SEPTEMBER 4 marked the beginning of another season's hunting with the Bedale Hunt.

The first autumn meet was held from the kennels at Little Fencote, near Northallerton, with over 50 horses turning out and many foot followers, all showing their support for this now threatened sport.

The morning was a huge success with three and a half brace accounted for in just two coverts and a field of sugar beet, ending on a high note at 9.30am.

Master of Foxhounds for the past six seasons, Charles Frampton yet again did the Bedale proud and has started his seventh season with a 'bang'. Accompanied by 25 couple of clean hounds they started the day drawing a covert near the kennels. After all the rain, the going resembled a quagmire resulting in some very black hounds in the first few minutes. The covert held many good foxes, much to everyone's delight.

Riders included adults and children, all very eager for this new season to start. The large number of children was refreshing to say the least, proving that this sport has a purpose and is attractive to all ages.

Accompanying Charles for the day, learning the ropes and acting as whip-in, was the talented Harry Thompson. Harry, at 13 years old, is already a mine of information on the subject of hunting.

"He did a great job and is so keen to learn", said Charles. "He's a joy and pleasure to have with us".

Charles Frampton hails from Somerset but ventured north in 1998 to join the Bedale as Master of Foxhounds. He has been riding to hounds since he was six years old, starting with the Blackmoor Vale, Stowe Beagles and Exmoor hunts.

Charles attended the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, reading land management. He also hunted with the local pack, the RAC, at the same time.

Today he manages 31 couple of hounds, of which only eight couple are dogs, the rest are bitches. He has a complicated and very effective breeding programme with some fine hounds as the result. Each year they endeavour to breed eight couple of puppies, which are given out to selected hunt supporters for 'puppy walking', before returning to the hunt kennels for training.

Charles brought with him into the mastership four of his own horses, with his favourite being Felix, a stunningly well-mannered and very experienced bay gelding.

The staff at the kennels consists of two grooms whose job it is to look after ten horses, Kevin Newcombe the terrier man whose role within the hunt is vital for successful days, and Richard Tabberer, the kennel huntsman, who not only looks after a total of 31 couple of Bedale hounds, but also 30 couple from the West of Yore Hunt. Together they make a formidable team.

Another vital part of the team who help make each day a success are the other two joint masters, Mary Tweddle and Peter Patrick. Mary is the field master with a reputation for being one of the finest in the country, and very highly respected by all the hunt members. Peter, who joined the mastership last year, comes from Lancashire and makes the long journey twice a week to fulfil his hunt duties.

When I asked for Charles's view on the current political situation facing hunting, Charles replied: "I try not to think about the politics and just get on with my job at hand. It is hard, but all that one can do. If they do ban hunting then I guess I will have to move abroad. At least politics doesn't matter and I can do what I love - hunt hounds".

Anyone who is interested in hunting with the Bedale as full members or visitors may contact the Hon Secretary Shelia Hollins on 01609 772633.

With several autumn hunting meets still to come before the opening meet, we all wait with bated breath to see how this season will span out.

Published: 01/10/2004