SOME YORKSHIRE HUNTING NOTES 217 



show en the flags, looking in the pink of hunting 

 condition. 



The Bedale has always been considered an 

 excellent school for huntsmen, and a country in 

 which to make a pack of hounds ; for parts are wild, 

 bringing out the best hunting qualities of huntsman 

 and hounds. In the past it has been a stepping- 

 stone for promotion ; and Frank Freeman, now 

 huntsman to the Pytchley, learnt much that was 

 useful to him, when carrying the horn for the Bedale. 

 Sam Gillson was also another who stepped from the 

 same position, to hunt the Cottesmore under Lord 

 Lonsdale. 



The old, red-brick kennels are the property of 

 Mr John Osborne, who previously used them as 

 racing stables, and they lie on a hill-side away 

 from human habitation, being it is said the same 

 height above sea-level as Harrogate. A double set 

 of kennels, some distance apart, are provided for 

 hounds to divide their time during summer and 

 winter. The old loose-boxes with substantial pad- 

 locked doors are evidence of a racing establishment 

 in years gone by, but are now occupied by the hunt 

 horses. Various necessary buildings have been added 

 for the convenience of the forty-four couples of 

 hounds, which is the strength of the Bedale kennel. 



The Sinnington Hunt 



Intense patriotism for hunting exists in the dales 

 of North Yorkshire, and many are the traditions 

 of sport seen, when harrying " beasts of chase and 

 beasts of venerye," from Thirsk down to the sea 

 coast. It is said that the Sinnington country has 

 been hunted continuously for two centuries and a 

 half, since the time of George Villiers, second Duke 



