Bowman

BOWMAN

by

Ron Black and Wendy Fraser

Copyright 2016 Ron Black and Wendy Fraser

Cover photograph copyright James Swanbury.

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

FOR JEAN

in gratitude for her help

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Preface

Chapter One: 1879-1897

Chapter Two: Cleaver

Chapter Three: 1898-1903

Chapter Four: The Dalesmen’s Sport

Chapter Five: 1904-1940

Chapter Six: Postscript

Glossary

Endnotes

About the Author

Other Titles by This Author

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Jackie Faye at Kendal Library; Chris Breen, Michael Sagar and Countryman’s Weekly; Andy Black, Roger and Doreen Westmorland, Chris Ogilvie. Finally, Wendy Fraser, without whom it would not happen. My sincere thanks to each of them.

Disclaimer

The newspaper reports in this book are copied from microfiche material of original sources. Whilst care has been taken to preserve the original spelling, punctuation, etc., on occasion, due to poor quality source material, there may be slight errors or omissions.

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INTRODUCTION

It was late in the afternoon of Saturday 9th August 2014 as we pulled out of the Lowther Show field. The book launch of Brait Wilson The Flying Whip had gone well, so well, in fact, we were 75% of the print run gone.

What’s next then? asked my son from the passenger seat.

Don’t know, I replied, I’m tempted by the big one.

He looked at me. You mean Bowman?

I sped up to join the M6. Why not? I asked.

He sighed. Because no one since Skelton in 1921 has done one, his was so good.

I thought for a while, It was, I said, but it was written by people who knew him and they are all gone; a research-based book is all that’s left.

I looked at him waiting for a reply, but he had gone to sleep.

And that is how this book began; it is the product of much research and many visits to libraries and record offices. I hope that not only does it chronicle Joe Bowman’s life but also the times in which he lived and the country he loved.

Ron Black

October 2014

www.lakelandhuntingmemories.co.uk

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PREFACE

BEFORE beginning this book, it may be worth taking a tour of the area in which Hunty lived all of his life. Many of the places named feature in his story. The following extract is taken from ‘A Description of the Scenery in the Lake District, Intended as a Guide for Strangers’, by the Rev. W. Ford, 1839.

Ullswater- Is the largest lake, next to Windermere, in the district, being nine miles in length, and one in breadth. Its average depth is from twenty to thirty-five fathoms; and its waters abound in excellent trout, and are crowded with shoals of skellies, a kind of fresh water herring: a few char are also found in the lake, and great quantities of eels are taken in the Eamont, as they migrate from the lake in autumn. The principal feeders are Grisedale Beck, overflowing from a large tarn, high up between Seat-Sandal, and Helvellyn, and Goldrill Beck, whose waters are the united streams that pour out of Blea and Angle Tarns. The water is of a zigzag form, running as it were into the mountains, the hill sides plentifully covered with wood and rich meadows lying at its foot. It consists of three reaches: the first or lowest, three miles in length, has pretty sloping banks; the view up this has in front Hallin Fell, with Swarth Fell on the left, and on the right the sweetly situated villas of Ramps-beck, Beaumom, Lemon Hall, and the white hamlet of Watermillock. The second reach is four miles long, having the huge Helvellyn rearing his crested form in front, with Hallsteads on the long low promontory, round which the lake doubles, the woods of Gowbarrow adorning the right, and on the left Hallin, Birk, and Place Fells. The highest and last reach is two miles long, spotted with a few rocky islands of small importance. The steep and rugged front of Place Fell forms its left boundary, and the precipitous rocks of Stybarrow, oaken crowned, start up out of the waters on the right, the crags of St. Sunday, Helvellyn, and Fairfield, forming the towering distance. On the whole, this water generally stands confessed the most beautiful and grandest of all, affording the greatest variety of views, in which, however, the sublime unquestionably preponderates.

In advancing up Ullswater, we should recommend the south or Westmoreland side of the shore to be taken as far as How Town, where a boat should be in readiness to carry you across to Old Church, Watermillock, inasmuch as the views are incomparably finer, both with regard to the foregrounds and the combinations of the distance. This side cannot be pursued to Patterdale, but by pedestrians, who, after leaving How Town, penetrate into Martindale, a sequestered spot shut out from the lake; its one-arched bridge, chapel with its low roof and simple bell gable and picturesque yew tree, are romantic objects. At the head of this dale, where it divides into two grains, is a hunting-box of the Hasell’s. The want of wood here gives interest to the few scattered houses which are embowered in sycamore. A green path leads to the top of the western ridge, whence there is a view of the last reach of Ullswater, bordered by black steeps—the narrow grassy vale of Bordale immediately beneath—Penrith beyond—and Cross Fell in the extreme verge of the horizon. In passing down to Patterdale, several beautiful views are presented of that dale, and of Brothers Water, with the heights of Kirkstone.

The carriage road leads from Pooley Bridge, on the Cumberland side, along the first reach, which is, comparatively speaking, tame, having Soulby fell, a smooth green hill, on the right. Near the pleasant village of Watermillock, stood the old church, in a very sequestered bay; the old church-yard yew tree still survives. The new church is built further up the hill side, and was consecrated by Osbaldistone, Bishop of Carlisle, on his way to crown Elizabeth I. At the extremity of the church promontory stands Hallsteads, the modern residence of J. Marshall, Esq. Immediately after passing this, on the left, you enter into the grounds of Gowbarrow Hall; and then the Park, in which is situated Lyulph’s Tower, a rude hunting seat of the Duke of Norfolk, that exhibits one of the finest views on the lake. The lover of nature may linger here for hours. A powerful brook dashes through rocks hung with a happy mixture of natural wood, beds of luxuriant fern, aged hawthorns, hollies, and honeysuckles; and fallow deer glancing and bounding through the thickets and over the lawns. The attractions of the retired views, and the ever-varying foregrounds, which heighten the beauties of the water, are not to be described.

The explorer of nature’s hidden charms must here leave the road, and follow up the gill above named, till he arrives at Airey Force, where the stream falls eighty feet between two rugged cheeks of rock.

A wooden bridge crosses the top of the fall. After it has rested for a moment in the basin that receives it, making a bend, it rushes down a lower steep, at the foot of which another romantic bridge is thrown over the agitated waters. Altogether the scene is incomparably grand. After reluctantly leaving the enclosed park, the scenery still continues most fascinating. The road that passes down the hill on the right is the direct carriage route from Keswick, through Matterdale, a wild and interesting valley. The horse-road from Keswick unites with this at Dockwray, through which hamlet, after springing out of Dowthwaite Head, runs the stream that, in its progress through Gowbarrow Park, forms the noble falls of Airey Force. On the hill top there is a magnificent view of the two upper reaches of the lake, having on the left Silvery Point and Place Fell, the steeps of Glenridding, with Stybarrow Crags and Patterdale Hall; and beyond, the mountains of Grisdale and Hartsop, Scandale Fell, and St. Sunday Crag. Proceeding onwards, on the right, lurking in a recess, is Glencoin, a farm house belonging to the Duke of Norfolk, in a rich cultivated bottom, with high and splendidly-wooded mountains in the background: the stream here divides the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland. Hence the road ascends and is cut through the crags of Stybarrow.

From which there is a Claude-like view towards the foot of the water. On a grassy promontory stands Glenridding, the seat of the Rev. H. Askew; the dale opening upwards to the right, is adorned with fertile fields, cottages, and natural groves, that agreeably unite with the view of Ullswater. The pedestrian may follow up its stream, along bold water-breaks and falls, to a silent tarn in the recesses of Helvellyn.

"From the summit of whose craggy mound

The perching eagle oft is heard to cry,

Or on resounding wings to shoot athwart the sky."

On the right is Patterdale Hall, the former residence of the Kings of Patterdale, but now belonging to William Marshall, Esq. The stream that rushes down across the road, flows out of Grisdale Tarn, through a green moist dale, with one single house embosomed in sycamores.

Patterdale Chapel stands on one side of the road, with scarcely a single tombstone in its burial ground, its noble tree, the solemn yew, adding dignity even to the hallowed ground.

A little further is the excellent inn, where every accommodation may be had for viewing this sublime nucleus of dales, and where a day or two should be spent for such a purpose. The water should be navigated, the recesses of the dales explored, and Helvellyn ascended. No one, not even the transitory visitor, should omit to walk to Blowick, which may be done while dinner is preparing. It has still its land-locked bays—its rocky promontories, though deprived of all its wood, and thus displaying all its charms at once, instead of unfolding them in delightful succession.

Leaving the inn, we shall proceed up the dale. On the right is Deepdale, which is terminated by a cove, a craggy and gloomy abyss, with precipitous sides, the receptacle of the snows of Fairfield.

On the left, the road leads to Low Hartsop, a romantic village, through which flows the stream from Hays Water.

At Cow Bridge is the outlet of this pretty sheet of water, which is situated in a fertile vale, clothed with wood. On its western side, near the head, stands the ancient and lowly Hall of Hartsop.

This water may be readily circumambulated, and the views around it are sublime. It is fed by Kirkstone Beck, and that which rises under Dove Crag, which issues from a cove richly decorated with native wood; from this recess there is a view backwards on the gleaming surface of Brother Water, and forwards to the precipitous sides and lofty ridges of Dove Crag.

The Tourist may proceed over the rocky pass of Kirkstone to Ambleside, or return to Penrith.

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Chapter ONE

1879-1897

WHAT better way to start our story of Joe Bowman than to quote his contemporary, W. G. Skelton, who wrote the last definitive book about Joe, ‘Reminiscences of Joe Bowman’, in 1921.

AN EARLY PASSION FOR SPORT

JOE BOWMAN was a native of Matterdale, and for a brief period he followed farming. He took up the occupation of a miner at Greenside Mines, Patterdale, where he developed that strong frame and wonderful physical faculties which made him one of the strongest men in a county of strong men. It was at this period of his career that Joe leant to be a handy man. It may not be generally known that not only was Bowman one of the best huntsmen who ever cast hounds off on a mountain breast, but always, underlying every aspiration and endeavour in life, there was that deep passion for hunting and hounds which seemed in those days to be a birthright of Westmorland lads. Wherever and whenever he could, Joe followed the foxhounds as a school lad. The offence truanting had not the same significance in those days as now. It was a crime for which many were guilty in youth. Doubtless Joe’s attendances at school were not chronicled with that punctilious regularity demanded nowadays by education committees. However, he was naturally apt and quick witted, and in nature he found a great schoolmaster. His whole life was fashioned on those lessons, which he learnt at first-hand in the mysterious classroom of Nature. On the mother’s side (the Dawsons) there had been hunting blood in the family for seven generations. There is a horn in existence, which went through these generations. Joe’s mother died at the ripe age of 90.

THE ORIGIN OF THE ULLSWATER PACK

The Ullswater Foxhounds were the outcome of an amalgamation in 1872 of the Bald How (Matterdale) and Patterdale Foxhounds. The Matterdale hounds dated back to trencher-fed days. Amongst their former masters were Squire Taylor, Squire Joe Head, Mr. Martin, Mr. Hutchinson, and Mr. George Donaldson. The chief huntsmen during the period covered by these masters were W. Wilkinson, T. Parker, and James and Joseph Dawson (Joe’s uncles with whom he had many a chase as a school lad).

The previous masters of the Patterdale pack included Mr. Gelderd, of Nell House (now Patterdale Hotel), Mr. John Walton, and Mr. W. Marshall, M.P. Amongst the huntsmen were James Backhouse, Birk Dixon, J. Pearson, J. Watson, and Jos. Airey, Tom Chapman, Dan Pattinson and W. Rucastle. The Chapman referred to was the uncle of Mr. Anthony Chapman, of Troutbeck, the former huntsman of the Windermere harriers, of which pack Mr. W. B. Logan was the master. When Mr. Gelderd was alive he used to say Chapman of Patterdale was the best huntsman in England. The late Mr. Turner used to say of Chapman, If you had seen him when he was chanting the dogs when they were questing it would have fair lifted the cap off your head. It went to your very soul, there was such grand music in his tones. He was a middle-sized, stiff-set man, with his limbs like steel, and a constitution as sound as Bowness bell. Tom’s first wife lived at Kendal, 24 miles away. He was then hunting hounds in Patterdale, and used to leave the kennels at ten o’clock at night, walk to Kendal to see his sweetheart, and be back at kennels at five o’clock next morning. After the amalgamation Mr. J. W. Marshall was the first master, and the pack was called the Ullswater Foxhounds. The kennels at Jenny Hill were done away with and hounds were kennelled at Grisedale. Abe Pattinson, another great huntsman, being the first to have charge of the joint pack. He had for whips, W. Pattinson, J. Donaldson, J. Cameron, James Watson, and Harry Lancaster. Then Squire Hasell became the master, and in 1879 Joe Bowman got the official appointment as huntsman. He had for a short period Harry Lancaster as whip. The latter afterwards became huntsman to the Rev. E. M. Reynolds, the master of the Coniston Foxhounds, before they had Mr. Bruce Logan as master and George Chapman as huntsman. Joe Bowman hunted the Ullswater Hounds for about 15 years practically without a whip. There was a change in the mastership. Death took the genial Squire Hasell, and in 1910 Mr. W. H. Marshall, of Patterdale Hall, succeeded him. With the exception of about four years, when George Salkeld carried the horn, Joe hunted the Ullswater Hounds from 1879. In 1911 he retired, but then came the war which upset all calculations. George Salkeld gave up the hounds. His whip, Braithwaite Wilson, went to the war, and Joe Bowman took the field again. During the war he had the assistance of Robin Teasdale as whip, but on B. Wilson being demobilised, the latter once more took up the whip, and during a temporary indisposition of Hunty, had practically the charge of the pack with the assistance of Mr. C. Norman Parry, of Barbon. Amongst the hunt secretaries have been Mr. A. Nelson, for many years schoolmaster at Patterdale; Mr. C. Arnison, solicitor, Penrith; and secretary, Mr. C. R. Farrer, of Howtown, Joe’s fidus Achates who has held office about a score of years, during part of which time he had the valuable help of Mr. W. Milcrest as chairman.

W. G. Skelton 1921

The Mardale Hunt and the Ullswater Foxhounds are inextricably linked. In 1878, Joe Bowman’s first hunt at the meet, which was to become as famous as his name, produced one of the best hunts of his first season. The fox finally defeated his pursuers by going to ground near Buck Crag after a terrific hunt which took in practically all the summits surrounding the valleys of Mardale and by the time the hunt ended daylight had gone. The story continues…

The huntsman and whip coming round by Dale Head heard the hounds at the fox earth and proceeded thither as fast as they could, but when they reached the spot the moon was high in the sky, the stars glittered in the spangled firmament, so the fox was left in triumph of his well-earned victory. Later on R. Brumwell and James Watson, who had followed nearly the whole course called at Dale Head, weary, warn and wan, and after being refreshed were able to find their way over the pass, a little after the hounds had returned to their kennel and the fox to his lair. Although our friend Mr. W. Smith of Swindale says killing crowns the day, we cannot but rejoice that so gallant a fox after such a splendid chase he gave, should escape his foes and be allowed the chance of giving us a future days sport, when we hope to break a lance with him. On the same day four hounds, Lucifer, Barmaid, Abigail and Cymbal, ran another fox to ground at Basin Crag.

W. G. Skelton 1921

The winter weather in the Lake District could stop hunting for days on end and, on occasion, weeks. Hounds were confined to kennel with the attendant risk of fights breaking out. To overcome this some huntsmen overfed hounds that, once the weather had improved, needed time to regain condition.

THE ULLSWATER FOXHOUNDS

These hounds, which for several weeks have been kept in their kennel, owing to the stress of weather, afforded excellent sport to the lovers of fox-hunting during the last fortnight.

On the 22nd, the hounds having had an easy day before were thrown off at Ivy Crags, in Martindale, where a mart was put up and viewed right down the hill, and killed. The pack was then taken across Fusedale Bottom to Brock Crag, and not finding, proceeded along the breast of the mountain to Swarthfell, where at Clough Crag a fox was put off, and went by Black Crag to Barton Park, and then turned up by the top to Swarthbeck Ghyll Head, where the hounds were running in view, and getting in close proximity to his fox ship with every bound, which caused him to turn in for the Boor Earth, where round the ragged rocks the ragged rascal ran, but this stronghold was watched by a strong body guard, so that the fox was compelled to pass on. However, it was not long before hounds were up, with the swift and deep mouthed Lecturer again acting as their leader, and pulling him down on the open plain and soon his kennel mates, in numerous force joined him in the kill. Captain Parkin, of Ravenscragg, and a youth from Sandwyke, were in at the finish. When taken up it proved a fine old fox grey with years, having also lost most of its teeth.

On Monday last the meet was at Sandwyke on the Westmorland side of Ullswater, and the hounds proceeded to Birkfell, which was found blank. Silveray was then tried, with a better result, for a fine old, straight necked fox was aroused. He went away in capital style with the pack well in his wake and a capital chase ensued. The route was through Placefell Breast, by way of Grey Crag, Keppel Crag, out over the top of Rooking Gill Head and in by Bordale Hause, where the fox passed George Dixon of Crook-a-beck, and went through the midst of a flock of about five hundred sheep which were being foddered at the time. If this was done by way of dodging the dogs, it proved a failure, as in less than three minutes the hounds came up in the following order:- first Roguery, then Clasher, Lecturer, Lucifer, Rally, Clinker, Cracker, Somerset, and Telltale, and in a few minutes more the rest of the pack. The whole pushed on and followed Reynard’s track down the bridle road to near Mr. Dixon’s Outgang, where fox and hounds struck off to the left and went through the Screes to Beckstones Crag, Dob How Gill Head, and over the top to Angle Tarn, which was crossed, being frozen over. The hunt proceeded to Buck Crag, then turned up and kept the top until High Street was reached, where at the Straits, the fox was headed by the gallant pack and obliged to turn in by Knot Gill and Hayeswater Foot, and run downward by Hartsop Mill, his brush hanging low and his stamina evidently nearly gone. Being, however, a game fox, he pressed on before his foes along the high side of Low Hartsop village, a little way from Mr. W. A. Grisedale’s. Here being fairly pumped out, he vainly tried to save himself among some boulders, where he was killed by the dogs. Within one week the Ullswater hounds have killed four fine old foxes and one mart.

Westmorland Gazette 1st March 1879

A FOX KILLED IN ULLSWATER–The Ullswater foxhounds met on Saturday last at Lyulph’s Tower. A fine fox was started at the Hag, near Gowbarrow Hall, and was viewed away at best pace over Priest Crag, Watermillock, towards Matterdale, by the Coombs to the Riddings Plantation, and away up Glencoin Park, the hounds rattling him along at tremendous pace. Being, however a stout fox, strong both in wind and limb, he steered for the top of the Park, and leapt the wall into the stinted common, but the pack keeping still on his track and running in close proximity, he retraced his steps, and turned in towards Glencoin House where he tried to cheat his pursuers by making a sudden turn, and went right up the hill to the Brow Plantation. His next performance was through by Latterbarrow Gill Head, and on to Dod and through the breast, to near Rake Head in the route for Black Crag, where Mr. Sewell saw the fox lay down among the heather, but the hounds coming up immediately in full cry he was obliged to wander on. The horsemen now fortunately came up to witness and note all further proceedings. Towler had led the pack hitherto, with Lecturer and Clasher in close attendance. On coming into site of the valley of Glenridding, Roguery was then in command, taking their friend on to Glenridding Screes, where the clean, cold air refreshed him a little, but the hounds turned him back towards Black Crag and down the wood as if for Glencoin. Strength here was fast failing him, and he stuck to the road from Seldom Seen Cottages towards the Patterdale Road, where, to the amazement and confusion of the horsemen, he headed back up a very steep hill in the wood. On he went, and again came down, crossing the main road, the end of all being now at hand, for the hounds were viewing, and chased him up and down, and round the rocks of Oak How. In a few minutes he was forced to take to the water, the hounds boldly plunging in after, swam to him and killed him in the lake. He was a fine dog fox. Mr. W. Parker of Carlton Hill, and Mr. J. Wood, of The Tower, being well mounted were up with the hounds when the fox took to the water and witnessed the very uncommon sight of a kill in the lake. Mr. Wood tied his horse to a tree on the bank, and waded into the lake to save the fox from sinking after it had been killed. Time, two hours and very fast.

Westmorland Gazette 8th March 1879

THE ULLSWATER FOXHOUNDS–These hounds met on Tuesday week at Grasmere, where, after a slow drag, a grand fox was put up at Langdale Pikes. Giving himself a shake, and tossing his tail high up in the air, he made his first point running towards Bowfell, where, swerving round he went to Swithburn Head, and thence over the fells to Borrowdale, with the hounds close up to his brush. Having made his way to Buttermere in a straight line he kept the top of Honnister; swept lightly over the smooth part of Fleetwith; turned down the back side of the precipitous rocks called Hay Stacks, opposite Gatesgarth, and descended into the vale of Ennerdale, towards the lake. When the huntsman and his brave followers came in sight of Ennerdale (eight or nine miles from Whitehaven) they met the hounds coming back, but whether they had killed in the open or run the fugitive to ground is at present a mystery. Suffice it to say, that this was the run of runs which the pack have had for some time. All the hounds turned up at the roll call, except Clasher, Roguery, and Lucifer, the last of which found lodgings until brought home. Now comes the painful part of this grand run. Clasher and his companion Roguery, after their run had evidently intended to come to their kennels at Patterdale, as they were seen to pass the Lodore Hotel, Borrowdale, about dusk on the same evening, and they had probably come to Keswick and strayed on to the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway, opposite to Briery Hill, and near the river Greta, when a train, coming up from Penrith, after dark, dashed into and killed poor old Clasher, which had been one of the best leading hounds in the pack for the last five seasons. Roguery escaped unhurt.

Westmorland Gazette 22nd March 1879

In those days the Lake District was better supplied with rail services, many of which fell foul of Dr. Beeching in the 20th century, although to lose hounds on a railway line was unusual. The main cause of losing hounds was falls from the crags; the Ullswater for example lost five in their first season.

MASTER MR. JOHN EDWARD HASELL

1880–1910

THE ULLSWATER FOXHOUNDS–These famed mountain hounds threw off on Saturday last at Howtown, Martindale, and at Swarthfell a fox was unkennelled, but despite all his efforts he could not escape his pursuers, who viewed him from the beginning till they bowled him over in the open. It was a fine old dog fox and weighed 17lbs. On Monday the 8th inst, the hounds met at Mardale, where they again had a successful run killing their fox near Small Water. These hounds have only been kennelled a month and have killed six foxes.

Westmorland Gazette 13th October 1880

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS

THE ULLSWATER FOXHOUNDS will meet on Monday 1st November, at Kirkstone Foot, at 8.30; on Thursday the 4th, at Lyulph’s Tower, at 10.30; on Saturday, the 6th, at Howtown, at 10.30.

Westmorland Gazette 30th October 1880

THE ULLSWATER FOXHOUNDS–On Friday last week the huntsman, J. Bowman, uncoupled these hounds in Rydal Hall Park, and took a good drag, which carried them up to High Pike, where they unkennelled a game old fox, which led them a merry dance over the top and in by Caystone, and in sight of Brothers Water; then turned back towards Red Screes, above Kirkstone Top Inn, then turned in towards Hartsop, back up Caystone, and over the top into Rydal Head, with the hounds sticking well together and running in capital form. Arriving at Heron Crag another fox got up, and the pack divided, half of the hounds keeping true to number 1, and the other half taking after number 2, with the whip in command, which went straight down from Rydal, but up to the time we write we have not heard with what results. The number 1 fox went in an opposite direction, out over the top of Fairfield, the gallant hounds almost in view. Having tript slightly over the top they compelled him to turn in to Deepdale Head, where he sought shelter under a large stone in the presence of Anthony Chapman of Grasmere, but in a very short time, the huntsman coming up, he was again ejected and rolled over. It proved a fine old dog fox. The young hounds ran remarkably well, special mention being made of Clasher, Gaylass, Trumpeter,