An historic account of a Hamilton Harriers hare hunt in Hasketon in 1895. This is one of several newspaper articles from the period describing hunting in the region.
These days hunting with dogs is illegal and, on balance, I think rightly so – even though as a general principle I’m not normally in favour of banning things1. Sadly, whilst the participants referred to themselves as ‘sportsmen’, there doesn’t actually appear to have been very much sporting about it. Thirty dogs and horses chasing after a single, terrified hare or fox is clearly a bit of a miss-match and, to be fair, the hare or fox probably didn’t get asked if it wanted to play the game in the first place. On top of this, food is scarce in the winter and maybe hares and foxes would rather focus on, you know, conserving energy and staying warm instead of going on an energy sapping long cross country run. Perhaps this form of hunting should be allowed to continue, provided the participants rename the activity a little more appropriately: ‘Fox Worrying’, perhaps, or maybe ‘Hare Lynching’.
All that said, hunting with dogs did take place all over England and Europe, and was a significant part of the rural economies for several hundred years. The damage to the local wildlife was probably tiny compared to losses due to natural causes (predation, hunger, disease, cold, traffic etc), it gave a lot of pleasure to people from all walks of life, and the spectacle could be very impressive. So, wearing my historian hat I make no apology about including the following account about a meet of the ‘Hamilton Harriers’ in Hasketon in 1895.
Hunting in East Suffolk.
A bit of backstory probably helps here: In the late 1850s Frederick Barlow, son of the rector of Burgh, had taken up residence in The Shrubbery (now called Yew Tree House), in Shrubbery Lane, Hasketon, with the intention of building up a horse stud. Whilst living in Burgh he had already become a keen foot hunter, and had built up a small pack of hunting dogs for this purpose. Pedestrian hunting obviously had its limitations, so later when in Hasketon he switched to hunting on a horse and named the pack the ‘Woodland Harriers”. The pack became popular with many hunters during the following years.
Later on in the late 1870s he sold the pack to the 12th Duke of Hamilton, the owner of Easton Park Mansion (originally located behind the conspicuous ‘crinkle-crankle’ wall visible on the main road through the village of Easton). The Duke and his family were keen hunters, and this pack then formed the basis of the “Hamilton Harriers” pack. As time went on the Hamilton Harriers became the premier hunting group in this part of Suffolk, holding many meets during the winter months. Their prime quarry was usually hares, rather than foxes.
The Duke died suddenly in 1895 aged 50, and this newspaper extract from the EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1895 describes the first meet after his death. The Hasketon connection continued when Lionel Digby, owner of Home Farm at the time, offered to take charge of the Hamilton Harriers and to provide accommodation for the now quite large pack of dogs.
Two accounts of the event.
THE HAMILTON HARRIERS – OPENING MEET AT HASKETON.
The very name of “Hamilton Harriers” wakes up pleasant memories in the minds of many sportsmen – aye and sportswomen too – in the wide breath of country so generously hunted by the late Duke of Hamilton and Brandon Kt. When the sad news of the lamented death of the noble Duke was received, there were grave apprehensions lest the last should have on heard of the Hamilton Harriers. Messrs. Digby and Goldfinch, two popular gentlemen, well-known and highly esteemed amongst sportsmen in the Woodbridge country, pluckily came to the rescue, and made an offer so liberal to hunt the country that it was accepted, “with many thanks”.
These gentlemen received tangible proofs of support from the more active members of the Hunt and the Duke’s hounds were purchased, and it may be interesting to not a few to know that her Grace the Duchess of Hamilton not only consented to the continued use of the name “Hamilton Harriers”, but expressed a wish that they might be so named. Thus, in the enjoyable meets which it is hoped are in store under the new regime, the liberality and kindness of the late Duke will be kept fresh in the memory of all who are able to join in the sport.
The kennels are now at the Home Farm, Hasketon, and the first meet for the present season took place on Monday. There was a large and brilliant gathering, there being some 60 or 70 huntsmen, while a large number of ladies also graced the field by their presence. The day was delightfully bright, and the meet took place under happiest auspices in every respect save one —the scent was bad. The going was heavy, and the soil clung to the hare. The start was made at about 11 o’clock, and the hounds were smart, and merry, and eager for the fray. It was a gay and animated scene enhanced by the glorious autumnal attire of the woods and fences. Mr. Goldfinch took the position of huntsman, and Mr. Digby that of first whip2, and it must have been gratifying to these gentlemen to find themselves supported in so hearty and enthusiastic a manner.
There was no lack of sport, hares being abundant, but the spins were short, owing to the entire absence of scent, and the file passed quickly up to lunch, when the field found themselves at the Kennels, and that Messrs. Goldfinch and Digby had provided a substantial and elegant luncheon. Their thoughtfulness and generosity was much appreciated, and Mr. W. N. Waller offered his congratulations to Messrs. Goldfinch and Digby on the fact of there being such a large field to do honour to the first meet, and he expressed the sincere hope there was plenty of sport for the remainder of the season. Ms. Waller added there might perhaps, in these hard times, be a little disposition on the of some to grumble at their land being ridden over but this was quite certain — that Messrs. Goldfinch and Digby were the two best men to be found in the country to get over little difficulties of this nature and to go practically where they liked. It is almost unnecessary to say that the toast was received with the utmost heartiness, and Nr. Digby, in acknowledgement, expressed the pleasure with which he and his friend Mr. Goldfinch found themselves surrounded by such a large number of the members of the Hunt.
After lunch there was a good spin or two, including a smart one to the grounds of Colonel Barlow. Another hare showed the way to the top of the hill, near Woodbridge, but the hounds lost her. She was, however, found, for she ran through the town, and found a last resting-place in the yard of the Waggon and Horses Inn.
Altogether it was a most enjoyable meet, and there are evidently other enjoyable days in store this season. The Hunt is fortunate in having such an energetic hon. secretary as Capt. A.W. Cobbold. The next meet will be on Friday at the Moat Farm, Cretingham, the intention being to adhere as closely as possible to the old order of things, Monday for the lighter or Woodbridge country, and Friday for the heavier or Eye side3. Messrs. Goldfinch and Digby are to be congratulated on their first turn-out, and the members of the Hunt are fortunate in having found two gentlemen men so ready and capable of carrying on the hunt.
EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1895
A well-known sportsman writes: — Thanks to the liberality and large-hearted generosity of Messrs. Goldfinch and Digby, the long-looked-for hunting with this popular pack has come at last to stimulate and give new life to many of us, after the relaxing influence of a tropical summer. Bat, racket, and even golf have all been willingly laid aside for cross-country riding—that king of sports, which makes women brave and men strong and stout-hearted. The season opened on Monday at the Home Farm, Hasketon, which is conveniently situated near to sporting town of Woodbridge, and not many miles from: Ipswich. This was a certain guarantee that the meet would be a large and representative one, and included, in addition to some of the wearers of the pink from the Essex and Suffolk, several old and well-known followers of the Hamilton Harriers: viz., Miss Lowther (Campsea Ash), Mrs. Ayme Aymand, Mrs. Martin Long, Miss Cobbold, Misses Fraser (2), Mr. W. N. Waller, Drs. Ling and Kirkpatrick, Capt. A.W. Cobbold (hon. secretary), Mr. Frank Wood, Mr. George Johnson, Mr. Mies, Mr. Showell, Mr.Long, Mr. Bandall, Mr. Roberts, Messrs. Lowin (2), Mr. Spencer Dawson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Plant Walton, Mr. Pratt, Mr. George Cobbold, Mr. King, etc.
The pack (16 ½ couples)4, notwithstanding their long rest, were looking the pink of perfection, in good working condition, symmetrical in outline, and beautifully marked, even to a nicety. The day, proved that they were wonderfully well in hand, and the huntsmen and first whip richly deserved the praise bestowed upon them for the sportsmanlike and patient way they allowed the hounds to work out the line over stubble and plough. The horn having sounded, the hounds were trotted off to a large barley stubble, and quickly found a hare, which gave us a spin of seven minutes over ploughs and was lost. A second and a third hare were easily found, but owing to the most indifferent scent the hounds had to throw up every few minutes. At this stage our kind host thought it best to return to the Home Farm, where we were most hospitably entertained to all the good things of this world, washed down with old nut-brown ale, quite strong enough to make us all ride like men in the afternoon. This repast over, Mr. W. N. Waller (as chairman of the Hunt Committee) asked all those present to fill their glasses and drink to the health of Meses. Digby and Goldfinch, and then reminding the field that as the Masters were responsible for damage done, he asked them to be careful in riding over crops such as wheat, beans, etc.
Time up, we were away again, and found scent improved, as on finding a hare in a stubble at the back of the kennels she gave us a pretty spin over some meadows to Hasketon Ozier Bed; being dislodged she made for the Shrubbery, where she was lost. Our run with hare number four covered more ground, as she started close to Colonel Barlow’s and made tracks for the old racecourse, then turning sharply to the right she ran straight for the Bredfield Road, close to Woodbridge, where the hounds were drawn off. Another try and another find on Mr. Pratt’s land5, Melton. The hounds quickly worked up to puss6, and drove along at a fair pace to the Lower Wood, Hasketon, skirting it on the left; back somewhat in the same direction to the water jump, where we lost.
The going was terribly heavy, and therefore it was not surprising to see riderless horses about, and during a spin in the afternoon a weak-seated sportsman soiled his best Gordon cords in a sticky, greasy plough’; however, he was soon mounted, this time quite glued in the saddle, and I am glad to say seemed none the worse for his severe shaking.
Thus ended the first advertised meet of the season
EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1895.
Epilogue
The Hamilton Harriers were re-named the “Easton Harriers” in about 1910 and dispite many problems were able to keep going throughout the rest of the century. Following the Burns Inquiry in 2000 hunting with dogs was banned in England in 2004. The Easton Harriers disbanded in 2019.
If you really want to read more about the Hamilton Harriers, see “All Thanks to His Grace – A history of the Easton Harriers“, by Bridget Harvey, 1986.
And finally, to lighten things I can’t resist providing a link to Jethro Tull’s slightly naughty song, “A Hunting Girl“. Enjoy!
Footnotes.
- For starters, who gets to decide what is acceptable or not? And if the wheel turns over time, once the precedence for banning things you don’t like has been set, the ‘banners’ might find themselves being banned for their views. ↩︎
- Huntsman: Often doubles as the ‘master’. Essentially in charge of the hounds and leading the hunt. The boss.
Whip, or whipper: the huntsman right hand man helping with the hounds – often towards the rear of the field to ensure no hounds go off on their own. ↩︎ - This refers to the ground. West of Woodbridge the ground is mostly heavy clay, making it hard work for both horses and hounds. To the East of the town, including Rendlesham and the Suffolk Sandlings, the ground is primarily lighter sandy soil and easier going. ↩︎
- The hounds are counted in pairs, so 16 ½ couples is 33 dogs. ↩︎
- At the time Ismael Pratt farmed Foxburrow Hall Farm in Melton. Note there was no A12 road at the time, so galloping there from Hasketon would have been easy. ↩︎
- ‘Puss’ is an archaic name for a hare. ↩︎