PACK OF THE WEEK
Morpeth
NEW MASTERS AND NEW BEGINNINGS
IN every hunt's history, there are peaks and troughs; happy periods when every aspect of the tapestry gels, and doldrum years when everyone treads water until the hunt reignites again. In central Northumberland, the Morpeth are enjoying one of the former happy phases, with many agreeing that last season was one of the best in memory. They have seven young and enthusiastic masters and support is booming.
Adam Essom arrived to take on the role as master and huntsman in 2019 after six seasons at the South Wold. His predecessor as huntsman was Sandy Wilson, a popular and long-serving figure of the Morpeth, who began his time there in 1997 as kennelhuntsman to Captain Roddy Bailey. Sandy became huntsman in 2004, completing 14 seasons with a short break of half a season.
Making changes within a hunt after a long period of stability is always controversial. Adam is the first to admit that it wasn't the easiest start.
