Fox
Hunting in Lyneham
The Lyneham Estate has always been highly recognised as a
properous agricultural area with many sporting opportunities
in the 2,016 acre arable and woodland estate. The manor location
was in the centre of the Badminton Hunt area was suited by
many huntsmen.
In the early 1900's one of the highlights of the winter was
the Meet of the Duke of Beaufort's hunt on Lyneham Green and
at the nearby Tockenham Manor. This took place once during
the season and at 11 am the Hounds and Field moved off towards
Tockenham Woods, followed by as many people, including school
children, as they were allowed or could take time off education.
It was a very colourful and noisey occasion with the huntsmen
all in their traditional regalia and the hounds eager to move.
Mrs E.M. Hillier who is the author of the well written document
'Reminiscences of Lyneham between 1900-1940' which accurately
records her memories of her Lyneham lifestyle, she reflects
the times at these hunts; "Once when I followed with
several friends, the Hounds entered the woods, the Field rode
round the field and we stayed near a corner. After a while
out of the hedge came three small foxes and just stayed in
the sunshine and gambled, while the Hunt went off else-where.
In a few minutes out came their mother and joined them."
She recalls the increase of traffic through the village cancelled
the Meets on Lyneham Green.
Origins of the hunt:
The earliest records of hounds being kenneled at Badminton
date back to 1640 when the then Marquis of Worcester hunted
mainly deer, but hare and fox as well. A detailed history
can be accurately traced from 1728 but it was not until 1762
that the 5th Duke of Beaufort, returning with his staghounds
after an unsuccessful day put his hounds onto Silk Wood -
now part of the Westonbirt Arboretum - and had such a fine
run with a fox that henceforth he concentrated on foxhunting;
hunting the country around Badminton - now the Beaufort -
as well as a large area of country north of Cirencester now
the Heythrop.
Dukes of Beaufort have either hunted hounds themselves or
have been in the Mastership since the title was created in
1682 and the hounds, kennels and stables still belong to them.
The 10th Duke was master from 1924 to 1984 and so great was
his contribution to foxhunting he became universally known
as "Master". The Beaufort is one of the few remaining
private packs although it is basically financed by subscription.
The hunt dress is peculiar to the country in that the Huntsman
and Whippers-In wear green and the subscribers a bluecoat
with buff facings - the Beaufort Liveries. The Beaufort Hunts
still goes on today. |
