Worcester Lodge, Royal Wessex Yeomanry Ride

Can Worcester Lodge ever looked as ravishing as it did this morning ? William Kent's masterpiece of 1746, a gate, an eye catcher, a banqueting house and a pavilion from which to watch the hunting unfold. It is such an exciting building, a feast for the eyes that lifts the heart just to look at it.

This morning Worcester lodge was again the backdrop to another notable date in the local calender, the Royal Wessex Yeomanry Ride, a race for dare devil members of the army  around some of the fine Beaufort Saturday country.  After two stiff walls near the start, the first of them a big drop over the lane, they went left over the line of hedges around the famous little hunt covert with the best name, The Diddle.

After the race the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt met at 11.00, fifteen minutes later than  usual. When hounds moved off it was with these hounds customary languor, very elegant indeed. There is all the time in the world to enjoy the moment.