Keep on kicking on

Covid precautions are to the fore on a day with this popular, well-organized pack of bloodhounds, but so are big hedges and a great deal of fun

- WILLIAM CURSHAM

Readyfield Bloodhounds,

Broomhill Grange, Notts

FORTY years ago, a north Nottinghamshire farmer named Peter Boddy set up a pack of bloodhounds. At the time, the concept of “hunting the clean boot” was relatively new. Only a few packs existed, including the North Warwickshire and the Isle of Man, from which Peter obtained draft hounds.

The new pack was kennelled at his farm, located near the village of Caunton about 10 miles to the north-west of Newark.

The hunt took its name from the farm, Ready field Farm, and over the next few years established a reputation as a real “kick-on” pack, tackling the biggest of country across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire

During one of his first seasons, Peter Boddy paid a visit to John Bealby, who farmed at Broomhill Grange, near Edwinstowe, a few miles from Caunton.

“I remember Peter came to see us and asked to cross one of our farms. We said ‘yes’ and as usual as he was leaving, he said, ‘Oh, you will come with us won’t you?’ recounted Robert Bealby, John’s son. “Father had just bought a new horse and he rode that and I had his old one. It was the best day’s hunting of my life and I kept going after that.”

From that moment, Robert was hooked and Broomhill Grange became a staple of the Readyfield’s meet card. The kennels have since moved and are now at joint master and huntsman Graham Smith’s Fox Covert Farm, but Broomhill Grange remains a favourite fixture. This isn’t just due to the generous hospitality of Robert, his wife Jane and their daughter Helen, but also the wonderful sandy ground.