Penny Fillingham Photography

28/06/2024

Are you an estate, game dealer or landowner producing venison, pheasant or partridge? Interested in helping feed people in need? Please get in touch! [email protected]

The Country Food Trust will take your donations and turn it into highly nutritious, ambient meals which we distribute to foodbanks and community kitchens across the UK. To date we have donated 600 tonnes of meat across Britain, at a time when 90% of foodbanks have seen increased demand.

But we want to do even more, and that begins with securing donations of venison and game.

Every kilo of meat counts, so please do share the post with anyone who might be a in a position to help.

25/06/2024

The next Quorn ride is an evening ride with a stop off at the local pub for a shandy! Booking required.

SUNDOWNER RIDE
Walton on the Wolds LE12 7BG
Thursday 4th July
Staggered groups setting off every 15 minutes from 5.30pm onwards

Join us for a perfect Summers evening with ponies & a pub stop!
This ride will be in escorted groups with staggered start times across 7.5 miles of private land with a couple of optional jumps, calling in at our favourite watering hole where staff will be ready to take your orders. There will be a fresh filled water trough for your horse.
Adults £25, U16's £15. Dress ~ shirt/polo & neutral jods with coat/gilet as required.
Photographer in attendance.
Advance entries only via https://www.quorn-hunt.co.uk

Countryside Alliance Hunting Penny Fillingham Photography British Hound Sports Association

23/06/2024

Fun times on yesterdays Grove and Rufford ride. Pics are up: https://pennyfillingham.zenfolio.com/p88179506

19/06/2024

Sad news. I only met Jim once, at Peterborough. I was wandering around shooting film on a twin lens reflex hoping to recreate the nostalgic kind of aesthetic only old cameras and 120 film can conjure up. There are a lot of hunt photographers at Peterborough, all running about with the latest digital kit on a mission and Jim was there too, very relaxed, just getting on with the job, meeting friends and focusing on hounds. He spotted me (or rather my camera), stopped and reached out to the old Mamiya and his eyes were full of twinkle. I remember saying that you can't beat film and he laughed. He lived a lifetime working with a completely different media to what we now use to create our images and it was so much harder to produce a finished product back then. It was an art and a science with a fast turn around. What a life of creativity and adventure he led. A sad loss to the photography and the hunting world.

19/06/2024

Next SNH ride.

Pleasure Ride - Saturday 6th July

Saxondale/Shelford

By kind invitation of the Fisher families of Saxondale.
And the Miller and Barlow families of Shelford.

Please us the below W3W to the entrance off Shelford Road, https://w3w.co/wiring.quail.area
w3w - wiring.quail.area

Then follow the track up to the parking area - Please only park on the mown areas and clear up any deposits.

A fabulous opportunity to enjoy 7-8 miles of off-road riding.

**PRE PAYMENT & ADVANCED BOOKING ONLY PLEASE.**

Start times from 10am Set off at your own pace in your own groups.

Adult £25 Under 18’s £20
Lead Rein (on foot) £15
SNH Subscribers Free

Account Name: South Notts Hunt LTD
Account Number: 00251028
Sort Code: 30-96-18
(REF: Sax)

We have a lovely ride planned taking in some very pretty countryside and woodland.

Everyone is welcome, all abilities.

Dress code - smart casual.

To book in and payment details please text -Sally 07980 373167 (between 7am and 9pm)

**PRE PAYMENT & ADVANCED BOOKING ONLY PLEASE.**

**NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY**

Food and drink included for all riders and available to purchase for followers.

Photographer will be in attendance.

**NO HOUNDS WILL BE ATTENDING**

Look forward to seeing you all.

18/06/2024

Anyone who thought my race on Sat was tough should check out the full Montane Spine Race. This lot have been out since Sunday morning and set off just after I finished my little parkrun in the hills. Amazing people climbing the full 268 miles of the Spine: https://live.opentracking.co.uk/sspine2024/

18/06/2024

Just in from the Grove and Rufford....

!! WOW !!
What an incredible amble we have planned for you this Saturday at Leyfields.
An exceptional off road, optional jumping extravaganza, with a wide variety of jumps of all shapes, sizes and styles, a bit of something for everyone, around private farmland not normally accessible to the public.
Thank you to our wonderful hosts for all of their hard work setting up the ride.
Spaces still available, pre booking only, do not miss your chance to get on the ride.
Contact Liz on 07960819340 or [email protected]
Saturday 22nd June 2024
Leyfields, Kneesall, Newark, NG22 0AR
W3W’s- tenure.dads.curl

14/06/2024

One sleep to go! Obligatory flat lay of the dreaded kit. From full waterproofs to goggles and a hole digging toilet trowel😄The Spine organisers cover every eventuality. There's about 3.5kg in the main kit here with about 2500 Kcals (about 750g) to add to that, plus two full water bottles. I don't want to weigh them because I'd rather not know the total 😆 If the mud, bogs and crazy weather we're expecting doesn't slow me down then the backpack will. I'm almost at £500 in sponsorship money, thank you, thank you, thank you sponsors! I'd love to tip it over £500, link in the comments, go on, chuck a fiver towards Endometriosis UK 💛

13/06/2024

Two sleeps to go! I've come to the conclusion that the most difficult challenge to meet when running an ultra marathon is getting yourself to the start line full of excitement, injury free and with a sensible level of fitness. Hence I haven't run now for almost a week so I could fill up with energy and avoid a race ending faceplant before I even made it to the start. That doesn't mean I haven't been preparing though with steady dog walks and getting the kit together. Today if you'd have popped round to my house you'd have found me amid chaos. Sitting on the floor of my living room, surrounded by piles of running kit weighing running leggings to find which are the lightest most suitable pair now I've realised the weather no longer looks like shorts conditions. I'm losing it. If you'd like to sponsor my attempt at the Summer Spine Sprint I've popped the link in the comments. As always super grateful to all you wonderful folk who've already chucked a few quid into the EEndometriosis UKcoffers ❤💛❤️

13/06/2024

I woke up to some lovely sponsorship pledges! Thank you so much everyone!!! ❤❤❤ https://www.justgiving.com/page/penny-fillingham-2024-running-challenge-for-endo-uk?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation&utm_content=6abcaaa1-551a-428b-919c-21b9fe6e09e9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1707677036114

12/06/2024

Three sleeps to go! I've been obsessively weather watching the Peak District and things are looking a bit grim and cold so I can see why we have to carry so much safety kit even if it does weigh a ton. To think last month I was worried about overheating and where I would find a fast flowing stream to collect water from. I'm increasingly feeling like I'm out of my depth (or should I say, I'm bricking it!) and have a new phantom injury every day which thankfully seems to miraculously disappear overnight. The tracker has now gone live so if you'd like to watch my very slow and tortuous 46 mile journey from Edale to Hebden Bridge, you can follow here: https://live.opentracking.co.uk/sss2024/
but be warned, Spine Race dot watching is completely addictive! My number is 731 and the race starts at midday on Saturday. Thanks so much to everyone who's sponsored me so far for Endometriosis UK. If anyone else would like to add a few quid, no amount too small, I'll post the link to donate in the comments below 👍💛

12/06/2024

11/06/2024

🐴☀️Grove and Rufford Amble ride @ Leyfields☀️🐴
🟢 Saturday 22nd June 🟢
📍 Leyfields, Kneesall, Newark, NG22 0AR.
W3W’s - tenure.dads.curl 📍
1 & 1/2 hour ride approximately around private farmland!
🪵 All jumping is optional.
Pre booked/pre payment only. No entries on the day, please contact Liz to book.
07960 819340
[email protected]
£20 adult
£15 under 16
Shorter Lead rein ride £10 (if enough interest)
Please make payments to;
Grove Ruff Hunt Support
61432660
601403
Ref: amble Hodsock
Start times at:
⏰10.30
⏰11.00
⏰11.30
If you are ready and willing to go in your own groups before your booked time that is fine.
The rides will be marked with flags.
All riders must have valid insurance and ride at their own risk .
Riders 16 and under must be accompanied by a mounted adult.
🍔 BBQ & refreshments will be available to purchase. 🍔
We are looking forward to seeing everyone! 😃

10/06/2024

Quorn Hunt Open Day and Farmers Market. Come and meet the hounds 🐶🐶🐶

A week to go.....
Come and join us next Sunday 16th June at The Quorn Hunt Kennels, LE14 2TQ from 11am. Schedules for the family dog, terrier & lurcher show can be found in our Facebook events. Retail therapy, kennel tours, terrier racing, hound parade and much more.

Countryside Alliance HuntingBritish Hound Sports Association QHSA Open Day & Farmers Market

10/06/2024

South Notts Open Day dog classes.

Open Day Dog Show
Classes Start at 2pm
First Class - £1.50 - After - £1

1) Puppy: 6 - 12 Months
2) Best Cross Bred
3) Best Pedigree Dog
4) Best Pedigree Bitch
5) Best Rescue
6) Dog with the Waggiest Tail
7) Best Veteran: 7 years and over
8) Best Handler: 5 - 10 years old
9) Best Handler: 11 - 16 years old
10) Dog the Judge Would Like to Take Home

Kindly organised by Roma Wright Smith and judged by Sam Knight.
Prizes supported by Millside Feeds, Gablestock and Riseholme Feeds, Wysall.

09/06/2024

Since I posted the article by Ivan Massow about his bloodhound pack with regards to Labours pledge to end all forms of trail hunting, including clean boot, it occurred to me when reading the comments (some which were deleted, not by me) how little people understand about what hunting is and the importance our hounds represent to the community that surrounds them. I really do recognise that as a close knit community we might live inside a rural culture bubble of friends and environment which is separated in so many ways while still being a part of the UK. It has its own language, its own understanding of the surroundings and way of explaining them and its own identity in the same way any society is multilayered. So I thought I might describe a few things to those outside the cultural groups with regard to foxhounds. This might be obvious to some but I think it's especially important that people who don't have an attachment to a pack of hounds gain a bit of insight.

Foxhounds and Bloodhounds are referred to as hounds not dogs, they're not pet dogs, they're working hounds. This doesn't mean they're any less loved. When they work together as a pack and make dog/hound noises telling you and the other hounds in the pack that they've picked up a scent it's called speaking, when they raise their voices together as they do when they become excited: about a new person in kennels, dinner time, their Huntsman arriving at the door or even a sunrise, it's called singing. When they create a chorus they're as vivid and on pitch perfect and as any human choir. It's all a bit magical and it's true that sometimes they sing together purely for a sunrise. You don't want to live next door to a hunt kennels if you're not a morning person. People follow hounds to hear those voices, the hairs on your neck prickle, the air clears to absorb in the sound, somehow it's like touching your roots.

Even though hounds are a part of a pack and all live together in hunt kennels they're individuals, they all have their own name which they know and respond to and great deal of care goes into breeding a line of hounds. They need to suit their country, their physical shape and abilities are representative of the countryside they work within which is hugely varied in the UK. Lines go back hundreds of years and are recorded by most packs. Sometimes a dog hound is brought in from another neighbouring pack to mate with a suitable bitch or a bitch is drafted to a different area where her ability may be more fitting to the country but what remains is that anyone who works with the pack knows its heritage and considers how to keep improving it to maintain a healthy working line. Like all dogs they're bred for a purpose and are most happy when they fulfil that purpose.

Hunt kennels can have anything from 60 to 140 hounds or even more living together at any one time. The bi***es are separated from the dogs and the ladies who are in season have their own special area. All to be sure that everything runs smoothly at kennels. When a bitch has a carefully considered and bred litter of pups they grow up with their mum and at about 10 weeks they leave kennels with puppy walker. A puppy walker is someone who enjoys being part of the hunt and has time and an area to bring up and train one or more puppies. The hound puppy lives with the puppy walker learning all the early stage puppy stuff a regular dog does such as their name and where the comfy spot on the sofa is before they become too rambunctious and as a rebellious teen return to kennels with nothing more than a desire run off into the countryside on hound adventures.

Pups who return to kennels are then reintroduced to the pack and learn how to curb their adventures, to work and live together as one over the next season. They remain a pack member, cared for by the hunt staff in kennels, eating a raw diet of fallen stock (one of the jobs a kennels does is remove fallen farm animals which can't enter the human food chain) most dogs would dream of, working a job they were bred for and being adored by hunt followers until either they sadly reach end of life or they retire back to the comfy spot on the sofa of their puppy walker as a more chilled old hound. Everyone who follows a pack wants each individual hound to retire comfortably, many people who follow hounds offer places for them when they do but there are only so many old puppy chewed sofas. If Starmer follows through on his divisive and frankly vindictive pledge to end all trail and clean boot hunting with dogs that's far more hounds in one swoop than sofas available and not only relaxed old hounds but the young full of energy, 20-30 miles a day at a canter hounds that will need homes. There's no future for them and as a gamekeeper's son who grew up in a rural environment he's well aware of their outcome as a result of his pledge.

It's Kennels Open Day season. If you'd like to meet some hounds and the hunt staff who care for them, see where and how they live. Understand things from a fresh perspective. Then I can find your nearest kennels open day and point you in the right direction (that includes you Starmer), just contact me.

09/06/2024

😢😢😢

06/06/2024

Hunt rides are a fantastic way to socialise and increase the confidence of youngsters (both four and two legged) while enjoying riding through otherwise inaccessible areas. See my pinned post for this years upcoming hunt rides. Check back for new rides as they're added.

03/06/2024

It's true, sometimes that big smile for the photographer will get you cover pic! 😁🐴📷

Yesterday's Grove and Rufford ride is now online: https://pennyfillingham.zenfolio.com/p227867367

The next Grove and Rufford amble is on Saturday 22nd June at Leyfields. Check out my pinned post for more summer fun rides.

03/06/2024

SUNDOWNER RIDE
Walton on the Wolds LE12 7BG
Thursday 4th July setting off from 5.30pm onwards

Join us for a perfect Summers evening with ponies & a pub stop!
This ride will be in escorted groups with staggered start times across 7.5miles of private land with a couple of optional jumps if ground conditions allow, calling in at our favourite watering hole where staff will be ready to take your orders. There will be a fresh filled water trough for your horse.
Adults £25, U16's £15. Dress ~ shirt/polo & neutral jods with coat/gilet as required.
Photographer in attendance.

Advance entries only via https://www.quorn-hunt.co.uk

Countryside Alliance Hunting British Hound Sports Association Penny Fillingham Photography

02/06/2024

"What's that mum? A little toss of the head to show off my fabulous mane and get that just blow dried effortlessly tousled look for the pics? No probs." 🐴🤣❤ This Saturday's South Notts ride is now online: https://pennyfillingham.zenfolio.com/p1047465065

The next South Notts ride will be on Saturday 6th July at Saxondale. Today's Grove and Rufford pics will be online tomorrow.

31/05/2024

There's still time to book into tomorrow's South Notts ride through stunning countryside.

Pleasure Ride - Saturday 1st June
Grange Farm, Ollerton Road, Oxton, NG25 0RG.
By kind permission of Oxton Estate and Mr and Mrs Cross.
Parking is available on the Daffodil track and in the yard.(please clean up any deposits!)
w3w - lame.noses.blacken
https://what3words.com/lame.noses.blacken
A fabulous opportunity to enjoy 8-10 miles of off-road riding.
**PRE PAYMENT & ADVANCED BOOKING ONLY PLEASE.**
Start times from 10am
Set off at your own pace in your own groups
Adult £25
Under 18’s £20
Lead Rein (on foot) £15
SNH Subscribers Free
Account Name: South Notts Hunt LTD
Account Number: 00251028
Sort Code: 30-96-18
(REF: Oxton)
Set off at your own pace in your own group.
Dress code - smart casual.
To book in and payment details please text - Sally 07980 373167 (between 7am and 9pm)
**PRE PAYMENT & ADVANCED BOOKING ONLY PLEASE.**
**NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY**
Food and drink included for all riders and available to purchase for followers.
Photographer will be in attendance.
**NO HOUNDS WILL BE ATTENDING**
Look forward to seeing you all.

30/05/2024

A fellow endometriosis sufferer posted this image on a support page and was happy to let me share it. It's an illustration of the pain and symptoms she suffers with on a daily basis, she drew to show her doctor. Even after years of this I find it shocking. 1.5 million women in the UK alone live with endometriosis and that's those who are diagnosed since it takes on average 8-10 years for a doctor to see your symptoms as anything other than WWS (whinging woman syndrome) and attempt to help. Imagine feeling this every day and being told you're imagining it or it's normal female health and then when you finally get a diagnosis finding out there's no cure. That it can only be operated on for temporary respite, or heavily medicated with addictive painkillers or hormone blockers designed for testicular cancer. It's the illness that someone you know is dealing with and you didn't know it, mainly because even in 2024 people still don't talk about it. Ladies, if you're dealing with these symptoms then please get checked out and push your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. I'll be running the Spine Sprint in aid of Endometriosis UK in a couple of weeks. Please consider sponsoring me: https://www.justgiving.com/page/penny-fillingham-2024-running-challenge-for-endo-uk?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation&utm_content=6abcaaa1-551a-428b-919c-21b9fe6e09e9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1707677036114

28/05/2024

The one with a pub!

Get booking for the next Quorn ride: https://www.facebook.com/events/740351264841174/

27/05/2024

The one with all the fabulous friendly optional jumps!

🐴☀️Grove and Rufford Amble ride Hodsock Cottage, Blyth☀️🐴
🟢 Sunday 2nd June 🟢
📍 Hodsock Cottage, K H Taylor Ltd,
The Freezing Station, off Sheffield Rd/A634, between Blyth & Oldcotes, S81 8JE 📍
W3W’s - print.never.mows
❗️Please note this ride is NOT at Hodsock Priory❗️
1 & 1/2 hour ride approximately around private farmland!
🪵 Over 25 jumps of varying shapes and sizes, all jumping is optional.
🌳 The ride is approx 8miles, entirely off road, all on fields and tracks, no road work.
Pre booked/pre payment only. No entries on the day, please contact Liz to book.
07960 819340
[email protected]
£20 adult
£15 under 16
Shorter Lead rein ride £10 (if enough interest)
Please make payments to;
Grove Ruff Hunt Support
61432660
601403
Ref: amble Hodsock
Start times at:
⏰10.30
⏰11.00
⏰11.30
If you are ready and willing to go in your own groups before your booked time that is fine.
The rides will be marked with flags.
All riders must have valid insurance and ride at their own risk .
Riders 16 and under must be accompanied by a mounted adult.
🍔 BBQ & refreshments will be available to purchase. 🍔

27/05/2024

There's still room on the South Notts ride around some of the most beautiful countryside Nottinghamshire has to offer.

19/05/2024

The next SNH ride!

19/05/2024

And smile everyone 📷📷📷 Spot the cheesiest grin I've seen so far this year 😁🐴🤣❤
Pics from yesterdays South Notts at are now online: https://pennyfillingham.zenfolio.com/p29193811