The Airedale Beagles

The Airedale Beagles were established in 1891 through the co-operation of business and working men. This followed a chance encounter on Ilkey Moor between Dawson Jowett and Tom Clark. Tom became the kennelman and Dawson the huntsman. The Hunt had links to the Bradford harriers that had disbanded just a couple of years before and the long tradition of beagling in the Jowett family. Whilst 1891 is generally accepted as the date of their establishment. a reference to a hunt of the Airedale Beagles has been found in a copy of The Bradford Observer dated 2 March 1865. Originally trencher fed, in 1922 land was bought at Eldwick and kennels and a huntsman's house built. In 1935 new hound-proof railings were installed. The cost was raised by subscription as a memorial to Mr. Dawson Jowett, who was Master for a period of forty two seasons. They moved to their present kennels in 1983.