It has been a busy week for hound trailing with a number of fixtures, starting on Tuesday at Latrigg where Denise Bland obtained a double and dominated the other major places in the seniors and pups as Huntsman’s Nimrod and Jenny’s Oracle took the spoils and moved closer to the championship leaders in their respective grades.

Denise not only got a double on the night but first, second and third in the seniors with Huntsman’s Major and Huntsman’s Novice, and in the pups Huntsman’s Orchid finished second ahead of Joanna Satterthwaite and Martin Burrow’s Thorn Blossom. In the open restricted, Malcolm and Ann Holmes’ Sweet Harmony took the spoils ahead of Michelle Addison and David Clifford’s Eden Raine and Caroline Clough and Barry Laidler’s Copperfield. In the veterans, course specialist Explore took the spoils for Jean Metcalfe with Joanna and Martin’s Thorn Fire in second and Ray and Glenis Farren’s Mysterious in third.

Wednesday saw a second trip to Wythop where Jonty and Evie Moore’s Crazy continued her championship campaign by beating Maurice and Abigail Bewley’s New Agenda and Ian Donaldson’s Miterdale Steel. In the pups Shirley Crosland and Brian Graham’s Reebok returned to winning form ahead of Reg Smith’s Acorn and Stuart Smith and Nicola Wilson’s Prospect Spring. The open maidens victory went to Ellie and Grace Napier’s Foxparke Golden Balls ahead of Neil McCartney’s Night Vision and Trinket.

Two meetings on Thursday night saw a return to Sandale Heights and Low Place, Eskdale. Sandale Heights saw Bland’s Huntsman’s Nimrod stride to an easy victory over Andy and Ashleigh Horn’s Deepdale Flynn and Jenny Horn’s Spring Drifter. James and Emily Irving were highly delighted when Overwater Sully took the spoils ahead of Carol and Vic Harrison’s Lillian and Tony Jackson, Ian Rudd and Geoff Higgin’s Kinniside Dan. In a close race to the line Tony and Connor Irving where highly delighted when Bob took the spoils ahead of the Napiers’ Foxparke Rambling Rose and Lisa Whitfield’s Some Lad. The open maidens was won by Stephen Irving’s Zola ahead of Andy Horn’s Showbiz and John Graham’s Sparrowmire Casanova. Meanwhile, down at Low Place, Eskdale, Tony, Steph, Sophie, Mark, Katie and Alfie Steel were celebrating a treble at the venue when Miterdale Shadow strolled home ahead of Bland’s pair Jenny’s Aura and Huntsman’s Novice in the seniors. Miterdale Duchess beat Bland’s Huntsman’s Orchid and Miterdale Stanley. Finally, Miterdale Rusty took the spoils in the open restricted ahead of the Farrens’ Mysterious and Bland’s Jenny’s Breeze.

Saturday was Lowick Show where Miterdale Shadow took his second win in two days ahead of controversial second-placed Queen, who had finished the wrong side of the wall for Russell and Wendy Dawson, and Bland’s Jenny’s Aura. The pups saw championship leader Acorn take the win ahead of Caroline Graham’s Hunter’s Flame and Higgins’ Kinniside Dan. The open non-winners saw a double on the day for Joanna Satterthwaite and Martin Burrow with Thorn Blossom ahead of Higgins’ Kinniside Jacko and The Steel family’s Miterdale Stanley. The open restricted was won by course specialist and training ground of Lady Anne for Les Tyson ahead of Steel’s Miterdale Rusty and Addison and Clifford’s Eden Rossi. The veteran saw Satterthwaite and Burrow’s double when Torn Fire took the spoils ahead of Smith’s Aspire and Jean Metcalfe’s Explore.

Sunday saw a return to Peter House, Bassenthwaite, for Graham Birkenshaw’s Memorial Trails where a total of £1,000 each was raised for the Great North Air Ambulance and Cockermouth Community Hospital.

First up was the seniors where Bland’s Huntsman’s Nimrod held on to deny Crazy with Huntsman’s Novice in third. The popular senior maidens saw Holmes’ Sultan storm home ahead of the Napiers’ Foxparke Golden Balls and Denise Pear’s Hawkswood. In the pups a great race had established between Lillian and Jenny’s Oracle were on the line Lillian managed to get the victory for the Harrisons ahead of Bland’s Jenny’s Oracle with Edward and Lisa Crosby’s Opal in third. The puppy maidens saw a second victory in five days for Tony and Connor Irving as Bob beat in Brian and Erin Rowlandson’s Blue Blaze and Alec and Jackie Steele’s Oakbank Izzy. The open restricted saw a victory for Whitfield’s Black Legend ahead of Paul Airey’s Meadow Josie and Bland’s Jenny’s Breeze. The veterans saw Metcalfe’s Explore romp home ahead of the Napiers’ Foxparke Jewel and Smith’s Aspire.

Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to stalwart Bill ‘Ructions’ Huddart, who was a popular member of Whitehaven and organised trails, particularly at Cold Fell and Egremont, raising money for charities such as Hospice at Home and the Blind Society.

Fan Alice Mark, from Carlisle, has also passed away. Her son Willie and grandson Craig walk trails for Carlisle and Penrith.