The History of Hunting in the Parish
One of the oldest sports practised in the parish is the hunting of foxes with hounds. Fox-hunting, often under much pressure today from the general populace, has been enjoyed by the upper classes in North Staffordshire since records began. The first recorded hunt to meet within the parish boundaries was in 1820 when the Moorland Foxhounds were reported to meet two days a week, at 'Leek, Biddulph and Draycot.' This hunt however had an ephemeral existence, but by the middle of the nineteenth century the North Staffordshire Hunt was well established, with Draycott being one of its principal meeting places, with the hunt meeting there every Thursday. Where the hunt actually met seems to have changed over the years. We have reports of the pack meeting at 'Draycot', 'Draycot village', 'Bird-in-Hand' (Hilderstone), and 'Draycot woods'. The following is a report from the Staffordshire Advertiser, March 15th 1862.
Thursday 13th - Met at Draycot. Found in the Hose Wood, one of the right sort. He went away at a clipping pace through Bromley Wood, leaving the Ox Leasows on the right by Spot Gate, running close to Moddershall, then to the left by Cotwalton, across Hardiwick Heath, pointing for Sandon, then to the right by Burston, through the Hollywood, leaving Hilderstone on the right by the Bird-in-Hand, Sherratt's Wood, and Oulton House, to Orange Hayes, where they whipped off, after running nearly three hours over a heavy country with stiff fences, and the pace good. The horses, what few were left, were dead beat and many a good 'un "had long before had enough."
As we can see, these hunts often covered quite a distance, though often in many different directions. Many local notables took part, most significant being the Duke of Sutherland; the hunt's patron. It seems that the large wood formerly of the Draycott family's estate, Hose Wood, Bromley Wood et al, were fine hunting grounds. Here are two extracts from the Huntsman's Diary for 1893.
March 15th 1893 Draycot Village Found on Draycot Cross, and ran out for Forsbrook and lost. Then drew some coverts round Cheadle and Heath House, but did not find. Then went to Hose Wood. Found. Ran fast to Sherratt's Wood and the Bird-in-Hand to Fulford and Stallington, back to Spot Gorse and a ring into Moddershall, to ground at Idle Rocks.
March 29th 1893
Met at Sherratt's Wood. Very dry and hot. Drew Sherratt's Wood and Brindley's Wood, but did not find, so came home. Not fit to hunt. Not to hunt again unless rain.
As one can see, the hunts were not always successful. Incidentally, it did not rain again after March 29th and thus the 1892-3 season was concluded.
Nowadays the hunt no longer meets at Draycott on a Thursday, though meetings do still take place, meeting at Sandon or the Bird-in-Hand. However, with mounting public opposition to this sport, seen by many as cruel, and attempts in Westminster to have it banned, the future of this age old tradition seems extremely uncertain. Nevertheless, its legacy will no doubt continue, in the name of 'The Hunter' public house at Saverley Green, and various prints and memorabilia which abounds to remind us of the regions hunting heritage.
Notes made by M. Pointon, 2000. Text source: A History of the North Staffordshire Hounds and Country 1825 - 1902, by C. J. Blagg. Published by Sampson Low, Marston and Company Ltd. (London), 1902.
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