Coakham Bloodhounds News

Important Information About Hunting This Season

The Hunt Committee met on Tuesday 1st September to determine the modus operandi for hunting this Season in the present Covid 19 pandemic. The guidance published by the Hunting Office has been adopted and will be applied until restrictions are eased. In essence these are:

• You must not come hunting if you, or anyone in your household, has Covid 19 symptoms or is self-isolating.
• Please take reasonable steps to observe social distancing.
• Please wash your hands before leaving for hunting and sanitise them regularly throughout the day where possible.
• Please ensure you have a facemask and hand sanitiser with you whilst riding in case you are asked to assist in an emergency and cannot maintain a social distance.
• As always follow the Field Master’s instructions and try not to crowd in gateways or at checks.
• Sadly, at this stage, we cannot offer a Stirrup Cup nor will we be able to offer Tea. You are welcome to bring your own refreshments and consume them at an appropriate social distance. We do not condone the sharing of hip flasks and the like in the field and ask that you respect this request until restrictions are eased.
• You must sign a current disclaimer and ensure we have your details so that we can observe track and trace requirements.

The Committee has determined that the field must be limited to thirty mounted followers who will form a “bubble”. Huntsman and staff will remain entirely separate throughout the day and will form a different “bubble”, as will the Quarry. Car and foot followers do not fall within the remit, but we ask that everyone respects the rules and guidance and endeavours to observe them at all times.

To meet the restrictions we will return to booking in, which will be done by email to facilitate track and trace obligations. Priority is given to Full Subscribers and Ticket Holders, in that order.

The Committee fully appreciates that for many occasional followers who hunt on Cap and have been huge supporters in recent Seasons this may mean that hunting opportunities are limited this Season. Wherever possible we will advertise vacant spaces and as soon as restrictions ease we may be able to accept more followers.

Booking in will be as follows:

Subscribers and Ticket Holders can pre-book their place on any meet on the published card in advance.

Sunday meets – open to Caps (if there are spaces) on the Wednesday before. Booking closes at midday on the Thursday before to allow for administration. If you are coming out on Cap you must pay as soon as your booking is confirmed. This is not refundable.

Wednesday meets – open to Caps (if there are spaces) on the Sunday before. Booking closes at midday on the Monday before. If you are coming out on Cap you must pay as soon as your booking is confirmed. This is not refundable.

The email account for bookings is coakhambloodhounds123@gmail.com we cannot accept bookings by any other medium or we will fall into chaos.

The Committee accepts this is both a draconian and cumbersome regime but if it enables us to hunt safely and within the guidance it will be worth it. As the pandemic plays out we hope to ease some of these requirements.

OPENING MEET

Sunday 25th October at 12 noon

at Cherry Croft Farm, Herstmonceux

by kind invitation of Miss Caroline Richardson

 
Plenty of beautiful marsh to enjoy watching the hounds and fun riding for the field.   There are boundary fences that have to be jumped (or find your own way round, but make sure any gate you open is properly closed, with string if necessary) and some good sized hedges which can be missed out. DONT jump if unsure as large and wide.

Please be plaited, as this is our Opening Meet, and you should be correctly turned out. 

Unfortunately there is no “meet” or tea but feel free to bring your own but please comply to COVID rules and keep to yourselves, social distance etc.

CHILDREN'S MEET

Wednesday October 28th at 12 noon
at Mountfield Park Farm Robertsbridge TN32 5LE 
 (What3words: joystick.tripped.kindness)
by kind invitation of Mrs Althia Berthon. 

This is a children’s meet ( under 21) - cap £30. This is a jumping day so you must be able to jump a medium-sized jump. Parking is at the meet. 

COVID-19: Please check the section above for relevant Government guidelines. Everyone must book in.

Email: coakhambloodhounds123@gmail.com

It is with huge regret and disappointment that we have to surrender to Covid and admit defeat. We made plans, we reformulated the plans, we changed them a third time and we kept hoping but it is clear that we will not be holding a Ball this year.

This annual event is not only great fun, it raises much needed funds to keep us going and the hounds fed.  We thank everyone for their support and patience. From this Friday, we will start processing Paypal refunds for everyone.

If anyone does feel like they would like to donate a small part of their ticket to the Coakhams, please email us at coakhambloodhounds123@gmail.com with your wishes.

(Many people will not see this message so the first they will see will be the full refund in their account).

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