192 THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



the Stainton Dale hunt the coast, and if the more pre- 

 tentious packs are not within reach one may see capital 

 hunting with this trencher-fed pack. 



All over the northern part of the plain of York 

 there is a fair amount of hunting to be procured, but 

 Thirsk is not exactly a good centre ; for though it is 

 within reach of the most northern meets of the York 

 and Ainsty, and of some of the Bedale fixtures, it is 

 rather wide of both. The Sinnington, the Bilsdale, 

 and the Hurworth could also be reached from Thirsk 

 at times with a little trouble, and some of Lord Middle- 

 ton's meets are within hacking distance to an energetic 

 man, but on the whole Northallerton is a better place, 

 for it commands much of the best country of both 

 Bedale and Hurworth, as well as the hill packs. Bedale 

 itself is central for the Bedale hounds, and at Ripon 

 the southern Bedale country and certain parts of the 

 York and Ainsty are available, while Catterick, or 

 Catterick Bridge, which is on the border line of the 

 Bedale and Lord Zetland's, commands much of the 

 best country of either pack. 



For many years *'the Bridge," as Catterick Bridge 

 is called locally, was a most popular place with hunting 

 visitors, and at one time it was no easy matter to obtain 

 quarters at the hotel, so great was the demand. The 

 hotel in question was originally one of the several 

 hunting boxes which Lord Darlington caused to be 

 built in his huge country, and the big room in which 

 the hunting visitors dined has the arms of the Vane 

 family carved on the ceiling. But unfortunately the 

 house is no longer an hotel — though it is understood 

 that accommodation can still be secured, and there is 

 still a vast range of stabling. Any one living in the 

 Catterick neighbourhood can hunt on Monday and 



I 



