Issue 131 – May 2017
LORD SEFTON’S DOGS By Stephen Guy, West Derby Society THE Molyneux family of Croxteth Hall were sporting peers for generations whose dogs were renowned for their hunting and racing skills. In May 1854 just a year before his death Charles Molyneux, 3rd Earl of Sefton, funded an annual dinner for his tenants. The Liverpool Mercury reported: “It may be stated, in explanation of the object of the meeting, that his lordship, as is well known, has ever been an ardent admirer of the sports of the field, to which he has devoted much attention. “It appears that in Aintree, Netherton and several of the townships in that district comprised within the Croxteth estate, a custom prevails amongst the tenantry of rearing pointers, harriers and greyhounds for his lordship’s use.” This was a long-standing tradition on Molyneux farms and others on similar estates across the country. About 60 tenants attended: several were venerable-looking farmers, whose family connection with the Croxteth estate went back many generations. The colourful dinner at Aintree’s Sefton Arms, on a liberal scale with
WIN, WIN, WIN
Four pairs of tickets sale In London at an average of to be won £25 each. for the “I have had other good musical sales of pointers, hounds and greyhounds, always retaining The Last the best and enough for my Five Years purpose.” A beautiful greyhound Sally Gray had been reared by Mr Hughes, a market gardener. Henry Harrison raised the first fine greyhound the Earl had, called Medlar. “I never owned a finer,” added Lord Sefton. “Edward Webster reared Senate. Darwen reared the best dog now In Great Britain Sackcloth. “I have named a few out of a vast number who have done their best to raise my puppies well.” As was traditional at the time, the evening also included many songs as well as toasts and speeches. n Join the West Derby Society at its next meeting 7.30 pm on Wednesday 17 May at Lowlands, 13 Haymans Green, Liverpool L12 7JG.
wines of every description, was chaired by the Earl’s steward Reuben Ledger. Lord Sefton did not attend but wrote a letter read out to guests: “The tenants on the Sefton side of the country have long reared all the dogs which I have kept in my kennels.
“These dogs for at least 40 years have contributed greatly to the pleasures of my life. “My greyhounds have won the largest prizes in all parts of England in their turn since the year 1822. My pointers have been celebrated and I sold 12 at a
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Defibrillator for St Mary’s Millennium Centre Exciting plans for Springfield Park
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