In the early nineteenth century this pack was known as the Keswick Hounds. It was a trencher fed pack which the farmers of the neighbourhood maintained for the purpose of hunting the mountain foxes. They were hunted by Joshua Fearon who became known as a "terrible hunter".
In 1826 Mr Joseph Crozier put the hounds into his own kennels at Gate Ghyll Farm, Threlkeld and hunted them at his own expense, retaining the services of Joshua Fearon as Huntsman. They were then called Mr Crozier's hounds, or "The Threlkeld Hounds".
Later Mr Crozier bought the Riddings Estate and transferred the pack there; where it remained until 1945 when new accommodation was built close to the original kennels at Gate Ghyll.
John Crozier, Joseph's son, was born in 1822 and when he reached 18 years old in 1840 his father handed the Mastership of the hounds to him. John held that office for 63 years. Joseph Crozier died in 1845.
John Crozier maintained the hunt at his own expense for 30 years. When John Peel died in 1852 his pack was dispersed. Sir Wilfred Lawson bought some for his own Cumberland pack and four or five hounds including Peel's favourite hound Britton came to Crozier's pack.
After thirty years of maintaining the pack at his own expense John Crozier was persuaded to turn the pack into a subscription hunt. (Others have it that he decided that it should become a subscription pack.) At a meeting on 21st January 1870 the Blencathra was formed on its present basis, though it was agreed that in the event of the subscribers giving up the hounds they should revert to the Crozier family. Mr Crozier was invited to continue in office and retained the Mastership until his death thirty three years later in March 1903.
Mr Crozier was followed as Master by the Rt Hon J W Lowther, Speaker of the House of Commons and later Viscount Ullswater, until November 1919. As his duties in the House of Commons necessiated his absence from the hunting field for much of the season Deputy Masters were appointed. Mr Harry Howe was Deputy first followed by Mr George Tickell.
On Mr Lowther's retirement, Mr R J Holdsworth of Seathowe, Thornthwaite, became Master with Mr A W Anderson as Deputy until 1927. Mr Anderson was followed by John Tatters (who had bought the Riddings Estate in 1921). Mr Tatters succeeded Mr Holdsworth as Master in 1937. Mr Holdsworth became Honorary Master.
Mr Tatters carried the pack through the difficult years of World War II. He died in 1954 aged 83.
In 1945 Sir Percy Hope, a well known Keswick sportsman, became Master and his sound business advice kept the Blencathra in a good financial position. Sir Percy died in 1973 and Major Phil Davidson and Mr George Graham QC were appointed Joint Masters. In 1992 they were joined by WN "Bunty" Airey and Joe Bennett.
The Blencathra pack has been fortunate in its history in that it has had some long Masterships. In the same way its Huntsman have continued to give long service to the pack and maintained the continuity of breeding that is essential in fell foxhounds. Joshua Fearon was followed in 1843 by Isaac Todhunter who did 25 years service with the pack before he died in 1868 aged 59. Joshua Fearon died in 1874 aged 86. "Lad Isaac" was followed by John Porter who carried on for 26 seasons until he died in 1894, aged 48, at High Row. Jim Dalton followed and was Hunstman for 36 seasons. Though he retired in 1930 he lived until 1955 and the age of 91. Jim had 2 oz tobacco each week; he did not smoke but chewed it. Jim Dalton was succeeded by his Whip of two years George Bell until 1949, when Johnny Richardson became Huntsman. Johnny had been Whip to George Bell since 1946. He had been a prisoner in World War II. Johnny died in 1988 and was succeeded by his Whip Barry Todhunter.
We know only of the Whips since 1902, but even then not fully.
Tommy Hutchinson was Whip in 1902 and Jack Hodgson from 1913 to 1915.
From 1919 we have a complete list:
1919 – 1929 Ernie
Parker – who became huntsman with the Coniston
1929 – 1930 George Bell – who became huntsman in
1931
1930 J R McGuthie
1931 – 1937 Albert Benson – who became huntsman
with the Windermere Harriers
1937 – 1939 Arthur Irving – who was brother of
Billy Irving (huntsman the Mealbreak) and became huntsman to the Eskdale and
Ennerdale
1939 – 1945 Syd Hardisty – who was brother to Harry
Hardisty huntsman to the Mealbreak
1946 – 1949 Johnny Richardson – who became huntsman
in 1949
1949 – 1951 Ronny Cape
1951 – 1956 Anthony Chapman
1956 – 1960 Bill Porter
1960 – 1973 Stan Mattinson – who became huntsman
with the Coniston for eight seasons and in 2001 Master of the Blencathra
1973 – 1988 Barry Todhunter – who became huntsman
in 1988
1988 – 1990 Mark Fox
1990 – 1995 John Bell
1995 – 1997 Will Pinkney
1997 – 2003 John Parker
Blencathra
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