The bonds of community

The best-laid plans may have gone awry for Tessa Waugh and friends, but little deters this hardy bunch as they share the love of what they enjoy most, no matter what life throws at them

- Tessa Waugh

WE had friends from the Wynnstay country staying this week with their children, ponies and a horse. It was great to see them, particularly as this trip had been in the offing for a couple of years, extreme weather putting paid to their first attempt and Covid the second.

This time, nothing was going to stop them – even though once again the weather forecast was looking less than encouraging. We all gathered at the covert at the end of our road, suited and booted and ready for the fun to begin. Two car-loads of Dorset farmers on a hunting holiday with the trainer Colin Tizzard added to the expectant throng.