ABSTRACT
Edward Thring (1821-87) inherited a love of the open air.' His father, John Gale Thring, was an energetic squarson, rector of the parish of Alford in Somerset and squire of the estate of Alford Manor. It was written ofhim: 'He had the fondness of the English country gentleman for outdoor life, and was known as the best and boldest rider in the county of Somerset. '2 Boldness and pleasure in physical action were qualities Thring himself displayed in time. Denied the extensive acres ofAlford (he was a younger son) and the leisure of the wealthy rural churchman and possessed of a teaching vocation, Thring transformed indulgence into virtue and riding to hounds into the educational pursuit ofleather balls on games fields.
