LUCK was on my side at the Tormey’s Bar meet of the Westmeath Foxhounds in Bunbrosna as they had two cracking days recently at Castletown Geoghegan and Ballymore. One farmer regularly counts dozens of foxes at night when he is checking his ewes. There is no shortage of foxes in this part of the country with rich pickings for them but sheep farmers understandably want numbers controlled as their livelihood depends on minimising losses.

One is struck by the great relationship this hunt has with the farming community, with many farmers following on quads and by car. The hunt do a public service collecting animal carcasses through their knackery service, thereby keeping the environment clean and green. The club also supports the local towns and village communities in looking their best for the annual Tidy Towns Competition.