HISTORY OF THE ATHERSTONE HUNT

The Atherstone Foxhounds were founded at the beginning of the 19^th century.  The first recorded master being a Mr Pullston who retained office from 1804 – 1812.  In 1815 the famous Squire Osbaldeston, a well-known figure in the hunting world, established hounds at the present kennels at Witherley.  The country has been hunted from there ever since except for a period between 1930 – 1950 when the hunt was divided into North and South.  Captain Ramsden hunting the North and Mr Reginald Wright establishing a kennel at Cotesbach to hunt the South.

The Atherstone country covers some 400 square miles, mainly in Warwickshire and Leicestershire.  It is a large area but urbanisation and motorways have reduced the huntable country quite considerably in recent years.  In fact only 2 days hunting per week are now possible.  We have a mixed country with some arable, but there are still pockets of good old fashioned grass and fly fences, which can be enormous fun.

John has between 25 and 30 couple of hounds in the kennels at Witherley, mostly bred on the traditional old English lines but some modern blood has been introduced in recent years.