...

Around 100 people enjoyed the slopes on a variety of snow sport equipment ranging from plastic feed sacks to toboggans, sledges to professional looking luges, skis and snowboards. Charles Homan had purchased a quantity of circular, plastic snow 'skids' with a front hand hold (rather resembling a large ring pull can top) and these were sold in aid of Hunt funds to those who were without their own means of going down the slopes. There being no ski lift, one or two stalwarts provided quad bikes to deliver people to the top of the slopes!

Apparently the snow was first class and Clare, Becca, Issy and George served refreshments including BBQ'd sausages and hot mince pies, mulled wine, fruit punch, and Issy's own Chocolate Tiffin.

Issy Branch writes:

Whilst trudging through the snow doing the daily grind of caring for horses, with much less reward due to the snow, I drifted off in a daydream to my youth, when the weather we are currently experiencing was far more common. One particular memory was of the whole village descending upon our farm and spending the weekend sledging. A wave of inspiration hit me and I set about organising the Alternative Meet.

The response was overwhelming to the invitation to go sledging in place of hunting, requiring a late night dash to Tesco for a second shop! A beautiful day dawned and members with friends arrived by the truck load - well whatever vehicle they could get out in! We believe that there were in excess of 100 people making use of the great hill on "Wolfshead" at Tagents Farm, Graffham. We could not make mulled wine fast enough, fit enough bangers on the barbie, or keep up with the demand for Hot Chocolate. A good ol' fire in a barrel kept a few people at the bottom of the hill with the "cooks" making sure that we did not feel too left out of the sledging fun! Thanks go to George and Becca Grammar for manning the BBQ and to Mum (Clare Emery) for making sure there was a continuous supply of mulled wine, even necessitating a trip to the Village shop for more supplies! Sadly whilst being kept so busy by the roaring trade at the bottom of the hill none of us have first hand accounts of the action on the hill, however they say a picture tells a thousand words so I guess you will have to see for yourself!

Kids and big Kids alike seemed to have a fabulous time and everyone seemed to leave in one piece which is better still! Huge thanks got to Martin, Frances and Andrew Heaton for very kindly allowing us to take over their farm for the morning.

Thanks also to everyone who came and contributed a cap for the Alternative Meet, the proceeds from the day will go a little way towards reducing the difference in the lack of caps from missed days hunting. If this continues we may have to re-schedule for this weekend also!