Hunting's civil servants

Communication, tact, organisation and a head for figures - the hunt secretary's job has many facets to it, as Lucy Higginson explains

- Lucy Higginson

WHILE joining the mastership perhaps carries more kudos, it’s the secretary any prospective hunt visitor or newcomer first encounters. Combining the easy charm of a hotel concierge with the suave firmness of the school bursar, it’s their job to explain the merits of their pack, how much it’ll set you back to follow them – and gently check you won’t go splat in the process.

“I try to make callers feel that they are the most important person who’s phoned today,” says Clare Bell, who’s been secretary of the Cottesmore for more than 20 seasons. “We’re in the leisure industry,” she reasons.

The Bedale’s Laura Jennings concurs: “There’s a lot of organisation, communication and tact involved and you need the ability to welcome people. A big part of my job is marketing – we’d love to have as many visitors to come out and see some of those become subscribers.”

Another key strand to the role is ensuring every edict from the masters is relayed to anyone who needs to know it.

“We are the civil servants of the hunt,” explains Lizzie Case of the West Norfolk. “Everything masters do has to be funnelled by the secretary and broadcast to several hundred people.”