WEEK AT MARKET HARBOROUGH 75 



At the pretty village of Theddingworth the road 

 again becomes the boundary, and we reach a country 

 more like that so often written of and praised as the 

 Pytchley Wednesday district. The coverts are mostly 

 true gorses, such as Mowsley New Covert and Bos- 

 worth Gorse, while beyond is Walton Holt, a thorn 

 covert which generally holds foxes and is seldom 

 a week without having hounds either to draw 

 it or run to it. For about two miles away is Kilworth 

 Sticks, a famous Pytchley covert. Generally the 

 first thought of a fox when ousted from the one covert 

 is to run to the other, and in so doing he leads over 

 a charming line of grass fields and moderate fences. 

 For all this part of the country Foxton or Thedding- 

 worth may be named, as well as Lubenham. 



When Mowsley, which is only a pleasant trot from 

 Harborough, is on the card, Gilmorton may be the first 

 draw, and this will mean a gallop into the Atherstone 

 country, where the fields are level and the fences to 

 all appearance easier, for there is no need to string 

 out and take your turn, as they can be jumped any- 

 where. It is curious that, though this country looks 

 easier than some of the neighbouring districts, there 

 is sure to be a good deal of grief when hounds cross it. 



Not far from Mowsley are the famous coverts of 

 John and Jane Ball, which, as well as Walton Holt, 

 were planted for the Quorn hunt early in the last 

 century by a yeoman named Oldacre, a noted maker 

 of thorn coverts. A silver cup was presented to him 

 by the hunt as a token of gratitude for his skill in 

 making, and his care in preserving, these coverts. 

 John Ball is finely situated on the slope of a rather 

 lofty hill with a fine view which may well excite the 

 admiration of the sportsman, for it presents a series 

 of panoramic views of a country, every yard of which 



