NGO Talk at Help for Heroes Event

More News

A strong team of 23 budding countryside enthusiasts and keen shooters from the Help for Heroes Band of Brothers fellowship arrived at Tedworth House on Friday evening to be welcomed by some well-weathered, but experienced Game Shooters, Game Keepers and Beaters.

Briefs included Bryn Parry's illustrated account of life in the Shooting Field, followed by a introduction to Game Keeping, it's history and the role of the Keeper throughout the year, from Tim Weston of the NGO and Mike Bernard from Stockton Shoot. A wonderful game supper was provided by the catering team at Tedworth House, all washed down with a few tall tales from those still present.

Saturday saw the course tackle the wet and windy weather with a visit to Barney Stratton's game shoot at Stockton in Wiltshire. The course were immediately included in the flourish of activity and half of the Band of Brothers were in the Beaters wagon ready for a yomp through the woods and rough ground. Those who stayed with the minibuses got to meet the guns and were invited to stand next to them on the peg ready for the first drive. Not content just to watch - as one would expect - they offered to hold bags, help load and mark the fallen quarry - as well as commenting freely on those birds missed - much to the amusement of the neighbouring guns! We were subsequently all invited to join the Stockton Team for some refreshments, where the course fully embraced the moment by interrogating the guns, discussing their experience so far and seeing where opportunities in shooting could lead them.