| Masters |
Stewart Shaw, Malcolm Bell, Stephen Burns
|
| Kennels |
Beaumont Park
Huddersfield |
| Huntsman |
James Swanbury
|
| Previous masters |
Peter Hole
Terry Jagger
Charles Ainley |
| Chairman |
Duncan Branch |
| Hon Treasurer |
David Swanbury |
| Hon Secretary |
Miss M A Walmsley
|
| Country |
The country is centred around the west and north of
Huddersfield in Yorkshire and into the Lancashire border areas.
There is a wide variation from the high heathered moorland of the
Pennines where the blue hare is found, to the hilly rough
pastureland enclosed by dry stone walls of the fleet brown hare. The
highest point of the Pennine range in the area is Black Hill, aptly
named, which reaches to 1,908 feet. |
| History |
The pack, previously trencher fed harriers, was
established as a beagle pack in 1951 and located in purpose built
kennels in Butternab Wood near Huddersfield. The old cottage of the
huntsman is a historic building and at one time harboured Luddite
fugitives. The longest serving huntsman was Ken Green who retired
after twenty seasons in 1972 and who is still a regular follower as
well as playing an active role in the hunt. He, along with Simon
Shaw wrote a history of the hunt and this book may still be obtained
for £10 at the time of writing.
There is a strong musical tradition in the area. So apart from the
exhilaration of hunting through some dramatic scenery and rugged
country, the social life of the hunt centres around the hunting
songs that have been passed on, as well those more recently written
to commemorate events or for general amusement and pleasure. So it
is of no surprise that some of the local characters associated with
hunting have become well known for their talents as entertainers in
the folk music field as well as the hunting field. |
| Subscriptions |
Single - £35.00
Joint - £47.00
Senior Citizen - £17.00
Junior (under 18) - £5.00 |
| |
Pictures of the Colne Valley Beagles are
on this page... |
