The Hunt Ball | Ticket Application Forms out shortly...
06/02/12
This is currently the most talked about item out in the field and off it. So we do not need to remind you that the Hunt Ball returns to Petworth House on May 4 after an absence of some 30 years. It is bigger and better and the preparations are going very well: drinks reception in the Marble Hall - three-course dinner - bar and dancing to the full Willie Austen band in a marquee next to the House - auctions, raffles and additional entertainment in the casino tent in the North Garden.
Many of you have already reserved your tables with Lucy Addison and George Grammer. Lucy and George tells us that ticket application forms will be available within the week. Even if you have earmarked a table with them, you MUST fill in an application form and get it over to Lucy AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Demand for tables has far exceeded expectations and Lucy will allocate tables on a first come, first served basis. Lucy can be contacted on laadison @hotmail.co.uk or by phone on 01428 707544 / 07989 129166. MAY THE 4th STILL BE WITH YOU! ( BUT DO MAKE HASTE TO ACT WHEN THE FORMS APPEAR...)
The Temple, Highclere | February 7
03/02/12
Through Tim at the kennels and after our visit to Honiton last summer, we have made friends with the Vine & Craven Hunt. Their Masters have invited regular followers of the CL&C who would like to join them, to meet on Tuesday 7th February 2012 at The Temple, Highclere Castle, near Newbury RG20 9RN. The meet is at 11 o'clock and is by kind
invitation of The Earl & Countess of Carnarvon. As you will no doubt know this is the backdrop for Downton Abbey. Subscribers may hunt without paying a cap, otherwise the cap is £70. Obviously this is very much dependent on the weather forecast. In the meantime contact Robin on 07778 341805 or robin@robinmuir.co.uk and he can give you further details. For the voidance of doubt, Addison’s Rules (Tumbling) will apply today.
Point-to-Point | Tweseldown | March 4
03/02/12
Despite rumours to the contrary, the CL&C Point-to-Point is most definitely scheduled. It will take place again at Tweseldown and on Sunday March 4 and racing will begin at 1.00pm. 
It was a great day out last season with veteran point-to-point attendees saying it had some of the best racing of the season. Do come along and support it. If you can spare any time to help that would be appreciated by the hardworking committee, so please contact Tim Lee MFH on 07919 163384
It was a great day out last season with veteran point-to-point attendees saying it had some of the best racing of the season. Do come along and support it. If you can spare any time to help that would be appreciated by the hardworking committee, so please contact Tim Lee MFH on 07919 163384
'Speak' | Out of Action...
01/02/12
CL&C Grand Tour (2011/12) | The C+H and The OSB&WK
22/01/12
With the shooting season inching towards its climax, Saturdays in January are always in demand across our country. At this point the Masters tend to shake uncontrollably - as does the carefully planned Meet Card - and look towards the kindness of neighbouring packs. Sedating us this season were the Crawley & Horsham on Jan 14 and a week later the Old Surrey Burstow & West Kent. We had a terrific time at both. Coincidentally the two huntsmen are brothers. Nick Bycroft at the Crawley and Mark Bycroft at The Old Surrey.
Butterstocks Farm was the venue for the first and what a day we were given in and around Knepp country. To say it was well-fenced would be an understatement of almost criminal magnitude. Wonderful hedges, timber uprights and tiger traps kept us moving throughout the day and the few of us who could last the eye-wateringly fast day came home in the dark. Thanks so much to the Masters, who organised such a great day. Genuinely, much appreciated by all. The C&H have some beautiful country and we were privileged to be on such a well-maintained part of it. Really great fun. We all came back having made new friends.
For yesterday’s meet in OSBWK country, around 15 of us made the journey to Hever where we met in the shadow of the castle at the KIng Henry VIII pub. Sage, as you can see, took a few couple of hounds to augment the Old Surrey pack. It was another tremendous day over turf and in woodland. Fieldmaster Jeff Pegrum warned us that country was a bit tight, though so fast did he keep us moving we barely noticed. What a friendly bunch they are and what great support they show their huntsman and hounds. There must have been 100 out on a day which Mr Pegrum said would be difficult. Far from it. Tiger traps and uprights kept us on our toes (the second of the day with a deceptive sheer drop...) and it was non-stop from 11 till 5. Great, great fun.
Both away days earned nicely for Tumblers League. Addison’s Law, hurriedly enacted at the Pythchley earlier in the season (commemorating Mrs Lucy Addison’s valiant attempt a large hedge), allows us to count falls away from home. Thanks to the Masters and Secretaries of both packs for giving us great days when ours might have been left wanting.
Butterstocks Farm was the venue for the first and what a day we were given in and around Knepp country. To say it was well-fenced would be an understatement of almost criminal magnitude. Wonderful hedges, timber uprights and tiger traps kept us moving throughout the day and the few of us who could last the eye-wateringly fast day came home in the dark. Thanks so much to the Masters, who organised such a great day. Genuinely, much appreciated by all. The C&H have some beautiful country and we were privileged to be on such a well-maintained part of it. Really great fun. We all came back having made new friends.
For yesterday’s meet in OSBWK country, around 15 of us made the journey to Hever where we met in the shadow of the castle at the KIng Henry VIII pub. Sage, as you can see, took a few couple of hounds to augment the Old Surrey pack. It was another tremendous day over turf and in woodland. Fieldmaster Jeff Pegrum warned us that country was a bit tight, though so fast did he keep us moving we barely noticed. What a friendly bunch they are and what great support they show their huntsman and hounds. There must have been 100 out on a day which Mr Pegrum said would be difficult. Far from it. Tiger traps and uprights kept us on our toes (the second of the day with a deceptive sheer drop...) and it was non-stop from 11 till 5. Great, great fun.
Both away days earned nicely for Tumblers League. Addison’s Law, hurriedly enacted at the Pythchley earlier in the season (commemorating Mrs Lucy Addison’s valiant attempt a large hedge), allows us to count falls away from home. Thanks to the Masters and Secretaries of both packs for giving us great days when ours might have been left wanting.
Football | It's a Funny Old Game...
10/01/12
If anybody ever uses the words ‘twelve’ and ‘two’ in the same sentence again they are being sent home. It’s not clever and it’s not funny. What can I say? It was a game of two halves. That’s it really. We had some lovely oranges at half-time. Our strips looked nice. Quite a lot of CL&C supporters turned out. Here’s a few captured by Louise Harber. 
Look at them. They can barely contain their excitement. Frenzied they are. Lord Egremont’s spaniel didn’t eat a marker post this year. Here are the teams. The blue ones are the Wyndham and Nelson families, augmented by the Leconfield Estate XI. Lean, muscular, ready for action and, above all, young. Even Dave Whitby. Sadly the one the girls think is sweet and wore a fox outfit last time wasn’t playing nor the unfeasibly tall Chairman of Sothebys. The white ones comprise the CL&C XI. Lean, muscular ready for action and, above all, very old (apart from Steve and Tommy). And yes, I believe our team captain does have a cigarette in his hand. Clearly, this is an ironical reference to the flamboyant Brazilian teams of the 1970s. Think Socrates the legendary Corinthians captain, one of the greatest midfielders of all time who liked a fag at half-time. [There the resemblance ends - Ed] Note Dave Rees appears to be playing for Hibs while Messrs Hextall and Homan attempt to camouflage themselves in the opposition’s colours. Foggy and Jim Crowley are missing from the line-up as I gather someone locked the changing room door. Jamie Peel couldn’t make it in the end and Ed Roberts, well, we never did find out what happened to Ed. Best not to ask.
Genuinely, it wasn’t as one-sided as you might think. We had a brilliant time. And, believe it or not, we had the better of them in the first half. Honestly. Apart from goals, that is. (5 by the interval). And there was some spectacular action. Though none of it much troubled their goalkeeper down the other end. Which was just as well as Reid Summerhayes is recovering from diptheria or something. We must thank Lady Egremont whose idea this was many months ago now and to all those on the Estate who made the day happen. The family treated all of us, supporters and team alike, to a wonderful hog roast lunch, which made the defeat far easier to swallow. We probably have to thank Greg for something. Ah yes, for missing the easiest goal ever set up. And whichever very kind Wyndham daughter was overheard admonishing her team to “Please, please don’t score any more goals! You’ve got enough!”.
If I can summon up the energy you may be able to... Read More...
Genuinely, it wasn’t as one-sided as you might think. We had a brilliant time. And, believe it or not, we had the better of them in the first half. Honestly. Apart from goals, that is. (5 by the interval). And there was some spectacular action. Though none of it much troubled their goalkeeper down the other end. Which was just as well as Reid Summerhayes is recovering from diptheria or something. We must thank Lady Egremont whose idea this was many months ago now and to all those on the Estate who made the day happen. The family treated all of us, supporters and team alike, to a wonderful hog roast lunch, which made the defeat far easier to swallow. We probably have to thank Greg for something. Ah yes, for missing the easiest goal ever set up. And whichever very kind Wyndham daughter was overheard admonishing her team to “Please, please don’t score any more goals! You’ve got enough!”.
If I can summon up the energy you may be able to... Read More...
Some Glimpses from the Christmas Holidays
05/01/12
We had a terrific run of hunting over the 12 days of Christmas, undisrupted by the weather patterns. Though these have certainly been strange. The exceptionally mild conditions have made scenting a trying activity but when it works well, they really go. We’ve been out 8 times over the school holidays and the CL&C Hadron Collider (Deborah) has computed that nearly 600 of you came out mounted with us. Quite possibly the same 75 of you each time. Tumblers added 34 to its tally. All the usual suspects. Here are some vignettes from the festive season. Happy New Year to you all and happy hunting in 2012!
Stag Park | New Year's Eve
02/01/12
Our meet on New Year’s Eve was a very special occasion. It is exceptionally rare for us to come into Stag Park during the shooting season. This has not happened for some time and a field of 90 made the most of it. After some heavy rain the day before, the going was pretty tough but this put off only a few from tackling the hedges. This was most considerate of the majority because the tumblers account experienced a welcome 30% boost. Unlucky fallers included fieldmaster Tim Lee MFH on a superb horse, brilliant event rider and future Olympian Harry Dzenis, your huntsman, and Emma Shaw in her own back garden.
The Masters would like to thank all those who made this excellent day possible. Lord Egremont, Simon Knight, David Whitby, Reid Summerhayes and especially Greg Bull who hands-on approach made the whole thing possible in practical terms. Here’s to the next time!
Naturally Mr John Langdon marked the occasion with his customary flair..
The Masters would like to thank all those who made this excellent day possible. Lord Egremont, Simon Knight, David Whitby, Reid Summerhayes and especially Greg Bull who hands-on approach made the whole thing possible in practical terms. Here’s to the next time!
Naturally Mr John Langdon marked the occasion with his customary flair..
Coming Home | December 17
18/12/11
Now this picture (by the Surrey Union’s Sarah Godley) requires your concentration. Keep looking. The mounted figure is your huntsman. The red lights are a car’s rear headlamps and the tiny double pinpricks of light are your hounds returning home to the Minsted Sandpit bright-eyed after a long day. A very long day.
CL&C Grand Tour (2011/12) | A Day with the Pytchley
15/11/11
With the Pytchley hounds being hors de combat for a week or two, Daniel Cherriman in his first season there has been calling friends to help out. Sage and the Masters were delighted to respond favourably (most followers will immediately recognise the name ‘Cherriman’ and slightly older ones will remember Daniel’s tenure as Whip several years ago now).
A mounted party comprising our huntsman and and amateur whips Mark and Graham, Masters Tim, Paul, Robin and followers Suzanne Garner, Lucy Addison, Rachael Morley, Peter Button and Sarah Cherriman (that name again) made the journey. On foot: Sheila, Stan and Joy, Katie Ford, Barry the Box, Tim and Christopher Mardles, George Fitzalan-Howard. On the quads: Rich Prior, Tim Staines and Chris Cherriman (yet again that name...).
We were rewarded with an utterly vintage day. The going was perfect, scenting conditions superb and the country long, low, flat and green with plenty of opportunities to watch hounds work the trails. And plenty of opportunities to introduce horses to cattle and some pretty upright uprights. They are a great bunch at the Pytchley, incredibly welcoming and we have all made new friends, while some of us have renewed old friendships. Stan revealed he was born not far away at Brixworth and was thrilled to be coming home. As you’ll see from the Tumblers’ League Table (and, yes, Mrs Addison it does count away), coming home with slight bruising but with reputations more than intact for flying the CL&C flag bravely were Lucy and Rachael. They were brilliant and flew everything before and after a mishap each... In fact I believe we all acquitted ourselves pretty well. Plenty of jumping from field to field and the odd and testing hedge. Monday country is pretty good in Northamptonshire. Thanks to fieldmaster Stuart for showing us a good time and well done CL&C hounds and Sage who once again away from home were on terrific form.
We were rewarded with an utterly vintage day. The going was perfect, scenting conditions superb and the country long, low, flat and green with plenty of opportunities to watch hounds work the trails. And plenty of opportunities to introduce horses to cattle and some pretty upright uprights. They are a great bunch at the Pytchley, incredibly welcoming and we have all made new friends, while some of us have renewed old friendships. Stan revealed he was born not far away at Brixworth and was thrilled to be coming home. As you’ll see from the Tumblers’ League Table (and, yes, Mrs Addison it does count away), coming home with slight bruising but with reputations more than intact for flying the CL&C flag bravely were Lucy and Rachael. They were brilliant and flew everything before and after a mishap each... In fact I believe we all acquitted ourselves pretty well. Plenty of jumping from field to field and the odd and testing hedge. Monday country is pretty good in Northamptonshire. Thanks to fieldmaster Stuart for showing us a good time and well done CL&C hounds and Sage who once again away from home were on terrific form.
CL&C Photographers | The Season starts
13/11/11
The following photographers have been taking some magnificent pictures of the Hunt as the season opens. While the CL&C website is being adjusted to receive images, you can see them and others on :
Sue and Joe Bird
www.jsbeephotography.com
( Please contact Sue for a password )
Clive Bennett
www.polopictures.co.uk
Louise Harber
www.lhcountrysportsphotographer.me
Colin Barker
www.colinbarker.co.uk
Kevin Milner
www.kevinmilnercountryside.co.uk
Hounds and the Huntsman | back in stock!
18/08/11
W
e have re-ordered a batch of Michael Slowe’s award-winning DVD.
A glimpse into day-to-day life at the kennels, it illustrates on a broader level the working life of a huntsman and his hounds in the 21st century. It captures key moments in Sage's and his charges' year in Petworth and beyond: whelping new puppies; instructing the new entry; at exercise in the Park; his success at Ardingly in 2010; the Puppy Show; vignettes of Newcomers' Day and much much more, culminating in the spectacular autumnal backdrop of Petworth House and last season's Opening Meet. As well as ‘youtube’ favourite Bambam the fawn.
If you would like a copy, please send a cheque, payable to 'The CL&C Hunt' for £11.00 (includes p&p), to Robin Muir at Eckensfield, Compton, West Sussex PO18 9NT. All profits on these sales to go directly to hunt funds.
A glimpse into day-to-day life at the kennels, it illustrates on a broader level the working life of a huntsman and his hounds in the 21st century. It captures key moments in Sage's and his charges' year in Petworth and beyond: whelping new puppies; instructing the new entry; at exercise in the Park; his success at Ardingly in 2010; the Puppy Show; vignettes of Newcomers' Day and much much more, culminating in the spectacular autumnal backdrop of Petworth House and last season's Opening Meet. As well as ‘youtube’ favourite Bambam the fawn.
If you would like a copy, please send a cheque, payable to 'The CL&C Hunt' for £11.00 (includes p&p), to Robin Muir at Eckensfield, Compton, West Sussex PO18 9NT. All profits on these sales to go directly to hunt funds.