The Bournstream Hounds

In 1931 a homebred litter of four was registered, plus three bought in. Eleven already registered hounds were bought in and six hounds were sold.

Mrs. Beynon with a few of her famous Irish Wolfhounds and one of the kennel maids with a Welsh pony

An advertisement taken in Our Dogs Supplement, 1931 read:-

Mrs. Mary Beynon's "Bournstream" Irish Wolfhounds
At "Broadoak", Sutton-at-Hone, Kent

"OFF FOR A RIDE" Mrs. Beynon with Bournstream Miera and Bournstream Lucifer

It is always a pleasure to visit the kennels of fanciers who have experienced the vicissitudes of dog shows, and who have enjoyed the bitter and the sweet and the glorious uncertainties of breeding. In Mrs. Beynon one meets one of the most experienced breeders of Irish Wolfhounds, and one who first owned the breed thirty-three years ago. Whether at home or abroad her loyalty to the breed has never faltered, and when in Kenya Colony these hounds were bred and kept by her and were her and General Beynon's constant companions. On her return to England a team of them accompanied their mistress.

"A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM" L to R: Bournstream Clima, B. Miera, and B. Lucifer

"In the kennels at "Broadoaks" comfort, fresh air, and light are the prime factors, whilst adjoining the house are acres of grass land, upon which the hounds revel to their hearts' content. Mrs. Benyon is a great stickler for soundness, and one is impressed by the excellence of all the inmates in this respect, whilst their quality and closeness to the standard further appealed to me.
"Mrs. Beynon finds that there is a steady demand for this breed, quite a number of the "Bournstream" dogs having been exported to different parts of the world, all kinds of climates appearing to suit them, whilst their splendid temperaments appeal to all who come into close contact with them.
"Bitches are the strong hand here, the majority being up to the highest show form, and all are sound and may be relied upon to produce high-class specimens.
"BOURNSTREAM MONICA, by Ch. Patrick of Ifold ex Patricia of Lynstone, and born in March, 1929, has twice been best in show. A fine, stately hound, she ranks as one of the tallest of the variety living. In make, shape, action, shoulders, and character she takes some stopping. BOURNSTREAM DOREEN, her litter sister, is on similar lines, and has been awarded the special for best of all breeds in show on three occasions, one of which was Thame. She is a charming specimen, combining grace and substance. Her hind action is free and clean, and she has excellent shoulders and top, and well-sprung ribs.

"A LONG STRETCH" BOURNSTREAM MOYA (lying) and BOURNSTREAM DOREEN (on hind legs)

"BOURNSTREAM ARDEEN, by Bournstream Dan ex Bournstream Bella, is just rising two years, and possesses much substance, big quarters, strong loin, capital bone, and a balanced head. This bitch is for sale, solely to make room in the kennel, and she is nearly certain to breed another litter as good as her first. MOYA OF BOURNSTREAM, by Ch. Patrick of Ifold ex Angelina, ranks as one of the best in the country. It would be difficult to find her equal in general body properties; she has ideally turned neck and shoulders and a coat hard to fault. Although so tall and weighty, her action is admirable. Her head is typical. BOURNSTREAM CLIMA, by Ch. Sulhamstead Cooncarra (should be Conncara) ex Molly, is a smart young bitch, a little over two years old, and won on her first time out. She is built for speed, and has a capital head and body. She, too, is for sale, and apart from her show qualities, she is house-trained. BOURNSTREAM DIANA, sister to Monica and Doreen, carries her good size excellently, and stands over a good deal of ground. She has a first-rate body, a typical head, teems with character, and shows every promise of doing well during the forthcoming show season. BOURNSTREAM MIERA, by Chulainn Copper ex Margot of Clonard, was born on March 14, 1929, and is a sterling hound, sound and of elegant outline, with a dense coat, grand bone, and a rare head.

"GOOD COMPANIONS" On right, BOURNSTREAM MONICA

"There are only two dogs. One is BOURNSTREAM MICHAEL, a son of Ch. Patrick of Ifold, out of Angelina. He stands over 36 in. at shoulders, and is essentially a stud dog. The other is BOURNSTREAM LUCIFER, by Chulainn Copper ex Margot of Clonard. He is a huge, powerful hound, without a sign of coarseness. His head is typical, and he is well made before and behind, having perfect movement, a long, clean neck, well-laid shoulders, and the best of feet. He won a second at the L.K.A. and two firsts at Crufts.
"This is not a very large kennel, but what there are good.
W.N."

"A HAPPY FAMILY" MRS. BEYNON WITH (l to r) BOURNSTREAM MIERA, B. DOREEN, B. LUCIFER, B. MOYA, AND B. CLIMA

Both Mrs. Beynon and Col. Durand were listed in the IWC Judges List for 1932. In the 1932-3-4 book, Mrs. Beynon is listed as being in Tangiers, while the Colonel is still listed as being in Kent. In 1932 three hounds were bought in and nine sold, two going abroad. Bournstream Diana won a CC at Belfast. In 1933 one hound was bought in and Bournstream Moya - the winner of two CCs - sold. No further hounds were bought or, apparently, sold after 1933.

This piece appeared in a publication for which unfortunately I do not know the name or date of publication, nor the author:-

"Speaking of too much coat in neck and shoulders, reminds one of the impression got when recently looking over some of the famous Benyon (should be Beynon) Irish wolfhounds, an ancient breed now very popular on both sides of the Atlantic; one might truthfully say all over the world, since many have gone to the colonies as ideal sporting companions and ideal guards.
"One was amazed at the rumored importance placed on eyebrows and length of hair on skull and body wich is being carried to such an extent that some of the winners look more like huge Bedlington terriers, with the exception that the cheeks are decidedly "Dundreary". Far better, perhaps, if more attention were paid to real HOUND character, with its essential power at both ends, for clean shoulders, strength at pasterns, with compact feet, power to a marked degree in loins and quarters, with a turn at stifles, and bend of hocks, with pronounced first and second thighs, are of more importance than profuse coat, which oft times is not of the double weather-resisting texture.
"A visit to the famous kennel at Dartford, Kent, owned by those since fanciers, General and Mrs. Benyon, who have kept the breed for over thirty years and used these hounds on all sorts of big game in India, Afghanistan, Africa and other remote parts of the world, was a great treat for one who has kept in close touch with the Irish wolfhound ever since 1887, when we saw the so-called "Galway Hound" at the Duke of Wellington's Riding School, near Knightsbridge, London.
"My first impression of the two famous champions, Patrick of Ifold and his son, Michael of Ifold, the latter probably the largest dog extant, since he stands, by accurate measurement, thirty-nine and one-half inches, was astounding, for I have always maintained that when exaggerated size is obtained one loses type and balance, not forgetting those paramount features, power in hindquarters and free action, but when these hounds were turned into a nearby paddock and allowed to romp with an exceptionally typical and well balanced Clumber spaniel, were were amazed and remarked "Eureka", which seemd to amuse our charming hostess, who asked: "Why such an exclamation?" We then informed that since looking over the well-known "Ambleside" Kennel owned by the enthusiastic Mr. and Mrs. L.O. Starbuck, at Augusta, Mich., where we first saw the now famous Ch. Mona of Ambleside, we have looked in vain for such magnificent type combined with size and grace. We also enthused over the beautiful Bournstream Bella and Ina, which are duplicates of Mona. Bella is depicted standing up before General Benyon. (unfortunately I do not have the picture) Here is seen the embodiment of size, type and conformation, with sufficient coat for a practical sporting hound; that is, one that should view its quarry without being handicapped by superfluous hair over eyes and skull, with depth of chest, denoting staying power. My visit to "Broadoak" was most instructive and certainly very enjoyable, as was the subsequent visit to Col. Durand's remarkable "Polo School" at nearby Chislehurst. A cousin of Mrs. Benyon, the colonel is a famous authority on polo and saddle horses, and most keen on all sporting dogs. His distinguished father was British Ambassador at Washington. Within twelve miles of London, both the Benyon Irish wolfhound kennels and Colonel Durand's unique collection of polo ponies are indeed worthy of a visit."

This picture appeared in 1934 in a small advertisement headed

THE BOURNSTREAM IRISH WOLFHOUNDS Owner - Mrs. M. Beynon, Broadoak, Sutton-at-Hone, Kent.

Mrs. Beynon's Irish Wolfhounds can be seen at any time at the above address, which is near Farningham Road Station, Kent. Telephone: Dartford 540

By 1937 the Colonel had gone from the Judges List but was still listed as a member, living in Kent. Mrs. Beynon was still listed as being in Tangiers. In the next Year Book both are no longer mentioned, but that book did cover the period from 1938 to 1954. I have not been able to find any further information on either General Beynon, Mary Beynon, or Colonel Durand.

July 16th, 2005