Beaufort Hunt visits moor
THE Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, one of the nation's top foxhound packs, is on a visit to Cornwall as guest of the East Cornwall Hunt.
On Saturday, in a scene that would warm the cockles of a tourist board executive's heart, they met in the sunshine on the green at Minions, Cornwall's highest village and on the fringe of Bodmin Moor.
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Sixty mounted riders greeted the prestigious pack – including about 20 who made the long trip down from Gloucestershire with their horses – for a traditional stirrup cup provided by their hosts.
Some of them wore the historic Beaufort Hunt members' uniform of blue coat with buff lapels.
The Beaufort's master, Captain Ian Farquhar, and his hunt staff brought 35 hounds with them to hunt on the moor. On Saturday the first trail line was laid over adjacent Caradon Hill, the mounted followers enjoying a gallop around the radio mast landmark.
Captain Farquhar told a large audience at the meet that it was a pleasure and an honour to take up the invitation from the East Cornwall Hunt. It was their second visit, and he hoped the East Cornwall would pay a return trip to the Beaufort at Badminton next hunting season.
He had been welcomed by the East Cornwall's joint master and huntsman Graham Higgins, who said it was a privilege that the Beaufort should visit in such numbers.
But, with one exception, there were no red coats out hunting. The hunt staff livery of the Beaufort is moss green and that of the East Cornwall is harrier green with a red collar.
On Friday evening nearly 30 visitors from the Beaufort joined East Cornwall members for their annual end-of-season Supper at Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, the entertainment including a five-minute "dissertation" by a traditional Cornish Wag.
This year, unlike the last time, it is a two hunting days' visit by the Beaufort.
Today the hunt is meeting at Lordswaste, overlooking Colliford Reservoir, at 11am.
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, March 30 2010, 9:47AM
“:| National Service once turned our boys into men. .
But for all those with rose tinted specs open this.
After the 3 w's
.charleshenry.co.uk/thoughts/index.php?p=960
.”
by Paul Timpson, Cornwall
Tuesday, March 30 2010, 9:32AM
“Hunting is not such a pretty spectacle as your article portrays, have a look behind the scenes to see the cruelty involved.
Oh, what a pretty picture the hunting fraternity always paint for us.
Horses, riders and supporters done up to the nines, passing the stirrup cup round, patting each other on the back for the sterling work they have done in avoiding the law.
But, wait a minute, where were all those noisy quad bikes that are so much the norm of modern-day hunting? No mention of the roads blocked by the cars of supporters who don't move even when asked.
Where was that special breed of local louts with terriers?
Where were the foul-mouthed followers, the faces of the children blooded for the fun' of being at their first kill? The real face of hunting is not the pretty picture it would have us believe.
Show the face of an exhausted fox, hare, stag or mink its eyes staring, tongue hanging out, breath rasping, body quivering, not knowing where to turn to get away from their persecutors.
Show the face of the bloodthirsty mob who will joyfully chase these animal, oblivious to its suffering.
In your article you never mentioned how many foxes where chased and killed, why not?
That is the true face of hunting - not very pretty at all.
Please contact your local MP and ask them to support the ban on hunting and also see www.backtheban.com to see what YOU can do.”
by steve lynham, penzance
Monday, March 29 2010, 10:53PM
“Whoever wrote this piece sounds like a groveling toady ... I have never read such an obsequious piece of 'journalism'. Why not just jump into the pockets of their hunting jackets and be done with it.”
by Charles Henry, Somersetshire
Monday, March 29 2010, 9:37PM
“:| Theo my compadre; you observe everything, but understand nothing. . The people around horses do more exercise than you will ever do. . Trust me. . Rearing children is child's play in comparison.”
by Urban Leprachaun, X marks the spot
Monday, March 29 2010, 5:23PM
“Charles,
They say people don't walk enough these days - everyone goes everywhere by car.
And horses? They go everywhere by car too.”