Young Keeper Wins NGO Golden Grouse

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A young moorland keeper has won the National Gamekeepers' Organisation Golden Grouse Trophy. Ben Wearmouth from County Durham gave his elders a lesson in straight shooting to carry off the Golden Grouse Trophy at the event on the Raby Estate in Upper Teesdale, held by kind permission of Lord Barnard.

A rigidly enforced dress code always makes this 100-bird shoot feel special. Gamekeepers must wear the full fig, top-to-toe tweeds and a tie, to be eligible to enter the Golden Grouse. The card is forfeit of any shooter found parading in items such as a T-shirt or skeet vest on the day.

Ben Wearmouth shot consistently to carry off the 2012 Golden Grouse Trophy with a score of 89. Hard on his heels were David Renton (88) and Adrian Jackson (86). An exceptional score of 94 gave L. Rushworth victory in both High Gun and Supporter Class. The runner-up in the Supporter Class was R. Ramwell with 87, and a whisker behind on countback was Michael Robson (85). The Ladies Salver went to Louise Stimson (78), with Emma Lowrison in second place and, in third, on countback, was Lynn Cuthbertson. Both shot a solid 61. Gregor Cattanach won the Side-by-Side for the fourth year running with an outstanding 87. The Under 21 winner was Lewis Vessey (80), with Darren Jacques on 75 and A. Clark with 67. W. Braithwaite won the Veteran with 79.

Andrew Morrow, last year's Golden Grouse winner, a single-handed keeper on the Birkdale Estate, County Durham, who ran the event, said: "A big well done to Ben for his straight shooting. It was a very fine achievement. Congratulations, too, to the other competitors for their consistently good scores. The day was a huge success thanks in no small part to everyone's efforts and camaraderie. It was a fantastic get-together. There were winners but no losers. So roll on next year!"

Andrew added: "I'd like also to thank all who helped set up before the event and on the day. It is impossible to single anyone out, everyone was so lavish with their time. It is much appreciated. The event couldn't have taken place without them. I'd also like to thank all our generous sponsors whose commitment to the NGO is widely recognised by those across the gamekeeping profession."

A special thank you must go to CPSA Safety Instructor Tony Merone for his involvement and to Ben Hebron of JCB who presented the prizes.

Our kind sponsors were: JCB, Ford, L&,A Dent (Game Dealers), UK Gunworks, John Bradshaw's Gunshop, Arthur Ellwood, Nomad UK and Jason Lowes.

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