AT THE recent annual general meeting of the Tetcott Hunt, members approved the committee's recommendation to appoint a new Master.

The current Master, David Wickett from Week St Mary, will stand down at the end of April and will be replaced by Elizabeth Haworth. Mrs Haworth, who rides out regularly with The Tetcott, runs a dairy herd with her husband Rob in Bradworthy parish on the Devon/Cornwall border.

Mrs Haworth said: "I've been a member of the hunt committee for four years and it is indeed a great honour to be appointed Master The Tetcott Hunt operates over a large area and I will endeavour to extend our Tuesday and Saturday meets to try and cover all those parts where we are welcome.

"We operate within the law by trail-hunting but I am sure everybody involved in hunting will be relieved when hopefully the Act preventing hunting foxes with hounds is repealed.

"Lee Peters our huntsman, along with his partner Lilly, will be starting their second season and I am really looking forward to working with them."

At the AGM Julian Smeeth was re-elected chairman and Barry Butler will continue as treasurer. Annette Staines the secretary announced her intention to stand down but agreed to continue in the role until a replacement can be found.

Other changes saw the resignation of committee members Kathryn Baily, John Hart, Rita Morris and Phil Wickett while Peter Bucknall, Trevor Dawe, Richard Hancock, Steve Jeffery and Jeremy Thomson were elected onto the committee.

The hunt's team of property trustees was strengthened by the appointment of David Kivell, a partner in Kivells the property agents, auctioneers and valuers.

After the meeting Mr Smeeth said: "We may have had a few problems during the last year or so but now we are in a strong position to move on. We have a dedicated committee with every member working tirelessly to try and make sure the hunting tradition is maintained.

"Our huntsman Lee Peters is very keen and enthusiastic and is proving a very popular member of the hunt. The future indeed looks very encouraging."