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Front cover
Rear cover
By Jill Mason
Reviewed by Cragman
I first came to hear about Jill Mason’s attempt on the near impossible feat of putting together a book on the history of hunting around the fells almost three years ago, when an email appeared in my in-box. It was from Jill asking for help with contacts in the North Country, photographs etc. Well, I responded just as anyone else would and sent her what little I knew and had, not giving it a second thought, for the task in hand was one I wouldn’t have thought possible and I honestly didn’t think that I would hear anymore on the subject. Well, three years on and the finished product arrived recently and it’s been worth the wait, of that I can promise you.
One or two recent attempts have failed, in my opinion, to encompass the history and legacy left to us by the early fell hunting packs and show the high esteem the present fell packs are held in by those of us who visit them and enjoy their hospitality. Barring Neil Salisbury’s mammoth effort in assembling the Coniston history, and the biographical books featuring Barker and Chapman respectively, there has been nothing of note to cover the history of hunting in the Lakeland Fells, save for one or two half hearted efforts. The topic is intense, and so it goes that it was important, nay vital, that Jill was able to approach local hunters and supporters for help in gathering information from all with something to share, and those unwilling, to be coaxed into helping Jill in her quest. And here we have the result, a thoroughly enjoyable book that delves much deeper into the history of fell hunting than anything that’s been written before.
The front cover sets the scene and teases the reader to flick through the pages to enjoy the many mainly unseen-before photographs. For these alone, Jill and her husband, David, have produced some excellent results. Well, I thought I had seen most photographs of our fell hunting ancestors and their hounds and Terriers, but in reality and after seeing the contents of Jill’s book, I’ve seen only a small amount, the black and white photographs especially capture the atmosphere beautifully.
After an in-depth Introduction we move onto Part One, the history of the present day fell packs, from their origins up to the present day state of affairs with Masters, Huntsmen and Whips included and it’s good to see The Melbreak, probably the most unfashionable of the fell packs due to their location, getting plenty of coverage. The recent devastating losses to this pack have been sympathetically handled by the author as indeed have others throughout the book. All the historical information included here is available in many books, diaries, newspaper clippings and from the mouths of local people, and that’s what makes this book a must-have for all who have an interest with hunting on the Lakeland fells..... Everything you need is here in the one book, the hard work has been done by Jill. Continuing with Part One, there’s a well researched chapter on Hounds and 18 action packed pages on Terriers. The main quarry, Foxes, are shown in their true colours with historical references to the feats old Reynard will attempt, to evade capture. Fittingly, Supporters & Followers get just recognition and we are then into Part Two and the Other Packs Of Hounds.
Without doubt, the contents of this chapter will surprise the reader. I certainly didn’t know that so many packs were once actively hunting on the fells, and though many amalgamated with present day packs, the sheer numbers show just how popular hunting once was in local areas. Harriers, Beagles, Otterhounds and Staghounds are all mentioned and not surprisingly, Otter hunting gets the most coverage, but Stag Hunting? On horseback? On the fells? It happened that’s for sure and normally in the low country. Early days of this form of hunting were mainly for recreational purposes and Stags would be recaptured after a hunt and saved for another day to provide sport for the masses. The short chapter on Memorials is an interesting addition and a list of Masters and Huntsmen through the ages brings the reader to the end of a thoroughly good book. There is an excellent and varied Bibliography at the rear, showing just some of the sources used to compile the book. This is no lightweight effort, the thick book contains well over 300 pages and there are about 250 photographs to compliment the text. A glossy, colour dust jacket finishes things off nicely. As with Jill’s Eskdale and Ennerdale book, rather generously, all profits will go to the fell packs.
If you love the fells and are familiar with the hunting aspect, (is there anything more inspiring?), then I recommend this book to you. If you are yet to venture north for a day on the fells, and it’s an experience you must encounter, read this book first, it will whet your appetite for when you do make the journey.
Away, my lads, away by Jill Mason will
be available from mid August and before that will be launched at Rydal
Hound Show, Ambleside on 11th August. Price is £25 plus £5
P&P per book. 3 or more books, P&P is £10 and for 10 or
more P&P is free. Tel; 01366 347928
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES
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Echoes & Reflections of a Lost Lakeland Community
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