The Company
The Bedale Hunt is a Limited Company whose members are all those with an interest in the hunt (landowners, subscribers, visitors, followers, etc). Its Directors are the Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Chairman of the Hunt Supporters and Secretary of the Point to Point Committees. The Directors are advised by a Hunt Committee who represent the membership of the hunt (particularly farmers and subscribers).
The Directors contract with the Mastership to hunt the country within the law. The Masters receive a financial "guarantee" from the Company which covers their running expenses including kennel staff and other hunting costs. The Mastership for the following season is proposed and agreed at the AGM held each January and open to all members.
A separate Trust holds all the property of the hunt (kennels and coverts) and leases them to the Company, who are responsible for their upkeep.
The accounts of the Bedale Hunt, including the accounts of the Hunt Supporters and Point to Point, are published annually and agreed at the AGM.
Chairman: Robert McKenzie Johnson
Secretary: Nick Thomas
Treasurer: Fi Saxby
The Mastership
Robert Ropner MFH joined the mastership in the 2010-2011 season when Andrew Osborne MFH hunted Hounds. Since, he has worked with two more Huntsmen Matt Ramsden MFH and Tim Coulson MFH. Robert and Jo welcome the Bedale to Camp Hill in all its guises whether it is the hounds or Members of the Hunt hosting the Hunt Ball and End of Season Dinner. Robert is responsible for the Maunby to Morton on Swale draw and Bedale to Masham draw and is the Senior Master in his eight Season.
Mikey Francis MFH, Joint Master & Huntsman who joined the Mastership in 2018/19. Mikey was our Kennel Huntsman and 1st Whip and brings continuity to the kennels and the country.
Jo Lambert MFH Joint Master joined the Mastership in 2016/17. Jo has hunted with The Bedale Hunt for more than 15 seasons on her trusty mount Gussie. Jo assists Mikey in the management of the Staff and horses at the Kennels, as well as overseeing the Tunstall, Hornby and Catterick Draws.
Ed Page MFH Joint Master joined the Mastership in 2016/17. Ed in the main looks after the land to the west of A1M and to the North of Bedale. Ed has made good inroads into opening new hunt country in just one year, especially around his home patch. He loves watching hounds work and likes to keep the field in touch with them all day. (whilst keeping out of Mikey’s hair). A real family effort wife Chloe keeps him right with the horses and his father with the drinks.
Matt Penrose MFH, Joint Master first hunted 25 years ago and has been an amateur whip for the Bedale since 2000, whipping in for Charles Frampton, Andrew Osborne and Matt Ramsden. He knows the country extensively and is responsible for the ‘Wath / Norton Conyers’ Draw.
Hunt Staff
The Bedale Hunt Kennel’s Team are totally invaluable part to the success of the Hunt, unquestionably, the unsung heroes of the team. Kennel Huntsman and First Whip is Aiden Beaney who joined us on the 1st May 2018 from the North Shropshire. He is ably supported by Amanda Gillespie, Head Groom. Our countryman is Kevin Newcombe, by far the longest serving member of the Hunt…by decades!
Hunt Secretary
The immensely efficient and utterly charming Hunt Secretary, Nick Thomas undertakes all administrative duties involved with running the Hunt.
Hunt Supporters
The main focus for the foot followers is the Hunt Supporters Club. It's a thriving organisation whose main aim is to raise additional funds for the Hunt as well as providing a busy social programme both during and out of the season. See the Hunt Supporters page on the site for more details of events and how to join.
Chairman: Paul Robinson
Vice Chairman: Sarah Sharpe
Hon. Treasurer: Anne White
Hon. Secretary: Babs Barber
Point to Point
Point-to-point racing is steeple chasing for amateurs. The race day is run by the Bedale Hunt, under the jurisdiction of the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Association and the Point-to-Point Secretary’s Association.
The sport of point-to-point racing, or pointing as it is also known, dates back to 1836 when hunting men used to race their horses from church steeple to church steeple — hence the name “point-to-point”.
It's a great day out in the countryside where people come together to enjoy the sport and to socialise.
Chairman: Stephen Swiers
Secretary: Grania Furness
Sponsorship: Christine Swiers
Photographer
The Hunt is lucky enough to have an official photographer following us at most meets. Nina Edminson specialises in equestrian and rural photographer and is based near Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Nina Edminson has worked with Bedale Hunt of over three seasons and has kindly supplied the images for this website, for which we are extremely grateful. Visit her website for more of her great images and work: http: www.nephotography.co.uk