Adapting to survive – and thrive
OUR world is shrinking. Aside from the hills and moors, every hunting country is plagued by an ever-prevalent outbreak of new-build. If the Government’s housing policy goes any way to help young folk stay close to their roots and feed into the local economy, then all well and good. But this irreversible development is designed for the purpose of our nation as a whole. Hunting communities must therefore adapt if they are to survive.
It’s not a new phenomenon. In the late 18th century Harrow provided some of the best country for the fifth Earl of Berkeley and his hounds, which hunted from the River Severn to Kensington Gardens.
“We all have to help each other out”
ANDREW VAN OOSTRUM
As each season progressed, hounds were kennelled at Berkeley, Broadway, Nettlebed, Gerrards Cross and Cranfield. Then London rapidly grew westwards and the Earl’s hunting boundaries consequentially retreated until his hounds were permanently kennelled – as they are today – next to the castle.
Yet the Berkeley
