The Annual Dinner
The Annual Dinner marks the start of every Season. Always held on the first Monday in November, the dress is suits and there is no seating plan. A heifer is sent down to the Club from the Welch herd, which grazes the rich Surtees heartlands in the North of England.
Previous speakers at the Annual Dinner include Enoch Powell, Captain Ian Farquhar, General Sir Jack Deverell, Jacob Rees Mogg MP and Lord Moore.
“Dresses being at length arranged, dinners occupied their united attention. The major and Mrs Guineafowle were most anxious that they should be of the most elegant description, partaking as much of the character of one recently given by the Duke of Gormanstone as Miss Nettleworth, the Gormanstone castle today, had been able to recollect and narrate to Mrs Guineafowle. Gormanstone castle, we may observe, was the strong hold of the tory—a heaven from which our Major was expelled when he ratted over to the Whigs.” Young Tom Hall
The Northern Trip
Our Northern Trip is an opportunity to hunt with different packs up and down the country – from the Percy to the Braes of Derwent, from the Belvoir to the Beaufort to the Mendip Farmers. Our Goose & Dumpling dinner is held after hunting on the Saturday, re-creating the event in the Surtees’ classic ‘Hawbuck Grange’.
Previous speakers at the Northern Trip include Rob Williams M.F.H and Nigel Aiken QC.
“For people who are fond of goose (and who is not?) a greater treat could not be devised. There was no taking the edge of the appetite off with soup, or fish, or patties, or cutlets, or side dishes of any sort; but they sat down to dine off the one thing they expected. This, too, was done in the fairest, most equitable way imaginable; for instead of a favored few getting the breast and tit bits, leaving nothing but gristly drumsticks for late comers, each man had his own half goose, and could take whatever part he liked first, without eating in haste and fear that the next favored cut would be gone ‘ere he could get at it again.”
Hawbuck Grange
The Annual General Meeting
Held at the Duchy of Cornwall our Annual General Meeting is also when we have our Summer Lecture, London Visit to the Force’s horses, and cream tea. A guest speaker enlivens the proceedings before the AGM itself. After the visit, we return to the Duchy for a sumptuous cream tea before dispersing.
Previous speakers at the AGM include Charlie Pye-Smith and Robin Smith-Ryland.
“I’ve been brought here at great personal sacrifice, both of cash and comfort, to fight the battle
of the farmers – and fight it I will” said Mr Jorrocks. “That’s reet, ard ‘un!” exclaimed Pigg; adding
“Three cheers for t’ard Squire” Hillingdon Hall