The Gazette, Friday, November 13, 2009
It was a beautiful day for the first meet of the Isle of Wight Hunt last Saturday at Westover in Calbourne. Hosted for the second time by the new owners of Westover, Judge John Weeks and his wife Caroline, all the hunt supporters were treated to mulled wine, port, whisky and sausages before they set off. “We hosted it last year in terrible weather so it was nice to have it in good weather,” said Judge Weeks. Master of the Hunt, Malcolm Purcell was very pleased with the turnout and the hospitality. “Everyone had a glass of something. You need a bit of Dutch courage when you’re jumping the fences,” he said. There were 44 mounted riders of mixed age groups and many followers on foot. Guests included members of the Taunton Vale Hunt and Somerset Hunt who borrowed horses from Suzie Sheldon, joint Master of the Hunt, from Kingston Manor. We were trail hunting as within the confines of the law,” said Malcolm. “A rag soaked in aniseed was dragged around the course
from a horse or quad bike before the event. Saturday was a Pernod day.” The hunt followed a course using their National Trust licence and Forestry licence to traverse their lands along with land owned by Todd and Jackie Carder, Paddy Hodgeson and Mr. and Mrs Daws of Combe Farm Brighstone. Out until around 4pm when the light began to fade, there were no problems and no new members to the Tumblers Club – which you join if you fall from your horse. “Tumblers have to put £10 into a fund and get to go to a dinner on April 1,” said Malcolm. A start of season supper was held at the Masonic Hall in Cowes for 120 people. Susie Sheldon supplied the beef that was prepared by Malcolm Purcell’s wife Sandra and his son Nat. Hunting will now carry on twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays until early March – they have to stop when the lambs start to arrive. There will be a hunt on Boxing Day, meeting at Carisbrooke Castle at noon and one on New Year’s Day from Gotten Leaze in Calbourne at noon.
www.iwgazette.co.uk
FEATURE
GOOD START FOR HUNTING SEASON
Rick Dolphin and Malcolm Purcell
Romiley Weeks
Rick Dolphin
Malcolm Purcell, John Weeks with tray
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Debbie Cotton
Sally Ann Stay
Nick Ward