Best Gamekeeping Student of 2013 Award Winner

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The National Gamekeepers' Organisation (NGO) has awarded The Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Musto, for the "best" gamekeeping student of the 2013 academic year, to Anthony Orr from Askham Bryan College, North Yorkshire. Nineteen-year-old Anthony Orr, who comes from a family of gamekeepers, is determined to be a moorland keeper, having already decided his "future lies with upland birds".

Professor Edmondson, Frank Jenkins' employer for many years, made the presentation at the CLA Game Fair, Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire on 20 July 2013.

Anthony Orr, who has just completed his apprenticeship on the two-year City &, Guilds Level 2 Apprenticeship in Game and Wildlife Management at Askham Bryan College, said: "Gamekeeping is in my blood. My dad, uncle and younger brother are all gamekeepers, so it is wonderful to win the Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy. I know my future lies with upland birds. That's my passion. I just love the whole way of life, the outdoors. I'd be lost without the shooting season. My dream in 20 years' time is to be an upland keeper, running a successful shoot."

Anthony Orr, who is currently working on Spaunton Moor, North Yorkshire, under Headkeeper George Thompson, added: "I'd like to thank the NGO for the award, my family for their support, Andrew Emsley at Askham Bryan College and, of course, Mr Thompson for giving me a chance to learn the ropes.

"I started my apprenticeship with Andrew Orr, my uncle, at Egton Estate, North Yorkshire. I was there for six months, when the full-time beatkeeper job at Spaunton became available. Fortunately, my new employer, Mr George Winn-Darley, was happy to let me continue with my college course for which I'm very grateful. I'd like to thank both estates for these wonderful opportunities."

The NGO National Committee presents The Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Musto, annually. The award - the late Frank Jenkins was a well-known gamekeeper whose career spanned more than 60 years - goes to the best full- or part-time gamekeeping student or apprentice of the academic year in the opinion of the NGO judges. Anthony was also presented with an engraved crystal tankard.

Musto, who kindly sponsor the award, provided the winner with a wardrobe of its all-weather shooting clothing including: a Keeper's Jacket, a pair of Country Overtrousers and a Country Gilet Fleece. Frank Jenkins' son, Martin, a gamekeeper member of the NGO, also kindly presented Anthony with a shooting jacket.

Andrew Emsley, who runs Anthony's course at Askham Bryan College, North Yorkshire, said: "Anthony's life is gamekeeping. This award is testament to his hard work and dedication in the classroom and on the moor. It is a great honour for Anthony, his family and the college, as well as his headkeeper and the estate. I am sure Anthony will be a headkeeper someday because of his forward thinking and commitment to the industry. The college is very proud of this young man. He is a credit to Askham Bryan, himself and the gamekeeping world."

David Stanley, who is responsible for Musto's Shooting Sector marketing, said: "Musto is delighted to support The Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy again this year. It's a real pleasure to be able to help a graduating student, who is as passionate about pursuing a career as a gamekeeper as we are about producing clothing that performs day in, day out, whatever the conditions."

Lindsay Waddell, the Chairman of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation, said: "In the view of the judges, the standard of entries was very high again this year. There are a great many first-rate entrants coming into gamekeeping, which makes picking a winner decidedly difficult. There were a few young keepers hard on his heels, but Anthony is most certainly a worthy outright winner by any standard. He has made a wonderful start in gamekeeping. May I wish him a happy future in the job on behalf of the NGO National Committee."

Mr Waddell added: "A big thank you also to the colleges for submitting such good-quality candidates. It is heartening to know our colleges are producing such excellent young keepers."

Notes to Editors

The Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Musto, will be presented on behalf of the NGO National Committee at 1pm on Saturday 20 July 2013 at the National Gamekeepers' Organisation stand (D348) on Gamekeepers Row during the CLA Game Fair, Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire.

Askham Bryan College, York, North Yorkshire is one of the UK's foremost land-based colleges. Askham Bryan College provides education and training at all levels from introductory courses for school leavers up to honours degrees. Its main residential campus is at York and in July 2011 it acquired Cumbrian-based Newton Rigg College. Last year Newton Rigg student, Lee Alderson won the same NGO award after impressing judges with his knowledge and commitment to moorland management.

Askham Bryan offers full- and part-time further and higher education courses which include agriculture, horticulture, forestry and arboriculture, countryside management, sport, engineering, equine and animal management. In November 2012 a �9m investment plan was announced, which will transform the two college campuses. See www.askham-bryan.ac.uk

The National Gamekeepers' Organisation (NGO) represents ,the gamekeepers ,of England and Wales. It defends and promotes gamekeeping, gamekeepers and ensures high standards throughout the profession. Founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that their profession was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation, it has now more than 13,500 members. For more information see www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk