NGO Long Service award to keeper who supports younger generation

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Martin Moyers, from the Castle Goring Shoot in West Sussex, is one of the four talented gamekeepers to be awarded with the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation’s prestigious 2018 Long Service Award for having notched up more than 40 years in the profession.

Mr Moyers could not attend the special award ceremony held at the Midland Game Fair this summer and so his current employer, Mr Clem Somerset stepped in to present the award to Martin on his Castle Goring Shoot on their recent first day of the season.

Nominating Martin for this award, Mr Somerset said, “Martin is passionate about country sports in general, shooting and fishing in particular.  He has effectively spent all his working life here and a testament to this is that guns really only leave through ill health. He is also exceptionally driven having modernised the shoot and always looking for improvements.” 

Martin was appointed keeper of the Castle Goring Shoot in September 1978.  He had started his working career in computers, but decided he would prefer the outdoor life and decided to attend a keepering course at Sparsholt College.  On leaving college he immediately joined the Castle Goring Shoot and has been working on the estate ever since.

During his 40 years on the estate he has produced record days, has been involved with organising field trials and has put on education tours for the GWCT. He has also tutored multiple students from agricultural colleges across the country who have now gone on to become head keepers on a variety of other prestigious estates.

Liam Bell, Chairman of the National Gamekeepers Organisation is delighted that Martin has been included in this year’s Long Service Awards and added, “We are delighted that Martin has joined the ranks of other talented and notable recipients of this Award.  Over the years he has made a substantial contribution to the careers of young keepers entering the profession as well as flying the flag for Gamekeeping.  A most worthy recipient and a credit to his profession.”

The NGO is inviting applications for next year’s 40 and 50 years Long Service Award and nomination forms are available from The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation, PO Box 246, Darlington, DL1 9FZ.  Tel 01833 660 869.  Email: info@nationalgamekeepers.org.

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Photocaption:  Mr Martin Moyers (Centre) receiving his NGO Long Service Award from Mr Clem Somerset (left) and Mr Somerset’s father, Mr Fitzroy Somerset (right), from the Castle Goring Shoot

Notes to Editors:

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.  www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk