Coakham Bloodhounds Home Page


Web site for the Coakham Bloodhounds LLP updated May 14th 2013 Web Site Editor: Jo Carr - Email address for your photos ands news - josep.carr@o2.co.uk JOIN US ON FACEBOOK VISITORS WELCOME OUR KIND SPONSORS INCLUDE: Howard Newitt and Milbourne Equine Vets Nigel's photo's of the Opening Meet - CLICK HERE PLEASE PRINT OFF AND SIGN A DISCLAIMER AND HAND IN TO THE HUNT AT THE MEET TEA: We ask that people bring some along to meets so we can pool and share (we supply the liquid tea and mugs!) NEW: We are now taking advertisements on the Coakham Website - and the excellent equine vets, Milbourne Equine, are our first client! If you would like to advertise, please contact Master and Treasurer Lindsay Newitt, M 07808 170 804 for details. A message from Master Roger (retired) Hound Parade at Royal Windsor from Nigel Puppy Show Photos by Nigel! New Merchandise Page now up YouTube video of Oxendean, Jevington Helen McAll's quite excellent HatCam sequences to music! Horse and Hound Photos from the Rickney Meet! Quarry George, who is recovering very well, rushed out and bought his copy last week "Our local paper shop were surprised when I bought a copy of Horse & Hound and very impressed when I showed them why even if I wasn't in the quarry photo"! ******** The 2010 2011 Season photos and reports Support our Quarry: Garth Baker Professional Builder T 01323831941. M 07980771897. GFCBaker@live.co.uk The Hunt Supporters Merchandise - Jackets, Hoodies, T-shirts, Caps, Umbrellas, Wallets, Badges, Boot Bags, Christmas Cards and much more can all be viewed and purchased at Tea. See Maggie Hurst or Ami Holden who will be pleased to help. First Time Out Guide We offer a wide range of meets, some with very little jumping at all, and even on the hedge days there are always ways round. The photos show us all jumping hedges because we all love those on our mantleshelves but you do not have to jump them! However, you do need a fit horse and sound brakes. The BBC film of the Coakham - finally on YouTube!!! Get your copy of Feb 2011 Local Rider - Miss Jorrocks and Nigel's photos at Iden have a starring role! CLICK HERE to see a pdf CLICK HERE for The Washington Post Story as it appeared in the newspaper - we headed the Style section - Of Course!!! The Coakham Bloodhounds in photos from Local Rider PAGE 1 - PAGE 2 Member of the Masters of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association CLICK HERE Will Cursham's Horse & Hound write up IS HERE** - Hunting Humans in Bear Country. "I have to say that researching this pack is a writer’s dream. They have one of the best hunt websites that I have seen, jammed with information". Photos and pdf of the article reproduced with thanks to Horse & Hound Horse and Hound photos:- Album 1 - Album 2 - Album 3 for an animation of the last hedge click here For a list of all the YouTube links up so far click here For meet listings also visit Pegasus Magazine's web site UK Links International Links Tributes: Major Nigel Budd and John Lloyd You Tube Links Frankham Farm 2006 *- 877 views, a 5 ranking and the following comment: "as a fellow bloodhound owner and horse lover, this was awesome to watch,,scarey but awesome, I hope no horses were injured or rider" Larkins Brewery 2006 1087 views and the following comment:"how come those Bh's walk with the lead horse? this is very interesting. WHy do some horses appraoch the jump but then turn away? What are the BH's tracking,,thanks" Bassetts Manor 2006 - 1092 views Firle Place 2006 738 views Mickey and the quad stuck at Larkins** 1093 views and a 5* ranking The Coakham Wooden Horse race night: 211 views The Coakham at Cherry Croft (to music!!) 1224 views and the following comment: "wow what a beautiful dogs and horses together!! worship." Hever 2007 Penshurst 2007 07/08 Season Photo Albums The 2006-7 Photo Album Collection The official site of The Coakham Bloodhounds - Created and maintained by Josephine Carr Copyright 2000 - 2013 © The Coakham Bloodhounds The American Film Crew's Pitch Film from Bookers Farm - CLICK HERE	PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEB SITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES For all of our summer events - see Dates for Your Diaries below. NEXT EVENTS: June 15th, Sponsored Ride, Baron's Grange! ENTRY FORM - SCHEDULE Date for the Diary - Kate's popular Coakham Beach Ride: Sunday 23rd June. Parking is the same as last year, in field behind Star Inn, Normans Bay, Cooden. We aim to leave the field at 5.30pm to hack to the beach.The pub is open for meals or just have a drink after.£10 per rider. Please clear up after your horse. All enquires call Kate Miles on 07910361142. Directions to the field, Take sluice road off Pevensey roundabout towards Normans Bay. Stay on the lane all the way to the Star inn. The field is just past the pub on the left hand side.. Facebook comments on the first ride at Barons Grange on Monday May 6th: Paula O'connor: thank you for a brilliant day great weather, great ride and lovely people what more can one ask for. x Nicky Earland: A really lovely day with great jumping. A big thank you to Ann derby who paired up with me. We had a good time and chatted all the way round. Xx Jane Hollis: A big thank you to all those involved in organising the ride - we had a fantastic time! Sarah Baldwin: Thanks to all the organisers for putting this on and to the cake makers - those cakes were amazing! We had a great time. x Official photographer at the first Baron's Grange ride: Photo Events UK Tel: 01 580 830157 Fax: 01 580 831984 Email: photo-events@supanet.com DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES Sponsored Rides June 15th - Barons Grange, Iden September 22nd - Montague, Hankham All have optional jumps and are great fun! The Supporters Club Summer Rides will start June 28th The Annual Puppy Show will be at the Kennels at Slivericks on July 7th. We have an exciting new entry including the puppies from Edam, who came from Holland, and the three Bruna de Jura hounds. Everyone is invited to attend and see if you agree with the judges - followed by tea. Hound Parades - these are great fun and help is always appreciated. Heathfield - May 25th Bexhill Horse Show - May 27th Kent County Show - July 12th (with a Coakham Hunt Relay Team in action as well) We will also be trying hard to regain the Champion Hound Trophy won last year by Invader at the Hound Show, Peterborough on July 17th. Now the season is finished, hounds will be excercised most days at 10am or 6pm depending on the weather. Come and join in, there are a few bikes avaialable. Contact the kennels for more details! The Magnificent Annual Hunt Ball will be February 2014 at High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells Morghew - Nigel's Photos http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-morghew-park-april Jevington Place - Nigel's Photos http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-jevington-place-april Nigel's photos from Folkington Manor Nigel's photos from Meopham can be found here Nigel's photos from Cornish Farm can be found here Photos from Craig and Nigel from the lovely day at Crockstead Craig's photos can be found at http://craigpayne.co.uk/EVENTS.aspx Nigel's photos can be found at http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-crockstead-february-2013 . Craig's photos can be found at http://craigpayne.co.uk/EVENTS.aspx Thank you to Nigel who came out for the Oxendean Meet only to be defeated by rubbish directions from me as to the first jump and the fog! Still, he did capture for posterity Caroline Richardson's first outing with her new fabulous new pony, Mojo! Miss Jorrocks writes from Jevington: On Sunday 2nd February hounds met at Oxendean Farm by kind permission of Stephen and Fizz Carr. This was, as typical this season, a weather induced change to the card - the "hill" being some of the last remaining viable country we have. Miss Jorrocks, despite being a lady of a certain age, cannot recall a season in which the weather has been quite so foul and unrelenting. But, let us not be gloomy - let's look on the bright side. It was lovely to be out and to see our natural order restored as our senior Master and Huntsman took control of his hounds once more. Veteran Master Jo and new Master Lindsay had set up the day between them. Experience and enthusiasm showed in equal measure as hounds were laid on within seconds of leaving the meet and the field led off at a smart hunting canter up a gentle incline. A perfect way to settle everyone with symptoms of cabin fever! Three quarry provided our sport, Dave the Local, Chris Wheeler and Max. They proved accurate, fast and exceptionally good natured, particularly when required to orienteer in thick fog. Three hunts made up the day and we hardly dwelt as hounds were in good voice, the quarry swift and precise, and horses and riders anxious to keep moving in a damp and creeping cold. It was a text book day, despite jumping boundaries in thick fog! Anne Derby had very kindly lent her lovely horse, Alfie, to Master Jo for the day. Alfie conducted himself with great dignity and gravitas although, being a white grey, he disappeared frequently - swallowed up and camouflaged by the mist. Long standing member, Caroline Richardson, was out on her new mount "Mojo", fresh off the boat from Ireland and remarkably efficient and professional at his job. Miss Jorrocks hopes the day will never arrive when we have to help Caroline find her Mojo and wishes them a long and happy partnership. Thus the day drew peacefully to a close and, after a quick Tea and a final catch up, Miss Jorrocks was soon homeward bound delighted by her dose of fresh air and exercise. Miss Jorrocks Writes - From Firle.... On Sunday 13th January hounds met at Firle Place, the guests of Viscount Gage. The long standing bad weather ruled out a traditional Lawn Meet so, instead, the Viscount and his ingenious staff brought the meet to the boxes and set up at the foot of the drive. From a range of tables stirrup cup and all manner of delicious savouries circulated in generous profusion. The people of the village turned out to greet us, and a delightful time was had by all. Suitably fortified by Mrs Woolgar's excellent vittels we set out for a day on the hill. Hounds were hunted by Robbie Miles in pursuit of two Quarry, captained by Garth. Master of the day, Clare Miles, had laid on an excellent galloping and jumping day. She even took us on a tour of some of the Mid Surrey Farmers' Drag fences, which were available to the brave and the bold. Now, Miss Jorrocks concedes that the Drag fences are very beautiful and exceptionally well constructed, but they are by far and away too rich for her blood. Miss Jorrocks being, as regular readers know, a lady of a certain age and of a nervous disposition. Four hunts made up the day, with checks kept as short as possible in acknowledgement of the wintry chill. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day to be out. Our second check was brightened by the presence of two buzzards soaring just above us. Miss Jorrocks misheard the opening remark about buzzards soaring on the thermals for buzzards soaring in their thermals and craned her neck to see such highly evolved creatures until someone put her right. Chastened, Miss Jorrocks felt obliged to recite her learning from an earlier Coakham quiz night in which she had learned that buzzards collaborate in the early morning to hunt voles, or was it moles? Some sort of ole anyway. Satisfied she had demonstrated her knowledge as a countrywoman Miss Jorrocks set about rummaging in her pockets in the hope of finding chocolate to ward off the cold. Soon we were off again and heading towards Firle Beacon. The last hunt of the day was judiciously curtailed as the Quarry were showing signs of succumbing to the bitter chill that was setting in as the afternoon wore on. So the last hunt was a jolly gallop to the Beacon and then a brisk hack home past the car parks full of afternoon walkers, all of whom paused to watch us pass and take our photographs. Miss Jorrocks likes very much chatting to passers by, and even engaged some passing cyclists in conversation although she stopped short of describing her encounter with thermal wearing buzzards. Back at the boxes there was, thankfully, little washing off to be done as the cold had by then taken a firm hold. Soon we were all wrapped out and wending our way home happy to have a had a lovely day out. IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT HUNTING HOUND ! In the never ending search of the perfect hunting hound and to improve the pack it is important we find an out cross so the hounds do not become in bred. We have Gouda and Edam who came to us from the Midland Bloodhounds in Holland. Edam had 10 pups by Herman last summer in June and so far they are growing on well and will be seen at the puppy show and will be ready to start hunting next autumn. We now have three pups from Belgium which were found by our friend Robert de Messemaker and he kindly brought them over to give to us when we were hunting at Barons Grange .They are Bloodhound crossed with a Bruno de Jura hound . The Bruno de Jura hound is similar to a bloodhound but smaller ,black,more athletic and hunts [Hares] with a deep voice. So we now have Bruno, a dog who has taken after the bloodhound side and is a big upstanding hound. Lora a bitch .who looks as if she has taken half bloodhound and half Bruno de Jura. Linka a bitch, who has taken after the Bruno de Jura hound and is the smallest and very sharp! They are now 5 months old and when, after the horses are done, and Louise and Sam and I have time, they are being taken for walks on leads. They will also be shown at the puppy show and be hunting in the autumn. With the two new outcrosses in the pack we are really looking forwards to next autumns hunting and following the progress of these hounds in the pack.. Bruno Linka Lora . Photos from Firle Place meet can now be seen at http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-firle-place-january St Mary's Farm, Falmer - Nigel's photos http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/portfolio293733.html Miss Jorrocks' Half Term Report Miss Jorrocks is delighted to provide her report for the halfway mark of the Season. As our senior Master and Huntsman has frequently observed he often puzzles over Miss Jorrocks' reports and wonders if, perhaps, she has spent her days with a different pack. "Away with the fairies" being an alternate description. Accordingly, whilst she believes the rest of you have struggled with rain and unbelievable mud, Miss Jorrocks has hunted glorious in sunshine on excellent going! Sadly, if only that were true. This has, surely, been one of the most challenging seasons on record with many occasions seeing us lucky to hunt at all. Our landowners have shown remarkable forbearance and, the days we have lost were kept open until the last possible minute in the hope of miraculous improvement. How fortunate we are. Miss Jorrocks has managed only six days so far. The Opening Meet is a dim and distant memory but was hosted, as always, by founder member, Miss Caroline Richardson, who made us all welcome, gave us a good day, and treated us to an excellent tea afterwards in her beautiful farmhouse. The Ferry Inn at Stone brought the first formal hunting day for new Masters Lindsay Newitt and Paul Blagg, resplendent for the first time in their chestnut coats. Miss Jorrocks wishes them well to wear them. The day was not without its alarms and excitements with poor Jane Baker getting kicked on the leg, and another lady coming a cropper when her horse stumbled. Looking back as we hacked back along the lanes to wash down quickly before retiring to long standing supporters Rose and Gary Turnwell's lovely farmhouse for a delicious Tea, it was hard to believe sky could hold so much rain, which it would deposit on us over the coming weeks. The next time Miss Jorrocks was able to get out was Underriver. This was a return to old Coakham country re-opened by Master Paul Blagg. He provided a most challenging and well thought out day, bringing us all home safely with huge smiles on our faces. Shortly afterwards our Huntsman went in for repair, and we are now following interim huntsmen in the forms of Robbie Miles and Louise. The hand of the Huntsman is evident in the background as he sends out only his most trusted hounds and, despite his absence, we have all been able to enjoy excellent sport. Robbie hunted hounds for the children at Baron's Grange, and on Boxing Day at Jevington. We saw excellent sport and enjoyed good viewing, although we were not kept up too close to allow everyone to work. Sunday the 30th also brought a return to old country as we returned to Rodmell as the guests of the Robinson family. Miss Jorrocks last remembers being there in 1999 and it was lovely to be back even if the timber caused her great anxiety. The field was led by a combination of Paul Blagg and the Robinsons. They all proved genial and considerate masters who gave the hounds and their interim huntsman plenty of room whilst still being solicitous of their field. Frankly, Miss Jorrocks wishes she had taken a bigger hip flask but she lived to tell the tale! Sadly, the season has not been without loss. We learned in mid December of the untimely death of Justin Llewelyn a former President of our Supporters' Club who died quite suddenly, aged 60. Christmas Eve saw the passing of Mrs Magan, who hosted our second meet at Wateringbury at her lovely house, St Michael's, for many years (see photo and further report below). Increasingly frail she and her family always made us welcome and for Miss Jorrocks the meet always heralded the imminent arrival of Spring. With half a season still to go we can only hope the clerk of the weather will go skiing and switch the rain off so that we can hunt into the new year without the need for water wings and webbed feet! Miss Jorrocks wishes you all a very happy new year and, remember, it is less than eight weeks to the Hunt Ball so put those chocolates down! We are sad to report that Maxine Magan passed away just before Christmas aged 96, the wife of Brigadier Magan who passed away three years ago aged 101. For many years they have welcomed the Coakham Bloodhounds to a unique "second meet" at St. Michael's House as part of our Wateringbury fixture. They were always very keen to talk to and pat all the hounds who having just hunted and then been for a swim in the lake opposite their house, were rather smelly! The Magans were with the cavalry at Rawalpindi in the Punjab where in 1932 he commanded a ceremonial parade of 4,000 horses, which he said was a "mind quickening experience" and they had some amazing stories to tell. Being with the mounted regiment they also had time for racing and polo and hunted hounds in Ireland, and they both wrote books about their life in India ( Maxine Magan's book is "From the Raj to the Old Rectory"). After the war the Brigadier was Director of MI5. Several years ago Mrs Magan asked Master Clare if she had ever been Pig sticking as it was such fun ! The funeral took place at St Michaels church [the start of the second hunt] where one of their sons Lord Magan of Castletown read the lesson [The Killkenny Fox hounds are kennelled on his estate in Ireland]. The Coakham Bloodhounds were represented at the funeral by Masters Sally and Nic. http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-northease-farm-rodmell PHOTOS FROM THE SEASON Photos from the Boxing Day meet at the Eight Bells, Jevington can now be seen at http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-the-eight-bells Photos from the Xmas Fancy Dress meet at Barons Grange can now be seen at http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-barons-grange-december . www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-barons-grange-november . . October 21st - Cherry Croft Farm, Herstmonceux BN27 1QJ. By kind invitation of Miss C Richardson .

Web site for the
Coakham Bloodhounds LLP

updated
May 14th 2013

Web Site Editor: Jo Carr - Email address for your photos ands news - josep.carr@o2.co.uk

VISITORS WELCOME

OUR KIND SPONSORS INCLUDE:

Howard Newitt and
Milbourne Equine Vets

Nigel's photo's of the Opening Meet - CLICK HERE

PLEASE PRINT OFF AND SIGN A DISCLAIMER AND HAND IN TO THE HUNT AT THE MEET

TEA: We ask that people bring some along to meets so we can pool and share (we supply the liquid tea and mugs!)

NEW: We are now taking advertisements on the Coakham Website - and the excellent equine vets, Milbourne Equine, are our first client! If you would like to advertise, please contact Master and Treasurer Lindsay Newitt, M 07808 170 804 for details.

A message from Master Roger (retired)

Hound Parade at Royal Windsor from Nigel

Puppy Show Photos by Nigel!

New Merchandise Page now up

YouTube video of Oxendean, Jevington
Helen McAll's quite excellent HatCam sequences to music!

Horse and Hound Photos from the Rickney Meet!
Quarry George, who is recovering very well, rushed out and bought his copy last week "Our local paper shop were surprised when I bought a copy of Horse & Hound and very impressed when I showed them why even if I wasn't in the quarry photo"!

**********

The 2010 2011 Season photos and reports

Support our Quarry:
Garth Baker
Professional Builder
T 01323831941.
M 07980771897.
GFCBaker@live.co.uk

The Hunt Supporters Merchandise - Jackets, Hoodies, T-shirts, Caps, Umbrellas, Wallets, Badges, Boot Bags,
Christmas Cards and much more can all be viewed and purchased at Tea. See Maggie Hurst or Ami Holden who will be pleased to help.

First Time Out Guide
We offer a wide range of meets, some with very little jumping at all, and even on the hedge days there are always ways round. The photos show us all jumping hedges because we all love those on our mantleshelves but you do not have to jump them! However, you do need a fit horse and sound brakes.

The BBC film of the Coakham - finally on YouTube!!!

Get your copy of Feb 2011 Local Rider - Miss Jorrocks and Nigel's photos at Iden have a starring role! CLICK HERE to see a pdf

CLICK HERE for The Washington Post Story as it appeared in the newspaper -
we headed the Style section - Of Course!!!

The Coakham Bloodhounds in photos from Local Rider PAGE 1 - PAGE 2

Member of the Masters of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association CLICK HERE

Will Cursham's Horse & Hound write up IS HERE - Hunting Humans in Bear Country.

"I have to say that researching this pack is a writer’s dream. They have one of the best hunt websites that I have seen, jammed with information". Photos and pdf of the article reproduced with thanks to Horse & Hound Horse and Hound photos:- Album 1 - Album 2 - Album 3 for an animation of the last hedge click here

For a list of all the YouTube links up so far click here

For meet listings also visit
Pegasus Magazine's web site

UK Links

International Links

Tributes: Major Nigel Budd and John Lloyd

You Tube Links

Frankham Farm 2006 - 877 views, a 5* ranking and the following comment: "as a fellow bloodhound owner and horse lover, this was awesome to watch,,scarey but awesome, I hope no horses were injured or rider"

Larkins Brewery 2006 1087 views and the following comment:"how come those Bh's walk with the lead horse? this is very interesting. WHy do some horses appraoch the jump but then turn away? What are the BH's tracking,,thanks" Bassetts Manor 2006 -
1092 views

Firle Place 2006
738 views

Mickey and the quad stuck at Larkins
1093 views and a 5* ranking

The Coakham Wooden Horse race night:
211 views

The Coakham at Cherry Croft (to music!!)
1224 views and the following comment: "wow what a beautiful dogs and horses together!! worship."

Hever 2007

Penshurst 2007

07/08 Season Photo Albums

The 2006-7 Photo Album Collection

The official site of The Coakham Bloodhounds - Created and maintained by
Josephine Carr

Copyright 2000 - 2013
© The Coakham Bloodhounds

The American Film Crew's Pitch Film from Bookers Farm -
CLICK HERE

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEB SITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES

For all of our summer events - see Dates for Your Diaries below.

NEXT EVENTS: June 15th, Sponsored Ride, Baron's Grange!

ENTRY FORM - SCHEDULE

Date for the Diary - Kate's popular Coakham Beach Ride:
Sunday 23rd June. Parking is the same as last year, in field behind Star Inn, Normans Bay, Cooden. We aim to leave the field at 5.30pm to hack to the beach.The pub is open for meals or just have a drink after.£10 per rider. Please clear up after your horse.

All enquires call Kate Miles on 07910361142. Directions to the field, Take sluice road off Pevensey roundabout towards Normans Bay. Stay on the lane all the way to the Star inn. The field is just past the pub on the left hand side..

Facebook comments on the first ride at Barons Grange on Monday May 6th:
Paula O'connor: thank you for a brilliant day great weather, great ride and lovely people what more can one ask for. x
Nicky Earland: A really lovely day with great jumping. A big thank you to Ann derby who paired up with me. We had a good time and chatted all the way round. Xx
Jane Hollis: A big thank you to all those involved in organising the ride - we had a fantastic time!
Sarah Baldwin: Thanks to all the organisers for putting this on and to the cake makers - those cakes were amazing! We had a great time. x

Official photographer at the first Baron's Grange ride: Photo Events UK
Tel: 01 580 830157 Fax: 01 580 831984 Email: photo-events@supanet.com

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

Sponsored Rides
June 15th - Barons Grange, Iden
September 22nd - Montague, Hankham
All have optional jumps and are great fun!

The Supporters Club Summer Rides will start June 28th

The Annual Puppy Show will be at the Kennels at Slivericks on July 7th. We have an exciting new entry including the puppies from Edam, who came from Holland, and the three Bruna de Jura hounds. Everyone is invited to attend and see if you agree with the judges - followed by tea.

Hound Parades - these are great fun and help is always appreciated.
Heathfield - May 25th
Bexhill Horse Show - May 27th
Kent County Show - July 12th (with a Coakham Hunt Relay Team in action as well)

We will also be trying hard to regain the Champion Hound Trophy won last year by Invader at the Hound Show, Peterborough on July 17th.

Now the season is finished, hounds will be excercised most days at 10am or 6pm depending on the weather. Come and join in, there are a few bikes avaialable. Contact the kennels for more details!

The Magnificent Annual Hunt Ball will be February 2014 at High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells

Morghew - Nigel's Photos

http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-morghew-park-april

Jevington Place - Nigel's Photos

http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-jevington-place-april

Nigel's photos from Folkington Manor

Nigel's photos from Meopham can be found here

Nigel's photos from Cornish Farm can be found here

Photos from Craig and Nigel from the lovely day at Crockstead

Craig's photos can be found at http://craigpayne.co.uk/EVENTS.aspx

Nigel's photos can be found at http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-crockstead-february-2013

Craig's photos can be found at http://craigpayne.co.uk/EVENTS.aspx

Thank you to Nigel who came out for the Oxendean Meet only to be defeated by rubbish directions from me as to the first jump and the fog! Still, he did capture for posterity Caroline Richardson's first outing with her new fabulous new pony, Mojo!

Miss Jorrocks writes from Jevington:

On Sunday 2nd February hounds met at Oxendean Farm by kind permission of Stephen and Fizz Carr.

This was, as typical this season, a weather induced change to the card - the "hill" being some of the last remaining viable country we have. Miss Jorrocks, despite being a lady of a certain age, cannot recall a season in which the weather has been quite so foul and unrelenting.

But, let us not be gloomy - let's look on the bright side. It was lovely to be out and to see our natural order restored as our senior Master and Huntsman took control of his hounds once more.

Veteran Master Jo and new Master Lindsay had set up the day between them. Experience and enthusiasm showed in equal measure as hounds were laid on within seconds of leaving the meet and the field led off at a smart hunting canter up a gentle incline. A perfect way to settle everyone with symptoms of cabin fever!

Three quarry provided our sport, Dave the Local, Chris Wheeler and Max. They proved accurate, fast and exceptionally good natured, particularly when required to orienteer in thick fog.

Three hunts made up the day and we hardly dwelt as hounds were in good voice, the quarry swift and precise, and horses and riders anxious to keep moving in a damp and creeping cold.

It was a text book day, despite jumping boundaries in thick fog! Anne Derby had very kindly lent her lovely horse, Alfie, to Master Jo for the day. Alfie conducted himself with great dignity and gravitas although, being a white grey, he disappeared frequently - swallowed up and camouflaged by the mist. Long standing member, Caroline Richardson, was out on her new mount "Mojo", fresh off the boat from Ireland and remarkably efficient and professional at his job. Miss Jorrocks hopes the day will never arrive when we have to help Caroline find her Mojo and wishes them a long and happy partnership.

Thus the day drew peacefully to a close and, after a quick Tea and a final catch up, Miss Jorrocks was soon homeward bound delighted by her dose of fresh air and exercise.

Miss Jorrocks Writes - From Firle....

On Sunday 13th January hounds met at Firle Place, the guests of Viscount Gage.

The long standing bad weather ruled out a traditional Lawn Meet so, instead, the Viscount and his ingenious staff brought the meet to the boxes and set up at the foot of the drive. From a range of tables stirrup cup and all manner of delicious savouries circulated in generous profusion. The people of the village turned out to greet us, and a delightful time was had by all.

Suitably fortified by Mrs Woolgar's excellent vittels we set out for a day on the hill. Hounds were hunted by Robbie Miles in pursuit of two Quarry, captained by Garth.

Master of the day, Clare Miles, had laid on an excellent galloping and jumping day. She even took us on a tour of some of the Mid Surrey Farmers' Drag fences, which were available to the brave and the bold. Now, Miss Jorrocks concedes that the Drag fences are very beautiful and exceptionally well constructed, but they are by far and away too rich for her blood. Miss Jorrocks being, as regular readers know, a lady of a certain age and of a nervous disposition.

Four hunts made up the day, with checks kept as short as possible in acknowledgement of the wintry chill. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day to be out. Our second check was brightened by the presence of two buzzards soaring just above us. Miss Jorrocks misheard the opening remark about buzzards soaring on the thermals for buzzards soaring in their thermals and craned her neck to see such highly evolved creatures until someone put her right. Chastened, Miss Jorrocks felt obliged to recite her learning from an earlier Coakham quiz night in which she had learned that buzzards collaborate in the early morning to hunt voles, or was it moles? Some sort of ole anyway. Satisfied she had demonstrated her knowledge as a countrywoman Miss Jorrocks set about rummaging in her pockets in the hope of finding chocolate to ward off the cold.

Soon we were off again and heading towards Firle Beacon. The last hunt of the day was judiciously curtailed as the Quarry were showing signs of succumbing to the bitter chill that was setting in as the afternoon wore on. So the last hunt was a jolly gallop to the Beacon and then a brisk hack home past the car parks full of afternoon walkers, all of whom paused to watch us pass and take our photographs. Miss Jorrocks likes very much chatting to passers by, and even engaged some passing cyclists in conversation although she stopped short of describing her encounter with thermal wearing buzzards.

Back at the boxes there was, thankfully, little washing off to be done as the cold had by then taken a firm hold. Soon we were all wrapped out and wending our way home happy to have a had a lovely day out.

IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT HUNTING HOUND !

In the never ending search of the perfect hunting hound and to improve the pack it is important we find an out cross so the hounds do not become in bred. We have Gouda and Edam who came to us from the Midland Bloodhounds in Holland.

Edam had 10 pups by Herman last summer in June and so far they are growing on well and will be seen at the puppy show and will be ready to start hunting next autumn.

We now have three pups from Belgium which were found by our friend Robert de Messemaker and he kindly brought them over to give to us when we were hunting at Barons Grange .They are Bloodhound crossed with a Bruno de Jura hound . The Bruno de Jura hound is similar to a bloodhound but smaller ,black,more athletic and hunts [Hares] with a deep voice.

So we now have Bruno, a dog who has taken after the bloodhound side and is a big upstanding hound. Lora a bitch .who looks as if she has taken half bloodhound and half Bruno de Jura. Linka a bitch, who has taken after the Bruno de Jura hound and is the smallest and very sharp!

They are now 5 months old and when, after the horses are done, and Louise and Sam and I have time, they are being taken for walks on leads. They will also be shown at the puppy show and be hunting in the autumn.

With the two new outcrosses in the pack we are really looking forwards to next autumns hunting and following the progress of these hounds in the pack..

Bruno

Linka

Lora

Photos from Firle Place meet can now be seen at http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-firle-place-january

St Mary's Farm, Falmer - Nigel's photos http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/portfolio293733.html

Miss Jorrocks' Half Term Report

Miss Jorrocks is delighted to provide her report for the halfway mark of the Season.

As our senior Master and Huntsman has frequently observed he often puzzles over Miss Jorrocks' reports and wonders if, perhaps, she has spent her days with a different pack. "Away with the fairies" being an alternate description. Accordingly, whilst she believes the rest of you have struggled with rain and unbelievable mud, Miss Jorrocks has hunted glorious in sunshine on excellent going!

Sadly, if only that were true. This has, surely, been one of the most challenging seasons on record with many occasions seeing us lucky to hunt at all. Our landowners have shown remarkable forbearance and, the days we have lost were kept open until the last possible minute in the hope of miraculous improvement. How fortunate we are.

Miss Jorrocks has managed only six days so far. The Opening Meet is a dim and distant memory but was hosted, as always, by founder member, Miss Caroline Richardson, who made us all welcome, gave us a good day, and treated us to an excellent tea afterwards in her beautiful farmhouse.

The Ferry Inn at Stone brought the first formal hunting day for new Masters Lindsay Newitt and Paul Blagg, resplendent for the first time in their chestnut coats. Miss Jorrocks wishes them well to wear them. The day was not without its alarms and excitements with poor Jane Baker getting kicked on the leg, and another lady coming a cropper when her horse stumbled. Looking back as we hacked back along the lanes to wash down quickly before retiring to long standing supporters Rose and Gary Turnwell's lovely farmhouse for a delicious Tea, it was hard to believe sky could hold so much rain, which it would deposit on us over the coming weeks.

The next time Miss Jorrocks was able to get out was Underriver. This was a return to old Coakham country re-opened by Master Paul Blagg. He provided a most challenging and well thought out day, bringing us all home safely with huge smiles on our faces.

Shortly afterwards our Huntsman went in for repair, and we are now following interim huntsmen in the forms of Robbie Miles and Louise. The hand of the Huntsman is evident in the background as he sends out only his most trusted hounds and, despite his absence, we have all been able to enjoy excellent sport. Robbie hunted hounds for the children at Baron's Grange, and on Boxing Day at Jevington. We saw excellent sport and enjoyed good viewing, although we were not kept up too close to allow everyone to work.

Sunday the 30th also brought a return to old country as we returned to Rodmell as the guests of the Robinson family. Miss Jorrocks last remembers being there in 1999 and it was lovely to be back even if the timber caused her great anxiety. The field was led by a combination of Paul Blagg and the Robinsons. They all proved genial and considerate masters who gave the hounds and their interim huntsman plenty of room whilst still being solicitous of their field. Frankly, Miss Jorrocks wishes she had taken a bigger hip flask but she lived to tell the tale!

Sadly, the season has not been without loss. We learned in mid December of the untimely death of Justin Llewelyn a former President of our Supporters' Club who died quite suddenly, aged 60. Christmas Eve saw the passing of Mrs Magan, who hosted our second meet at Wateringbury at her lovely house, St Michael's, for many years (see photo and further report below). Increasingly frail she and her family always made us welcome and for Miss Jorrocks the meet always heralded the imminent arrival of Spring.

With half a season still to go we can only hope the clerk of the weather will go skiing and switch the rain off so that we can hunt into the new year without the need for water wings and webbed feet!

Miss Jorrocks wishes you all a very happy new year and, remember, it is less than eight weeks to the Hunt Ball so put those chocolates down!

We are sad to report that Maxine Magan passed away just before Christmas aged 96, the wife of Brigadier Magan who passed away three years ago aged 101. For many years they have welcomed the Coakham Bloodhounds to a unique "second meet" at St. Michael's House as part of our Wateringbury fixture. They were always very keen to talk to and pat all the hounds who having just hunted and then been for a swim in the lake opposite their house, were rather smelly! The Magans were with the cavalry at Rawalpindi in the Punjab where in 1932 he commanded a ceremonial parade of 4,000 horses, which he said was a "mind quickening experience" and they had some amazing stories to tell.

Being with the mounted regiment they also had time for racing and polo and hunted hounds in Ireland, and they both wrote books about their life in India ( Maxine Magan's book is "From the Raj to the Old Rectory"). After the war the Brigadier was Director of MI5. Several years ago Mrs Magan asked Master Clare if she had ever been Pig sticking as it was such fun ! The funeral took place at St Michaels church [the start of the second hunt] where one of their sons Lord Magan of Castletown read the lesson [The Killkenny Fox hounds are kennelled on his estate in Ireland]. The Coakham Bloodhounds were represented at the funeral by Masters Sally and Nic.

http://www.ksdigital.co.uk/coakham-bloodhounds-northease-farm-rodmell