LETTER OF THE WEEK

Sir — One aspect of Mike Tucker’s very busy life, which has only been mentioned briefly in the various tributes to him, is his field mastering in the Beaufort Monday country.

During his eight or so seasons, he kept the area open and farmed an important part of it himself. This was always well foxed and easy to cross.

Mike had a relaxed attitude to the job and made sure it was fun for everyone involved. There was almost never a cross word or raised voice, and he was particularly tolerant of genuine fox hunters.

He had a good eye, along with the advantage of being a brave and excellent horseman. I do not remember him frightening us, but he crossed the country with ease. In quiet moments, he had an uncanny knack of following conversations, often coming up with a knowing remark and a smile several fields on! Inevitably hunting has changed, but those of us who followed him were lucky. James Crosbie Dawson Overton, Hants