Season 2005

The South Downs Bloodhounds' first season is progressing well, with hounds to date managing to get out at least once a fortnight. "Obviously I would like to be out more frequently," says the Master, " but nearly every meet is new country to open up and that takes a lot of work. I prefer to progress slowly and not make mistakes rather than risk upsetting our landowners, farmers and shoots, who have been so generous and helpful. I am confident that by next season we will have made enough friends to ensure that we can hunt a minimum of once a week. It made me feel better to hear from a Coakham Bloodhounds subscriber - not only the oldest bloodhound hunt in the country, but probably also the best - that when Neil Wates started the pack they would often go out and have very short days." Reports for some of the best meets can be found by following the links below. Photographs kindly supplied by Ann Brewer, Fran Baker and Sharon Thayer.

The South Downs Bloodhounds' first season is progressing well, with hounds to date managing to get out at least once a fortnight. "Obviously I would like to be out more frequently," says the Master, " but nearly every meet is new country to open up and that takes a lot of work. I prefer to progress slowly and not make mistakes rather than risk upsetting our landowners, farmers and shoots, who have been so generous and helpful. I am confident that by next season we will have made enough friends to ensure that we can hunt a minimum of once a week. It made me feel better to hear from a Coakham Bloodhounds subscriber - not only the oldest bloodhound hunt in the country, but probably also the best - that when Neil Wates started the pack they would often go out and have very short days." Reports for some of the best meets can be found by following the links below. Photographs kindly supplied by Ann Brewer, Fran Baker and Sharon Thayer.
	East Dean The Goodwood Estate is a beautiful estate at any time of year, but spring in that area has a special magic of its own, even a late spring like this one! Were it not for the modern cars on the road, one could believe one had gone back at least 50 years in time, not least for the very warm and encouraging welcome that we got from the locals. All to often nowadays, the sight of a pack of hounds on the village green would result in complaints about the fact that the horses and hounds might be damaging a finely manicured bowling green that people are allowed to look at, but not use for traditional activities. Not so on this occasion, the locals came out to see the hounds and ask questions about this new sport to the area. Full report and more pictures.
	Cornish Farm Hounds met at Cornish Farm, Beachy Head, by kind invitation of the Coakham Bloodhounds. Senior Master Nic Wheeler (right) welcomed the SDB to their country and the day was organised by Joint Master, Clare Miles. Mr & Mrs John Hobden kindly provided hospitality at the meet, while Quarry Captain Adrian Pace set off to run the first of four hunts in beautiful countryside. Nic told our Master to "sit back at the first fence, because it is a bit of a drop and you will be landing in water". (Beachy Head - get it?!) Our Master replied, "don't worry Nic, I'll be right behind you - about one mile to be precise!" However, an excellent day's hunting ensued and our hounds performed brilliantly. Report and more pictures by Sue Wheeler. I am sure there will be more pictures available on the Coakham Bloodhounds website.
	Warren Farm Stephen and Val Batten provided a select field with some generous hospitality at their home before the field set off to try their luck over the Warren Farm jumps. A beautiful day, a beautiful setting, good food and drink, followed by some of the best hunting to date; what more could we want? Nothing. Report and more pictures.
	Bignor Park Lord and Lady Mersey generously hosted a good day on their beautiful West Sussex estate. Unfortunately local quarry Patrick Cates was unable to run due to illness and we wish him a speedy recovery. Quarry Captain Neil McAlpine enlisted the help of Phil and Ali to give us 4 good hunts. Fallow deer (left) were seen on 3 of the 4 hunts, but the hounds behaved impeccably. Report and more pictures.
	Boxing Day at Keyham Farm James and Carolyn Fair kindly hosted a very last minute meet on Boxing Day at Keyham Farm. Due to the lack of publicity for the meet there was a very select field, but some good hunting courtesy of Quarry Chris Lee. Report and more pictures.
	Thorney Island Saddle Club Kevin Britton (left) kindly organized an excellent meet on Thorney Island . Quarries Neil McAlpine and Patrick Cates gave us some great hunting round the island and over some of the Saddle Clubs jumps. Report and more pictures.