Edna Philp
Bassets Column
Edna Philp
Good morning everyone: a belated Happy New Year to all the TMV readers from this cold and frosty corner of Essex where the sun is coming through and the farm looks glorious.
I've put away my waterproof trousers and beating stick for another year. The shooting season has come to an end and we can now concentrate on hunting twice a week until the end of the season, weather permitting.
We have a small shoot here at home which involves all the family, one way or another. Our eldest son James is gamekeeper, and we had nine days this winter. This includes four let days, three guest days, an official beaters’ day, and then a 'boys' day right at the end. I have to say they are all enjoyable and much fun, but the beaters’ day is the best fun of all.
Each day I lay on ‘full English’ for about a dozen of the regular beaters, which includes husband, three sons and various friends. The banter starts here and a sweep is organised to guess the number in the bag that day. Of course, then the ability of the guns comes under scrutiny, and the weather which is a major factor too.
John (hubby) works a springer (spaniel) and I have two jack russells - Tia and Marge; the latter being the daughter, nearly two years old and still an apprentice at the job. They work as a team on rabbits and can be very vocal especially when chasing them on one of the drives when you can hear them getting very excited.
A couple of friends who hunt with the bassets also come. Roy who whips-in brings his Patterdale terrier, Julia who picks-up with a cocker and a springer, while her husband Nigel beats. I also go beating to a much larger shoot which has over 20 days and is big business for the landowner, so the season really is very concentrated.
Shooting also generates more income for the local economy, many shooting parties frequent local pubs for meals, both before and after the day’s shoot. Our own beaters day had 36 of us at our local pub The Bell for the supper in the evening, and a very jolly affair it was too.
Shooting and hunting can and do run very well together throughout the winter. We have several meets where we are welcomed even though there are shooting days at close proximity. We can actually help pick up wounded game which actually happened a couple of weeks ago. Cockney, a young entry from this year, dispatched a cock bird which couldn't fly. He tried the retrieve but lost interest and abandoned it…bless him (must do more training through the summer!).
Sadly no puppies yet, the bitch I sent to the East Lincs did not hold and so I hope to try again in the spring. I also have the prospect of the French liaison between Biscuit and her French Basset 'Uster'. Unfortunately she came in season just before Xmas when I was up to my elbows in turkey trussing but it would have been an ideal time for the prospect of a spring litter. We do have some jack russells expected in March though with Tia having her 2nd litter.
This month sees us migrate west for our annual trip to Wiltshire and the Beaufort country for our meet there: a visit I look forward to immensely as I feel I am going home. We also have two joint meets arranged, our usual with the Albany & West Lodge Bassets and one with the Stour Valley Beagles. The latter have kindly invited us to the home of Roger & Fiona Clark who own and hunt the East Anglian Bloodhounds, now in their 20 season.
Both of these will be good days I'm sure. It is always good to get together with other packs and see other hounds at work. I just hope the extended winter weather we are having does not spoil too many of our plans.
During the past few weeks there have been moves afoot at the East Essex where we kennel, which may have seen the hunt merge with another pack. I am pleased to say this has not happened, and we still have a roof over our heads for at least another season.
Our subscribers have been incredibly generous this month with our weekly raffle held prior to each meet. Each January for the past few years we have donated what we made to the Essex Air Ambulance which is entirely self funding. This year we have raised £220 which will be handed over at our meet on the 14th Feb. Our subscribers are such a great bunch of people, and we as a hunt are so very lucky to have them.
NB: The East Essex has two new joint masters to hunt the 2009/10 season and we all wish them every success in their mission.
Edna Philp