About Our Hunt |
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| The country covers parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire and extends approximately 65 miles north to south and 40 miles east to west. It is bounded by Oxford, Aylesbury and Luton to the north; Luton, Watford, High Wycombe, Wokingham and Basingstoke to the east; Basingstoke and Newbury to the south; Newbury and Oxford to the west. The terrain is varied - woodland, heath, grass and plough, with jumpable hedges, ditches and post and rail fences. The Hunt was formed in 2002 by the amalgamation of the Vale of Aylesbury with the Garth and South Berks. The Vale of Aylesbury was formed in May 1970 from an amalgamation of the Hertfordshire, Old Berkeley and South Oxfordshire hunts. The Garth and South Berks amalgamated in 1962 because of increases in built-up areas and new roads principally around Bracknell where the Garth hounds were kennelled. The Garth dates from about 1770, and when Sir John Cope became Master in 1817, he hunted a much larger country than the present overbuilt one of the now combined hunts. In 1843 Sir John handed over the western side to George Mortimer Thoyts, together with 20 couple of hounds. This was the start of the South Berks. The Garth took its name from T.C. Garth, master from 1852 to 1902. There are 52 couple of hounds in kennels. The kennels are at Kimblewick, near Aylesbury and visitors are always welcome. |
| The kennels are run by the huntsman, Gerald Sumner who is assisted by Josh Bentley (whipper-in) and Mark Norris (countryman). Kate Robertson Suzanne Betts (who joined on 1 May 2007) are responsible for the horses. We start autumn hunting in early September when new hounds are entered, since the ban, they are introduced to the fox based scent that is used on our "duster" which is used to lay the trail. Hounds meet 3 times a week the whole way through the season which ends in March. We continue to follow the traditional hunting season, despite the fact that we are no longer hunting foxes, because this fits in with the farming year. We are dependent on our farmers, landowners and gamekeepers for allowing us to hunt over their land and we offer a fox culling service within the law to all those who need it. |
| Adjacent Hunts are the Bicester with Whaddon Chase and Oakley to the north; Puckeridge to the east; Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace to the north-east and east, Hampshire (HH) to the south; the Vine & Craven to the south-west and west; the Old Berkshire to the west and the Heythrop to the north-west. Hunt staff wear the mustard livery of the Old Berkley when trail hunting in the former Vale of Aylesbury country and wear red coats when trail hunting in the old Garth & South Berks Country. There are a number of hunt supporters clubs:
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| All these clubs are involved in organising various fund raising events and social events and parties. We are always pleased to see visitors and newcomers - please see the newcomers corner. If you are a visitor or a newcomer, please telephone one of the joint secretaries before coming to check that we will have enough room for you on the particular day you would like to come. If you haven't been before we can also arrange for someone to look after you for the day. The hunt has a thriving "brat pack" - a large number of children hunt regularly and children are especially welcome. |
