In 1837, the Whitehaven Harriers commenced operations at the instigation of Mr Joseph Harris of Greysouthern. This was a mounted pack, although many people attended on foot, hunting an area between Bridgefoot and Gosforth. The mastership passed through several local families such as Ainsworth, Lindows, Dixon and Jeffersons, until they were finally wound up in 1901, the hounds being sold to a Lord Hastings in Norfolk after giving many years of fine sport to the local community.
The following season the Harrier’s country was taken by the St Bees Beagles under Mr J.J. Thompson, with kennels in the shadows of St Bees Head. Other small packs of beagles had existed in the 19th century, including Mr Hartley’s of Moresby, Mr Ponsonby’s of Hail, Miss Parkins’s and the Blackcombe, The Cockermouth and the Furness & District, but West Cumbrians would not be deprived of their sport for long.
IIn 1920, Mr Harry Boys founded the West Cumberland Beagles and extended the old St Bees country with the help of a ‘new-fangled motor van’ to Blencathra, Buttermere, Ennerdale and Eskdale from their kennels at Crab Head Farm, Seascale.
IIn 1959, Stanley Ellwood, Bruce Porter and other keen local beaglers got together and founded the Black Combe Beagles. Mr T.J. Cowman of Eskdale was Master from the first season until 1977, when Mr J. Smith of Waberthwaite took over. He was succeeded by the present Master Mr Stanley Ellwood who also hunted hounds himself.
The Black Combe Beagles activities will be in accordance with the Hunting Act 2004 and will cover an extensive area of the county, ranging from the heather-clad hills to the rich pastures or sand dunes. Hounds and staff no longer walk miles to meet as they did in days gone by, but robust build and stamina are still prized assets in both man and hound.
Our main fund raiser is Black Combe Country Fair held on 30 August Bank Holiday Monday in 2010 at Millstones, Bootle, Cumbria. This usually includes Foxhound, Beagles, Terriers, Lurcher and Gundog shows; children’s pets and children’s sports; Terrier and Lurcher racing, plus trade stands and many other attractions.
Despite being a small pack based in a largely foxhound area, the future of the Black Combe Beagles as we celebrated our 50th year in 2009 looks bright. We have a keen young huntsman in Michael Cummings, supported by an experienced and well known Master in Stan Ellwood and joint Master Stan Miles. We also have a small but hard working committee under the leadership of Chairman Graham Dicker.