Ever wondered what goes into hosting a meet? Or maybe you’ve been asked to host one but don’t know where to start? The Countryside Alliance offers some guidance and top tips about what to do if you are privileged to host a pack of hounds ahead of a day’s hunting.

Hosting is a unique mix of fun, hard work and pride. It is an honour to be invited to host a meet, which is so much more than being about the hounds and horses, it’s also about community, heritage and creating those moments that everyone will remember. Anybody who has hosted a meet will confirm that, as with most things, preparation is key to ensuring everybody can enjoy themselves without undue stress.

There are many types of meets: some take place in farmyards, others are lawn meets, while some are organised on village greens with the local pub hosting, perhaps on occasions like Boxing Day. Each has its own character and annual meets often earn a special reputation.

It might be the food they serve, a unique stirrup cup recipe, the entertainment they provide, or simply the warm hospitality offered before and after the meet. Some are remembered for gatherings around the kitchen Aga on a cold winter’s morning before hounds are unboxed, while others are renowned for post-hunt teas of warm sausage rolls, hot tea and a slice of Auntie’s famous fruitcake. Whatever the focus, a meet is always remembered for the generosity and care of its hosts.

Preparation is key

Before agreeing to host a meet, it is important to consider whether there is adequate – and appropriate - parking for the time of year. Not all vehicles can be driven off road and it’s wise to have a tractor on standby if horseboxes might get stuck. Parking doesn’t necessarily have to be at the meet location but it should be in the vicinity so people can ride or walk to the meet. Meets of foot packs can be simpler to coordinate than the mounted packs, with all but the hounds arriving in a car.

Whether it’s a soggy, drizzly, autumn morning or a crisp winter’s day, any hospitality offered by a thoughtful host is most welcome, although it isn’t necessary – or expected of you - to put on a huge spread. However, the smell of freshly baked sausage rolls, the taste of moist fruitcake, the warmth of a cozy kitchen on a winter’s day and the sound of laughter and conversation, are most welcome and are the moments that make a meet special.

Although not part of the remit for hosting a meet, a pre-meet gathering in the host’s home or barn can be a highlight too, often setting the tone for the day. This isn’t feasible at every meet and where this does take place, it’s important to keep an eye on the clock to ensure that everyone is still present and correct for the actual meet itself. Hosts may kindly provide a useful pre-hunting loo stop and it can be an opportunity for anyone who hasn’t quite got all their hunting kit ready to sort any last minute issues too.

After hunting tea

A hunt tea is always welcome too, particularly by those die-hard supporters – both mounted and those on foot - who have made it to the end of the day and might have finished wet through or frozen to the bone. A hot cup of tea or soup and some sustenance while discussing the activities of the day before they head home to tend to horses and hounds is always most welcome.

Dan Davis, Chairman of the Cotswold Vale Farmers, hosts a meet each year and goes above and beyond. From delicious food to live entertainment - including a brass band - his meets are legendary for their warmth, fun and brilliant atmosphere before a day’s trail hunting.

"I love hosting a meet because it’s all about bringing people together," says Dan. "I enjoy sharing good food, creating a fun atmosphere and seeing everyone enjoy themselves. There’s nothing better than knowing your meet is remembered for doing something no-one else does.”

Gail Taylor, campaigns assistant at the Countryside Alliance and former hunt secretary, recalls her own experiences:

"I host a meet each year in the autumn and again during the main season. What I love most is creating a sense of fun, almost a party atmosphere. Having attended meets across the country and experienced countless hunt teas, and pre-meets, I’ve learned to pick and choose little elements that make a meet truly memorable. But what I have really learnt is that followers, mounted or foot will always be appreciative of your hospitality and are just happy to be out following hounds with something in their tummies.”

Top tips for hosting a hunt meet

1. Plan with care: Think about your location and how followers will gather. Whether it’s your farmyard or lawn, make sure it’s welcoming, practical and there is somewhere appropriate for the hounds and horses to be. You don’t want to be left with a churned-up lawn!
2. Be prepared: Don’t be afraid to over cater, you often won’t know the numbers for a meet in advance so ask the master to give a rough guide for that day of the week and get a bit more, you never know who will turn up!
3. Create a warm welcome: A pre-meet gathering may be customary in some hunts but these are far from compulsory. A cozy kitchen and friendly conversation go a long way to making everyone feel at home but beware making them too comfortable so that they are then late to the actual meet.
4. Focus on food and drink: Simple touches like warm sausage rolls and a homemade fruitcake are always appreciated along with a stirrup cup. If you are hosting a meet on a Saturday or in the school holidays, something for the children - such as chocolates for their pockets and warm squash - always goes down well. Good hospitality is remembered long after the day’s hunting ends.
5. Add personal touches: Bringing together your favourite ideas from other meets you’ve attended can add a unique flavour to the day. It could be a brass band, a baby Guinness (over 18s only) or a pre-meet bacon roll to start the day. In Cornwall, it’s fairly standard to be offered a small Cornish Pasty at the meet.
6. Keep it fun: Hosting is hard work, but it should also be enjoyable. A sense of celebration and camaraderie makes your meet stand out and ensures everyone has a memorable day.
7. Be flexible: Weather and circumstances can change, but your warmth and hospitality will shine through no matter what.
8. No pressure: Followers appreciate you so do what you can and what you are realistically able to do, try not to compare your meet to someone else’s as they are all different and unique.