The historic Haydon
SOME hunts chop and change their masters as frequently as the weather. Others attract people who commit to the long haul. The Haydon is one of those happy ships with a group of masters who are rooted to the area and, even more crucially, get on.
The current crew have notched up around 40 years between them, setting the tone for stability throughout the hunt.
Heather MacDonald is now in her 12th season as master and is also district commissioner of a well-subscribed branch of the Pony Club, the South Northumberland. She has hunted with the Haydon all her life, taking up her first post as supporters’ club secretary back in 1976.
William Nicholl, who joined Heather in the mastership in 2009, when Charlie Shirley-Beavan was master and huntsman, describes her as “our elder statesman”, adding, “There isn’t anyone Heather doesn’t know.”
William and his equally keen wife, Clara, and their two children
