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Lenborough 3rd February 2008
The forecast was heavy rain or snow and strong winds but the former held off and, although we shivered in the crisp wind, we stayed dry. The Working Section met at Lenborough, near Buckingham, a new venue courtesy of Stowe College beagles. Stowe College did us proud – not only did the kennel huntsman turn out with nine students who were a credit to the college and provided line laying and whipping in services but the venue itself was beautiful pasture with undulating hillocks. The Stowe student who laid the first line overestimated the stamina of our beagles – we thought he would never come back! Once they were released the 22 beagles streamed off in pursuit of aniseed but the pack split and the lazy, crafty or less competent made their way back whilst Nelson, giving tongue, and (Enchace) Yokel doggedly followed the whole trail. The Fieldmaster started and ended the meet with all hounds running together but split the pack in two over the six interim fields. Certain hounds stood out and were swiftly identified by the Stowe kennel huntsman. He offered Nelson a “job” (despite an unfortunate tendency to run the heel line!) and noted as top bitch on this day Sukie (Kybo Touchy) pretty in pink with her admiring string of male followers. Spencer (Rossut Argonaut) and Gemark High Dudgeon (the latter out for the first time today) followed Sukie (or the aniseed?) slavishly to start with but had insufficient concentration to manage all 8 lines properly. Indy (Rossut Inkling), Buster (Kentoast Napoleon) and Nubie (Nictoney Octavious) worked well all day with Indy being the most reliable and accurate hound completing one or two lines on his own when everyone else in his group had fallen by the wayside or got diverted into an alluring copse by fox scent. The Stowe boys were swift to roust them out. The beagles worked well today. It was a picture to see several running, turning and weaving as pack. Hoy (Machovas Hoyden), Filly (Kentoast Filbert) and Pickle (Machovas Pick a Lily) stormed round together with newcomers Dilys (Stormpasture Chocodot in Dolliesgang) and Fern Bather (n.a.f.) turning in some good fields. As ever, some hounds are out to frolic and socialise but the overall impression left with Stowe College was of some promising beagles who were serious about trailing aniseed. Forthcoming dates are 17th Feb Greens Norton; 24th February Working Section Trials; 2 March near Tunbridge Wells arranged by Sally Kimber and John Reymond
Theresa M Chapman Working Section Secretary 3rd February 2008
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