NGO Presents 2026 Long Service Medals at Annual Awards Ceremony

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The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) presented the 2026 Long Service Medals at its annual Awards Ceremony on 22 April, recognising the extraordinary dedication of gamekeepers, ghillies, deer stalkers and river keepers who have devoted 40 or 50 years to their profession.

First established by the CLA and entrusted to the NGO in 2015, the Long Service Medals honour those who have dedicated their working lives to wildlife management, conservation, responsible shooting, and the production of sustainable, healthy game meat - a vital, protein‑rich food source that continues to grow in importance.

The medals are sponsored by Elanco, with Jeremy Marsh joining the NGO to present the awards. Shots & Co generously supported the celebration by gifting each recipient a bottle of their handcrafted sloe gin.

In total, 11 medals were awarded, representing an extraordinary 486 years of combined service, a testament to the skill, resilience and passion for the land that underpin the gamekeeping profession.

A spokesperson for the NGO said:

“We are delighted to present an award that recognises the commitment and dedication individuals have invested in their careers. Gamekeepers are true practical conservationists and deserve recognition.”

NGO National Chair David Pooler added:

“The theme of the day is Best Practice and these 11 men have dedicated their lives to delivering exactly that. Their work caring for the countryside, its wildlife and the production of sustainable game meat has helped shape the landscape we all enjoy today.”

Not all recipients were able to attend the ceremony; their medals will be sent on with the NGO’s warmest congratulations.

2026 Long Service Medal Recipients

40‑Year Medals

•             John Maynard

•             Kerry Williams

•             Kevin Childs

•             Andrew Chadwick

•             Kevin Bowers

•             Michael Bulmer

•             Kevin Brosnan

•             Bob Perry

•             Neil Jones

50‑Year Medals

•             Peter Lucas

•             Colin Chadwick

Together, these Long Service Medal recipients represent the very best of Best Practice in our sector. Their decades of care for wildlife, conservation and sustainable game meat production are an inspiration, and the NGO, alongside our partner Elanco, is immensely proud to honour their contribution to the countryside.

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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