The Hertfordshire Hunt

by William Scarth-Dixon

The Hunts Association, 1933

Paperback booklet, 19*12.5 cm, 50 pages

This book says that the Hunt owes its origins to the Countess of Salisbury, who formed a pack in or about 1775. Owing to ill-health she handed the hounds over to the Hertfordshire Hunt Club in 1819 but remained in come sort of control until 1828 when she was succeeded by Mr Thomas Sebright. Details are then given of the Hunt under succeeding Masters of the Hounds.

The booklet gives details (including winners) of Puppy Show and Point-to-Point Meetings between 1922 and 1930.  For instance at the Point-to-Point Meeting at Highfield Hall, St Albans, on April 6th 1922 "There were five runners in the Farmers Heavy Weight Races. They were headed by Mr A. J. Reynolds' U Boat (Mr. D. D. Bulger), with Mr. R. Booth's Kildare (Mr. R, Booth) and Mr A. J. Reynolds' Scratchface (Major G. Moody) following in order." The 1923, 1924 and 1925 meetings were also held at Highfield Hall, with later meetings at Friars Wash.

There is a Hunting Season Report for 1930-31 and "A Few Hints" which includes the following advice relating to the motor cars, which were obviously becoming a problem.

Motor cars are not taboo at meets of the Hertfordshire, but that does not mean that you can go out in your motor and follow the line the hounds take. That means spoiling sport and such a line of conduct is unpardonable. There is, however, the man who comes from a distance to hunt in legitimate fashion and who perchance is obliged to travel by motor car. To him I would say, see to it that your chauffeur does not follow on. ...

Remember then, always, that it is impossible for hounds to show any sport with lanes full of motor cars.

To the man who has not a long distance to go to the fixture, I would urge that he should not use the motor car at all as a covert hack. Let him rise half an hour earlier and ride his hunter on to the fixture. He can always do this easily enough when the fixture can be reached within two hours or two hours and a half. ...

Meet at the Bonar Law Memorial College, Ashridge House

PRINCIPAL MEETS of the HERTFORDSHIRE

Ashridge House, Ayot House, Barton, Billington, Box Wood, Breachwood Green, Bricketwood Station, Broadwater, Brocket Hall, Bulls Green, Caddington, Cheverells Green, Chiltern Green, Clophill, Cupid's Green, Datchworth. Edlesborough, Gaddesden Place, Gorhambury, Gt. Wymondley, Hexton, Houghton Regis, Hudnall Common, Kennels, Kingsbourne Green, King's Walden, Leverstock Green, Lilley, Meppershall, Milwards Park, No Man's Land, Norcott Hill, Northwood End, Perry Green, Pirton X Roads, Preston, Pulloxhill, Putteridge Bury, Rabley Heath, Ringshall, Serge Hill, Shillington, Silsoe, Stags End, Strealtey, St. Paul's Walden, Sundon, Tewinwater, Tilsworth, Whipsnade, Wrest Park.

 
Releasing the Hounds at Hatfield Park

Locating Books Older booklets of this kind are can be hard to find.

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