General Information
During the year 2000 D J Clark built a visual record of the Lancaster &
Morecambe district using photographs and information submitted by those that
feature in the pictures. The project was conducted in association with Lancaster
Museum and has been archived for future generations to look back at the district
at the turn of the new Millennium. For more information on the project visit
the information page. If you find a caption is
wrong or there is a fault with the page please e-mail D
J Clark.
Date:
December 26th, 2000
Location: Kirkby Londsdale
Photographer's Diary
26th December Boxing Day Hunt - Kirkby Londsdale
This was a tricky one. With hunting being a very contentious issue at the moment
and the Government keen to ban it in the new year the traditional boxing day
hunt made an obvious subject but one I would find it hard to get information
on. I started with David Stalker, the countryside alliance publicity officer.
He put me on to Clive Richardson, the man with the hounds who was a little unsure
of me but told me to meet at Devil's Bridge for 10:30.
I was there and he was not, though horses and riders started to appear slowly.
I was watched over by some nasty looking blokes, obviously sent to take care
of any protesters should they arrive. I wandered suspiciously around the riders
until finally. Clive turned up with the hounds. I met him and made the mistake
of calling them dogs. "They are not dogs they are hounds" he was quick
to tell me and went on to describe in detail why ?
I followed them into the Market square where the riders gathered for a drink
and to be admired by the crowds. Clive had told me of the route and said if
I was quick I would get a jump picture as the horses crossed a wall down the
river. I took some pictures as the riders gathered in the square competing with
all the amateur photographers keen to take advantage of the beautiful day. I
knew a number of the farmers in the crowd from Abbeystead and Galgate, all were
out in force to support what they felt was a key part of the countryside. I
kept thinking, these people must have some money to afford this sport and surely
could not represent the average farmer.
They took off down the road at some pace and I ran to keep up. Leaving the local
newspaper photographer who had arrived with his mother, I began what turned
out to be about a two mile run to get to the jump ahead of the riders. Clive
was patient and guided me to the right spot. No sooner I had changed lens than
he was off and over the wall, followed by other horses. A few struck the wall
which left a few in doubt and I was asked to open the gate. This I failed to
do showing my country ignorance as one of the riders had to dismount and with
ease release the gate, much to my embarrassment. The riders rode off into the
hills and I made my way back slowly. The traditional Vale of Lune, Kirkby Londsdale
Rugby Match was next, that was until I heard it had been called off due to frozen
ground. I sped off to Blackburn to catch the home tie with Birmingham.