Seavington Hunt Kennels
SEAVINGTON HUNT KENNELS
Prior to 1941, the Seavington Hounds were kennelled at Hinton Park, Hinton St George, Ilminster courtesy of Earl Poulett. In 1941 the hunt was disbanded due to WW2 and it was after the war that Baker’s Place, Seavington St Mary was purchased by Mr A R Mitten, a former master, to establish new kennel premises. The present kennel buildings were previously used to house POW at Lambrook Gate, West Lambrook, South Petherton. A lean to building was erected to provide a skinning shed and boiler room, the boilers being fuelled by coffin board off cuts fetched from Yandles Sawmill in Martock every week.
In 1950 Baker’s Place was purchased by the newly formed committee from Mr A R Mitton, funds being raised by a mortgage and the sale of debentures at a cost of £5. A system of repayment of so many per year was implemented but most members chose not to seek reimbursement. What foresight those members had to secure our future hunting . When hunting was disbanded in 1941 the kennel staff were Oliver Moss, Huntsman, killed in war service flying bombers. George Keech, Whipper, in later re engaged by Mr BK Ronalds as Kennel Huntsman until 1954. He then went to Tiverton Staghounds as Huntsman. Ernie Napper, Kennelman – Ernie came to Seavington in 1934 from Atherstone. When he came for his interview by train, he walked from Crewkerne station to Hinton Park, and had he not got the job, he didn’t have enough money to get home. He got the job and stayed until he retired in 1971. During the War Ernie worked in Horlicks Milk Factory, Ilminster and hated every minute of it! Ernie’s reason for leaving the Atherstone was that the horse he drove in the knackers cart5 kept on bolting, and he much preferred dead horses to live ones. Ernie’s sole means of conveyance was a James Comet Motor Cycle.