The Raby Hunt Bedale Club was formed in October 1816 by the Third, Lord Darlington latterly the Duke of Cleveland. He was then was hunting his immense Raby country , of which the present Bedale country formed part. The Club was formed by Lord Darlington, the Duke of Leeds, Messrs M Wyvill, S Craddock, R Peirse, S Scrope and several others totalling 43 in number with an annual subscription of five guineas. Lord Darlington was of the opinion that “it was desirable that sportsmen should meet together pretty often to discuss their sport, the preservation of their sport, the making of new coverts and anything likely to improve their country from a fox hunting point of view”. On 9 January 1823 a committee was formed under the instructions to see about “making a whin covert, not less than 12 acres and no more than 16 acres”. The Club Dinner was held on a Thursday and Lord Darlington was most particular in being present. A Chairman or President was selected for each Club dinner. The Club had their own cellar of wine and in 1822 had a fund of £450.
It is difficult to know exactly when the Club stopped meeting early in the 20 centaury but what is known that on the 1November 1913 the Membership total some 95 Gentleman each paying a subscription of £25 . It appears likely that the First World War had a influence in the timing of the hibernation of the Club.
On the 9 December 2013 at a meeting of the then Bedale Hunt Masters , Mike Furness, Paul Hodgson, Daphne Bourne–Arton , Robert Ropner and Matt Ramsden decided a dinner should be held at the Black Horse Kirkby Fleetham on 23 January 2014 and that Michael Abrahams CBE, DL should be asked to speak. The dinner was attended by 55 gentlemen and Michael Abrahams spoke most eloquently.
Building on the success of the 2014 dinner a committee was formed which included Mike Furness, Paul Hodgson, Charlie Kirk and Matt Ramsden and with the help of Peter Hill Walker looked at reforming The Bedale Hunt Club. The Club is inclusive for all Members who wear and have been awared the Bedale Hunt button and those who make a positive contribution to our Hunt. The intention is to build upon our distinguished past and commit contributions to Hounds, Kennels and the Hunting Country raised from a subscription, donations and profit from Club dinners. The Committee with the help of Andrew Hudson would also start The Club’s wine cellar. Matt Ramsden resigned from the Committee on 30 April 2016 and Andrew Hudson joined the Committee on 1 May 2017.
The Club marked its Bicentenary by meeting on Monday 31 October 2016 at the Old Black Swan, Bedale.
There are two principal events an Annual Dinner in January and in the Summer a preview of the Young Hounds at the Kennels followed by Dinner.
The Club was reformed in 2014 with 68 Members and as of 27th February 2024, membership stands at 93 Gentlemen.