…for The Unicorn Challenge which is hosted by Jenne Gray and C.E.Ayr.
In 2004, the the cruel sport of hunting of foxes with hounds was outlawed in the UK. Until then, the Hunt Ball was an annual tradition in rural communities country-wide.
.
.
.
‘Dear friends, welcome to the Hadlow Manor Hunt Ball‘
bellowed ruddy-faced Major Faulkner.
In the stables grooms were settling the weary horses, exhausted from the exertions of the hunt.
‘Let the dancing begin, music maestro please’.
Lads calmed the hounds in their kennels.
‘Fellow revellers, my dear wife
Isabella will now read her charming poem’.
The gamekeeper cleaned the rifles then stowed them away in the gun-locker.
‘Let us raise our glasses and sing together, A Hunting We Shall Go!’
In the kitchen, the cook and her helpers were busily preparing pheasants and grouse, shot just hours earlier.
‘Now, to present the prizes
and offer congratulations to their
worthy winners’.
High on the balcony, Little Miss Matilda looked down still sporting the streak of fox’s blood placed on her forehead after witnessing a killing for the first time.
‘Now, the traditional blowing of the horns’.
Billy the gofor boy peered through a window and gazed open-mouthed at the scene within.
‘’Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen’ shouted the butler,
‘Please make your way to the dining hall’.
An army of waiters stood to attention. The guests seated themselves at a long table laden with platters of sumptuous food and carafes of fine wine.
‘Pray silence’, called the maître d’
tapping a glass with a spoon.
The Major shuffled his papers then read his speech.
’Now, dear friends, ‘tis time to part company.
Farewell and God speed’.
A fox and his vixen wandered across the lawn stopping briefly to look with disdain at the departing roisterers.
..
.
Our prompt picture…
© Ayr/Gray
Keith's Ramblings 
Thank God that practice has since been outlawed. That said, wonderfully done, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Prior to it being banned, the hunt would take off from my pub after I’d provided them each with a flute of port to drink whilst sitting on horseback. It was a rural tradition I inherited from previous landlords going back generations. In retrospect I can’t help but feel guilty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you. But, no good in feeling guilt. That was then and not is another story.
LikeLike
wow –
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice story. One of my sons lives in a city just north of Detroit and he showed me a video of two foxes checking out his back yard recently. It has been a few years since I have seen foxes in my neighborhood. I’m guessing the coyotes had them for dinner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A couple of Summers ago, a fox regularly climbed the 60 steps up to my open appartment door, stroll inside and sit down beside me!
LikeLike
Vicious ‘sport’.
I love the story of Siegried Sassoon being desperate to take part in a fox hunt, and then, when he saw the reality of the fox run to ground, shouting ‘Don’t kill it!’
Nicely set out story, Keith, with ‘Us’ and ‘Them’ and the speech in between.
Particularly gruesome is Little Miss Matilda.
But the best line is definitely the last one
LikeLike
A story I’m not aware of. A shame more people didn’t follow that example.
Thanks for your kind words, Jenne.
LikeLike
I’m glad this is a sport no longer. You’ve certainly captured the grim realities in a fascinating way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Mimi.
LikeLike
Good! I’m glad the fox and vixen got away. What a horrible sport that was. You told this story magnificently, dear Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so nice of you, Nanc, thank you.
When the ban came in they started trail hunting in which the hounds follow a rag soaked in animal scent instead of an actual fox. Even that is expected to be banned shortly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terrific portrayal of Upstairs, Downstairs, Keith, and what the Haves consider to be sport.
Orrabest, auld yin!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you my friend, I hope the New Year has got off to a good start for you.
LikeLike
You’ve written so well Keith. I’m glad this practice has been outlawed
LikeLike
Thanks for the story, Keith and that tidbit about the sport being outlawed. I can’t believe it took that long to outlaw though. Still, good it’s no longer going on.
LikeLike
These past few weeks, I have seen fox tracks regularly outside my house in the freshly fall snow. Foxes are beautiful. I, too, am glad the hunt is now illegal.
LikeLike
this is what I love about this blogosphere: fiction and stories. (not as redundant as it may sound), prompt-writing seems to leave the inner core of the author a little more exposed or closer to the surface than simple arms-length fiction. sure, in theory all (of our) fiction is a reflection (true or distorted) of our personal realities, be they characters or plots or description of settings and locales.
especially enjoyed the Comments this week. again, a glimpse into different times and cultures and such and….and! fox stories!
three years ago, we had a fox that would run along a trail just outside our backyard… at 8:00 am on Sundays. serially! for like the whole summer. maybe she ran the route on other days, but I would sit at my desk on Sunday morning… 7:49…7:59… then she would appear, trotting at a leisurely pace out of the more densely wooded section to stage right, along the trail and then back out of sight, stage left.
ceayr mentions in his comment, the ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ I ‘enjoyed’ your portrayal of the contrast of social class.
LikeLike
A very entertaining tale, Keith. I really enjoyed the style that you used. So much happening, so many characters of varying roles. Excellent!
LikeLike