Location
The Hunt Kennels are situated 4 miles north of Bicester in the village of Stratton Audley. The premises include stables and accommodation for Patrick Martin and his staff. During the season up to 16 horses are housed in the stables under the supervision of the Stud Groom and her staff .
The buildings date back to the early 20th Century and, whilst they have stood the test of time, planning permissionhas been approved to construct a new facility adjacent to the existing kennels. It is envisaged that the site will include stabling and hound lodges with all the staff close to the site
The new facility is in the process of being developed to provide modern and up to date facilities for the housing of hounds and horses.
History
The Hunt was formed from an amalgamation of the Bicester & Warden Hill and the Whaddon Chase at the commencement of the 1986-87 season. On 1st May 2003 the Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase was incorporated into a limited company, and for that purpose is known as Bicester and Whaddon Chase Limited.
Former Masters of the Bicester Hunt:
In 1778 John Warde hunted a large area in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire, including what is now the Bicester and Warden Hill country. In 1800 Sir llomas Mostyn became master until 1829. After whom: Mr Drake, 1829-51. Col Anstruther Thomson, 1855-57. Mr Richardson, 1862-63. T T Drake, 1851-55, 1857-62 and 1863-66. Hon W H J North, 1866-70. Sir Algernon Peyton,1862-63 and 1870-72. Viscount Valentia, 1872-85. Lord Chesham, 1885-93. P Colville Smith, 1893-1922. Lord Chesham, 1922-25. H M Budgett, 1925-31. Col J P. Heywood-Lonsdale and Capt A Heywood-Lonsdale, 1931-33. A Committee, 1933-36. Brig-Gen A Courage, 1937-39. Major R E Field-Marsham, 1936-42. Col R V Buxton, 1939-42. A Committee, 1942-45. Bicester South country: Major Beaumont, 1945-47.Mrs Lloyd-Mostyn, 1945-48. Warden Hill country: Capt Long, 1946-47. Cdr Earl Beatty, RN, 1946-48. M V Courage, 1947-48. Whole country: M V Courage, 1948-52. P.J Whiteley, 1951-53. Mrs Lloyd Mostyri, 1948-54. A L Beloe, 1952-54. R A Budgett, 1954-60. W L Pilkington, 1954-60. H M Gosling, 1954-63. Mr & Mrs J Sumner, 1960-64. R P Cooper, 1964-68. Mrs R F Haworth, 1967-68. R C Smith-Bingham, 1964-69. AAD Younghusband, 1968-73. R H Strudwick, 1974-78. Mrs M Barlow, 1978-83. Mrs J.Nicholson, 1978-83. Capt 1 Farquhar, LVO, 1973-84. A C J Preston, 1978-85. The Hon L R White, 1982-85.
Former Masters Whaddon Chase:
The country was hunted under the mastership of the Selby Lowndes family from before 1750 until 1920. It was originally part of the country hunted by the Grafton family. The Earl of Orkney, 1920-23. Sir Peter Farquhar, 1934-38. The Earl of Rosebery, 1923-40. Major H T Morton, 1940-47. MajorC S Drabble, 1947-54 (Acting 1947-53). Dorian Williams, 1954-80. P L B Stoddart, 1969-83. Lady Zinnia Judd, 1982-84. P. Warren, 1982-1985. J. Cunningham 1983-1986.
Former Masters of The Bicester Hunt with Whaddon Chase: A C J Preston, 1986-87. The Hon L R White, 1986-88. P Warren, 1986-89. Mrs A J Taylor, 1987-92. D R Stoddart, 1989-92. E J Lane Fox, 1988-94. S McCormack, 1992-96. G L Portwin, 1996-99. 1 R McKie, 1987-2003. Mrs 1 R McKie, 1999-2003. Mrs J.E. (Heather) Tylor 1992 -2006.
J.G.O'Neill 1994-2009, Miss A.S. Paine 2003-2009, C.J.Hodgson 2003-2009, T.R.Price 2006-2009, D. Ricketts 2006-2009
The History of The Bicester & Warden Hill Hunt
Download a history of the Hunt written in about 1950 by Ralph Greaves. It is a fascinating record of the history written with the perspective of a bygone era.
Click Here
Meet at the Manor House Brill - December 29th 1916
Can anyone identify the people in this old photograph? Does anyone have other interesting historical photographs that we could put on the website?
