The Woodland Pytchley Hunt originally formed part of the Pytchley Hunt Country and until 1874 was hunted by the same pack. The Pytchley owned the kennels in Brigstock, and would bring Hounds across from the main kennels in Brixworth in autumn and spring to hunt this side of the country. In 1874 a separate pack was formed, although the hounds were still owned by the Pytchley Hunt for a further 7 years, until 1881 when Lord Lonsdale bought the then Blankney pack from Lincolnshire, and established it at Brigstock. He was known throughout his mastership for his stable of horses, which numbered over 50 and were all chestnut in colour.

The Pytchley Hunt did hold a limited control over the Hunt, and retained the right to grant privilege of wearing the White Collar until 1947, when they handed over the kennels, relinquished all their rights and gave up the country to the Woodland Pytchley Hunt.

In 1885 Austin Mackenzie took over the mastership from Lord Lonsdale, and brought his own hounds with him. In 1899 he sold his hounds for 5000 guineas, which at the time was a significant sum of money for a pack of hounds.

For a period of time, the country was hunted by Black & Tans, until Capt G E Belville re-established an orthodox pack of hounds after the first world war. Victor Emanuel purchased the pack from Capt Belville when taking over the mastership in 1932 and presented the pack to the country.

The hunt is much indebted to the Misses Wilsons for seeing hounds through the war years, and subsequently to Major M F Berry for his lengthy period of mastership from 1946 – 1950 & then 1955 – 1968. As well as holding the mastership of the Woodland Pytchley, Michael Berry was also the Hunting Correspondent for the Times – the last such post to be held by the newspaper.

In the hunts recent history, continuity has been a key component in the success of the hunt, and David Reynolds’ mastership of 27 years from 1981 – 2008 provided solid and charismatic leadership during the changes seen in the hunting landscape with the imposition of the Hunting Act.

Time Line of Former Masters

G L Watson (1974-78), Lord Spencer (1878-80), Capt Pennell Elmhirst (1880-81), Lord Lonsdale (1881-85), Austin Mackenzie (1885-99), Lord Southampton (1899-1901), Walter de P Casanove (1901-03), W M Wroughton (1903-08), C Mills (1908-09), E A V Syanley (1909-13), Major H A B Wallis-Wright (1913-20), G F Lucas (1926-30), Capt G E Belville (1920-32), Victor Emanuel (1932-33), R W Kaye (1933-35), Capt J A Hornsby (1933-35), H Gordon Pain (1934-35), Sir Julian Cahn, Bart (1935-37), The Misses V and M Wilson (1937-45), A Committee (1945-46), Sqn Ldr P E Barnes (1950-52), C J Bushby (1952-55) Capt A F Goddard Jackson (1952-58), Mrs A M Long (1946-50 and 1955-58), Major M F Berry (1946-50 and 1955-68), J Burgess (1959-68), A R L Escombe (1968-70), Capt C R C Thursfield (1970-73), Mrs R D Seed ([Acting] 1973-78), W R G Lunn (1978-80), Major E F Comerford (1970 -84 [Acting 1973-78]), T R Vaughan (1980-86), D Reynolds (1981-2008), C A Micklewright (2006-09)