CHANGES IN WORCESTERSHIRE 151 



would confer a benefit on the town ; but this custom 

 has been abandoned for some years, which, when the 

 practices connected with steeple-chasing are considered, 

 is a result not calculated to create any surprise. The 

 sporting community resorting to Cheltenham have on 

 two occasions expressed their acknowledgments of his 

 lordship's kindness and liberality in hunting the country 

 by the presentation of pieces of plate ; the first in the 

 year 1826, and the other in 1852. There are, however, 

 many others whose interests are immediately blended 

 with the prosperity of Cheltenham, from whom some 

 similar expressions of gratitude and respect would not 

 be inappropriate. 



Previously to the Earl Fitzhardinge commencing to 

 keep hounds, part of the country in the neighbourhood 

 of Corse Lawn was hunted by Major Bland, who also 

 hunted a considerable portion of Worcestershire ; a 

 countrj'^ which has not been without hounds for many 

 years, and, although a provincial district, is capable of 

 affording much sport. After having the Quom hounds 

 two seasons, the late Lord Foley hunted the Worcester- 

 shire country a similar i>eriod. Richard Foster 

 officiated as huntsman, and he was for many years 

 afterwards with the H.H. in the same capacity. 

 Colonel Newnham had the hounds several seasons till 

 1818, on whose retirement Mr. Hornyhold took them 

 and afforded a vast deal of sport. Kit Atkinson was 

 the huntsman, John King first and Joe Maiden the 

 second whip. Having hunted the country five seasons, 

 and also occasionally that portion of what is now called 

 the Albrighton, in the vicinity of Stew Poney, to the 

 great regret of all the sporting inhabitants Mr. Homy- 

 hold broke up his establishment. 



A subscription, zealously encouraged by Lord Deer- 

 hurst, was then entered into, and the country placed 

 under the management of Mr. Parker, who with 

 slender means contrived to get together a scratch pack. 

 The kennels during the first five years were at 

 Whittington, two miles from Worcester, on the Pershore 



