"Chappie": Anthony Chapman

"Chappie" - Anthony Chapman, a Lakeland huntsman, followed by many, respected by all. Here is another title to add to Ron's stable of carefully researched books. Highlighting the career of another Lakeland legend and the Coniston Foxhounds with the help of local newspaper reports of the time and oral history transcripts, we are offered a glimpse into the world of the Cumbrian farming communities between the years of 1914 and 1982 explaining the importance and necessity of controlling the fox population. Ron gives us first hand, childhood memories of Chappie - he followed him over the exacting terrain of the fells and witnessed events as they unfolded. He recounts the efforts of his uncle, Brait Black, and others in the week long rescue of terriers trapped 20 feet underground, gives weather reports of the long, cold winter of 1962/63, entertains us with lyrics of the songs sung in the pub at the end of the day. All in all, a valuable social history of the region with an introduction by Cumbrian author and wildlife photographer, Neil Salisbury.