The Last English Poachers (33 page)
Read The Last English Poachers Online
Authors: Bob and Brian Tovey
Rabbit Hotpot
Place legs and jointed back of rabbit in large pot.
Add thick slices of potato, carrot, whole shallots or small onions, parsnip, leek and any other choice of vegetable.
Cover with cold water and place in bottom of pre-heated oven.
Cook until the meat is nicely tender.
Make dough-boys out of flour, part milk, part water, pepper mix.
Add to pot about 20–25 minutes before dishing up.
Roast Partridge
Place partridge upside down in roasting dish.
Pour oil over bird and allow to run into roasting dish.
Cover with foil.
Place in middle of pre-heated oven and turn down to 130–140°C (elec).
Cook for approx. 30–45 mins.
Take foil off and turn bird upright and allow to brown – turn off oven while browning.
Serve with potatoes and choice of vegetables.
Bob working spaniels in Lower Woods, Wickwar, carrying his postman’s bag
Bob Tovey was taken ill with pneumonia on 9 November 2014. He died on 7 February 2015, just as this book went to press.
My father and I were out poaching for the last time together on Bonfire Night, 5 November 2014. We poached the Duke of Beaufort’s estate and shot twenty-seven pheasants. Bob got ill
shortly after and spent time in hospital, before slipping away two weeks before his 77th birthday. He lived his life right up to the last minute and was talking about going out long-netting again
on his very last day in the world. He said he’d had a good innings, considering all the things he’d done and the amount of alcohol he’d consumed in his younger days. He was a man
who lived life his own way – he did what he wanted to do, not what others wanted him to do. He’ll be missed by his family and friends.
Brian Tovey
I was so sorry to hear of the death of Bob Tovey. He was a unique man with an indomitable spirit, a rakish sense of humour and an elemental outlook on life. I had the great
privilege of meeting and working with Bob on
The Last English Poachers
and it’s an experience that will stay with me for a very long time. Loss is an abstract concept – it can
be relative, great or deep or gradual or unquantifiable. A glorious piece of the heritage of this country has been lost with Bob’s passing. I’m just glad I was able to know him
personally, before he passed into legend.
John McDonald
I went out long-netting again on 7th March 2015. It was a lovely spring day and I netted thirty-one live hares at Ballington, the last place Bob and I netted together nearly
three years earlier to the day – mentioned at the end of Chapter 11. It was a poignant coincidence and I could feel my father with me.
Brian Tovey
Bob with Biddy, the last spaniel he owned, spring 2011
