"Chappie": Anthony Chapman

by Ron Black, Wendy Fraser (Editor), Neil Salisbury (Introduction)

“Chappie” is another title to join the stable of well-researched books authored by Ron Black. Recounting the life and career of Anthony Chapman, huntsman to the Coniston Foxhounds, during the years 1914-82 with the help of first-hand encounters with the huntsman, extracts from his personal diary and newspaper reports of the time, Ron Black gives the reader a meaningful, yet colourful glimpse into the life of Cumbrian rural communities. Events such as the week long rescue of terriers entombed 20 feet underground (carried out by Ron’s uncle, Brait, and others), the bitterly cold winter of 1963/64 and long days following Chappie on the rough terrain of the fells are related, along with oral history transcripts and lyrics of songs sung in the pub at the end of the day. With an introduction written by Cumbrian author and wild life photographer, Neil Salisbury, this book illustrates the interweaving of traditional fox hunting with the daily life of these communities, and will be of valuable primary source material for students of social history and culture.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2016

Reviews

[pwcresswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Social History piece

If your expecting a biographical book detailing the largest few of Anthony Chapman look elsewhere. This book is a compilation of local newspaper cuttings detailed ;) accounts of various hunts undertook by the Coniston pack. It's a piece of social history, an anthology that shows how the hunt was often one of the pillars of community life in the fells. A fascinating read, also contains a couple of transcripts of interviews of Huntsman and Master, by the local history society.