Jane Heal keeps you informed with the social side of the Holcombe Hunt.

 

 A big thank you to all the people who helped out at the Point 2 Point, the day went really well and plenty of people watched some fantastic racing.

 

 

 Sunday 1st June - Holcombe Puppy Show at Holt Lane Farm, Brindle.  1.30pm for 2.00pm

Come along and see some gorgeous hounds being judged!! with loads of trophy's to be won.

Tickets are £10.00 including lunch!! Children free.

For tickets contact Jane 01706 810008 or Rhona 01204301525

 

 Friday 4th July, 7.30pm - Race Night with a difference!!! Hobby horses and dice!! should be great night.

The venue is Walshaw Sports Club, Sycamore Rd, Bury, BL8 3PE

 Tickets are £5.00 and includes supper.

There will be 6 races during the night, you can name your own horse for £5 and be the trainer in the race card, for £50.00 you can sponsor a race and have your own advert in the race card.

 

Saturday 2nd August - BBQ with Brian & Jane Heal at Scout Farm, Todmorden.  Raffle, well stocked bar and catering by our own celebrity chef 'Sharon Leyden'.

Due to the poplarity of this event, tickets are limited to 10 per person.

Tickets are £15.00 each, food included - under 14's FREE!!!!

 

Sunday 17th August - Hog roast at Gallaghers. (more details to follow).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Steven & Diane keep you up to date with news & views from the kennels.

I have finally got round to writing my end of season report, first of all I would like to start by thanking everybody who has made my first season very enjoyable, which includes the Master, key people, landowners, members, subscribers, event organisers, Ron, Diane and I’d better not forget the Hounds and horses, it’s been a really good season with some really good days and some really bad weather. I finished off the season by visiting two different packs; the first was the Vale Of Lune where they had their Bloodhounds out hunting, only the scent of a human nothing else! The bloodhounds were very fast and in good voice, and with just a little guidance from their huntsman (Clive) soon caught the runner. I had the pleasure of riding along side Clive for the day’s events; it was a super day with lots of jumping. The other pack was the North East Cheshire Drag, Danny and I joined our friends Ray and Margaret where we had a very wet and interesting day which included crossing a river which came up to the top of my riding boots, again we had a great day and the weather didn’t dampen or spirits. All our horses and hounds are winding down now but only for a short while, we will soon be bringing young hounds on shortly so they are on a little rest break at the moment (alright for some.). I hope to see everybody over the summer months at various functions and also at the various shows in which we parade hounds, Chipping show, Haigh Show, and Todmordon show to name a few. We will also be showing our hounds against other packs at Peterborough on the 16^th July, Lowther on the 9^th August and at Rydal, I will put more dates on as and when I get them.

This page is updated daily, news of each meet is added within hours providing news and pictures of the days events.  If you would like to add any information or pictures to this page please contact me by e-mail on info@emerald-fotos.co.uk  or by telephone on 07748700488 (day or night) or see me or Sue at the meet.

If you have never been hunting before and would like to give it a try, contact the secretary Kath Smith to arrange coming out as a guest.  We meet on Wednesday's and Saturday's at 12.00 noon prompt.   

Secretary.........Mrs Kath Smith: 01253 882537 / 07963836982 or email: kath.smith@holcombehuntltd.co.uk

Alternatively you contact any of the following people for more information about hunting or about forthcoming meets.

 Wire-Chairman.....Tony Hill.....01744 614800 / 07748700488

 Kennel Huntsman.....Steven Ashworth: 01204 882985

 Master.....Arnold Greenhalgh esq, M.H., M.F.H...01254 853083

 

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 News Update  

The season is finally over and now it is time for the people amongst us who do the showing circuit to get ready for the busy summer months ahead.  Over at the hunt kennels horses and hounds will be taking things easy after earning a well deserved rest, so to can be said for Steven and Diane, or at least a little break anyway.  During the spring and summer months, Steven will be busy showing and parading hounds at various shows around the country (venues and dates on the kennel news page).

 

During the past several months, changes have been made to the running of the hunt, firstly and most importantly the Holcombe Hunt is now the ‘Holcombe Hunt Limited’, this simple change has been made to limit it’s members by guarantee and does not affect the basis or foundation of how the Hunt usually operates.

 

Several changes have also been made to the daily running of the Holcombe; Michael O’Hanlon has stepped down after 6 years as Chairman, Arnold Greenhalgh Esq. M.H, M.F.H will start his 13th season as Master, and his first as Chairman.

 

Suzie Greenhalgh has also stepped down as Treasurer of the Holcombe, a role Suzie has done for the past 12 years, Martin Kirby, (one of several new members from 1/5/08) has taken on the role as Treasurer.

 

 Mrs Kath Smith has succeeded Andrea Glover as Hunt Secretary.

 

Susan Simmons will relish her second season as deputy Field Master.

 

Steven Ashworth who was last seasons Kennel Huntsman has been appointed Professional Huntsman. 

 

Ron Stouph has retired as Huntsman, after a lifetime in Hunt Service for several Hunts, Ron has finally hung up his boots, if anybody deserves a well-earned rest, it has to be Ron.

 

Danny Gallagher and Diane Gibson will be Amateur whips.

 

New to the membership are Martin Kirby, Brian & Jane Heal, Mark Radcliffe and Gary McLung.

 

 A Big Thank You

The Master, Members & Subscribers would like to thank all the Farmers, Landowners and Individuals who's land we have had access to and crossed over this season. we are most gratefull and look forward to see'ing you all again next season.  Thank You.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Forthcoming Meets

We look forward to  see'ing you all again next season, in the meantime there are other events taking place over the Spring & Summer months to keep us all entertained and to raise funds for the Hunt.  Jane Heal will keep you upto date with functions and events as they take place. 

 

               

 

 

  

 

 

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 Hunt News & Gossip

Congratulations to the very versatile Diane Gibson, fiance of kennel huntsman Steven Ashworth who was awarded her Hunt Buttons for services to the Hunt on New Year's Day by the Master Arnold Greenhalgh M.F.H. 

             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Sue Simmons super grey horse Mary, aka Saddleside Larkhill competed the working hunter final at HOYS in Oct 2007, which is why she has only just come out hunting again.  Sue also did the Royal International at Hickstead (Working Hunter Final again) and they have qualified already for 2008.  Mary will hunt until Xmas and then not much after so as to keep her condition on. ( Well done to Sue & Mary and good luck for 2008) we shall look forward to see'ing out on one of her up and coming younger horses.

Sue & Mary in action at the Open Meet

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Incidentally, Sue's guest at the Open Meet was International Show Jumper and former  HOYS Fox Hunter Winner Nigel Coupe, Nigel was riding a 4 year old for Vanessa Ramm, Vanessa is the Tynedale Hunt MFH and a show producer and also a good friend of Sue's.

Nigel Coupe tackles the gate.

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Kennel Pictures

Some pictures of Steven, Diane & the hounds.

 

 

 

 

 

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 Meet Report

 

Heskin Hall is a site of great grandeur; noblemen and fair ladies have resided in this wonderful piece of ancient history and which was once the home of Edmund Dudley.

 

Ron Stouph will hunt hounds for the last time today for the Holcombe Harriers and Heskin Hall will add this little piece of history to it’s lavish setting of history making.

 

 Today’s meet report has been written by newly elected Holcombe member and treasurer Mr Martin Kirby.

 

Photographs courtesy of Victoria Kirby

 

 

 Ron enjoying a stirrup cup before the off

The rain had lashed down all of Friday. Gales had blown through-out Friday night. What would Saturday’s weather bring? Would the God’s of hunting be kind and grant us a fair day?

 

I awoke on Saturday morning with the usual excitement of a hunting morning, however I knew the day would also be tinged with bitter-sweet emotions, as it was to be Ron Stoup’s last meet as Huntsman. Sadness that it was Ron’s last meet, but also happiness that we are celebrating in the best possible style a long and successful hunting career.

It is always a pleasure to meet at Heskin Hall. The Hall lends such a dignified and yet romantic backdrop to the sight of horses, hounds, riders and foot followers gathering on its lawns.

 

As usual we were met with a very warm welcome and great hospitality.A mounted field of some 30 souls, with as least as many foot followers gathered in front of the hall on what was turning out to be a nice sunny day.At the meet there were some very pleasant sights to behold. Anne Dooney was mounted together with her daughter and grand-daughter. So nice to see three generations of a family out hunting together.

It was good to see our hunt photographer Tony Hill mounted and looking forward to a good days sport, this was the first day that Tony had been mounted this year, having spent the rest of the season taking marvellous photos of the rest of us. Kath Smith, the new Secretary, was much in evidence collecting the cap with a certain amount of determination and I am told not a little athleticism.Glynn Watkins, the key person for the day, was resplendent in bowler hat and white coat. Glynn had promised us a special day, so special that he would not tell us where we were going! Although the rumour had got out that we were going onto High Moor.

 

Following a speech from the Master  Arnold Greenhalgh thanking Ron for all his services to the hunt and following three cheers from the crowd, we were off.As we turned up Sandersons Lane and headed up Harrock Hill Glynn`s route for the day started to unfold.

A trail was laid by Ian Asher and Tony Hill from the top of Sandersons Lane adjacent to the site of the derelict Windmill. The field jumped a hunt jump onto the top of Harrock Hill and via a course of a number of hunt jumps and a couple of boxed hedges we crossed towards High Moor.

 

Then as we came down onto High Moor, we were greeted by one of Glynn`s surprises for the day, for the first time in a number of years; we were to jump the flight of three hedges. I can tell you now from personal experience that these are not in- substantial hedges. I was trying out a new saddle on the day and had been ordered to check out its                     “ stickability”. I can tell you that these hedges gave the saddles` “stickability” a severe testing and fortunately for me it came through. However on a side note I can tell you that having jumped one of the hedges and having lost both of my pedals, to hear the Master’s voice shouting at me to “sit up . sit up  you are not allowed to fall off now you are Treasurer “ was a little novel.

 

Having stopped for a quick refresher, we were then off across High Moor. The ground on Harrock Hill had been remarkably good and firm, but here on High Moor it was wetter and deeper. Still great fun was had on High Moor before we headed past the Rigbye Arms and traversed the slopes of Harrock Hill by the side of the Quarry.Here we were welcomed by the Farmer with a quite potent brew!It was obvious that Ron was having a great day, the hounds were running well and were in good voice. There were only the occasional bit of rioting from the hounds, but this is part of their charm in my view.

The day was staying bright and dry as at about 3 o’clock we moved onto Jackson’s Lane and entered the slopes of Harrock Hill again. A trail was laid up the hill, via a series of hunt jumps and  it was obvious we were going back onto the top of Harrock Hill again, Another one of Glynn`s surprises, we were certainly not going in early today.Hunting continued on the top of Harrock Hill for a while with the hunt jumps providing plenty of entertainment. It had been a great days hunting,. We had covered some of the best country in good weather, following a great Huntsman and his hounds for over three and a half hours; what more could you ask for?

 

Unfortunately an accident then occurred. Suzie Greenhalgh took a nasty tumble. Although badly shaken, and following a later visit to casualty Suzie was declared to have broken no bones. However poor Suzie has torn some muscles in her leg, so she will be out of action for a while. I am sure you will all join me, in wishing Suzie our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

So “Home” was blown and we arrived back at Heskin Hall at 4.10pm. That had been a serious days hunting. You could tell from the faces of horses and riders alike, that they were tired but had had a great day. Afterwards, inside the Hall a cake and champagne were produced and following a speech from Sue Simmons the riders and foot followers went home with, I am sure, very happy memories of Ron’s last day as Huntsman to The Holcombe Hunt. Ron, as you all know is a man of few words, but over a closing whisky in the bar; he had these words for me “That was a really good day- I enjoyed it. “

I have said much about Ron, but there is one other person who has been a big part of this story, Ann Barlow; Ron’s partner. Ann has played a massive part in supporting Ron throughout the years, and Ron’s retirement will affect Ann nearly as much as it will Ron himself. So a big Thank You to Ann for everything she has done.

 

Thank you to everybody involved in putting on this meet, to the Farmers, to Heskin Hall, to the Master and the Hunt Staff, to Ron and to Glynn for putting on such a great day.

To paraphrase the Master’s speech in front of Heskin Hall, “Thank you Ron, you will always be welcome with the Holcombe.”

Master & Huntsman

 Martin Kirby, Suzie Greenhalgh, Arnold Greenhalgh M.F.H, Susan Simmons

 Huntsman Ron Stouph leads off the Holcombe Hounds for the last time

 Ron enjoying his last day 

 

 

 

Meet Report

The Highfield meet report was written and submitted by the delightful Susan Simmons. Susan as you know, Field Mastered this wonderful day.

Anticipation of the off, Field Master Susan Simmons awaits her calling.

 

Diary of a (new) FieldMaster

 

Meet Report

 

Saturday 29^th December 2007, the location was Leisure Lakes near Southport, the weather was wet and windy and the reason was the annual ‘Holcombe Hunt Children’s Meet’.

 

This popular meet often attracts plenty of spectators as well as riders and today in spite of the extreme weather conditions was no exception, tiny toddlers to the more mature rider, both these age groups took advantage of the land at their disposal, a fete which key person for this area Arthur Wright was responsible for. 

 

Nearly seventy mounted and over 100 on foot moved on to the field waiting for the hounds to appear with the riders walking and trotting their horses in anticipation of the moment, family members was making sure their young charge was ready for the day’s proceedings, the hounds themselves seem to know the importance of these meets and always rise to the occasion, one could be forgiven for thinking that the hounds see the occasion as their special moment.

 

Once onto the field the hounds paraded with presence, as if to say look at me, no amount of rain could put spoil on this magical day.  Hunt Horses are always impeccably turned out, kennel huntsman Steven Ashworth prides himself on attention to detail and with so many people’s eye’s on you nothing but 100% will do.

 

Laying the trail, subscribers Diane Gibson and Brian Heal set off around the lake, the scent is applied to the horse’s feet and usually works very well even in these extreme conditions.  Huntsman Ron Stouph moves off with the hounds and uses his lifetime of experience to put the hounds onto the scent, Ron has been in hunt service all his working life in one capacity or another and was responsible for the transition from hunting hounds to trailing when the ban came into force. 

 

Once the hounds was on the scent the field led by Arnold Greenhalgh M.H., M.F.H. set of at a blistering pace and over the several hunt jumps that was available on this soggy ground….

 

When out trailing with any pack of hounds, spare a thought to the people who make this possible, from the Masters to the hunt staff and the key people who open up the land and make good any damage done on the day.  Of course none of this would be remotely possible without the generosity of the farmers and landowners who allow us to go over their land, gratitude costs nothing, ignorance costs us dearly.

 

Some pictures of the days proceedings;

A child at heart, Martin Kirby brings out his new horse.

Some of the younger riders already enjoying the day!!!

Even before the day begins, it's smiles all round!!

Younger riders enjoy a run around the field with the Master.

Huntsman Ron Stouph with the hounds.

One of the more junior riders sails over the jump.

Hunt member Pat Gallagher retuned from Olympia Horse Show and shows the field some Cossack Riding Skills.

Glynn Watkins doesn't bother with hip flasks these days, he just brings the bottle instead!!!

A good days trailing over, back to the saloon for some tasty food....

 

 

Meet Report

 

Boxing Day Meets took part across the country with over 300 Hunts and some 300,00 or so people turning out to either ride, foot follow or to just support their local Hunt. 

The Holcombe Hunt meet was at Rivington Barn, Rivington.  Nowadays the Holcombe Hunt keep strictly within the law and so trailing is the order of the day but before the hunting ban came into force the Holcombe had been hunting on these lands since the 1700’s when the estate was called Rivington Ould Hall Estate.  In 1729 John Andrews took full possession of the estate and had the Pike Tower built in 1732, the tower was once used as a shelter for shooting parties.

 

In 1899 Lord Lever-Hulme was offered the Crompton Family portion of the Rivington Estate, Lord Lever-Hulme insisted the Crompton Family remain resident in the Hall and had a wooden bungalow built on he hillside, the bungalow was burnt down by a suffragette and was later rebuilt in stone.  Today, the estate is known as Lever Park and only for the courage of Lord Lever-Hulme taking on the might of the Liverpool Corporation, Rivington would have been all but history.

 

Mounted riders was on the field adjacent to the Barn from about 11.30, relaxing their horses and chatting to other people on horse back and people who came to cheer on the tradition.  You could feel the buzz in the air, excitement was written across everybody’s face, old and young alike.  Several of the younger riders were present from the Holcombe Pony Club, (www.pcuk.org/holcombe) as well as young riders from other fields.

 

At 12 noon, the Hunt with a field of around 100 mounted moved off to parade to the crowds of easily over 800 people who had gathered to watch the Hunt in action, they circled the field three times and each time round the cheers seem to get louder and louder, if people think Hunts are dying out or people are simply not interested anymore they obviously must be looking in the wrong direction.  Deputy Field Master Susan Simmons and subscriber Jane Heal guided the younger riders round, keeping behind the main body of riders, safety is always a major concern when such a large field of riders are present and nothing is too much trouble for these lovely ladies.

 

The Hunt moved off and across the road to make their way around the reservoir and past Lead Mines Clough and on to the moor, once onto the moor Diane Gibson and Brian Heal set off with the trail………

 

Of course none of this could be possible without the help and  support of the farmers and the land owners, the Holcombe Hunt are most grateful for their continued support over the past years and many more years to come, Thank You.

 

A few pictures to reflect the Boxing Day Procedings...

Holcombe Hunt Master Arnold Greenhalgh looking some what amused of what awaits ahead...

The ever Regal looking Rhona sums up the crowds.

Toady a little girl on her pony, tomorrow a Field Master perahps...

Visitors posing for a picture to remember the days proceedings.

Holcombe Subscribers, Diane Gibson and Brian Heal are laying today's trail.

Subscribers Paul Welsby and Arthur Wright are ready and waiting for what ever comes their way....

...but they never expected it so quickly...

A few of the younger generation keeping up with their adult counterparts.

A Huntsman and his hounds, Ron Stouph leading the Holcombe  Hounds around the field.

Kennel Huntsman and first whip Steven Ashworth salutes the cheering crowds.

Scream if you want to go faster, young whip, Daniel Gallagher obliges the cheering crowds with a fast gallop.