Wendy Marshall
Hunting Makes Better People
Wendy
Wendy Marshall grew up in Yorkshire where her dad was a gamekeeper, and began hunting with the Middleton Foxhounds, and the Hunsley Beacon Beagles. Aged 15 she began whipping-in with Brighton and Storrington Beagles, and stayed there for 13 seasons helping in kennels, showing hounds, rearing the puppies, etc, as well as running fund raising events for the hunt.
Once again it is approaching the end of February and the realisation that the end of the season is approaching. Having missed several days this season I was really impressed to see the improvement in the young entry (both the hounds and the boys!).
The youngsters are finding their role in the pack and becoming hard workers, making it much easier for the whips and huntsmen to enjoy their day. Recently I attended the joint meet of the Eton and Radley College Beagles it was nice to see the high standards of turn out the packs have. The level of attention to detail shows a real respect to farmers, landowners and the members. A correctly tied stock or clean pair of trainers can make all the difference.
These self-disciplines are vital to demonstrate our professionalism and it’s nice to see how the younger members continue to meet the expectations. While some may argue that these issues are unimportant, they are nevertheless noticed by many. It was commented by a member of the field how nice it was to see the hounds holding up and walking behind their huntsmen to the draw. This is something that baffles my non-hunting friends who struggle to control one dog!
For many ‘youngsters’ hunting also provides a sense of purpose. I have been told they prefer to be out in the countryside than hanging around with nothing to do although there are moments when you wonder if it is only the scenery that has changed for some, while others do all the running around.
...I can’t think of a young follower who goes hunting that meets the stereotypical image that the young are given by the media...
While the days of ‘tugging your forelock’ may have diminished hunting still provides an etiquette for the young to follow. On a recent day’s hunting everyone thanked the game keeper for his support without prompt, when he appeared. A cheery good morning or good night (strangely said whatever time of day you leave the field) or the tradition of thanking the master for the day gives a basic structure. I can’t think of a young follower who goes hunting that meets the stereotypical image that the young are given by the media.
Wendy
Our post Christmas tour to the Borders drew attention to how much hunting draws together the rural community. The drinks party that meant to be for 30 ended up hosting 70 much to the bemusement of the man of the house. But such is the close community it would have been impossible to leave someone out.
As I was writing part of this I could hear laughter coming from a nearby room as everyone was settled round a roaring fire with a beer addressing the day, and what was to come.
Having had a trail layer that didn’t realise that he was meant to go round the valley not over it gave us a long pullout of the Ettrick valley into the Yarro Valley for an hour before we could stop him. Luckily we had no shortage of fresh trail layers and during the week we were able to test hounds in many different situations and in stunning surroundings.
Everyone was so welcoming and I was lucky enough to be given a horse for a day with the foxhounds. It was lovely to see so many ponies flying around with parents knowing that they were safe. At one point I heard “what’s her name?”-“Ok, I’ve got her with me” with just the job of keeping up on everyone’s mind.
…It would be impossible to remember all the friendships started…
There can’t be many situations where parents can trust complete strangers with their children like they can on the hunting field. It would be impossible to remember all the friendships which started from a quick conversation on the field, and from this trip even more have been added while giving us the chance to catch up with old ones.
It is also nice for us to see that James Tennent will be going as the new huntsman to the Claro Beagles. We have the video evidence of him whipping in as a young 12 year old, quite different to the young man that visited last week.
Seeing the ‘young pups’ follow on from the ‘old hounds’ is a very rewarding part of the job and we wish him all the best. Speaking to Lizzie Salmon about all the applications they receive for the AMHB young hunter award, and to our boys planning which packs they can follow during their university, it is evident that there is such a passion in the young for the continuation of hunting.Wendy Marshall