THE LADY PRIMROSE HAZELTON OPENS THE GROUNDS OF ATHELHAMPTON HOUSE FOR
The Glorious Twelfth
* GROUSE HUNT TO OPEN THE SHOOTING SEASON WITH GARDEN PARTY ** REFRESHMENTS TO BE PROVIDED BY LADY SOPHRONA RAMSBURY ** DOGS AND HORSES PROVIDED BY HAZELTON KENNEL AND STABLES *
August 12, 1811Athelhampton House, Dorset
Hunting parties to depart the house at 10 in the morning
Garden party with afternoon tea to follow 3 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening
RSVP TO LADY PRIMROSE HAZELTON, IRIS HOUSE, MAYFAIR, LONDON
At 10am on August 12th at Athelhampton House, the hosts of the season's first hunt assemble outside the stables. Lady Primrose Hazelton sits atop the tallest horse wearing a fine outfit of perfectly tailored men's riding clothes complete with green waistcoat and silver cravat. Beside her are six of her siblings and Lord P Andrew Moore. They assemble the guests and horses are provided for those who have not brought their own. A large pack of well-behaved English Setters mill about.
Lady Primrose Hazelton announces the beginning of the grouse hunt and leads the hunters past the dovecote into the small woods and beyond to a hunting moor, where the hunt lasts until 2pm.
The Hazeltons have employed many locals to help with the hunt, provided dogs that will fetch birds, and pluckers to clean them. Guests are encouraged to take any of their birds they wish home, however, birds can also be donated to the Athelhampton staff and the local poor house.
After the hunt, the participants are given a place to change and rest before the garden party.
The garden party begins at 3pm and lasts until 7pm.
In the Central Fountain Square, afternoon tea service has been laid out on several tables.
At the start of the garden party, Lady Primrose Hazelton and Lord P Andrew Moore gather all guests into the Central Fountain Square and Lord Moore makes an announcement: "I am delighted to announce that I have asked Lady Primrose Hazelton for her hand in marriage and she has accepted. I am the most happy I have been thus far in my life and I will endeavor to give her as much of that happiness as is possible for a husband. I thank you all for hearing of our joy. May you enjoy this day as much as we are!"
Kitchen Garden: Large herb, vegetable, and fruit garden with benches for resting, statuary, and a string quartet playing in the corner.
Rose Garden: Walled mid-size English rose garden with adjacent octagonal Cloister Garden; music can be heard from the kitchen garden.
Riverside Walk: A gentle sloping walk alongside the River Piddle, lined with lanterns and the occasional footman for assistance. Adjacent to the Small Woods.
Small Woods with Dovecote: Where the hunters leave from and return to.
Central Fountain Square: A string quartet plays in one corner; a constantly refreshed selection of food and beverages are laid out for self-service, but servants are on hand to assist.
Powder Room: Inside, ground floor, used for guest refreshment as necessary.
Parlor: A quiet, chaperoned area inside where guests may socialize out of the elements.
Flora Owen will attended the hunt & party.
She will be late to the hunt but arrive driving a cart pulled by a wooly miniature horse. Her two dachshunds Beatrix & Ollivander will be in tow.
Flora will seek out @Callisto Rose (RustingRabbit) and introduce herself.
Flora will warmly greet Lady Lorelai & Aramis Beauclerk. She will also introduce herself to Sir Peter Fells, complimenting his attire and remarking she too is particularly fond of the color orange.
(more to come but wanted to get the rsvp in!)