Useful Info > Gate Shutting Duties

Gate shutting is a duty of all subscribers, a day in lieu for full subscribers. If you are unable to be out on your appointed day, it is up to you to change with another subscriber and ask someone responsible to do it for you – the day is your responsibility.  If the meets are changed (see Meet List on website) please stay with your date.

Come out dressed in "Ratcatcher", with plenty of string. You must stay out until the master blows for home or the field master lets you "off the hook". At the end of the day, please contact the Master with reference to any damage, with information where it is and whether or not you were able to repair it. A separate list of gate shutting duties will be mailed to subscribers.

Subscribers will be notified of gate shutting arrangements as the season progresses.  It is the responsibility of the entire mounted field to ensure that gates are shut and properly fastened.  If you find yourself at the back of the field with no one apparent behind you and you are the last through a gate then it is up to you to shut it. 

It will be no good “assuming” that someone is following you – if they are they will have to negotiate it themselves and also ensure it is shut.

The best way to avoid ending up as “Tail End Charlie” shutting all the gates is to make sure you keep up, avoid coffee-housing and pay attention to what hounds are doing!