New beagle pack to hunt next season

A new beagle pack is being formed to hunt the former Wick and District country in south Gloucestershire, the latter having disbanded in 2011.

Nigel Bell, who was involved with the Wick and District for 30 years, is restarting the pack under the new name, the Severn Vale Beagles.

“I was asked by the Association [of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB)] to resurrect the pack,” said Nigel. “There will be a lot of the same people and we’re hoping to draft in hounds from elsewhere — starting with 10 to 15 couple.”

The pack will be kenneled with the Berkeley Foxhounds from 1 May and Nigel expects they will be “up and running for September”.

Another former Wick and District master, David Eggbeer, joins Nigel at the helm, as well as Brigadier Duncan Warne and Will Wyatt, who will be amateur huntsmen.

Major General Paul Stevenson, the son of former Wick and District chairman Ernest Stephenson, steps in as chairman.

AMHB director Lizzie Salmon welcomed the new pack.

“It was a great shame that the Wick and District had to stop, but great news the Severn Vale will take over,” she said.

“They have some lovely bits of country and a very good relationship with the Berkeley and Duke of Beaufort’s Foxhounds. We are pleased they are sharing the Berkeley’s beautifully run kennels; it should work well for both parties.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (9 May 2013)

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