THE East Antrim Hounds held their ‘Huntsman’s Hooley’ in The Lylehill Tavern, Templepatrick last Saturday night when revellers of all ages enjoyed singing along with, and dancing to, Boxty on a really festive occasion.

Lucy Hanna and her sister Sarah won the Christmas jumper competition which was judged by local farmers Andy McCammond and Harry Knipe over whose land the EAH hunt. Except when they sat down to supper, the sisters kept the jumper on all night.

Lucy, who finished the eventing season on a winning note in the EI90 at Loughanmore on her September Storm gelding Rock Storm, hunts whenever time allows. In contrast, Sarah is hunting mad and can be seen out regularly on her coloured cob Cowboy. Their mother Barbara is also a keen huntswoman.

Saturday night started off with a Christmas Bingo Bonanza where two games were won by EAH whipper-in, James Jenkins in his elf costume/t-shirt. Still training his greyhounds, but not his point-to-pointers, James and partner Shelley Boyle, resplendent in a snazzy Christmas dress at the ‘Hooley’, are concentrating on building up their rehabilitation business Move Right Therapy. They also source and distribute the latest therapy equipment from around the world.

Joint-Master John Minford wore a Christmas jumper which asked ‘Who ate all the pies’ while that worn by the EAH’s very own photographer Jayne Kennedy depicted the North Pole.

Noted not wearing a Christmas jumper in photos we have seen were three of the Crawford brothers – Steven, Ross and Ben – and Jonjo Bright. Hopefully Santa Claus will bring them one each tonight!