HISTORY

The North Lonsdale Foxhounds were founded in 1947 to hunt the southern part of the Furness Peninsula which was then part of Lancashire but is now in Cumbria. The country extends from Broughton-in-Furness in the west to Grange-over-Sands in the east, and from Wray (near Ambleside) in the north to the coast of Morecambe Bay in the south. By agreement, part of the territory is shared with the Coniston Foxhounds. The area consists of a mixture of open fell, pasture and woodland, and the expansion of Forestry Commission planting has made it a difficult country to hunt. Hounds hunt three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) from September until March.

The founder Master was Major J Ulf Machell of Pennybridge Hall, and after a short time hounds were kennelled at the Hall where they have remained ever since. George Robinson and Anthony ("Bant") Black hunted the pack in the early days, then in 1956 George Ridley was appointed Huntsman. Until he retired in 1977 he worked hard to establish a sound breeding line and form a successful working pack. Jimmy Mallett took over from George and hunted hounds until 2005. He was joined in 1980 by his son David as Honorary Whip, and David, now a successful farmer, is the current Huntsman. .

Major Machell was joined by his son, Dallas, as Joint Master in 1960 and by Philip Wilson in 1979, and died in office in 1985, and on his death his widow, Lorna Machell, was appointed as Joint Master in his place. It was a tragedy when Dallas was killed in an accident on the road in 1986, less than a year later. In 1988 Alan Bolt became Joint Master and now holds sole office as Lorna Machell died in office in 1998 (in her 95th year) and Philip Wilson retired after 24 years in 2003.

The Hunt is affiliated to the Central Committee of Fell Packs and holds a number of social events during the year such as a Hunt Supper, an Inter-Hunt Quiz, singing competitions, race nights, dances, games nights and coffee mornings. The main fund-raising event of the year is the Lakeland Country Fair, held at Torver (near Coniston) on the third Sunday in August. (Visit their website HERE). In addition money is raised by means of a Weekly Draw, raffles, the sale of hunt merchandise, a bi-annual Silent Auction, car boot sales and a hound draw which takes the place of a cap. There is no fixed subscription - supporters give what they can afford, and donations are always gratefully received!

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