About the HTA

Over the years Hound Trailing gained popularity within the local Lakeland communities, and in 1906 the governing body, the Hound Trailing Association (HTA) was formed under the direction of Robert Jefferson, a Whitehaven man.  Since then the sport has grown under the Association’s guidance and at present has more than five hundred members. 

The HTA is made up of 5 regional committees (detailed below) including; South Lakes, Whitehaven, Aspatria & Wigton, Cockermouth, Workington & Keswick, Carlisle & Penrith.

Tel: 019467 23714

Cheques to be made payable to HTA Ltd.

For online transfers contact John direct for details.

e-mail: jdbromage@btinternet.com

Roy Laidler, Victor Brownlee, Dicky Smithson, Margaret Baxter, David Loan, Carole Jackson, Lee Wall Harry Turner, David Hogg, Darren McMaster, Christine McGee, Tony Steel, Barry Laidler, Colin Satterthwaite, Ashley Horn

Co-Opted Members – Duncan Chisholm, John Bromage, Phil Graham, Mark Bryden (bookmakers representative)

Mr Robert Jefferson 1906-42; Mr H Jefferson 1943-44; Mr R.J. Jefferson 1944-45; Mr Douglas Paisley 1946-47; Mr J.P. Jackson 1948-51; Mr R.M. Wilson 1951-57; Mr A. Wilson 1957-61; Mr Henry Kirby 1962-87; Mr K.R. Laidler 1988-2009; Lt. Col. I Beck 2009; Mr J.B. Laidler 2009 – 2021; Mr P. Airey 2022

Mr Ned Braithwaite 1906-20; Mr James Crowle 1920-30; Mr Archie Bruce 1930-51; Mr Willie Irving 1951-64; Mr Jack Foster 1965-84; Mr Arnold Pattinson 1985-90; Ms Margaret Baxter 1990-2017; Mr Phil Graham 2017- 2020; Mrs Fiona Dixon 2020

*J. Brockbank *E. Smithson T. Newall *J. Lafone *D. Harrison *W. Logan *J. Harrison *N. Charlton *B. Lawson *J. Shepherd *J. Marsden *K. Bunting *W. Postlethwaite *W. Charlton R. Laidler *W. Kirby R. Smithson V. Brownlee M. Baxter

*J. Brockbank *Mrs. A. Smithson D. Niles *W. Holme *T. Thompson *G. Ridley *W. Robinson *W. Crone *W. Proctor *Mrs. A. Robinson *Mrs. S. Crone *W. Johnston *S. Goodfellow *G. Irving *G. Stobbart *H. Hodgson *T. Pearson *M. Renney *J. Casson *J. Hecles *M. Oldcorn *J. Smithson *J. Laidler *J. Jenkinson *D. Bewick *Mrs. G. Dickinson *G. Birkett *J. Bryson *W. Postlethwaite *J. Robinson *Mrs. E. Oldcorn *E. Gibson Mrs. E. Robinson *G. Bell *B. Allison *E. Charlton *W. Thexton A. & V. Inman *Mrs. J. Stobbart *F. Barrow *R. Oldcorn Mrs. B. Johnson *Mrs. L. Barrow *S. Drinkall Miss S. Lloyd * Mrs. D. Benson G. Stephens *G. Irving *J. Wilding *R. Stoddart D. Reay *J.J. Fidler * J. Niles N. Reay *J. Forster *R. Park D. McLean *F. Walker *A. Dawson **M. & K. Tunstall *T. Mallinson *R. Thompson G. & R. Farren *Mrs. E. Harrison *W. Johnstone M. Pattinson B. Birkett

We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Executive Committee to pay its respects to all those members and supporters who have sadly passed away during the last year. We would like to extend our thanks to all farmers, landowners and sponsors for their continued support. Without this support running and promoting hound trails would be difficult. Last but not least we would like to thank all those who own and run the hounds which are the basis of this long standing and traditional sport.

The 2022 season started on time following the previous two seasons which were delayed due to the impact of Covid 19. Everyone was looking forward to a season where we could put Covid 19 behind us and get down to the business of none interrupted hound trailing. The season remained exciting up to the end with many Championships and Points competitions remaining open to a number of hounds. 2022 saw the creation of a newly formed joint area between Westmorland and Ulverston to form the South Lakes Area. Their first season was positive and the Executive wish them continue success in 2023.

Congratulations go to all those who won or were runners up during the season. Denise Bland and Co had a very good season winning both the Senior Championship with Jenny’s Quest and the Puppy Championship with Huntsman’s Rebel. Well done to Denise and team for their consistency throughout the season and for notching up another double victory.

As you will see from the Accounts the finances have remained stable although the HTA like most promoters will feel that 2022 was a challenging year given the pressures all round with the cost of living increasing all the time. The impact that this has on the sport and the members going forward will need further consideration by all to ensure that the sport continues going forward and the finances remain stable. It’s probably too early to judge the impact of All To Pay across the Association and this will need to play out for another twelve months before this will be evident.

2022 saw the reintroduction of the Fixture Meeting to try and improve the congestion of fixtures mid-season some would argue that this helped a little, others may argue not, however like most sports its trial and error to get the right balance and no doubt work will continue in 2023 to try and come up with a system that addresses these issues to the satisfaction of the majority of the members.

Here’s hoping that 2023 will be a good year for everyone to continue to enjoy the sport of hound trailing.

– Paul Airey –

January 2023

It hasn’t been a great few years for Hound Trailing. The weather and the economy has thrown everything at us. But Hound Trailing survives. It is the golden thread in the sports life of Cumbria. The people involved are always such a pleasure to meet, so dedicated and unassuming, which carry on a marvellous tradition despite heavy odds. I admire Hound Trailing more than any other sport. For its modest tenacity and invariable good spirits. Here’s to better times.

With best wishes.

– Melvyn Bragg –

January 2023