Gamekeepers recognised for their dedication to the profession at the British Shooting Show

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The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation were pleased to be able to present the NGO Long Service Awards, in association with Elanco, at The British Shooting Show on Friday.

Due to Covid, last year’s awards could not be presented in person, so the NGO were delighted to be able to celebrate this year’s awards in person once again. Not all of the recipients were able to attend the show, but those who weren’t will be presented with their awards at their Estates.

The gamekeepers who were presented with their Awards for 40 years’ continuous service were:

David Droanfield, from Witham, Essex

Graham Harris, from Binfield Heath, Oxfordshire

John Kewell, from Graffham, West Sussex

Charles Patrick, from Shaftesbury, Dorset

Gordon Cooke, from Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire

Len Ireland, from Littlehampton, West Sussex

As well as a framed certificate, the six recipients also received a unique, bespoke cast medal, a bottle of champagne, and an NGO tie. The award is open to full-time gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies who each have 40 or more years of continuous employment. 

In addition Geoffrey (Geoff) Garrod, Vice Chairman of the NGO and Regional Chairman for Essex received his Long Service Award, having worked as a gamekeeper for over 43 years. He also writes for Sporting Gun Magazine, and was named the Great British Shooting Awards 2020 Gamekeeper of the Year – so we were delighted to be able to present him with his Long Service Award, alongside the other keepers.

The Awards were presented by David Pooler, the Interim Chairman of the NGO. “It was a privilege to be able to present the NGO Long Service Awards at The Great British Shooting Show. The gamekeepers who receive these Awards show true dedication to the shooting industry and commitment to managing the countryside for decades. They truly are an inspiration to future generations of gamekeepers.”