Haydon Hunt marks its bicentenary with morning hunt

Nov 26 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

TWO hundred years to the day – and almost the hour – since its first recorded meeting, a North East hunt met yesterday morning to mark its bicentenary.

On November 25, 1809, the Haydon Hunt, one of the oldest in England and based near Haydon Bridge in Northumberland, met on the vast Greenwich Hospital estates, land obtained from the Earls of Derwentwater.

After a hunt of some three hours, which began at Langley Castle, members killed their first fox.

Evidence of that first definitive hunt remains today in the shape of a glass case in which that fox is mounted and stuffed, with appropriate inscription. The stuffed fox is kept at the hunt’s base in kennels at Newbrough, its home since 1971.

1809 was the first recorded hunt but members today think the Haydon probably went out before then.

The Haydon had no kennels 200 years ago, with hounds taken from farmers across the country. It was instead based at the Anchor Inn at Haydon Bridge, which like the hunt, is still thriving to this day.

Yesterday, to mark the 200th anniversary of that first hunt, the Haydon met again at Langley Castle – with heavy rain failing to dampen the celebratory spirits.

The meet followed a celebratory dinner dance held at the castle on Friday night.

And last night, its members gathered again at their base 200 years ago, the Anchor, for a traditional hunt night with song and storytelling, as would have happened two centuries ago.