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George Grey's Glendale Foxhounds. A Diary Of Hunting.
1880 to 1886 and 1888 and from 1892 to 1894
George Grey’s Diary of the Glendale Foxhounds
1880 September 20th Akeld Bridge --Drew all the Glitters on Akeld Hill and Harelaw, but all blank. Found on the back of Humble-heugh, ran a ring for 30 minutes and lost him. Did nothing more. Too hot.
Sep: 24th
Akeld Steads—Drew the bog, blank. Found in the Wilderness ran up to the Coupland Earths and up the drive, where he turned sharp back and across the Plain, across Till at the head of the Red Scar Wood, drove the woods and to ground in the Warren. I rode Queen of Hearts.
April 9th Humbleton. Found on the Heugh, ran over Harelaw and Akeld very fast to Yeavering Bell, over the Torrs to Southern Knowe, back again to the Torr’s herds house, down and over Gregory and Hethpool Bell and lost him in the Hethpool oustead, I think he went up the ivied wall of the old Mill. April 12th Halterburn. A very bad day the whole country blank until I got to the Black Hagg, two foxes there but could not run far as it was nearly dusk. April 16th West Newton. Did not find until I came to our young plantation at the foot of Rackside, ran over Kypie and over Housdon and Crookhouse onto Lanton and to the Common Plantation where lost him. Found a vixen in Flodden, stopped them after a while. Good scent on grass, none on the plough which was flying in dust. April 19th Coldburn. A gale of wind and not fit to hunt. Hounds broke on a goat on Southern Knowe and killed him on the Torrs before I could get to them. April 23rd Earle. The whin blank as also Hartsheugh and Akeld moor plantation. Found on Yeavering Bell ran fast over the Torrs to Harrow Bog and back again but lost. Pouring with rain. April 27th Kilham. Found in West Newton Whin, ran fast to ground on Kilham, a vixen. Found at shotton ran fast thro’ Whinny Braes back thro’ Shotton, over Coudsmouth and Trowburn and onto Fleehope. May 2nd Humbleton. Found on the Heugh, ran fast by Wooler Common and Common Burn into Broadstruther, down past Hartsheugh back to Humbleton to ground in the Windygyle. May 7th Coupland. A bad day with no scent. Finished the season. Few foxes killed, no earth stopping and a pack of draft hounds and amateur whips, but capital fun.
Season of 1881 & 82
September 19th Yeavering Bell . Found a cub ran him three times round the hill and to ground dug but too rocky to get him. I rode GoBang and Dhudeen. Sep: 23rd. Humbleton. Found a fox on the Glitters and ran thro’ a dense bog to Southern Knowe, along Harrow bog and Torrs, Hethpool Bell Gregory and stopped them going back on the Torrs. I rode Queen and Phosphorus. Sep 28th Hethpool Bell Found, but a bad scent did little. October 3rd Yeavering Bell. Found and ran round about and killed him. October 7th Earle. Blank-Found at Middleton Hall, ran Hartsheugh, Wooler Common, Earle and Middleton and killed. Oct. 12th Hethpool. Blank –Found West Newton, ran Trowburn, Coudsmouth, Shotton, Paston where a lot more foxes and kept changing. Oct 18th Kilham – Found on the hill, ran out to Thompsons Walls and back over Newton to Canno Mill and killed. Oct 24th Oct 28th Oct 31st Nov 3rd Nov 8th Nov 12th Nov 15th Nov 18th Earle Whin Nov 22nd Nov 25th Middleton Hall Nov 29th Reedsford December 2nd Akeld Bridge Dec 6th Akeld Hill Dec 10th Stopped by frost Did not hunt again till the 26th of December. Dec: 26th Langham Bridge. Drew by Kilham, had a fairish days hunting and killed. Jan 10th Coldburn Jan 13th Langley Ford Jan 17 Langham Bridge Jan 20th Akeld Bridge. A capital day Jan 24th Akeld Jan 27th Whitehall Jan 31st Feb 3rd Feb 7th Feb 10th Feb 14th Feb 17th Feb 21st Feb 24th Feb 28th March 3rd March 7th Coldburn Glitters. Ran for two hours all over the hills and killed on Torrs. March 10th West Newton. A bad day with no scent. March 14th Southern Knowe –a very hot dry day, could do nothing. March 21st Kilham, snow, could not hunt March 24th Humbleton. Found above Humbleton House – ran fast over Turvelaws, Dodd Hill into Fenton Hill and lost him. Finish of the season of 1881 & 1882. 12 ½ Brace of foxes killed.
Season of 1882 & 1883 August 15th Commenced cubhunting. Harrowbog. 5.45. AM. Dull morning but very dry and hard. Found directly hounds were into covert, where scent was fairly good, drove him out over the top of Southern Knowe and along the top and down into the College bed where the hounds worked uncommonly well over the dry round stones, especially Forester and the welsh ones, then into the wood and into the hill again where the hounds divided; the body going with an old fox to the Torrs. These I got stopped after some trouble, and went back to the bog, where eight couple were still keeping their fox moving. He now broke across the valley and appeared to be going high and stiff; ran him with a sadly failing scent along the side of Whitehall Hill. Dreadnought and partial doing some very good work, into the burn where hounds threw up. While making a cast got my eye on Violet trying to get at a honeysuckle bush on the edge of a steep bank overhanging a pool. Got off my horse gave the bush a kick, when out the fox tumbled with myself and hounds pell mell into the pool where they killed him. Dog. Cub. Amongst those out were G. A. Grey, Mary Grey. C. H. Taylor, A. & C. Thompson. (2) Hendersons. Cornhill. G. G. Rea, J. Borthwick. I rode “Hecate.” Nicholson. “Flodden”. Aug 22nd Kirknewton. Where damage to poultry was complained of. A nasty day, windy morning and absolutely no scent. Found on the end of Mr. Thompson’s hill, but the hounds got away on the old vixen and ran away onto the Torrs, when I got them stopped which the bad scent made possible. Took hounds back again and met a cub in the face but he jumped a wall into standing barley. Found several more but could do nothing with them. Went to Hethpool Bell wood, thinking there would be more damp under the trees, found and went away over the top and across the river, up Mr. Thompson’s Glitters and on to Yeavering bell, hunting slowly. Gave it up there and went home. I rode the “Villan”. Those out G. A. Grey. Mary Grey. 2 Henderson’s, 2 Thompson’s. Borthwick, Major ?Howey, G. G. Rea Aug 29th Coldburn Glitters Between this day and last Tuesday there has been a very heavy rain, and the scent was accordingly much improved. Found a fox on the Glitters but did nothing with him. Found an old fox on the West end of Southern Knowe, ran well through the wood and along the face, onto the Torrs where he turned down and across the Torr Burn Glitters and back over the top of Southern Knowe and Coldburn Moor onto Cheviot. Here my horse was done, so I left her and went on on foot and ran the fox to ground under the big rock in the Bizzel. Time 1 ½ hours. Sorry I could not get him out, hounds deserved him well, but he also deserved to live as he went over the top of several strong unstopped earths without trying them. September 6th Fenton Wood. 5.45. AM. Splendid calm morning with a touch of frost. Found directly five or six foxes and a big old badger. A wretched scent and cubs dodging in all directions, but I managed to drive one along the hill and out at the Routing Lynn End from whence he crossed the moor to the Fawcett earths to ground. Came back and ran another backwards and forwards through the wood and at length killed a great big cub on the moor at the back of the hill. Found another fox lying killed in the wood. Hounds had had a hard mornings work, so went home. G. A. Grey. Mary Grey. Major and Miss Howey. ?H. Butted/Bulted. G. G. Rea. C. Thompson. J. Borthwick. 2. Henderson’s. Knowles. J. Culley and servant. Morgan. G. Logan.
January 23rd. Coupland. Tried down the drive and Akeld Steads Bog blank, Wilderness also, but a fox had slipped away some while before we got there, got into his line and hunted him by Sandy House and the Commons Loanen, Black Plantation, West Covert, Howsden, nearly to Howtle whin, then very fast by Kypie, up the hill past the Milfield old covert, through the big planting west of Lanton Mill, here I think we changed foxes, went on over Lanton Hill, Sandy House Dene, old covert, Kypie across by Howtle to the Butterstone covert, past Branxton Moor whin, through Moneylaws, over Moneylaws Hill to the Brunt Heugh, on through Downham whin , out at the west end and across the Hagg to the Learmouth covert where I lost him. 2 hours 45 minutes. A fine hunting run, fast at times but the ploughed land holding ?them continually. Horses very tired. January 26th. Felkington. An awful day, snow, sleet and a fierce gale of wind. No sport at all; could neither see nor hear. Found at Wood end a brace, and went to ground directly. Gave it up. January 30th Etal. A very hard morning, waited till 11.30 and as there were a lot of people determined to try it. Found in the Redburn Dene, ran by Berryhill Craigs to Slainsfield Colliery and Pigg’s Planting nearly to Gatherick, then down to the road from Woodsend to Felkington, the head of Haydon Dene past Duddo and Greenlaw walls to the Grindon Ridge and Berryfield lane, here he ran the road and I lost him. Ford Common blank. Found in Ford Woods, close to the Scar Road and ran the middle of the road past Kimmerston and still along the road to Ford as far as the Kimmerston boundary, then straight up to the rectory at Ford, across the road into the village where he got in amongst hen houses and pigsties and I could not find him. Considering the weather a fairly good day. February 2nd Yearle. too hard February 3rd. Fenton (a bye) found in the wood above the Hanging Hall, drove him out at the Cairn heads across to Doddington Dene, down it to the village, up the Dodd hill to the top where he turned and was going back to the Dene but hounds ran into him 100 yards above the road. February 6th. Windmill Hill Station. Went down by train from Kelso after the Duke of Buccleuch’s hunt ball. A small field, everyone having gone to the Duke at Kelso bridge. Found in a boggy field on Broomhouse, ran very fast by Haggerston, Low Wood, Lowlynn, Licker Dene, Bowsden Village, Bowsden Whin into Berrington Dene where he dodged about and probably lay ?cl….. as I lost him. 1 hour, a capital good run. The country riding very heavy. February 9th. Trowburn. Found three foxes lying together on Kilham, ran round and round, finally by Hetha to Hethpool Bell, Torrs to Yeavering Bell and lost him. Found on Milfield Hill, ran a ring by Lanton and then to Flodden and lost. Beastly bad scent. February 13th. Yearle. Blank. Middleton, ?Snear, Hartsheugh and Akeld all blank. Found on Yeavering Bell, ran round it several times to ground in the earth at the east end, Violet bolted him and we ran across the river to Coupland fox holes and through the Wilderness to the back of Ewart House, when a heavy shower of sleet destroyed all scent. A field of about 20. February 16th. East Newbiggen. Drew up Tweed banks without finding till I got onto Till banks at Shellacres, found a fox there, and ran fast up Till banks past Tiptoe and by Grindon Ridge past Duddo by Felkington Quarry plantation and to end of Haydon Dene where he was lost. Drew the Dene blank. Also Bowsden Whin. Found in Woodend, but the earth in the quarry was open and he went to ground directly. February 20th Howtle. Found immediately but a very bad scent, ran by Milfield old covert down to the road at Flodden burn and into Flodden Hill, to Kings Chair, back to Flodden down the drive to the turnpike and lost him. Found in Kypie whin, scent still bad but a trifle better, ran by the Black plantation, Sandy House, Marley Knowe to ground in the breeding earth at Galewood. February 23rd. Bowsden. Found a fox in the whin at the south of Woodene wood, went through the wood to Gatherick and back, hounds shamefully over-ridden and lost him. Found in Etal Red burn Dene, went fast by Tindale House, Tip toe and Shellacres, overshot him here, but hit him off again, hunted slowly across the road at Twizel toll, by the Castle, across Till at the railway bridge, over St Cuthberts by Callerheugh, Melkington and killed him on the railway 200 yards east of Cornhill station. February 27th. Thompson’s Walls. Got a line on Coudsmouth to Halterburn, but could not carry it on. Ran the hounds through the Old Shotton Whin in passing, got a line, ran into the plantation over the hill, viewed him crossing down to Paston, ran by the Lake, Whinny Braes, round by the plantation above Paston House, down into the Kilham fields, back by the braes across the road to Bowmont, up the hill and straight for Kilham Hill, here there were several foxes and hounds divided. Saw our hunted fox very hard up but he took us across some very dry dusty ploughed land and we could not run him any further. March 2nd. Red Scar Bridge. Ford Woods blank. Etal ditto, found in Pigg’s plantation went to ground in two hundred yards. Ford Common and Colliery whin blank. Found in the Moss ran into Fenton Hill, full of foxes and could do nothing. March 6th. Windmill Hill. An awful day, could hardly get to the meet, a northerly gale and snow. Hardly anyone at the meet. Bog plantation blank, also the Haggerston woods, found in a ploughed field near the Licker Dene, ran badly to the High Wood and lost. Found in Barmoor Moss, ran to the Castle but could do nothing with it. March 9th. Kirknewton. Snow and frost. March 13th. Milfield. Still hard, did not try till 12 o’clock- found in the Flodden strips, ran a ring of a few fields and back into Milfield old covert. Dangerous riding. Kypie’s whin blank – ditto Howstle. Found in Howden strip ran thro’ West Covert, along Crookhouse, over Lanton by the Monument into the Common Loanen, down it and across by Marley Knowe into Coupland front field and lost him. A bad catchy scent. Wilderness blank. Found in Akeld Steads Bog, went across Glen, but could not run him at all, so gave it up. March 16th. Barmoor. 6 inches of snow. March 20th West Newton – Snow and frost. March 24th. Tillmouth – a blank day. March 26th. Humbleton. Too hard and snow too deep on the hills so came to Redscar – blank. Ford coverts all blank as usual. Found at Fenton Hill, came out at the north end and ran down Kimmerston Dene and back and killed – unfortunately a vixen. Found again and broke by the Quarry, past Wrangham, fast by Hetton Lime kiln, Holburn Mill, Holburn, Cockenheugh, across Holburn Moss to Detchant Wood, back over the Moss to Holburn where he was chased by collies and lost. A very nice run. March 30th. Barmoor. Moss blank – Found in Fenton Hill and ran in it for an hour before we got away at the North end, scent very bad, went by Ford Moss to Ford Hill and to Kimmerston Dene but lost him there. A very bad day. April 2nd. Kilham Ford. Went to Howtle whin, blank, Kypie also. Found in Milfield old covert, ran fast to Sandyhouse Dene, turned straight back and across the Flodden boundary at the road, up the strips and over Howsden to Hungry House, by the chapel to Howtle, across the road and over the hill nearly to Branxton Moor where there were seven consecutive dry ploughed fields and hounds could run him no further. Tried Branxton Moor, found, but a vixen and so stopped them. April 6th Humbleton. Found on the Heugh and raced past Akeld plantations over Akeld Hill to Yeavering March, turned back along the face of Akeld Hill, across the Dene over the Hare Law and into the Glitters at Humbleheugh, cast all round them without touching him, when he jumped up from the Glitters in view raced him to the south end of the hill and killed him – an old dog. This was very fast under a blazing hot sun. Found on Yeavering Bell, probably a vixen as we ran three times round the hill and to ground in the breeding earth at the end. Went home. Very hot. April 10th. Kilham. Found on the hill, ran fast up the Newton boundary, up the far hill, down towards the herd’s house, along the face above Kilham, to ground above Canna Mill. Found in West Newton whin but went to ground in the whin. Hetha blank. Found in Harrow bog, ran over the top but they lost him before I got up. Yeavering Bell blank – ditto Akeld – home. April 13th. Harrow bog. Everything blank until Kilham hill where found and ran fast by Canna Mill, over west Newton and to ground on the west Kilham hill. April 17th. Whitehall – Maiden law blank. Got a drag in the Black Hagg, came up with him on the curr, ran fast over the top, onto Clifton, Halterburn Head, Coudsmouth, Shotton, Paston to ground on the north side of the hill. April 20th. Coldburn – The Glitters blank, Common Burn ditto. Culley’s plantation also, found on Humbleheugh ran very fast by Akeld to ground in the breeding earth in the little crow plantation below the Yeavering road. Found in Yeavering Bell but killed him in a short while on the hill. Earths very badly stopped throughout this season.
Finish of Season 1882 & 1883
Season of 1883 & 1884
September 11th. Kilham. Got onto an old fox, and ran him well for an hour and a half. Got amongst a flock of about 500 sheep, that ran along his line on the hill side and someone holloaed a fresh fox and so lost him although he was quite done. September 14th. Yeavering. Got again an old fox in the low wood. Ran very fast over Gregory to ground in the Buttony stones. Found another, also an old fox lying in the heather beside Akeld moor plantations, ran fast over Humbleheugh, down and along the strips to Akeld Dene, over Akeld Hill and down to the Crow planting, where he tried the earths, but did not get in, went on up Yeavering Dene over Akeld Hill and again tried for the earths in the Crow planting, viewed him a field in front very hard up, but he beat us into a field of standing wheat, and obliged to call off the hounds – Wretched luck. September 18th. Fenton. A very thick foggy morning. Found several foxes in the wood and knocked them about for an hour. Got one away past the house and into the camps, round by the lake into the hill again. So think could neither see nor hear. Another went away and to ground in the Fawcett earths, where I lost a couple of hounds in the old workings for 36 hours. September 21st Yearle. Did not go, the fog was so thick. Went to the Wilderness found and ran to ground in Coupland earths which are always left unstopped. Found at the back of Akeld hill ran round by Yeavering Bell, changing foxes two or three times, and killed a fox on Akeld. September 25th. Milfield. Found in the old cover, after running in covert for a bit, he got away and went to Kypie whin where there were several foxes and no scent. Let two away and stayed with one in covert, which went to ground in the covert very soon, left him. Found in Howtle whin, ran over to Milfield Hill and killed him. Found again in old covert went to ground directly. Found in Lanton young strip, ran over Lanton, Milfield west hill, Howsden to ground in Howtle whin. September 28th. Riffington. Did not find until got under the Castle, the fox crossed the river into the Nutwood which held a lot of foxes. Routed them about for an hour, and killed one in the cleft of a rock where he had squeezed himself in. Found a litter below Tiptoe, earths open, all went to ground. Found again in Red Burn Dene, ran very fast past Berry hill, thro’ Pigg’s planting, by Slainsfield to Ford Common, stopped the hounds on account of standing corn. October 2nd. Yearle. Drew the whin blank also the Kettles and Wooler Common. Found on Humble haugh, only took him as far as the road and lost him. Akeld Plantings blank. Found on Yeavering Bell, ran a ring and killed him, a dog cub. October 5th. Ford Common. This was blank as I expected, foxes all trapped. Found an old fox in the Colliery whin and took him into Fenton Hill to ground. No foxes here, had been shooting coverts the day before. Went back to Etal, found a leash behind the house, went very fast to Rhodes’ whin, through Pigg’s Planting down to Berry hill, thro’ Red Burn Dene by Tindal House and Tiptoe to Twizel Mill, crossed the river into Stotford Point, across by the Buckey House, over Heaton, a piece of Marldown to ground in a turnip field on Barelees. 1 hr. 20 m. Very fast to Twizel and outside the river banks all the way, he only touching them for a moment at Tiptoe. October 9th. Hethpool. A very windy morning, so tried Canna Mill bog instead, found but chopped him directly. Found again on Kilham, ran round the hill and down the fields to Canna Mill, past it along the haugh to West Newton, up the College and into Hethpool Bell wood. Here there were fresh foxes and hounds divided in every direction and could not get at them to stop them. Took the rest of the day getting them together again. October 12th. Ancroft. Found three cubs above the broom, rattled one about for nearly an hour but lost him at last thro’ Bob’s stupidity. Found higher up in the Dene, I dare not say how many, perhaps a dozen, ran one for an hour and killed him. Went to Bowsden Whin, found two foxes, ran fast to the Dene and past the South Moor to the low part of the Dene again but scent failed and could do no more. October 16th. The kennels. Very wet and windy. Tried Common Loanen blank – found in Old Covert but he dodged about in the strips till he was lost. Found in Kypie whin ran over the hill to Old Covert, went on by Common Loanen down to the village, and across Till into the Ford woods, a bad scent and gale of wind, gave him up. October 19th. Red Scar Bridge. Found at once in the Scar wood ran very fast over Kimmerston, through the White Hill and into Kimmerston Dene, over Hunter’s Hill, through Ford Moss to the Colliery whin, here rain fell in torrents and could run him no further. Tried Barmoor Moss blank, although Meade – Waldo complained of multitudes of foxes!! Tried Woodend, found a cub that ran the ring of the plantations for nearly an hour and then went to ground. Poor little Violet got smothered with the hounds digging her in. Goddard Morgan gave her to me and she was the best fox terrier I ever saw. October 23rd. Middleton Hall. Lots of foxes but absolutely no scent, walked after a fox by Earl Whin and Wooler Common down to the plantation below Humbleton. October 26th. New Haggerston. Found a leash of foxes in the Low Wood, went south with one to the Lowlynne Dene, and back to the wood, through it, across the Low to Windmill Hill bog, could not get across the Low, and met hounds coming back with a fresh fox into the wood again, ran him back to the bog and lost him. An unrideable country impossible to keep within a mile of hounds to see what they are doing. Found at Bowsden whin went very fast into the low part of Berrington Dene, ran up it and into the Threeplee planting down the Dene again and then to Felkington and lost him. October 30th. Akeld Bridge. First day of regular hunting. Found two brace of foxes in the Steads bog. Hounds got divided, went with one lot south across the Glen a great pace, past Bendor up the hill and over top of Akeld, then to the Moor plantations, on to the back of Yeavering Bell down past Yeavering and to ground in the Crow planting earths. Went back to the Wilderness found the other hounds running a fox, took him to the Coupland earths, luckily shut today, down the drive to Ewart South Lodge, across the Park to the Ewart Bridge, down the river side to the Redscar wood up again by the Plain and Thirlings, Galewood through the Wilderness to the Coupland earths again back into the Wilderness to ground in a rabbit hole, took him out and killed him. Very fast. November 2nd. Etal. Found in the shrubbery, went by back of the house across the road to the red Burn dene, up it and out across Berry hill into Rhodes, through the Whin and to Pigg’s planting, across Slainsfield Moor, by the Colliery, down to Shipton Dene and ran into him at Hay Farm oustead. Found a travelling fox near the Etal garden, ran slowly down Till banks to Tiptoe where he was headed back and we killed him. Found again at Twizel station on the rocks, ran past Riffington cover, across Newbiggen and Grindon back by Twizel village to the Castle, round by the station and down to Twizel Bridge, up the Till banks to Duncanheugh quarry where I stopped the hounds as it was nearly dark. November 6th. Felkington. Drew the strips at the colliery blank. Found in the South Moor plantation ran to the Dene, down it and out at the low end, across by Storey’s at North Ancroft to ground in a drain tile at the ?Greenses. Went back and found in the Whin at the front of the dene, went by Bowsden Whin, then east to Hume’s Berrington, to the Licker Dene by Lowick Mill to the Hunting hall where I lost him. Went back to the Threeplee plantation, found and ran very fast through Bowsden whin by Bowsden village and Woodside into Woodend, no scent at all in the wood, had to give him up. November 9th. Kirknewton. Rather a windy morning. Drew the hill end blank. Found a fox on Hethpool Bell but it was too windy to hear in the wood so I got the hounds out and left him. West Newton whin blank. Found in Kilham, ran over the top into Thompson’s Walls, over West Newton, by Elsdon Burn, over Hetha, across College, through Harrow Bog, over Southern Knowe to Coldburn boundary, turned down the hill into the wood and killed him at the waters edge. 1 ¼ hours. November 13th. Middleton Hall. Had a tremendous lot of running round and round the hills continually changing foxes, and terribly bothered with Wooler foot people. November 16th. Fenton. Very foggy and could not see. Found several foxes but did very little with them. Drew Rangham’s bog blank. Came to Ford Woods, found in Kimmerston Whin went very fast by the Green Loanen and over a corner of Ford Hill, turned over Brownrig thro’ the White Hill planting, over a part of Fenton Hill Farm to Fenton Mill, to the Red Scar Wood, down the woods as far as the old covert along the strip to the Kimmerston Road and back into the Scar wood, across the river to the Plain, there to Corklodge, thence along the turnpike to the scar Road and killed him fifty yards above the tollgate. I got two nasty falls. November 20th. Milfield. Very strong wind and snow. Found plenty of foxes but could do nothing.
From 1880 to 1884 George Grey was huntsman to his father George Annett Grey. For 8 years he was master of the Glendale Foxhounds: 1880-1888. The diary is set out with dates in red, and includes actual photographs stuck into it. They appear on this web page approximately where they are in the original M.S.
Some of the writing is hard to decipher, and some transcription of the local names may be inaccurate. There are added question marks by the editors where we are not sure. We have also put the dates into bold and added notes on fox hunting terms. We welcome any corrections. C.G. and P.C.
November 26th. Wooler Cottage. The kettles blank. Earle whin full of traps. Found in Hartsheugh Glitters, ran over Middleton Moor to the earths in Mr. Hughes’ Dene, then by Middleton House, across the turnpike over to North Lilburn, through the strips there and on to Trickley Wood, he did not go into it, but turned north as if for Weetwood, when we got to Whitsun bank hounds got a view at him and killed him at the Quarry above Wooler Brewery. A very nice gallop of about ¾ of an hour. Drew Humbleheugh blank, Akeld manor plantings do. February 29th. Ancroft North Moor. Found in a ploughed field near the head of Ancroft whin, ran up the Dene as far as the Threeplee, then to Gatherick Moor and thro’ Woodend, from there by Bowsden Moor to Duddo and Greenlaw walls and lost him. Found in the Black Banks, ran fast to Duddo by Grindon ridge and lost him. Scent good on grass but none at all on plough which was as dry as boards. March 4th. Thompson’s Walls. Snow and could not hunt there. Drew Kilham in a thick fog, found ran by Canna Mill, West Newton, Hethpool Bell, West Newton Hill, Thompson’s walls, Longknowe, Paston lake, Harelaw, across the Bowmont at Shotton to the top of Venshen hill and lost him. So thick it was impossible to ride to hounds. March 7th. Fenton. Found a vixen but got hounds stopped off her. Rangham Bog blank, also Barmoor Moss and Ford Moss. Found in Kimmerston Whin, ran through Red Scar Wood, over Fenton to the Whitehill, Kimmerston Dene, Ford Hill, Ford Village, across the Castle Drive, by Hay farm and killed him at the Rhodes. A nice hunting run of nearly an hour. March 11th Coldburn. Snow and could not hunt there. Tried Coupland and Ewart blank. Found on Kypie hill, ran fast over West Common, Crookhouse Lanton Monument, Lanton Dene, Coupland, across the river, up Akeld hill Harehope, Humblehaugh Wooler Common, Hartsheugh, Watch hill, Broadstruther boundary, across Common burn by the herd’s house, past Akeld Moor plantations and the back of Yeavering Bell to ground in Monday cleugh. A very long and also a very fast run. March 14th. Twizel Bridge. Drew for a long time without finding, found at Tindal House a vixen, stopped hounds off her. Found in a ploughed field over Bowsden Moor, ran fast up wind to Duddo where he was headed and went down wind to Berrington Dene, where I stopped the hounds. March 18th. Akeld. Found a vixen on Harehope, ran over Humblehaugh and a ring over the moor back to ground in Monday cleugh. Found on Yeavering Bell, ran fast over Kirknewton Hill to the river, and along the banks to Coupland, down the drive and into the Wilderness, on to Akeld steads where we got into the dry dusty ploughs and could run no further. Friday March 21st. Barmoor. Blank as usual. Licker Dene and Haggerston also blank, found at the foot of Berrington Dene, but could not run. A bad day. March 23rd. Thompson’s walls. Did not find till the Torrs, ran over Yeavering Bell and down to the river by Coupland and to Lanton and lost. Ground too dry. March 28th. Coldburn. Found on the Glitters, raced for 20 mins over Common burn and killed him. Found on the easternmost Torr, ran through Harrow Bog, along Southern Knowe, past Fleehope House, over Fleehope, the Chill, down to Ackhope, then down the water to Sourhope farm house and picked him up dead in front of the hounds where the road turns up to Hownham. He had broken his heart. A very fine hill run of 1 hr 20 mins. April 1st. Trowburn. Found on the Glitters next the Black Hagg, ran a great pace by Trowburn, over the Maiden Law, past Whitehall, over Hetha and ran into him at Hethpool. A very fast 30 minutes. Did not find again. April 4th. Lang-lee. A bad day. April 8th. Fleehope. Found in the Bizzel, ran over Cheviot to Henshole, across by Mount Hooley over Fleehope, Black Hagg, and the Curr and back to the Chill and killed him.
End of the season of 1883 and 1884
Commencement of Season of 1884 and 1885
August 15th. Yeavering at 4. AM. Found several cubs but there was no dew and the ground dry and hard, so could do nothing. August 19th. Longknowe at 4.30 AM. No foxes on Kilham, found three cubs in the Longknowe whin and routed them about for nearly an hour with a wretched scent, did not get blood. August 22nd. The Wilderness. Scent worse than ever, two cubs in the wood, might as well not have been there for all the hounds could do with them. Coupland Drive blank. Found a brace in the red Scar Wood, not an atom of scent. August 26th. Shotton. Found a cub in the whin but had to stop on account of standing corn. August 29th. Fenton. Found several foxes and scent a trifle better after a good deal of knocking about, killed a cub above Haddon’s Lodge. September 1st. Too dry to hunt. September 5th. Flodden. Blank. Tried the Red Scar again, but nothing but an old fox in it. September 8th. Tillmouth. Found several cubs in the bank and killed one. Found an old fox in Riffington took him to Twizel Mill and stopped them. September 12th. Kyloe Wood. A thick foggy morning. Lots of foxes, but no scent and through some mistake the earths open. September 15th. Horton Hill. Lots of foxes, had a fine 40 minutes and killed one old fox. Then 45 minutes and lost the hounds in thick fog when I found them they had lost their fox. September 17th. Longridge. Thick as a hedge. Got away with a fox in a moment probably an old one and ran him fast over Middle Ord to ground on the Murton Square Moor. Found in Murton whin and would have killed him but for three colleys that joined in and made a mess of it. Found in the whin south of the turnpike on Murton Moor, went into Allerdean which was full of foxes – did nothing of any worth. September 22nd. New Etal. Found several foxes in King William, killed one. Found in Heaton whin, ran to King William fast and back to ground in the whin. Found in Branxton Moor, scent was gone and made little of him. September 26th. Ford Common. Found in Hunter’s Hill end, ran to Kimmerston Dene which held a lot of foxes, a diabolical bad scent, hammer and tongs all say and nowt at t’finish. September 30th. Howtle. Blank, Kypie, Milfield old covert also. Found in Branxton Moor ran to ground at the Pallins burn keeper’s house the Inch. Found a brace at Mindrum Mill, no scent. Found a brace at No Man’s Land, no scent. Country drier than ever, no rain to speak of for six months. October 3rd. Ancroft. Berrington Dene well stocked as usual, took a cub very fast to Woodend and back and killed him. Very stormy and windy, tried Till banks but found nothing. October 6th. Paston. A thick fog. Any quantity of foxes but could not see. Found on Howdon, no better. Found and killed a fox in Milfield West covert. October 10th. Kyloe. Found a lot of foxes, but hounds slipped us and went to Hazelrigg with an old fox. October 13th. Wark Common. Only an old fox in the covert. Found several at Shedlaw, and killed one. Found several at No Man’s Land, and killed one. Found in Wideopen, ran by Harelaw Loch, and round by No Man’s Land back to Wideopen, and stopped the hounds as they were going up Bowmont Hill. October 17th. Doddington. A very windy day. Lots of foxes had about two hours with one and ran him to ground but could not get him out. A bad scenting day. October 20th. Cornhill. Found a lot of foxes, but no scent in covert. Found in the Coupenny ? and ran him to Tillmouth Park and lost him. Found a fox in Stotford Head plantation and killed him. Still no rain. October 24th. Longridge. Full of foxes, no scent, took one to Allerdean and to ground in a drain tile, took him out and killed him.
January 30th. Twizel. Found in Riffington whin, ran to Newbeggen across the Dene to Norham village, and back to the Dene and killed him. Till banks all blank – found several foxes in Woodend took one to Berrington Dene. Scent very catchy. February 2nd. Cornhill – blank. St. Cuthberts’, Nut Wood and Stotford Head likewise. Found on Till banks at Castle Heaton, ran up there to King William, then to the ?Keckout/Kirkut/Keckrit road, where the field who had been road riding headed him and we made no more of him. Found a brace in Mardon , no scent. Found in a field next Branxton Moor ran over Thornington, round above Howtle, back by Branxton whin and to Branxton Hill where he got into the water closet roof in the garden, was dislodged and killed. February 6th. Longridge. Found in Murton whin, ran by the Dene and Middle Ord to the earths on South Ord, then over to Murton Square, back to Longridge Dene, across the park, by Mount Pleasant across the railway, past Loanend and drowned as he tried to cross Tweed opposite Paxton. Came back to the Murton whin, and found a couple of hounds who had been left behind rattling a fox about, soon killed him. Found on Murton Moor and ran him to ground in Middle Ord plantation. Found in the Threeplee plantation but the wind had got up so strong that we did not do much. February 9th. Coupland. Drive, Ewart etc all blank. Found and chopped a fox in Kypie whin. Got away with another, went by Howtel whin, over by Reedsford, through Milfield west covert, down by the Rape Hill, through Milfield old covert and back to Kypie whin to ground. February 11th. Ford Castle. Found five foxes in the village whin, two lame ones, killed one – the other went to ground. Found at Barmoor, but he had been gone a good while so could not run him. Found at Woodend, ran well to Berrington Dene out by the Threeplee and ?Aydon Dene to Gatherick and back to ground in a conduit under old Greenlawalls road. Could not get him out. February 13th. Doddington. A nasty stormy day and did no good. No foxes about Horton. February 16th. Wark Common. Found and ran to Presson Hill where collies chased him and spoilt us. Found at Carham and had a long hunting run of over an hour round by Wark Common, Learmouth, Wark village and back round again the same way and into the oustead at Wark, where I lost him in the yards amongst the feeding bullocks. February 20th. Windmill Hill. Hard as nails. Tried the sand links but did not find. February 23rd. Fenton. Ran round by Ford Moss and Kimmerston Dene back into the Hill. Went and found a fox at Horton Moss, ran very fast over Rangham, Laverick Law, turned down by Hazelrigg Mill and Aast Horton, across the river to Fowberry, thro’ the Park, over Wandon and to ground in the Mill conduit on Broomhouse. A capital hunting run. February 27th. Twizel. Found in Riffington, ran up the banks by the station and Castle and to Shellacres where a brace of fresh foxes were on foot. Hounds divided and some time lost in getting them together again, hunted slowly by Newbiggen and Grieve stead over Shoreswood to Felkington plantation, where I could hunt him no more. Found in the Threeplee, a bad ringing beast, went twice round by Duddo vicarage and back and Woodend and was lost at last. March 2nd. Pallinsburn. Did not find until we got to Howtle whin, ran fast over Howsden and Kypie, through our old covert, by Sandy House and Lanton and lost him. Found in Kimmerston whin, ran a tremendous pace by the Scar Wood and straight over the Whitehill into Fenton Wood, where he beat us in by 40 yards and to ground. A great pace. March 6th. Plough Inn. Beal. Found in Kyloe wood, ran back and forwards through Kyloe and Detchant for an hour, and viewed our fox dead beat crawl through the fence into Kyloe wood, the field then began bawling got the hounds heads up and we could never run him another yard, be probably lay down in the bracken. Found another fox in the Plantation below Black Heddon, ran well and fast by Laverick Law and Hetton Coal Housees on over Wrangham with in a field of the Bog past the south end of Fenton Wood, and down to Nesbit, then on across the river, past Galewood and the end of the Wilderness, up the Coupland drive past the Castle, up Lanton Hill by the “toothpick”, down the fields just above Crookhouse farm place and ran into and killed him between the Howsden strip and Milfield West Covert. A grand run, horses very tired, luckily close at home. March 5th. A bye day. Went quietly to the Torrs, a very stormy wet day. Found at Yeavering Bell ran twice round the hill, over Gregory and Kirknewton, past the village up to Lanton Hill by the “toothpick” and killed him at the top of Sandy House Dene. March 9th. Park Common. Found and ran by Howburn, Presson and Presson Hill on to No man’s Land and Hoselaw, Cherrytrees hill, Greenlees and ran into him on Frogdon, a first rate run of about an hour. March 13th. Longridge. Found in the Murton whin, ran by Middle Ord and the Square to Allerdean and on to North Ancroft and Ancroft village, then round by Scremerston Hill to the Scremerston covert and killed him at the fence. 1 ½ hours very slow hunting every inch to pick out and no scent at all on the ploughed land. March 16th. Paston. Very hard and very windy, found and ran a ring by Shotton and lost him on the dry plough. Tried Canna Mill blank. Found on Akeld and ran over Humbleheugh and back over the moor to Akeld, changed foxes and stopped there. March 20th. Yearle. Such a hurricane that we could not hunt. March 23rd. Thompson’s Walls. Did not find until I got to West Newton whin, ran over Hetha, Whitehall and Trowburn to the Black Hagg, a very good gallop but dangerous riding, frozen ground and slippy. March 27th. Hethpool. Found on Yeavering bell, ran a ring to Akeld and back, then over Akeld and Humbleheugh, by Yearle whin to Middleton Hall up the glen to Hartsheugh Glitters, and Wooler Common and Common Burn back to Yeavering Bell where hounds got away on a fresh fox and we did not get them stopped till they got back to Yearle. A very severe day on horses and hounds ran well and fast. March 30th. Kilham. Tried all the Paston coverts blank. Found on the top of Kilham Hill ran very fast by West Newton Hill, Thompson’s Walls, Coudsmouth and across to Shotton hill, along the north face of Paston hill, past the east end of the Whinney Braes across the Kilham fields and ran into him going up the side of Kilham hill. A very good run but severe. April 1st. Went out at 6 AM. To look for a fox that it was alleged (though I don’t believe it) had been doing damage at Kimmerston, found no hen stealer in the whin, but a good fox and went a good pace over Fenton farm, Nesbit and Doddington, across the river at Cuthbertson’s Bridge, across Ewart and Akeld Steads to ground in the Coupland earths. A capital gallop although a pouring wet morning. April 4th. Earle. Found in mr. Hughes plantation but caught him in a very short time. Did not find until we got to Yeavering then ran rings with a bad scent. April 6th. Coldburn. Killed a fox in the Bizzle. Found again at Hethpool in the whin at the water side, went over the Mill hill and down through Harrow Bog, across the river over Hetha, and Trowburn, Coudsmouth, Shotton, and Paston, but he beat me on the dry ploughed land above Kilham. A real good hill run. April 10th. Langleeford. As thick as a hedge, had to come down to Humbleheugh, found and ran fast by the back of Yeavering, over the Torrs to Coldburn Glitters, across the valley and to ground in the Bizzle. A nice gallop through a thick fog. April 13th. Kilham. Found on Kilham hill but a vixen and she luckily got to ground very speedily. Never found again. April 17th. Yeavering. Found on Akeld hill, ran round by the Moor plantations and back onto Yeavering Bell, and lost. Found on Humbleheugh ran very quick along Akeld, over Yeavering bell, Gregory and Kirknewton, over the Torrs as far as the Torr burn glitters, back over Common Run to the back of Yeavering down to the farm place where we killed him. April 20th. Kirknewton. Found on the back of Southern Knowe, and ran to the earth at the back of Yeavering where he went to ground. Did not find again.
The End of the Season of 1884 and 1885
The Season of 1885 & 1886 August 7th.
Yeavering Bell. A thick fog and lots of foxes, a very poor scent and did not get blood. August 11th. Kilham. Nothing but an old fox to be found. August 14th. Tillmouth. Lots of cub but a bad scent, killed one cub. August 18th. Ford Colliery. No cubs, went to Kimmerston whin and found four or five cubs, killed one. August 24th. Fenton Hill. Nothing but old foxes. Found a little in the Red Scar Wood but was stopped by standing corn. August 28th. Kyloe Wood. A shocking bad scent, a poor day. August 31st. Tillmouth. Found in the Nut Wood and as there was a heavy dew there was a fair scent, and we soon killed one. Tried Heaton whin, full of foxes, but no one to help and they went away, could not go far, corn. September 4th. Akeld. No scent whatever. September 7th. Ford. Did not find until I went to the Wilderness and then hot and no scent. September 11th. Horton. Found several cubs, earths all open and they all got to ground. This is the worst stopped place in the hunt. September 14th. Hedgehope. Tried the peathaggs, bolted a fox, he went to ground again directly, and the terriers killed him. Found in Langleeford wood, ran over the Sneer, Hartshaugh Glitters, Wooler Common, by the back of Humbleheugh and pulled him down west of Akeld herds house. An old fox. September 16th. Pallinsburn. A very bad scent, did nothing. September 18th. Murton whin. Rattled a cub about, let him away and ran into him at Longridge kennels. September 21st. Cornhill. Found a lot of cubs and killed one in the ?Coupenny. September 23rd. Milfield. The hill full of foxes, no scent. September 25th. Berrington Dene. Plenty foxes and a fairly good scent, killed a brace and a half. September 28th. Wark Common. Did no good. October 2nd. Kimmerston Dene. A bad windy day. October 5th. Grindon Bridge. Did not find until we got to Till Banks, ran fairly up them. To ground at Berry hill. Found at Woodend, could not run him. Found at Etal ran very fast to ground on Ford Common. October 9th. The Cat. Found three foxes in the whin, let one away and killed him. Drew Haggerston Low Wood ran to Lowlynn and lost him. Found at Barmoor Moss, ran him to ground in the Fawcett earths. A gale of wind. October 12th. Paston. Found a cub in the Lake plantation took him a ring round the other earths and to where we found him, hounds then changed onto an old fox and ran over Shotton, Coudsmouth, Halterburn, and the Black Hagg, over Sourhope Chill and the Green Cribs and pulled him down on the Cocklaw. A fine hill run. October 16th. Pallinsburn – for Lord Percy. Found in the Whin, ran very fast to King Williams up wind, back to the covert down wind no scent at all. Found in Mardon whin ran down or rather slant wind fairly to Branxton Moor, Moneylaws and Downham, torrents of rain and a gale of wind gave it up. October 19th. Doddington. Found and ran to Trickley where I stopped them. Bad scent. Found again and ran round and round for some hours no scent and was beaten at last. October 21st. Milfield. No good. October 23rd. Longridge, Found in Murton whin, took him round by the Dene and up in front of the house and killed him. Found in Berrington Dene but did nothing more. October 26th. Paston. Lots of foxes and a bad scent. October 30th. Twizel. Bad day – but had a fairly good gallop in the afternoon from Etal by Ford Common to ground in Woodend. November 2nd. Cornhill. Found in the Bathing well, ran by West Learmouth, then back to the Coupenny and again to Learmouth and killed him. Found in Wark Common but he got to ground on Presson. Found at Mindrum Mill but ran into him in a few fields. Found at Howtel, ran a ring by Howsden to Milfield Hill and stopped them. November 6th. Felkington. Lots of foxes, a poor scent. November 9th. New Etal. Found in Stotford Head Point, ran through Tillmouth Park and then fast across the Heatons to the Heaton Covert, past the west end of it to the Pallinsburn shrubbery down the drive, across by the back of the Blue Bell Inn and over the hill to Marden, where they raced him in view to Pallinsburn cottage and killed him on the turnpike. Found again but did nothing of much consequence. November 11th. Nesbit. Knocked about in Fenton Hill with a bad scent. Found in Kimmerston whin, ran a great pace by the Wet Field to Ford and into the Castle yard, where he got away somewhere up in the ivy on Lady Heron’s tower. November 13th. The Cat. Found and ran fast to ground on Gatherick links. Found in Windmill Hill bog, ran through the Cat, then south over Haggerston, through the Licker Dene and to ground on the Licker Moor. Found in Kentstone Dene, went to ground directly. Found in Fenwick Wood, ran a fast ring by Kyloe Wood and killed him at the Bogle House. November 16th. Wark Common. Found in the whin, ran with a bad scent by Howburn to Pressen Hill and No Man’s Land and lost him. Found at Wideopen, could not run him. Found at Mindrum Mill covert, ran very fast to Cornhill where we stopped as there was a party shooting coverts and Collingwood and his keeper are good friends to foxes. November 20th. Bowsden. Too hard to hunt. Sent hounds into the snow at West Newton whin, found, ran by Kilham, Coudsmouth and the Black Hagg and killed him coming back at Trowburn. November 23rd. Flodden Lodge. Flodden Hill blank. Found at Branxton Moor, ran by Howtel school, over Housden, Milfield West Hill, Lanton. Coupland Drive, through the Wilderness to ground At Galewood. Found in the Red Scar Wood, ran a great pace by the Kimmerston whin, and the Kimmerston farm place to the Whitehill and rolled him over. November 25th. The Kennels. A very windy morning. Found in the Wilderness, ran to the Red Scar Road and up over our hill to Crook house and killed him. A very fast thing. Found in Milfield old covert, ran by Lanton and Sandy House, below Milfield village, over Whitton Hill, the Dene and across to Sandy house Dene and lost him. November 28th. Doddington. Found in the Horton Moor plantation, ran fast to the Hetton Dene, and across the Hetton Burn, where a good few of us got in, myself amongst the number, then by Fowberry to Trickley and lost him. I went home to get changed and left the hounds to draw Horton again, they found but did nothing. November 30th. West Learmouth. Drew everything blank until we got to St. Cuthberts; found a ringing fox, and took him over Melkington and Heaton and killed him at Tillmouth Lodge. Found in Stotford point another bad one and a poor scent. Found in Heaton whin. Scent failed altogether. December 4th. Longridge. All blank until Berrington Dene, found there and ran small rings for a while and killed him. Found in the Threeplee, and ran fast down the Dene, and back again through Felkington whin to ground in the quarry plantation. December 7th. Pallinsburn. Snow and frost, and did not go but took hounds to Milfield Hill on foot and killed a brace. December 11th. Barmoor. Still deep snow, went on foot to Yeavering Bell, found and killed a fox.
December 14th. Wark Common. Found and ran with a bad scent to Shedlaw and Carham. Came back and found again, scent rather improved, ran fastish by Presson and Mindrum Mill to ground in a drain near the Mindrum Mill herd’s house. Found in Moneylaws hill, ran very fast by Branxton Moor and Butterlaw to ground in the mill race conduit at Thornington. December 18th. New Haggerston. Did not find until we got to the young covert south of Brackenside, ran well to Ford Moss, and Ford Common, to Slainsfield, the Rhodes’ whin, Berryhill Crags, Woodend and back to Ford Colliery whin where we changed foxes and went on by Barmoor and back to Hunters Hill and Fenton Hill and round and round until foxes were done, and had to give it up. A good days hunting but unsatisfactory for hounds. December 21st. Pallinsburn. Found and ran fast by Old Heaton to Stotford where the hounds divided. I went on with the run fox over Heaton and Marldown, Barelees and through the Coupenny at Cornhill, then by Cramonds hill and old Heaton back into the Pallinsburn covert. I got a bad fall and got kicked at the ditch between Barelees and Campfield and could not get on for some time, when I got to Pallinsburn, there was a lot of shouting and row going on and hounds heads up and the fox lost. Found at Butterstone, ran a great pace over Moneylaws to Downham and back to Branxton Moor and lost him at Branxton Hill. December 23rd. Yearle. Found in the Happy Valley, raced him over the Moor to Langlee and back to Middleton Dene, where two hounds caught him on the bank but rolled down and let him go and he got into a hole under a tree root a minute afterwards. Found at Hartsheugh ran over the Sneer to Langleeford and lost. December 26th. Twizel. Riffington etc blank. Found in the Nut wood, went to ground in a hundred yards. Found at St. Cuthbert’s ran a ring by Tillmouth Park, Heaton and Melkington back to St. Cuthberts whin, then to Tillmouth to ground in a drain. December 28th. Paston. A fearful gale of wind, could hardly sit on our horses. Found in Paston and ran into a conduit neat the river. Gave it up and came home. January 1st. Bowsden. Found in Duddo quarry plantation ran through the Threeplee across the Berrington Dene past Woodend, and Pigg’s plantation, by the east of Berryhill, over Greenlawalls, and the Red Burn Dene, Tindal House and Tiptoe, across the river at Heaton Mill and into a drain on Stotford Head. Next morning he was lying at the mouth dead. A fast and good run. January 4th. Carham. Did not find until Wark Common, where we got a bad fox, who went to Carham and back by Shedlaw. Found a fox in a ploughed field at Wark Common, got a good start with him and ran fast to Haddon Rig, over the burn to ?Lampillaw and by Holefield to Presson and Learmouth; over Wark and Simonlaws and to ground on Presson. A ring but a capital run. January 8th. Doddington. Frost January 11th. Pallinsburn. Frost. January 15th. The Cat. Found and went well by Haggerston to Beal Station and to Kentstone Dene, through Kyloe Wood and Fenwick wood back to Kentstone, a heavy shower of sleet came on and stopped hounds running. A capital gallop. January 18th. Pallinsburn. Frost. January 21st. Red scar. Frost. My dear old father died this morning at one o’clock. January 22nd. Horton. Abandoned. ********************************************************* January 29th. Horton. The hounds went out, I did not. They killed a brace. February 1st. Pallinsburn. Frost. February 3rd, Ancroft. Frost. February 8th. Wark Common. Frost. February 10th Ford Bridge. I did not go, the hounds I hear had a bad day. February 12th. Norham Castle. Found a vixen in Horncliffe Dene a twisting brute and could make nothing of her. Found in Berrington Dene ran to the Felkington Quarry plantation to ground. Found in Berrington Dene next the Threeplee, ran fast by Aydon Dene, Duddo tower, Greenlawalls, Berryhill, Pigg’s planting, Woodend and back to Berrington Dene and stopped them as they changed foxes. A good quick gallop. February 15th. Wark Common. I was not out. No sport I hear. February 17th. Ewart Lodge. I am still in the house with bad cold. No sport. February 19th. Tindal House. Snow. February 22nd. Pallinsburn. We killed a fox but it was a very poor day. February 26th. The Cat. Hardly huntable with snow. Found and ran well considering over Scremerston and Allerdean to Berrington Dene. Found it would not do, so went home. March 1st. Wark Common. Snow. Snow until the 22nd March. March 22nd. Flodden. Still too much snow and very bad riding. Found in King’s Chair, ran through Flodden by Blinkey and Branxton Moor, over Moneylaws and Downham and lost him. Could not get to hounds for snow wreaths. Found in Marden Whin went east across the road down to Fish’s Stead and over Flodden Hill and stopped hounds going up into the snow at Howtle whin. March 25th. Kyloe Crags. A poor day’s sport. March 29th. Mindrum Mill. Found in the Whin, ran very fast by No Man’s Land and Wideopen, over Bowmont Hill, up Paston Hill to the Shotton Covert along the glen to Yetholm Mains where I viewed him in the same field with the hounds but he got into the oustead somewhere, and could not get him. Heavy sleet showers. Found again in Wark Common, ran by Carham and ?Nottylees, to Haddon Rigg and ?Reddan and back to Heddon and lost him. A good day. March 31st. Tindal House. Found in Berrington Dene, ran over the road south east to Berrington Law, by Bowsden whin, back over the Berrington Dene by North Ancroft, Ancroft village, Scremerston, Allerdean and back into the Dene. A letter S but a good gallop. April 2nd. Red Scar. Found in Kimmerston whin, ran very fast to Fenton Hill and killed him. Did not do much more, April 5th. Longknowe. Found at Paston, ran past Longknowe over Kilham Hill and Elsdon Burn to the Black Hagg and stopped them going into Scotland. April 9th. Middleton hall. A gale of wind, ran a vixen to ground and left her, but some of the Wooler people took her and six cubs out and killed them. April 12th. West Newton. Found and had a fine run and killed him. April 16th. Yeavering. Had two good gallops, killed a very old fox, must have been 12 years old he had only one tusk left and it was jet black and worn quite flat and square on the top, but the fox was strong and healthy. April 19th. Coldburn. Fog. April 22nd. Humbleton. Found in the back of Humblehaugh and had a capital run by Wooler Common, over Common Burn, Cold Burn and the Torrs, by the back of Yeavering Bell and Akeld and killed him in the Hare Law.
End of the Season of 1885 and 1886.
The Glendale Foxhounds were now hunted for two seasons by the Hon: F. W. Lambton and occasionally by myself when they were sold by me to Mr. ?T./?St L. ?Walker/Wallar to hunt the Croome country. I kept no diary of these two seasons.
Mr Grey’s Foxhounds. Season 1892 and 93.
Major Hunter of Antons Hill master of the Berwickshire not being able to hunt the whole of this country lent me a portion, being all south of the Road from Barmoor to Routin Lynn to Redscar to Flodden Tile Sheds to Howtle to Kilham to Longknowe (including their covert) to Yetholm Mains. I got 14 couple of hounds from the Dartmoor, Tickham and Cleveland. Commenced cubbing on:- Tues. Sep: 6th Longknowe. A leash of foxes in the whin but a bad scent in covert, knocked them about in covert for 1 ½ hours and then left and drew the bracken on Kilham Hill found a cub and ran fast round and round the hill and killed him found another and ran him for 20 minutes and killed him. Killed a badger in Longknowe whin. Tues: Sep 13th. Yeavering. Found on Akeld Moor ran over Harelaw and back along the face of Akeld Hill by the moor plantation over to Humbleheugh and back, and gave him up, scent bad. Fri: Sep. 16th. Fenton. Several foxes but a gale of wind and could do no good. Tues: Sep 20th. West Newton. Found in face of Kilham Hill above Farm place ran west to the outer hill opposite Longknowe and over the hill to West Newton whin, past Elsdon Burn, over Hetha, College, and through Harrow Bog to the top of Southern Knowe, along the top of the Torrs and over Yeavering Bell, saw hunted fox close in front of hounds above ?us on the hill when a fresh fox jumped up and before got at them to stop them the run fox was lost. A capital run but very unfortunate. Mon: Sep. 26th. Milfield. Found a lot of foxes, ran one from the old covert with only a middling scent by the West Covert and Kypie and back to ground. Found another and ran down past the house here across the Common Loanen, Sandyhouse Dene, Manor West covert, Crookhouse back thro’ Sandyhouse Dene and Lanton Dene down Lanton Hall, to ground at Lanton in a rabbit hole. Killed him. Thurs: Sep. 29. Milfield. Hunted the hill again, not so many foxes, ran over fast from the old covert by my herd’s house to Flodden Hill, through the Kings Chair by Flodden edge and Kypie, back to the old covert and lost him. Tues: Oct 4. Yearle. Found at Middleton Hall, ran by Skirl naked to Yearle whin and Kettles, back by Happy Valley and slowly to Ilderton Dene and stopped. Found in Akeld Moor plantation ran by back of Yeavering, Akeld Hill, Wooler Common, Watch Hill, Hartsheugh Glitters where hounds slipped over and went on over Broadstruther by Goldscleugh and over the top of Cheviot and where after I cannot say as they did not come home till next morning. Tues: Oct 11 Longknowe. Drew the whin blank. Found an old fox on Kilham ran by W. Newton whin, by Hethpool, over Hethpool Bell, Kirknewton Hill up the face of the inner Torr and over the top where they got away from us and ran by themselves to Hartsheugh. Oct 18th. Fenton. A lot of foxes but no scent. Fri: Oct: 21st. Coupland. Drew the drive blank. Found in Wilderness ran to Coupland earths where he crossed the river which was too big for horses, so stopped hounds. Found Sandy house Dene, ran round and round and every fox in the parish, too many foxes. Tues: Oct: 26th. Harrow Bog. Too hard to hunt there, came to Lanton and killed a fox on Howsden. Mon: Oct 31st. Milfield. Drew the Wilderness blank. Found in Lanton Dene, ran by Sandy House Dene over to Milfield old covert, past Kipie over Howsden to Hungry House round the hill and back to Kipie to the old covert, across to the Common Loanen, Sandy House Dene, Lanton road, and past Sandy House to the Red Scar Road, then by Marley Knowe back by Sandy House Dene, and Milfield Old Covert and into Milfield lambing Sheds and killed him. Two hours a bad scent and too many foxes making it hard to stick to the hunted one. Killed another in Flodden Strips. Fri: Nov: 4. Middleton Hall. Drew the plantation, Yearle Whin and Wooler Common blank. Found in Humbleton Moor, ran north over Akeld Moor by the plantation and over the hill back by Akeld Dene, over Harelaw and Bender Dene to the road, along to Akeld Station, up the face of Akeld Hill to ground on Akeld Moor, took him out and killed him. Another fox in the hole put him away, ran over the moor, over Akeld Hill, down the Dene to the farms place and killed him. Wed: Nov: 9. West Newton. Found a fox in Longknowe, ran very fast by Shotton Hill and West of Paston Lake, along the hill above the house, across the East End of the Whinney Braes, over Kilham farm, up Kilham Hill to the top and down to Thompson’s Walls and into Longknowe covert, fox dead beat but no scent in covert and could not kill him. Mon: Nov: 14. Doddington. Wrangham Moss. Blank. Found in Fenton Hill but went to ground at once in the rocks. White hill blank. Pike hole do. Found in Red Scar, ran down the Woods and by Kimmerston Whin back to the Warren to ground. Fri: Nov: 18. Lanton Mill. Very hard, did not hunt till 12. Crookhouse Broom blank. Also West Covert. Found in Milfield old covert, ran very fast over Sandy House Dene back by the Mid: Common, through the strips to Flodden and onto ground where the frost rhyme was lying, where hounds could not run at all. Found again in Sandy house Dene, raced across the road at Sandy house down to the turnpike where again the white ground stopped them.Tues: Nov: 22. Kirknewton. Thompson’s Hill end, full of foxes, ran one very fast round Yeavering bell, over the Torrs, and the Mill Hill, down thro’ Harrow Bog, across College across Hethpool and killed him near the West Newton march. Found in Hethpool Bell, ran exactly the same line but lost him at the water below Harrow Bog. Mon: Nov: 28. A gale of wind, so could not hunt in the hills. Came to Wilderness, blank. Chopped a fox in Coupland Drive. Found in Sandy House Dene, , such a hurricane could do no good, gave it up. Fri: Dec: 2. Kirknewton. Snow. Wed: Dec. 7. Barmoor. Hard frost. Mon: Dec: 12. Barmoor. Fields rideable but roads sheets of ice. Found in Barmoor Moss but could not run. Wrangham blank. Fenton Hill also. Found in Red Scar, went across the river and past the Plain to Thirlings and across the river again so stopped them. Fri: Dec: 16. Longknowe. Blank. Shotton Whin, ditto. Found in West Newton Whin, ran very fast by Hethpool hill, round Hethpool Bell down to West Newton up the hill and into Kilham then back into Hethpool Bell down the water to W. Newton Bridge and lost him. Found again in Thompson’s Hill end, ran round Hethpool Bell, across the water at W. Newton bridge, up Kirknewton hill over Yeavering bell, by the back of Akeld Hill, to Humbleton march, then over Harelaw Lowe to the Akeld farm place where he got in somewhere. Wed: Dec: 21. Kirknewton. Found our Friday’s fox in Thompson’s Hill end, ran down past the herds house, through the church yard and up over Gregory into Yeavering Bell and killed him – he was stiff from Friday and could not go. Found in ?Munday Cleugh, ran North by the Akeld Herds house along the back of Akeld Hill on to Yeavering Dene, down to the railway, along it to Akeld station and Bendor crossing, then within a field of Ewart bridge, east to the Doddington and ?Turvdaws march – south to Humbleton Low Burn House, past Smarts Mill, over the Kettles, past Yearle whin, across the Happy Valley at Skirlnaked, over Middleton Moor, past South Middleton, west of Ilderton Dene and killed him half a mile west of Roddam Dene on the moor. Mon: Dec: 26 Milfield Very hard. Fri: Dec: 30. Middleton Hall. Very hard. Tues Jan: 3 Humbleton, too hard. Fri: Jan: 6. Milfield, too hard. Tues: Jan: 10. Barmoor too hard there. Went to Fenton, found, ran over Doddington, fast to Hazelrigg Dene, back thro’ Horton , down the hill, over the river above Westwood thropugh Fowberry Park, Trickley, by the Triangel, past Lilburn Hill to the back of Lilburn Tower where I stopped then as Collingwood was shooting. Fri: Jan: 13. Milfield. Still hardish but rideable. Found in Wilderness but could not run. Found in Lanton Whin between the walls, ran down, by Sandy House Dene across the road at Seven Rigg , across the river at the Anna Point, through the Ford Woods, up then to the Red Scar, past Kimmerston and Fenton Demesne, across the river at the Pike Hole, through the Wilderness, past Marley Knowe and Sandy House, up Lanton Hill by Lanton Dene to the Monument, down to Lanton Farm place and killed him. Tues: Jan: 17. Barmoor. Hunted but very hard bad going and no scent. Found in the Moss ran to Fawcett Earths. Found in Kimmerston Dene but stopped hounds. Fri: Jan: 20. Longknowe. A gale of wind. Found in the whin, ran by Shotton Plantation and Lake, by Paston to ground in a conduit at the Railway. Found at Housden, but such a wind, could do nothing. Tues: Jan: 24. Milfield. A field of 40, a gale of wind and no sport. Fri: Jan: 27. Humbleton. Found in Hartsheugh, ran over the Sneer and back to ground on the Glitters, got him out and ran him by Earle Whin through Middleton Hall coverts to opposite Wooler Haugh Head, south by Millicans into Lilburn to Lilburn School House and lost. A bad ringing fox and very poor scent. Wed: Feb: 1. Harrow Bog. Found in the Whin at the waterside, ran down to Hethpool, then up the Torrs as far as the Torr Burn Glen, down over Thompsons, Kirknewton Hill and Gregory, through his garden and through the Kirkyard, along the Haughs by Coupland and Yeavering to Akeld Bridge, up Akeld Hill and along to Bender Dene, back into Akeld Garden and killed him. Mon: Feb 6. West Newton. Found in the whin, ran fast over Newton Hill over inner Kilham, past Longknowe, Thompson’s walls, Coudsmouth, Elsden Burn, and back to the whin and lost him for a while, picked him up again on Kilham ran over the hill and across Kilham Farm to Langham Toll, up the Whinny Braes and killed him at the fence into Longknowe Covert. Very hard day on horses. Fri: Feb: 10.93 – Akeld. Very windy and had a bad day. Akeld all blank, Wilderness do. Found in my Com: ?Lomin and ran badly in rings by Sandyhouse and gave it up. Tues: Feb: 14. Barmoor. A blank day. Fri: Feb: 17. Harrowbog. Found on Gregory and ran east with a poor scent to Yeavering Bell up the face and down the back into the Torrs, down the Torr Burn Glen to Kirknewton Glitters, down to the Station and back by the Kirkyard over Gregory to Yeavering Bell, the Dene, Akeld Hill and Akeld Moor back to Yeavering, down past the farm place to Coupland Ford, down the Haughs to Akeld and up Akeld Hill, stopped them horses all done. Very severe but indifferent scent. Mon: Feb: 20. Wooler Common. All blank until I got to Kirknewton Whin, found and ran over Yeavering Bell and Torrs but did no good. Fri: Feb 24. Shotton Whin blank. Found on Kilham ran round the hill to the farm place and up the glen to Shotton, over Shotton Hill, thro’ by the Lake Plantation and back to Long knowe where he went about a yard into a rabbit hole, broke it down and killed him. Wed: March 1st. Coldburn – deep snow. Fri: Mar: 3. While at exercise ran them through the Wilderness, found and ran by Marley Knowe and Lanton up to Sandy house Dene, too deep in snow and stopped them. Mon: Mar. 6. Milfield. A gale of wind and could do nothing. Fri: Mar: 10. Coudsmouth. Drew all the Paston coverts and Longknowe blank. Awful wind, found in W. Newton Whin ran very fast by Hethpool Bell and back by the whin and back to Kirknewton Hill, but a lot of fresh foxes on foot and gave it up. Tues: Mar 14. Humbleton. Very windy. Found and ran very fast over the Moor and Watch Hill onto Hartsheugh, then by Earle and Wooler Common and lost him amongst sheep. Found again on Akeld, ran down past the station and across Ewart fields, everyone got stuck in wires and do not know what happened, found hounds an hour after at Doddington. Fri: March: 17. Coldburn. Blank, found in Harrowbog and ran to Coldburn Glitters and stopped hounds at the Eagle’s Craig where Bachelor came over and was killed poor dog. Mon: March 20. Middleton Hall. Blank day. Thurs: March 23. Kirknewton. Very hot and dry, ran about the Torrs all day. Fri: Mar: 31. Thornington. Drew all Paston Coverts blank. Found on Kilham, ran by W. Newton whin and Thompson’s Walls over Kilham and W. Newton to Hethpool Bell. Wed: April 5. Halterburn by permission of Ld. Dalkeith. Too hot and dry, no good.
Finish of Season of 1892 and 93. Season of 1893 & 1894
Aug: 29th. Tuesday. The Wilderness at 5.30 AM. Lots of foxes but not an atom of scent. Sep 1st. Friday. Kirknewton at 6.30. Found in the Gregory Whin and ran by Kirknewton Hill end round to Hethpool Bell and back over Gregory, up the face of Yeavering Bell and down the back to ground. Sep 4th. Monday. Longknowe. Found several foxes in the whin but hounds got away on an old one, ran him for an hour and a half, and lost him on the road at Paston. Sep 8th. Friday. West Newton. Found in the whin, ran over Kilham Inner hill and along the face to Thompson’s Walls, over by Elsdon Burn and Hetha to Whitehall, and lost him, came back to the whin and found the same fox ran by Elsdon Burn and Hetha to ground at the end of the Maiden Law Glitters. Killed him. Dog fox. 13 ½ lbs. Sep 12th. Tuesday. Fenton. A lot of foxes, ran in the wood all the morning changing foxes continually and did no good. Found an old fox in the Red Scar ran him down the woods to ground. Sep 15. Friday. Hethpool. Drew the Bell, blank. Blowing a whole gale of wind. Found in Kirknewton Hill end but after a short ring killed him. Dog fox. 14 ½ lbs. Sep 19th. Tuesday, Yearle. The whin blank, also Middleton Hall and did not find till we got to Akeld Moor Plantation, ran over the top of Yeavering Bell by Gregory to Kirknewton Glitters and back to Yeavering Bell, dry as dust and bad scent.
Sep 22nd. Harrow Bog. A gale of wind and wet. Found and ran round the hills for an hour but could make little of it. Sep 26th. Tuesday. Kilham. Drew Longknowe and found, but absolutely no scent. Tried the hill but ground so dry and slippy that horses could not stand so gave it up. Sep. 29th Milfield. Heaps of foxes, killed one and had a ring with another from Sandyhouse Dene by Lanton Ford and Crookhouse, over Housden. Dog fox. 13 lbs. Oct: 3rd . Tuesday. Coupland. Found several foxes in Wilderness and Akeld Steads Bog but no scent at all. Oct: 6: Friday. Harrow Bog. Found and ran for 1 ½ hours and killed. Dog fox. 16 lbs. Oct 13th . Friday. Barmoor. Found in the Moss, ran round by the Castle and Lowick High Stead, Biteabout, across the moor to Curraghmore, Hunters Hill and into Ford Colly whin where there was no scent and could not kill him. Found in Fenton Hill and killed. Dog cub 12 lbs. Oct 16th. Akeld Steads. Killed one in the Bog. Ran another round and round the Wilderness and killed him – broken up before I got him so could not weigh. Dog fox. 15 lbs. Oct 20th . Friday. West Newton. The Duke of Beaufort out. A gale of wind and although found several foxes could not do very much. Oct 24th . Tuesday. Akeld. D: of B: out again and Lady Susan Beresford. Very windy. Found in Mundy Cleugh. 3 foxes ran a ring and lost. Found on Yeavering Bell, ran over the hill and down the end to Kirknewton to the Buttony Stones and killed. Dog fox: 17 lbs. Oct. 27. Friday. Fenton. Found in the hill but changed foxes. Found in Wrangham Bog ran very fast to Hetton Dene and killed. Dog fox – did not weigh. Nov: 1st . Wednesday. Milfield. A very bad day, a gale of wind and no scent. Nov: 6th. Monday. Shotton Whin. Found and ran by Shotton Dene, the Lake Plantations, Whinney Braes, Longknowe, over Kilham, round West Newton Hill and killed in a field behind West Newton oustead. 1 ¼ hours. Dog fox – broken up and did not weigh. Nov 9th. Thursday. Humbleton. Found in Akeld Moor, ran along Akeld Hill, thro’ Dene over Hartlaw, by Wooler Common to Watch Hill, Hartsheugh Glitters, Earle Whin, Humbleheugh to ground in Munday Cleugh – thick as a hedge and rain. Nov: 14th. Tuesday. Red Scar. Found and ran by Fenton town and Fenton Mill, over the Whitehill into Kimmerston Dene and lost, very bad catchy scent. Found several foxes in Fenton Hill but could not run. Nov: 17th. Friday. Middleton Hall. A gale of wind and did not hunt. Nov: 20th. Monday. Ewart Lodge. Fair scent on low ground. Found and ran by Akeld Steads and Akeld Bridge and up the river as far as Yeavering boundary, then up behind Yeavering Bell, down the end, over Gregory to Kirknewton Hill and lost. Nov 24th. Friday. West Newton. Ill in bed with influenza. Suke took 12 couple, drew the whin, capital scent ran round Kilham and back by Thompson’s Walls and W. Newton whin, over Hetha to ground on Maiden Law and killed him. Dec: 1st. Friday. Harrow Bog. Snow. Dec. 4th. Monday. Red Scar. Found and ran up and down the woods, no scent. Found in Wilderness, no scent. Dec: 8th Friday. Longknowe. Too Windy. Dec: 9th. Saturday. Longknowe, instead of yesterday. Found in the whin, ran over Thompson’s Walls to W. Newton whin, east over Newton hill over Kilham inner hill, along the face, down thro’ Longknowe Whin over Shotton Hill and down to the farm place, along parallel with the road to Yetholm Mains, up the glen to Halterburn Whin nearly to Stairhope, down the Hill past Kirk Yetholm across Bowmont, past the Venshen whin to Cherrytrees hill, over Venshen again to Bowmont Hill down and across Bowmont west of Paston, thro’ the Lake Plantation and lost at top of Whinney Braes. A fine holding scent, horses all done. 2 ½ hrs. Dec: 11th. Monday. Harrow Bog. Found in the whin at College side ran over the Torrs and Southern Knowe , Coldside Glitters, by ?Dunsdale and the Bizzel over Cheviot by Henshole, the Red Cribs, over the Chill, down by Mount Hooley and into Cheviot again and stopped hounds. Dec: 15. Friday. Lanton Mill. Found on Housdon, ran fast by Crookhouse Dene and over Lanton to the farm place, to Coupland Lodge, back by Sandyhouse Dene and Common Loanen, Rape hill the Dene, round the house and lost him about the drive. Found the same fox in Sandy house dene, ran by Rape Hill, Flodden strips to Windmill strip and killed him. Dog. 16 lbs. Dec: 18th. Monday. Humbleton. Found at Middleton Hall, ran up the Happy Valley, by Skirlnaked to Earle whin, the Kettles, over Horsdon, down to Earle Mill, across the water and railway to Haugh Head and Middleton Mill, up to Middleton Hall young plantation across the Happy Valley and through Earle Whin and Kettles, down Horsdon into Wooler and killed him in the town. Dog fox. 16 lbs. Dec: 22nd. Friday. Barmoor. Drew the Moss blank. Found in the Hole Meadow plantation, ran north by Bowsden Village, across the turnpike down the boundary between Bowsden and Berrington on to S. Berrington and up the side of the plantation in Dene nearly to Bowsden Whin, South by the west side of Bowsden village by Woodside and Barmoor Buildings, thro’ Winterburn, by the back of Barmoor Castle, past Bowsden on the east, down the Licker Dene, across the low turnpike and down the Lowlynn Dene to Lowlynn Hill where heavy steel steel showers came on and could not hunt him. 2hrs. Dec: 26. Tuesday. West Newton. Found in Canna Mill Bog, but could only run him very badly. Found in Longknowe and ran over the hill to West Newton 4 times and back to the whin, the last time got him away towards Paston but ran into the Berwickshire coming from Bowmont Hill. 2 hrs with a bad scent. Dec: 29. Friday. Akeld. Found on the hill and ran down by the station and up by Yeavering boundary and on over Akeld Drive to Humbkleton and down to Glen and up again for 1 ½ hrs and killed him in Akeld Dene. Jan 1. Monday. Akeld Steads. Found and ran very fast up the side of the Wilderness, past Coupland earths, across the river, up the Akeld and Yeavering boundary up the hill and into Yeavering Bell and lost. Did very little more. Jan 10th. Middleton Hall. Hard frost. Jan 12th. Friday. Harrow Bog, ran backwards and forwards all day. Jan. 16th. Tuesday. Red Scar Bridge. Found and ran nicely by Kimmerston Whin, Kimmerston farm, the Whitehill, across the Dene by Ford Wood House, over the hill into Ford Moss, and through the Colliery Whin and killed him. Found in Fenton Hill, ran fast along and back again to ground., the earths open. Tried Wrangham Moor, blank. Jan: 19. Friday. Humbleton Mill. Found in Earle whin, ran fast by Skirlnaked across the Happy Valley, over Middleton North moor into Middleton Hall coverts, down the Dene and killed. Hounds divided going thro’ Middleton Hall young covert and took a fox away by Wooler Com: & Humbleton, down Akeld Hill, past the station, up the river to the Coupland earths and killed him in the Coupland Drive. Found in Hartsheugh Glitters ran over Broadstruthers and along the ridge above Langleeford and Langlee hope onto Cheviot along the top above Goldsheugh to ground in a peak hag above the Bizzel. Jan 24. Wednesday. West Newton. Very hard and very windy. Looked over the hounds in the morning with Scarth Dixon (Ebor) and hunted at 12 o’ clock at Wilderness – found but went to ground in Coupland earths at once. Found in Reedsford whin, ran very fast over Housden and Coldside and the Manor, down Sandyhouse Dene to the bottom, across to the Common Loanen, into the village and in and about the Demesne stackyard and garden, across by the kennels into the drive and lost him. Jan: 29. Monday. Halterburn. Snow and frost. I had whooping cough and could not go but sent the hounds. More snow there and huntable. Found in Halterburn Whin, round the foot of Stairhope, to the Cuz, across the valley by Halterburn Head, along the Elsdon Burn march to Coudsmouth and in to West Newton and Kilham Hill, here the wind had swept the snow off and ground very hard and scent spoilt, the fox got down about the buildings at Kilham oustead and was lost. Feb 2nd. Friday. Barmoor. I was not well enough to go. Sent the hounds, blowing a hurricane and they did nothing. Feb 5th. Monday. Akeld. Found on Akeld Hill, ran along the face and over Yeavering Bell, Gregory, Kirknewton Glitters, Hethpool Bell, across the Lim, up the Torrs, along the ridge and over Yeavering Bell, across Akeld Moor by Herds House over Harehope into Humbleton Moor and back to Akeld Moor to ground. Killed him. Feb 9th. Friday. Long knowe. Found in the whin and went by the Whinny Braes and plantation above Paston House, round the hill to the east and over the Kilham fields to the Longknowe road, where hounds divided, the main body going over Kilham Hill on to West Newton down to Canna Mill, along the railway side past Kilham crossing to Langham Bridge up by the end of the Whinny Braes and over Kilham to ground. Killed him. Feb: 12. Monday. Wrangham. Blank. Found on moor behind Fenton Hill, ran through the wood and by Doddington Dene and hill, by Horton marchand thro’ the bog to Heaton House, across Hetton burn, by Hazelrigg Moor nearly to Cockenheugh, by the rifle range down Blagden Dene and to Belford Craigs. Feb: 16th. Friday. Wooler Common Targets. Hard and very thick, did not hunt. Feb 21st. Wednesday. Shotton Whin. Drew Haltersburn Whin, found and ran over Haltersburn Hill and landed amongst thick fog, hounds divided, one lot going into Henshole, another lot to ground west of Yetholm. Another lot ran to ground at Yetholm church and took fox out and killed him. Feb. 26th. Monday. Red Scar. Blank. Wilderness, a fox had been gone before we got there. Found in Milfield west covert ran by Sandy house Dene and Lanton Dene to Lanton Ford, over hill to Crookhouse, round Housden, back to Sandy house Dene down to the road at Sandy house – could not run any further. March 2nd. Friday. Hartsheugh. Blank. Found in Earle whins, ran by Kettles, High Humbleton over the Heugh, by Wooler Common, Hartsheugh Glitters, the Sneer, Middleton N. Moor, South Middleton, ilderton Dene and to railway between there and Middleton. In casting got on a fresh fox and went by S. Middleton to Hedgehope, down the Happy Valley to Earle. Horses all done up and lost hounds. March 5, Monday. Haggerston. All blank till Kimmerston Dene, ran fast by Hunter’s Hill and Kimmerston to ground in Jarkets quarry. Did not find again. March 9th. Friday. Harrowbog. Found too many foxes, ran one over the Torrs and Kirknewton and killed at the railway at Yeavering steads. Vixen 14 lbs. March 12th. Monday. West Newton. Found in whin and ran to ground on Kilham. Found on Kilham, ran round it and there divided, our lot killing a fox at Lanton Dene. March 13th. Thursday. Akeld steads. Wilderness blank. Did not find till Housden, ran a ring by Lanton Ford and Sandy house Dene, and back to Housden and to Crookhouse Broom and killed him. March 19th. Monday. Haltersburn. Found in whin – ran a fast ring for 35 minutes and killed. Drew Long knowe, found a vixen and left her. March 23rd. Harrowbog. Found on Mill Hill, ran for ¾ hours and killed. Found in W. Newton whin, killed in ¼ hour. March 26th. Monday. Wooler Common Very few foxes – had a poor day. March 30th. Friday. Henshole. Did not draw it, so misty on hill. Found on Maiden Law, ran for 25 mins over Hetha and up the river to Whitehall and killed. Got another in Buttony Stones, ran and the people killed him in a turnip house. April 22nd. Monday. Halterburn. Did not find till Westnewton and killed in 10 minutes. Found in Kilham, ran down to Canna Mill and round by West Newton, back over Kilham, through Kilham ousted to Paston and lost him in the dry plough.
Finish of Season 1893 and 94
Season of 1894 & 1895
Aug: 24th. Fri: Akeld Steads. Lots of foxes but no scent. Aug. 31st. Fri: Fenton. No scent. Sep: 5th. Wed: West Newton, whin blank, killed a brace on the hill. Sep 10. Mon: Harrow Bog. Bad scent. Sep 14. Fri: Milfield. Found and killed after about an hours hunting. Sep: 18, Tues. Longknowe, blank. Found on Kilham, ran to ground and killed him. Sep: 21. Fri: Sandy house. Killed a fox after an hour in the Dene. Found in Lanton Dene, ran to Housden and Crookhouse and onto West Newton Hill and killed him. Sep: 24 Mon: Yearle. Blank. Found old fox at Middleton Hall, ran fast to ground at back of Ilderton Dodd. Sep 28th. Friday. Ewart Park – 7.30. Fine scent, ran fast to Scar Wood and stopped hounds. Came back, found again and ran to ground in Coupland earths. Oct 1. Mon: Yeavering at 8. Poor scent. Ran on the hill for an hour. Found on Kirknewton Glitters, ran over Gregory and Yeavering Bell and down by farm place across Glen to Coupland and Lanton and lost him. Oct: 5. Fri: Red Scar at 9. good scent but bad luck, drowned first fox in river and ran second to ground. Oct 13th. Monday. Fenton. Lots of foxes and no scent, did no good. Oct: 19. Friday. Harrow Bog. Found and ran on the hills for ½ an hour then across at Whitehall and over Hetha, by Trowburn, Elsdon Burn Shank, Coudsmouth, Halterburn, west of Yetholm, across Bowmont to the Venshen oustead where he got in somewhere. Oct 22. Mon. Barmoor. Found several foxes in the Moss but did not get away. Found in the Hole Meadow plantation and ran fairly well to Dryburn Kiln to ground. Drew Kimmerston Dene blank. Found in Scar wood but scent gone. Oct 26, Fri: Akeld. All blank, till Kirknewton Hill end, ran over Torrs and round by West Newton and Kirknewton and Torrs and Harrow Bog and gave him up. Oct. 30. Tues: First day regular hunting. Ewart. Found immediately, ran fast by S. Lodge, Akeld Steads, Turvilaws. Wooler Brewery, Whitsunbank and killed him on Lilburn Hill. Found at Coupland ran very fast by Sandy House Dene Milfield Hill to Horsdon where there were several fresh foxes. Nov: 2. Fri: W. Newton. Everything blank till Coudsmouth. Found and raced by the Shank, W. Newton whin, Hethpool Bell, the foot of the inner Torr and into Yeavering Bell and lost. Nov: 5: Mon: Halterburn. Found in the whin ran fast west by back of Stairhope, along the ridge and to the Cuzz, across to Maiden law and Coudsmouth, across Elsdon Burn, to Hethpool and Harrow Bog and lost, very fast. Nov: 9. Fri: Lanton Ford. Found in Lanton Dene and ran over Milfield Hill to Horsdon, by Crookhouse and back to Lanton to ground. Found in Sandy House Dene and ran badly all over the hill with a bad scent. Nov: 13. Tues. Fenton. Found several foxes ran over to ground at Horse Bog. Went with another through the gardens by Wooler edge and Wrangham and killed him at Hetton Steads. Found in Red Scar, crossed river and ran to Glen mouth, across again by Fenton and Fenton Hill to Whitehill and Kimmerston and lost. Nov: 16. Frid: Middleton Hall. Found and raced to South Middleton Dene to ground. Found on Hartsheugh and ran round by the Sneer and back by Hartsheugh, Weeton Hill and to Wooler Common and killed. Nov: 20. Tues. Longknowe. Found and raced by Shotton whin and over the hill to Shotton Dene and killed him. Found in Shotton plantation and ran by Longknowe and Thompsons Walls, Shotton whin, up Coudsmouth to Halterburn plantation, over Coudsmouth again and by the Shank to Long Knowe to ground. Nov: 23 Fri: Kypie. Found in the whin, ran very fast over Housden to Reedsford and back over to the Big Plantation and killed. Found in Lanton Dene ran to Housden and Reedsford and lost. Found at Lanton behind the Herds House, ran a great pace over Lanton Hill and Housden to Crookhouse and killed. Nov: 27. Tues: Barmoor. Found in ?Dunsal young plantation and went away as if for Woodside, but hounds got a view of him and rolled him over in three fields. Found in Fenton but Sanderson ran in and I stopped and went to Red Scar, found ran by Fenton and Nesbit across river, down Ewart Haughs to Scar Bridge, across and down woods and lost. Dec 3. Wooler Common, drew all blank to Yeavering. Found in west end of Bell and ran over top and over Akeld hill by the Moor plantation and back along back of Yeavering Bell, Yeavering Dene, Coupland Foxholes, along the haughs to Akeld Station, up Akeld Hill, along to Bender Dene, down Humbleton fields to the river, up the haughs to Akeld Bridge and killed. Dec. 7. Fri: West Newton. Found in Canna Mill bog and crossed Bowmont up Crookhouse hill to the ?Manors, up side of Black Plantation, over Kypie’s Hill, past the whin, across Howtel road, over Howtle Hill as if for ?Bulters stones along the top and to the ?north of Kings Chair and Flodden, down to Flodden Lodge and the Linthaugh and by Heatherslaw village, thro’ the gardens and on by Sandy fords to Till, up the Haughs to Ford Forge across the river and up the tunnel of the Tals race, over the water wheel, thro’ the shops and out of the door onto the turnpike, on by Etal Drive, up Latham Hill and to Stainsfield, over Rhodes’ past the old whin and Berry hill moor to Gatherick, across Greenlaw ?walls west of Duddo and lost him at Duddo village. Dec: 11. Halterburn. Whin blank. Found in Shotton whin, ran by end of Coudsmouth and Halterburn, very fast for 15 mins and killed. Found in Longknowe, ran fast to ground in Whinny Braes, did not find again. Dec: 14. Fri: Ewart. Blank. Found in Coxon strip and ran fast down to Red Scar up Ewart Haughs to Fenton Burn mouth across by Nesbit and Fenton Lodge into Fenton hill, along the moor and to ground near the ?succeccer house. Found in the ?Beuaeh at the Scar ran fast to Ford Moss and to ground in a rock Hole on Hunters Hill. Dec: 19. Wed: Kirknewton – Tweed Hill end ran by W. Newton Bridge and along road side thro’ W. Newton kirkyard, up over Gregory and onto Yeavering Bell, over it to the Akeld boundary, down to the Coupland foxholes up the haughs to the Akeld Bridge, across to Wilderness, down the edge and killed him at Akeld Steads in a curtain. Dec: 24. Mon: Milfield. Found in Rackside strip and raced by W. Flodden, thro’ Flodden Hill, by ?Lampie and killed in Blinkbonny strip. Very fast. Found in West covert but he had been gone a bit, ran to Coupland earths to ground. Dec 28. Friday. ?Frosty run. A hurricane and blank day. Stopped by frost till:- March 1st. Friday. Milfield. Very hard and unrideable. Found on Kypie Hill ran round Horsden, by Crookhouse, over Lanton, down by farm place, by Marley Knowe, round Galewood, by Milfield village, up the Dene and to the ?road covert where could run no longer. March 6. Wed: Longknowe. Found in whin ran by Shotton whin over Halterburn to ground. Found Shotton whin ran through Shotton plantations, past Longknowe across Thompsons Walls hill and back of Coudsmouth to ground in same earth on Halterburn. March: 8. Friday. Yearle. Still very hard and dangerous. Found in whin, ran to Hartsheugh Glitters and down to Middleton Hall and back and lost, too many foot people and dogs. March 16. Sat: Kirknewton. Poor scent found in Till end, ran Gregory, Yeavering Bell, Akeld, Harehope and back to ground in Yeavering. March 18. Mon: Did not find till Fenton ran a ring out by Kimmerston Dene and back. Found another and ran by Doddington to ground in the quarry, no scent. March 22. Fri: W. Newton. Found on Kilham and ran a ring for 40 mins to ground poor scent. March 26. Tues: Halterburn, blank. Found at Paston ran a ring by Kilham and Longknowe and ?Shotton and Lake plantation and across the road to the river at Mindrum and lost. Found in Longknowe ran very fast by Shotton, Coudsmouth to ground on Halterburn. April 2. Tuesday. Hethpool, Corbetts keeper (Mr Murray) killed everything. All blank until Elsdon Burn, ran fast to Halterburn and by Coudsmouth and lost at Shotton. Found in Longknowe, ran fast by Shotton Whin and Coudsmouth to ground on Halterburn. April 5. Fri: Langlee. Found in the Glen, ran to Hartsheugh and stopped. Found in Yeavering Bell, ran by Akeld, Harehope, Humblehaugh, Woolder Common and Hartsheugh and stopped them going on to the Glitters. April 8. Mon: Coudsmouth blank. Found in Shotton plantation, ran over by Shotton whin, Coudsmouth, Thompsons Walls, Kilham to Canna Mill and along waterside to Kilham and Whinny Braes. April: 11. Thurs: Humblestone. Found on Hartsheugh Glitters and ran to N. Middleton Moor and lost. April 16. Tues: Torr Herds House. Found on Kilham, ran fast round the hill, down to Canna Mill Bog and lost near the station. Finished the season.
100 Years Ago Today.
A reprint in the Berwick Advertiser of 1979 of a hunt in April 1879.
