( Fred was my father George my uncle)

As Fred and his brother in-law George were finishing work on the farm George said “What you say to us going out tonight to that little field up Hinton corner. I’ve seen a lot of rabbits up there lately.” Fred said “Why not?  We may as well make a few bob and I can do with the money. There’s no moon tonight either.” They agreed to meet at eleven that night and net the field. As Fred arrived at Hinton corner he called out softly to George. George walked over and speaking in a whisper said that he thought the rabbits had had time to leave their warrens and spread out to feed in the field. With practiced ease Fred and George moved silently along the edge of the field pegging their fine meshed net. It was about three feet high and long enough to go from one side of the field to the other. They had placed it against the hedge where most of the warrens were.

They then walked out of the field and made their way to the opposite end of the field. They carried a long rope with them. They both took an end of the rope and walked to either side of the field letting the rope out between them. When they reached the corners of the field they started to walk towards the end with net, dragging the rope between them as they went.  The idea was to scare the rabbits into the net as they tried to reach the safety of their warrens. The only sound was the swish as the rope dragged over the field. During the whole procedure hardly a word was spoken and then only in a whisper. They knew the risks of being caught by the game keeper could be severe.

When they got to the ends of the net the procedure was to move towards the middle. Untangling the rabbits and despatching them as they went. They moved along in the blackness of the moonless night, becoming more concerned as they approached the middle of the net. When they met in the middle Fred said “I don’t know what the hell is going on here but I don’t like it.”  George said “I think we should get the gear together and get out of here fast.”  They went off to George’s cottage carrying all the gear and a sack of rabbits. When they got to safety they hid the rabbits and were much relieved to have not had their collars felt by the not so long arm of the law.

Next day Fred was working in the field when the local game keeper wandered over wearing a smug expression.” Hello Fred” he said smiling “you had a late night with George last night then.”  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.  I stayed in last night” Fred replied. “Oh did you hear about them rabbits up by Hinton corner?  Committed suicide I hear.” Later that day when Fred saw George he told him of the conversation with the gamekeeper. “You know what George?”  He said “that bloody gamekeeper took all them rabbits out of the net and killed them then left them laying neatly in a row. I think he was just having a joke on us the old bugger. And letting us know he’s about.”