UNITED PACK 11 March
catherine.austen@futurenet.com
@cfausten123
United Pack, Newton Farm, Shropshire
MASTER and huntsman Nicko Batten worked his horse through the snowy fields at sunrise, and cantered up to me, the snow loosely flicking from the hoof rather than packing and balling.
“It's huntable!” he said, so, with that, salvation was granted for the final meet at Newton Farm.
Hard goodbyes followed, marking the retirement of three of the United Pack's masters. Well-wishers gathered to bid farewell to an outstanding triumvirate.
Nicko remembered: “We were like three little boys, always in the Lowfield [pub] eager to put plans into action.” His voice cracked; he'd warned us it would be hard. “Our farmers here are incredible.
“Please realise, these masters' generosity facilitates an incredible party for just a small subscription.”
Adrian Boyes and Nicko Batten joined senior master Jonathan Lee in 2019 at the United Pack. In a bid to share in his wife Sam's love for hunting, Adrian was a late starter in the
