Master of Foxhounds Association Seavington Hunt
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Master of Foxhounds Association Seavington Hunt Hunt Country The country lies in Dorset and Somerset. Best centres: Bridport, Beaminster, Crewkerne, Martock and Langport. Hunt History This pack was originally Harrier, established in 1863 by Tom Naish. Owing to the War, the Hunt was dormant from 1941-45, but from 1945-50 Captain A.H. Daniel hunted the northern part of the old Seavington country. The southern portion, south of the Crewkerne-Chard road, was hunted from 1946 to 1950 by Mr. B.K. Ronald (Mr. Ronald's Hounds). American Russell Terrier Club – History of the Breed The Warwickshire (North) hunt used terriers (14-18 lbs.) which were short-legged with a rough coat type favored by the Rev. Jack Russell. These terriers were bred by Mr. S. T. Holland, who has been reported to have bred these terriers since 1903. His kennels were originally founded by Mr. Victor Cartwright, most of which died in World War. The strain was restored in 1919 by breeding three bitches each owned by Col. Fuller, M. F. H., Mr. Rawle of Porlock, and Maj. Jackson M. F. H. to an unnamed dog of similar type, presumably of a working strain. One of these terriers “Tiger" was sold to the Chagrin Valley Hunt, U. S. A. In the 40's and 50's surrounding the Warwickshire Hunt there were seven hunts total. Atherstone: no preference as long as it worked. Bicester and Wardenhill: Small fox terriers. Cotswolds: Non-pedigree Jack Russell Terriers. Hethrop: Fox terrier x border cross. Worcestershire: Sealyham x fox terrier. The Foway Harriers and the Seavington Hunt, covering 224 miles square of Dorset and Somerset countryside. Both of these hunts used Sealyham blends. The Foway using Sealyham x Russell and the Seavington: 3/4 Sealyham x 1/4 Fox (rough) terrier. Major Sydney Banks Keast, O.B.E., M.C. Major Keast lived in relative seclusion in South Petherton keeping in touch only with the closest of friends and relatives. Grief over the loss of his wife and his failing health did curtail his activities to a large degree but he remained as active as possible and continued to ride and hunt while he could. These years were not happy ones for him as attested to by his sister Ethel Mary, whose married name was now Routly, and by his nephew, John Trevor Spurgen, the son of his younger sister. They both visited him as often as possible to keep him company and help to overcome his loneliness. His main interest during this period of his life centered on the activities of the Seavington Hunt in Somerset where he served as Joint Master with Brigadier Hirst of Broadwindsor. Major Keast had in his employ during this period a. housekeeper, Mrs. Edith Victoria Matthews, and a groom, Mr. J.R. Swann. Mr. Swann worked for Major Keast from May 1954 to May 1957 and describes Keast's activities as follows: "The Seavington Hunt appeared to be Major Keast's main interest after his retirement from the Army and in the season from August to March he usually went hunting two or three times a week. He did not go shooting and did not appear to be actively involved in politics, either nationally or locally, and was not involved in church, parish council or county council affairs. Neither did he appear to be engaged in any aspect of engineering, but he did make one or two three- month trips to Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in the above period on what might have been business trips of some sort." "The Major was especially kind to people of all walks of life, and to animals as well. He was especially popular in Hunt circles. He was very set in his ways, keeping to a strict timetable which included taking his dog for a long walk and taking an afternoon nap." "The Major was very fond of a Miss Pamela Gordon Thompson of Dowlish Wake and she rode his horse - Kildare - on frequent occasions after an operation that curtailed his riding activities." Mr. Swann goes on to say that Major Keast was not very happy in South Petherton, often complaining that "it was a village full of old women and dogs". He had an Austin 14 and a jeep that Mr. Swann would drive when the Major went on his occasional trips to London. Mr. Swann would normally drive him to Crewkerne Station to catch the train but he recalls that on one occasion, during a rail strike, he had to drive him to Heathrow Airport to catch a plane for Rhodesia. Despite his life-long association with the military Major Keast was not a member of the Royal British Legion or the Royal Engineers Association. Although he did not practice engineering in any form after his retirement he did, for some years maintain his membership in the Royal Society of Health which he finally relinquished shortly before 1958. As he grew older his weakened heart eventually forced him to cease all but the most sedentary activities. He lived alone for his few remaining years, accompanied only by his housekeeper and his dog "Jolly." Except for occasional visits by his sister and nephew he had little contact with anyone else. Finally, on 20 March 1964, Major Sydney Banks Keast, O.B.E., M.C. and bar, late Royal Engineers died peacefully in his home at Highfield, Palmer Street, South Petherton, Somerset of congestive heart failure at the age of 80. His final resting-place was Taunton where he and Una had spent so many happy days together, and there his body was cremated. 1844 Saturday 10 th February Mr. G. Notley’s Hariers, Tuesday, Seavington, - half past 10. Sunday 7 th April Notley’s Mr. G. – Friday, Seavington (a deer); at eleven. (The Era) th Sunday 26 October Mr. G. Notley’s harriers meet on Tuesday at Combe Common Old Turnpike Gate, and on Friday at Fonts Cross, near Seavington, at half-past ten. (The Morning Chronicle) 1845 A day with Mr. Notley. – South Petherton. - The meet on Tuesday morning took place at Coles’s, the residence of J. B. Edmonds, Esq., where the animated scene was graced by the presence of several ladies, who, it is hardly necessary to say, were most hospitably entertained. After trying all Ham’s field, and the immediate vicinity, a hare was started in Little Marshwood, which ran across Ham’s field to Ham’s , round to the turnpike, up great Marshwood, crossing the road, through Mr. Peters’s fields, to Watergore, back by Horsecastle into Thorn’s Close, killing in Horsecastle, close to the residence of Mr. Edmonds, without a check. It was a pretty run, one of the best of the season. The pack then trotted on to Lopen Head, where a bag fox had been provided by Mr. Notley, which, having good law, the dogs were laid on, ran through the bottoms to Mead Farm, near Seavington’s, over the hill towards Chaffcombe Woods; but the hounds being too swift, the varmint was run into, in the open, at Allowenshay, without a check, in thirty-five minutes. (The Era, Sunday 23 rd February) 1846 Sunday 22 nd November Mr. G. Notley’s Harriers – Tuesday, Seavington; at half-past ten (The Era) Monday 23 rd November Mr. G. Notley’s harriers meet to-morrow at Seavington at half-past ten. (The Morning Chronicle) 1848 Sunday 2 nd January Mr. G. Notley’s (Harriers) – Tuesday, Seavington; Friday, Chilworthy; at half-past ten. (The Era) 1854 Fox Hunt – The Somerset harriers met on Friday last week, at Golden Hill Copse, near Ilminster, where a fine old reynard was soon found, which started off at a rapid pace towards Puckington, with the hounds after it in full cry. The fox then made towards Barrington, and over the hills to Seavington, where it again turned, and was killed near Shepton Beauchamp, after a splendid run of eight miles. Some excellent sport was afterwards enjoyed, and two hares were caught. (The Era, Sunday 31 st December) 1857 Monday 2 nd March Somerset, Monday, Seavington, 11:00 1860 Saturday 24 th November Taunton Vale and Langport Hariers; Thursday, Seavington – 10:30 1863 Saturday 21 st November Cotley Harriers; Tuesday, Seavington – 10:00 1874 Accident in the Hunting Field – On Monday last T. E. Phillips, Esq, of Montacute House, Ilminster, was hunting with the Seavington Harriers, which met at Bow Bridge, West Chinnock. During the sport, as Mr. Phillips cleared one of the hedges, his foot caught in the stump of an old tree, and the sudden jerk snapped both bones in his left leg just above the ankle. He was conveyed to his residence, where he is going on favourably. (Bell’s Life in London and Sporting Chronicle, Saturday 7 th February) A serious accident happened on Monday to W. R. Phelips, Esq., of Montacute House, Chairman of the Yeovil Board of Guardians, while out with the Seavington Harriers. When taking a fence his right foot came in contact with the stump of a tree with such force as to shatter both bones above the ancle. Mr. Phelps retained his seat for some time, but had to be eventually conveyed home in a carriage. A medical man was fortunately present, who strapped his leg. We are glad to hear that the bones are set, and that Mr. Phelips is making good progress towards recovery. (Sporting Gazette, Saturday 14 th February) On Monday last a serious accident happened to Mr. W. R. Phelips, of Montacute House, chairman of the Yeovil Board of Guardians, while out with the Seavington Harriers .When taking a fence his right foot came in contact with the stump of a tree with such force as to shatter both bones just above the ankle.