From the Darlington & Stockton Times of January 6, 1872

ONE of the big events of the holiday season of 150 years ago was the All England Rabbit Coursing Sweepstakes which had been held in a field near Richmond on January 2 “for which a liberal amount of money was given to be competed for”.

Said the D&S: “The weather was all that could be desired and some good dogs arrived by the morning train from Darlington, Stockton, Bishop Auckland, Croft, Moulton and other places.”

This seems a little geographically limited for an All England championship, but the D&S said: “Some capital coursing took place, but speculation was very dull.”

Three dogs – Mr Wood’s Beauty, Mr Oate’s Venus and Mr Dinsdale’s Sam – emerged triumphant. “The owners of the three dogs left in agreed to divide the stake, and the deciding course was not run off,” concluded the paper.

However, even 150 years ago, not all blood sports were enthusiastically greeted. The D&S also reported that “a great day was anticipated” on the first day of the year in upper Weardale where the Nenthead hounds were to meet at Cowshill Inn “and a fine fox would be set off”.

“It being a general holiday, a large number of people assembled for the purpose of having a run on the mountains after the hounds,” said the paper, “but they were disappointed as some mischievous person, or persons, had broken into the building where the fox was lodged and stolen him or set him at liberty, consequently Reynard was missing when wanted.”

A fabulous picture of The Cows Hill Hotel in upper Weardale which may even have been taken 150 years ago around the time early hunt sabs spoiled a New Years Day fox hunt

A fabulous picture of The Cows Hill Hotel in upper Weardale which may even have been taken 150 years ago around the time early "hunt sabs" spoiled a New Year's Day fox hunt

Finally, the D&S reported that “the oldest freemason in England and the world” had died on New Year’s Eve in Richmond “in the arms of his son”. He was Matthew Greathead, who was born on May 23, 1770, in High Coniscliffe. He trained to be a carpenter, moved to Richmond in his 20s, and joined the freemasons, remaining an active member until his death at the age of 101 years and eight months.

He was buried from the Freemasons Hall in Newbiggin and the masons erected the largest monument in St Mary’s churchyard – a Corinthian column to the left of the main door – over his grave.