The Hampshire Hunt, always known as the H.H., dates from about 1745. In 1788 the Prince of Wales, while residing at Kempshott, kept staghounds which, in 1793, were turned into foxhounds. They hunted most of the northern portion of what is now the H.H. country. In 1795 the Prince left Kempshott and gave up his hounds, and the old Kilmston Hunt, or original H.H. Club, was dissolved.

On 25th April 1795 a meeting was held in Winchester, and the Club reformed. The country as now constituted has existed since that date, and extends some 17 miles north to south, by about 25 miles east to west.

The H.H. are very proud of the fact that they are allowed to wear the Prince of Wales' feathers on their Hunt buttons. This privilege was granted to the Hunt in 1795, by the then Prince of Wales, on the formation of the present Hunt Club.

The hounds and Kennels at Ropley are owned by the Hunt Club, largely unchanged from its formation, described above. The Club Members have appointed three (2003 four) Joint Masters, whose duties are to manage the everyday operations of the Hunt.

67 hounds, plus 20 puppies, are in kennels, and the Hunt owns 7 hunt horses, which are stabled adjacent to the Kennels.

The Hunt employs four men and two girls full-time, and has one other part-time employee. Housing is provided for all staff.

An operation of this size generates a considerable amount of work for those employed in allied industries - feed merchants' farriers, veterinary surgeons, saddlers etc.

The season starts at the beginning of September and ends on the third Saturday in March. During the autumn hounds are out on four mornings a week. After the Opening Meet at the end of October, they hunt every Tuesday and Saturday, and on Thursdays as well after Christmas.

During the season of about 80 days' hunting, 50-60 foxes are usually accounted for. Many of these are weaker specimens, possibly injured on the road or suffering from illness. Foxes which are hunted but not caught are dispersed, preventing local over-populations from becoming a problem. They are not injured in any way.

The Hunt maintains good relations with local farmers, and is made welcome on over 90% of the farms in the H.H. country. Farmers make no charge for allowing the Hunt access over their land. Many see the Hunt as the prime means of controlling the fox population on their land. The Masters liase with farmers to ensure that their visits are convenient and do not disrupt livestock management or other farming operations. The Hunt never goes over private land without prior permission being obtained.

The Hunt provides a service to farmers in the collection of fallen stock. This was originally a free service, but modern regulations mean that a small charge now has to be made, due in part to the requirements for disposal of spinal cords and offal, and to increased costs of labour and transport. The current crisis in farming puts great pressure on the Hunt staff, as the number of animals for which there is no market is ever-increasing. In 1998 a purpose-built incinerator was installed at the Kennels, at a cost of £10,000, largely due to the demise of the rendering industry. In an average year, the Hunt disposes of approximately 500 large animals (horses and cows), and 800 calves. The cost to farmers is significantly less than their only alternative, that of calling in professional knackermen.

The Hunt Club currently has 110 members and a further 37 farmer members. There are also 97 subscribers and 183 members of the Hunt Supporters Club. On an average hunting day, there would be about 80 riders, and almost as many following on foot or in cars. A popular meet, such as that held on Boxing Day, will attract several hundred supporters.

The Hunt is the focus for many social activities throughout the year, such as balls, film shows, cricket and skittles matches. It organises equestrian events which are supported by many people from outside the H.H. country, such as the annual point-to-point races, the Hunt Scurry, hunter trials and Summer horse show. Hound parades were a popular main ring attraction at six agricultural shows during 1999.

Kennel visits are arranged for interested groups, including local schools, Young Farmers' clubs, riding clubs, dog breeding and rare breed societies. The Kennels are also the venue for the local school gymkhana, the horticultural society's plant sale, and a popular dog show.

Areas of woodland are owned and managed by the Hunt for the benefit of a wide variety of wildlife, and ensure the natural regeneration of many species of indigenous trees and shrubs.

In addition to providing a service to farmers and a recreational activity for many people, the Hunt co-operates with the local police in dealing with incidents involving animals. It is widely recognised as an established part of the fabric of the countryside, and as will be seen above, is at the very centre of village life in Ropley.

A ban on foxhunting would have a serious impact on the locality. The H.H. would cease to exist, resulting in the disappearance of everything described in the previous two pages.

Drag hunting has been suggested as an acceptable alternative, but this would only offer employment to one man, keeping no more than 20 hounds and two horses (all that would be required to operate a drag hunt). Drag hunting follows a predetermined course, resulting in all followers taking the same route across country. This would be unacceptable to farmers, except perhaps on a very limited scale, contributes nothing to the management and welfare of the countryside, and could not cope with the numbers of followers who currently support fox hunting.

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