Kennel Diary

Showcasing the work of the hounds to the younger generation is vital for the future, says Harry Beeby

One of the highlights of the past July — and indeed of most hunting people’s year — is the Festival of Hunting, which takes place at the East of England Showground in Peterborough.

As luck would have it, temperatures during the event cooled to a mere 27°C compared with the 40°C of the week before. Arrangements were made by the Hunting Office and the showground to avoid hounds travelling in the heat the day before and

I’m glad to say there was a great turnout of packs and everyone enjoyed a fantastic day.

The Festival of Hunting brings people together from all over the British Isles and every type of hound is on show — foxhounds, harriers, beagles, bassets, draghounds and bloodhounds. There is something for everyone, not to mention the inter-hunt relay and endless shopping opportunities to ensure your hunting wardrobe is in good order for the season ahead.

As I write this in the final few days of July, I can barely believe the speed at which harvest is progressing. With the barley and oilseed rape already done in most places, farmers are cracking on with their wheat and the prospect of an early start to the hunting season is looking increasingly likely for many.

Hound exercise has been in full swing for a while now and some packs — if not all — will have already swapped pushbike for horsepower as the harvest progresses and hounds go out for longer each morning as they build to the start of the season.

Here, it has been lovely that we have been joined on a good number of mornings by hunt subscribers and supporters wishing to come out on exercise with the hounds. It is great to have people taking an interest in the hounds out of season. For those who have not done it, I encourage you to do so. Being out with hounds early on a summer morning is magical and something not to be missed. Speak to your hunt secretary, Master or hunt staff and they will be only too glad to welcome you, I’m sure.

“Being out with the hounds early on a summer morning is not to be missed”

The Fernie hounds will be going to Pony Club camp to be adored by the children for an hour or so. The connection between hunts and the Pony Club is so important and stretches back to the foundation of this great institution 1929. Many packs will take their hounds to Pony Club camp each summer and give the children the chance to meet the hounds, hear about how they can go hunting if they haven’t before and ask any questions they may have.

Opportunity

Most hunts will hold a few days each season designed exclusively for children. Pony Club meets are to be hugely encouraged and if a child is not able to be escorted by a parent, there will more often than not be people willing to take them under their wing so they can enjoy the day’s hunting to the full.

Another great way of keeping a good connection with the Pony Club is inviting them to the kennels for an afternoon. This goes for all clubs that wish to know more about hunting and hounds, such as Young Farmers, Scouts and Guides.

We have hosted all these this summer and it is so encouraging to see how much it is enjoyed and how much is learned. Any opportunity to showcase our hounds to the young must be grabbed with both hands, as they are indeed the future.

Harry Beeby lives in Bedfordshire, is a keen huntsman and a dedicated conservationist with a passion for country sports.

Hounds are the star attraction at the Festival of Hunting, which is held in Peterborough each year