A fond farewell to a cherished pack

After 255 years, the Pendle Forest & Craven ends its final Season in fitting fashion, leaving memories that will be treasured forever

- Written by Octavia Pollock

BEYOND THE fields of old turf, nothing could be seen. The views of Yorkshire fells, rising to the highest peak, were swathed in the grey murk typical of the 2024-25 Season. Yet it mattered not a jot, for we had a finer view: the athletic harriers of the Pendle Forest & Craven, noses down and focused, sterns waving merrily. They never stopped working, with an eager, quicksilver quality; indefatigable and cheerful.

The cheerfulness of the followers, however, was tempered because this was the last Season for this 255-year-old pack, following the decision of the Mastership, including three generations of Bannisters (Michael, Master since 1977; Nick, Master since 1992; and Roddy, huntsman of five Seasons), Jane Pighills and John Chadwick, to retire from their patronage amid the pressures of rising costs and dwindling funds. "It's very sad but it simply wasn't viable," said Nick Bannister. "Things do not always evolve as we would like but that is life. We celebrate and cherish the memories."

The elder statesman of the Pendle is Michael Bannister, 92, a man to whom Churchill once opened the door of 10 Downing Street. He was a courageous rider in his younger days, proven by many photographs in his Coniston Hotel, near Skipton, hanging alongside Daniel Crane prints. All the Bannisters are accomplished sportsmen: Roddy's brother Harry is a professional jockey; Michael has cleared the Grand National fences; Nick rode in the Foxhunters' "and fell before Becher's!" He did better on Shanks's pony, running three marathons, and Roddy has already completed one in aid of Sue Ryder. They echo another illustrious Bannister: cousin Roger, denizen of the four-minute mile.