Back to Album belonging to Colonel F F Colvin 9L (1860-1936). Contains newspaper cuttings and paper ephemera
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Item 0077
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| Accession number | 912L : 2124/6 |
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TAULSE ODPORSEUS BAASA ADA ABASED PODNCCRC Q.M. Forsythe , J. capt . 27 Sept hom . copt.so Nor : 6th 1890 . EAST ESSEX HUNT . Thursday was a grand day . Was it really November , the month of gloom and fog , yet still the dawn of pleasure to the vast army of fox - hunters now pigskinning it merrily ' er dale and upland ? The sun shone cheerily , and it warm rays were more indicative of springtide ; the lark carolled forth her songs without words , and the starlings and ether members of the feathery tribe chirped and chirruped their delight . The scene was Felix Hall , one of the most famous of Essex mansions , the resi dence of Capt Richard Beale Colvin , the worthy and esteemed master of the East Essex Hunt . The charming surroundinge , richly timbered , and with the varying tinte of foliage which Nature insists upon as the presage of the decay which ends ulti mately in the transition called death , were never viewed to better advantage . Everything looked smiling and gay , and by the numbers who flooked into the park it seemed as if the countryside had made up their minds to go & hunting that day . It was decidedly a glorious gathering of the clans , such as has not been witnessed for some years past , and must have been very gratifying to Mr. Colvin , who has striven zealously to keep the hunt , despite of adveree circumstances - particularly in respect of the cloud that has overcast the agri cultural interests in the forefront of the national sport . The opening day , from a popular point of view , was a great success , and augurs well for the support which cannot fail to be forthcoming during the current season . The Master , with such a phalanx of friends to the fore , may go on encouraged and rejoicing . The prefix " Felix " could be felicitously applied to the family who abide in the mansion , and most of the members were present : -Capt . R. Beale Colvin , Mr. Watson and Mies Colvin ( sisters ) , Mr. and rs . Cecil Colvin , and Captain Forrester Colvin , 9th Lancers . The arrival of the regimental drag of the Royal Dragoons from Colchester was hailed with especial acclamations of delight . Colonel Maclean handled the ribbons with masterly ease , and his splendid team of roans drew up at the steps of the mansion as fresh and conditionable as though they had only just come round from the Hall stables . Mrs. A. C. Hope occupied the box seat , and included in the military party were her husband , Mr. A. C. Hope , 18th Hussars , and the following officers of the Royals : Major Ames , Captain Webb , Prince Francis of Teck ( recently joined ) , Mr. Hardman , Mr. Hardy , and Mr. Wood . There were also present - Captain Townsend , hon . sec . of the Hunt , and Miss Allen ; Colonel Holroyd , an ex - master of the Essex and Suffolk Hunt ; Captain W. Williams and Mr. A. C. Maxwell , Royal Munster Fusi . liers ; Surgeon Phipps , Army Medical Staff , Colchester ; Colonel S. B. Ruggles - Brise , C.B. , and Miss Florence Ruggles - Brise , Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Ruggles - Brise , Sir Claude de Crespigny , Bart . , and Mr. G. Humphery , Mr. H. R. G. Marriott and Mr. E. Marriott , Mrs. Christopher Parker and Mise Toulmin , Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Gibson , Springfield Lyons ; Mrs. E. Gibson , Hatfield Peverel ; Miss Armstrong and Miss Cooke , Mr. R. L. Curzon , Colchester Miss Egerton - Green , Colchester ; Mr. H. B. and the Misses ( 3 ) Dickinson , Colne Park ; Rev. A. Colvile , Earls Colne Priory ; Rev. F. B. H. , Mrs. , and the Misses Bridges , and Mrs. Charles Bridges ; Mr. John English Tabor , Mr. and Mrs. Craig , Tofts , Little Baddow ; Mrs. Goad , Holfield Grange ; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wood , Little Waltham Hall ; Mrs. and the Misses Frere ; Mrs. Peroy Reid , Mr. O. J. Raymond , Pelham Hall , Twinstead ; Mr. P. E. Allen , Ballingdon Grove , Sudbury ; Mr. H. Wheelwright , Springfield Lodge ; Mrs. Box , Kelvedon Mr. Addison , Folly House , High Garrett ; Dr. John Harrison , jun . , and Mr. A. K. Barlow , Braintree ; Mr. T. W. Blyth , Mr. A. C. Doxat , Mr. Tweed , Mr. Alfred Poole , Mr. C. Poulton . Mr. F. Gardner , Mr. F. Beard , Mr. Freeman , Mr. Sach , Mr. F. Seabrook , Coggeshall - Grange ; Mr. C. Brown , Witham ; Mr. H. and Miss Belcher , Miss Hutley , Miss Page , Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Jones , Mr. John and the Misses Turner , Mr. Herbert , Mrs. Bell , Mr. Everitt , & c . The youthful contingent deserve to be named respectively : -The Squire's nephews , Masters Cyril and Arthur Watson , fittingly mounted on the most symmetrical of ponies ; Miss Pleasance Ruggles Brise very sedately rode her Shetland , and her brother , Master Edward , seemed equally a fields man astride his " dickey " ; and Miss and Master Reid , of Feering Bury , appeared to be possessed of the true ring of daring which English lads and lassies have so often proved to be the heritage of many a conflict and many a victory . were Felix Hall , under the regime of Mr. Colvin , is known for its hospitality , and whenever the meet takes place there a certain and most hearty welcome is sure to be accorded . The Master and his sisters and brothers - who could well be included in the phrase , they are all jolly good fellows - were busy inviting everyone within the Hall , and waiters were employed flitting to and fro dispensing in the open tasty snacks and drams of the cup that cheers . The Hunt staff appeared uniformly mounted on black steeds , an exceedingly unique turn - out , and the pack consisted of 22 couples of bitches . Sir Claude de Creepigny , who returned somewhat early to be accounted for by the fact that he was riding a two - year - old - told our representative , in a tone indicative of intense disappointment , " There wasn't an atom of scent " " One of the Field " writes : - " We first drew Upney Wood , where there were several foxes on foot . Went away with one towards Mr. Brunwin's coverts , when scent , which was never good , utterly failed . Storeys was next disturbed , and the beauties were so admirably handled by the Master that one fox had to make for the open . This gentleman gave us a smart burst towards Bradwell , and then he , too , was lost to view , though dear to memory . Rivenhall Thicks proved blank ; but Tarecroft pro vided one of the good old sort , who ran the pace through Rivenhall Thicks , across the railway , to wards Troys , and the crafty cuss eventually gained a vanishing point near Faulkbourne Osiers . Scent was exceedingly indifferent , consequently the pack were not rewarded with their well - deserved quarry . But the time will come . " falling scent will be failing . There is an old saying that when the leaves are Nov 21h 1890 A the EAST ESSEX HOUNDS . These hounds met on Saturday at Little Waltham Hall , and the Master ( Captain R. Beale Colvin , High Sheriff of the County ) , and the other followers of the chase in attendance were cordially invited by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wood to partake of a cham pagne breakfast . The morning was fine - almost too bright at the onset for hunting purposes . large field put in an appearance , especially consider ing the fact that another pack of hounds was on the war - path within a distance of three or four miles , and it was quite within the region of possibility that the two might get mixed , as they actually did on one occasion last season at Leighs . However , in each instance the pursued vulps kept within their own country . The rendezvous is a pretty spot , a three - wont way , the hall and grounds occupying one corner , with the church and vicarage , opposite , and glimpses , through the trees , of that part of the village which nestles down in the hollow on either side of the rivulet , on the bridge spanning which a local Waltonian was unconcernedly enjoyin delights of angling . The Master's party consisted of his sisters , Mrs. Watson and Miss Colvin , Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Colvin , and Captain Forrester Colvin . The Colchester Garrison were represented by Colonel Maclean , Prince Francis of Teck , Mr. Wood , and Mr. Hardy , of the Royal Dragoons ; and there were also present - Mrs . Hope ( Colchester ) , Mr. J. E. Tabor , Mr. A. W. Ruggles - Brise , Mr A. K. Barlow , Mr. Harley Brown . Mr. and Miss Dickinson ( Colne Park ) , Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Gibson , Mrs. Atkinson , Miss Bailey , Miss Sparrow , Miss Mitchell , Mr. Butler , Mr. Hanbury ( Lang ford ) , Mr. B. Hope , Mr. Wheelwright , Mr. A. C. Doxat , Mr. T. Quilter , Mr. J. Perry , Mr. Murrell , Mr. F. Young , Mr. F. Snow , & c . , & c . A capital day's sport ensued and there was an abundance of foxes . A kill resulted from a find in Sheepcote's , after a rattling good run . nother fox was turned out of Sandy Ley - a small covert , which , a gossip of the locality declared , had always been drawn blank for fifty years to his knowledge - and made for Mann Wood , the hounds being seen in full cry , a stirring sight . He gave his pursuers a lot of hunting and eventually showed them a vanishing set of pads . Those riders who continued to the end found themselves some distance on the other side of f Braintree . The going was good , but the scent at times was cold . HUNTING FESTIVITIES AT FELIX HALL . hard Whatever the weather , rain or shine , frost or snow , Felix Hall , Kelvedon , the abode of Captain Richard Beale Colvin , High Sheriff of the county , and Master of the East Essex Hounds , is invariably open to every friend with the slightest pro clivity huntingwards ; and it was a decidedly piece of luck on Thursday , when the Arctic representative put his foot down in the neighbourhood , and made it absolutely impossible to give the hounds a turn in the coverts . There would most rtainly have been one of the biggest and best meets of the season at Felix Hall , had not that interfering diotator from the North introduced his magical developments of icical confectionery on trees and hedgerows , meadow and upland . Thursday thus was a dies non , and the huntsmen , like the Roman patriots of old , perforce exclaimed , " Perdidi diem " - " I have lost a day . " On Wednesday night the Master gave a hunt banquet . The house party included - Prince Francis of Teck , Captain Webb and Captain Hardman ( Royal Dragoons , from Colchester ) , Captain Townsend ( hon . sec ) , Mr. Cecil Colvin , Captains Forrester , Colvin , and Bishop ( 9th Lancers ) , Mr. J. E. Tabor , Mr R. Tabor , and Mr. Vero Taylor , with Sir Geo . Lampson , Bart . , Mr. Darrell ( Braxted Park ) , Mr. H. B. Dickinson ( Colne Park ) , Col. S. B. Ruggles - Brise , Mr. R L. Curzon ( Colchester ) , Mr. and Mr. Mumford ( Sudbury ) , Mr. E. Gibson ( Crix , Hatfield Peverel ) , Mr. Herbert Gibson ( Lyons , Springfield ) , Mr. Hanbury ( Langford Park ) , Mr. B. Hope , & c . The table decorations carried out by the head gardener , Mr. W. Robinson , were exceedingly tasteful and appropriate . An edging or border of ivy served as a basis , upon which descended the graceful greenery of the asparagus climber , and above and beyond all were the clusters here and there of scarlet geraniums , while , to add effective ness to a striking scene , the lights were shaded en suite , and when the guests sat down , most of them arrayed for the chase , the ensemble was ex tremely exhilarating , and inclined to tally ho - ing . An orchestral band , from Mr. Mitchell's , Bond . Street , London , played during the dinner hour and subsequently , and all spent the reunion most gratifyingly . The Essex Weekly News . FRIDAY , DECEMBER 12 , 1890 . NOTES BY THE WAY . The Council of the Essex Agricultural Society , as we last week anticipated would be the case , have cordially accepted the invitation to visit Maldon for their annual meeting in 1891. The invitation was well placed before the Council on Friday by Mr. LEONARD BENTALL ( the worthy Mayor of the ancient Borough ) and Mr. J. C. FREEMAN ( the learned Town Clerk ) , and there was no mistaking the pleasure with which it was accepted , as there can also be no doubt that the Maldonians will do their very best to make the visit memorable in the annals of the Society . Mr. GEO . COURTAULD , although at the outset he expressed himself willing to act as President for the year , upon second thoughts decided to decline the honoured post - not because he shirked its but responsibilities , because he thought it would be for the benefit of the Society that the President should reside somewhere near the locality of the Show . This was a very patriotic position to take up , and Mr. COURTAULD's gift of £ 50 to the Prize Fund is still further evidence of the interest he continues to take iu his old constituency . Mr. COURTAULD being thus unavailable , there was concensus of opinion that Mr. R. BEALE COLVIN , the High Sheriff of the County , who lives as it were just over the Totham Hill from Maldon , would make a first - class President . A Deputation was formed at once to interview Mr. COLVIN in the Assize Court , at the Shire Hall , with the result that the High Sheriff agreed to accept the Presidency . Upon this decision we can honestly congratu late the Society , for a more genial gentleman , a more conscientious worker , er a more popular neighbour , it would not be possible to find within a radius of a good many miles round the locality of next year's Show . a warm EAST ESSEX FOXHOUNDS . There could not well be chosen a more romantic spot than Bardfield Bridge for a hunt meet . It is at the junction of three lanes in a valley between the high grounds of Borley on t the one side , and Bulmer on the other , and in the valley runs a stream , cver which is the bridge in view of the romantio spot called Seven Forme , Belchamp , a favourite rendezvous of the East Essex Hunt . When on Friday I jogged along to the meet in the lonely vale thinking of " Daft " Davie Gellatley's song Hie to haunts right seldom seen , Lovely , lonesome , cool , and green , Over bank and over brae , Hie away , hie away . at -Arrived at this quiet spot I found the meet was not very numerous ( about 50 equestrians ) , and that the Master was detained by official business at the Assizes at Chelmsford . We proceeded to make the best of it in his absence , and 11.0 hounds were put into Brundon Wood , which proved blank ; thence into Haven Wood , and a fox was viewed away on a meadow to the south . Hounds got out and after him well together , scent holding fairly well . He ran by Walter Belchamp Hall , then towards Bulmer coverts , but being pressed he changed his mind and made for Geetingthorpe across the valley . This stratagem succeeded , for he was lost after running as far as Mrs. Phillips ' farm , being some distance ahead , and soent getting cold . Then we retraced our steps , and went to draw Bradfield's Wood , Pentlow , near that pretty village of Foxearth , in a beautiful country Where the lady - fern grows strongest , he Where the morning dew lies longest , Where the black cock sweetest sips it , Where the fairy latest trips it . Before hounds could get into cover we were greeted with a hallo back , about three fields in our rear , and right heartily we went to him who gave us the music , got our hounds on to it , and away they went with a swelling chorus , a regular clinker , as far as Belchamp Groves - you might ride , they ran , and scent seemed very fair ; but when we reached a turnip field just above Belchamp Otten they were at fault , and the huntsman lifted them to the Groves . After a little delay the pack stole away from as towards Halstead , running by Belchamp Church , but they only showed a line to three or four fields forward , and lost him in a meadow below the village . Whatever may be the reason very few foxes have been killed this season , the rule being hounds run like - as if on to ruin for 20 or 30 minutes , and then there 18 no more heard of the fox . This was best seen in our third run . We trotted off from Belchamp Otten to Twelve Acres , where Mr. Chickall -good sporteman and true ! -always delights to see the little foxes , and which always provides a run . Hounds were busying themselves looking things up in cover with not a sound to be heard , when we observed a large brown fox making for it from the west , as if from Mashey , with full steam up . A couple of us did our best to put him in the right way , and halloed as if for dear life , but he insisted on making back into cover , which was full of hounds , who immediately got on to him . How he got out again is a wonder , but he did , and on his old point , making for Yeldham , to which he ran , passing two covers not far from the find - I don't know their names - running as straight and as plucky as good wind and muscle could take him to Spencer Grange , and after hustling about the grounds for some time , going to a halloa forward , then to one back and then forward again , some thinking we had a brace of foxes on foot , we lost him , and could not account for him further . Then the grounds of Spencer Grange brought Daft Davie into my mind again : Where the copsewood is the greenest , Where the fountains glisten sheenest , Over bank and over brae , Hie away , hie away . NEMO . EAST ESSEX HOUNDS . About 50 riders turned up at Bardfield Bridge , Borley , on Saturday , the Master being kept at the Assize by his duties as High Sheriff . Brundon Wood was drawn blank ; but after the hounds had been put into Haven Wood , a fox was viewed away in a meadow to the south . The hounds got out and after him well together , scent holding fairly well . He ran by Walter then Belchamp Hall , towards Bulmer covers , but being pressed he changed his mind and made for Gestingthorpe , across he valley . This stratagem succeeded , for he was lost after running as far as Mrs. Phillips ' farm , some distance ahead , scent getting cold . The pack were theu taken back to draw Bradfield's Wood , Pentlow . Before the hounds could get into cover there came the welcome hallo back , and away Reynard went at a spanking pace towards Belchamp groves . After a short delay in the turnips , just above Belchamp Obten , the pack moved on towards Halsted ; but the scent proved very patchy , and Reynard saved his brush . Mr. Chickall'a covers were next visited . A fox was , as usual , found ; but after a tricky run between Otten and Spencer Grange and back , he was lost . On Tuesday morning the meat was at Bay thorne End . The first draw was at Lord's Woods , which proved blank . A start was then made for Sturmer Mere , where a fox was found , which was killed after a short run . Wood was drawn , and a fine old fox was found , which gave a good run . Balance ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY . MALDON'S INVITATION ACCEPTED THE HIGH SHERIFF ELECTED PRESIDENT . A meeting of the Council of the Essex Agricultural Society was held at the Shire Hall , Chelmsford , on Friday last . - Mr. J. R. VAIZEY presided , and there were also present : -Mesara . O. W. Parker , E. Catch pool , L. Bentall ( Mayor of Maldon ) , Jas . Christy , Amis Hempson , Alderman A. P. Clear , Alderman J. S. Brown , J. C. Freeman ( Town Clerk of Maldon ) , E. Rosling , and J. Pertwee ; with Mr. Whitmore ( Secretary ) . Alderman A. P. CLEAR said he had to intro duce the Mayor and Town Clerk of Maldon , who would invite the Society to hold their next Show in that Borough . - The CHAIRMAN said it was a great pleasure to see these gentlemen on such a very pleasant occasion . The Mayor of MALDON said he had to report that a meeting had been held , which was well attended , and at which they passed a unanimous resolution that the Society should be invited to Maldon for 1891. He thought the town would take up the matter with spirit , and that the Society would receive a very hearty welcome . - The CHAIRMAN said it was exceedingly pleasant to the Committee , representing the Society , to receive 28 on 80 unanimous and hearty an invitation from Maldon . They had visited the town before , when they had a very successful meet ing.-Mr. HEMPSON proposed that the invita tion so cordially given be as cordially accepted . He had pleasant recollections of the previous meeting at Maldon , and he thought the Society would have great pleasure in renewing their acquaintance with the district . - Mr . J. PERTWEE , in seconding the resolution , said the last Show they held at Maldon was one of the most successful they ever had . The people then worked with & hearty good will , and no doubt they would do 80 the present occasion . [ Hear , hear . ] The resolution having been carried unanimously , the Mayor of MALDON thanked the Council for accepting the invitation . Maldon had a good record , but he hoped they would beat the record this year . [ Hear , hear . ] - Messrs . C. W. Parker , A. P. Olear , T. W. Glenny . D. Christy , and J. Pertwee were appointed a Site Committee . If was intimated that Mr. Geo . Courtauld , who had been spoken of in connection with the Pre sidency , now wrote declining the office , but offering to give £ 50 to the prize fund . [ Hear , hear . ] - Mr . VAIZEY said he and Mr. Parker had had an interview with the , High - Sherif ( Mr. R. B. Colvin ) , and expressed to him the unanimous wish of the Council that he should take the office of President for the ensuing year , and Mr. Colvin had kindly consented . - The dates of the Show were fixed for the Wednesday and Thursday in the second week of June . KELVEDON . CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT FELIX HALL . On Tuesday , Dec. 23 , the Master of the East Essex Hunt ( Mr. R. B. Colvin ) gave a supper in the servants ' hall to the men connected with the kennels - the gardeners , gamekeepers , stablemen , and the whole of the staff of menservante employed at the Ha Colvin and Captain A supper was provided . Mr. R. B. Forrester Colvin ( 9th Lancers ) carved for all present . After supper the health of the worthy Master was proposed and heartily responded to by all present . Songs were sung by Mr. R. B. Colvin , Capt . Forrester Colvin , and Master H. Watson , also by Mr. G. and Mr. The party broke up after a most enjoyable evening . - Mrs . E. Watson gave a tea on Christmas evening in the servants ' hall to the wives , mothers , and children of Mrs. Wat men engaged on the estate at Felix Hall About son gave a most cordial welcome to each . 60 sat down to tea . The following ladies presided at the tea tables : -- Mrs . E. Watson , Miss B. Colvin , Mrs. Cecil Colvin , Miss V. Turner , Miss Baker , and Miss E. Turner . After tes Mr. R. B. Colvin gave a magic - lantern performance , at which the young people were highly anised . At its conclusion all wended their way to the drawing - room , where stood a large beautiful Christmas Christmas - tree laden with ornamental . presents , both useful and Mrs G. Watson gave a supper and dance on Friday night , Dec , 26 , in the servants ' hall to the servants and their friends in the neighbourhood . Over 70 sat down , and partook of a splendid repast , at the close of which Mr. W. OHITTENDEN , the butler , pro posed the health of Mrs. E. Watson and all the members of the family , which was most heartily responded to . It being now about half - past nine o'clock , dancing commenced , led off by Mr. W. Chittenden and Mrs. Watson , Mr. Cecil Colvin and Mrs. Pilbrow . Before the ladies and gentlemen of the Hall had retired , which was past twelve o'clock , Mr. W. CHITTENDEN , in the name of all those present , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Watson and all the other members of the family for their generous hospitality . This was , it is needless to say , most heartily endorsed by these present . Dancing was kept up with great spirit until six o'clock the following morning . Miss B. Colvin and Miss Baker kindly presided at the pianoforte , also Miss Allbright , Mr. E. R. Fuller , and Mr. Allbright ( violins ) . Pel Angel |
