‘A fun, spoiling pack'

The “correspondent’s curse” strikes as November gales hit Cornwall’s exposed moors, but the hunting community and a determined pack make for a memorable day nonetheless

- BEANIE STURGIS

East Cornwall, Lower Priddacombe Farm, Cornwall

SOMETIMES you need a spot of breakfast before a day’s hunting. What you don’t expect is to be asked by the lady making you a bacon roll and a coffee in the Subway at Bodmin, “Where you to today? Ketchup? ’Spect you’d be going to the East Cornwall. Milk? My father whipped-in to them for 24 seasons before going to the Spooner’s. Sugar? You won’t believe it but ’parently they got the Horse & Hound out today. That’s £4.80.”

Very small world, especially in hunting.

Graham Higgins has been a master and huntsman of the East Cornwall since they amalgamated with the Bolventor Harriers in 1997 and held the same post with those since 1983. When the packs united, the deal was that they kept the East Cornwall name but the green coat and red collar of the harriers.

The kennels are at Higher Trenant Farm, Graham and his wife Lynsey’s home near St Neot. They pretty much look after the hounds themselves with help from Danny Wilcox, who also cares for the horses. Although the East Cornwall is run “on a shoestring”, there has recently been an impressive facelift in kennels with the kind help of Chris Burchell and Mike Brooks, who kindly donated their time and talents.

For the past six seasons Lynsey has been hunting the hounds, but in the spring this year, the fates combined to bring about a fortuitous change. Neil Starsmore had been a very efficient and much liked second whipper-in to the Beaufort for nine seasons. He has a young family with a successful business on the edge of the Beaufort country.