Paul is a shoot owner and gamekeeper from Bedfordshire.
What is Year of the Gamekeeper?
2020 is the Year of the Gamekeeper. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of gamekeepers; what they do, how they support UK agriculture and the role they play in conservation.
Led by the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust (GWT), BASC will be attempting to fundraise £220,000 by the end of 2020. This funding provides support to gamekeepers, stalkers, ghillies and their families in times of hardship, ill health and retirement.
Each month BASC will profiling a UK gamekeeper and their story.
Show your support to UK gamekeepers by making a donation to the Year of the Gamekeeper.
Donate here
Octobers Gamekeeper of the Month is Charlie Newman, Trainee gamekeeper at Sparsholt College and BASC’s 2020 Legacy Scholarship winner.
September’s gamekeeper of the month is Michael Walton. Michael is head ‘keeper at Catton Park Estate.
Our next Gamekeeper of the Month is head keeper Ian Sleightholm from Bolton Castle estate. Ian talks about the reasons behind his decision to become a keeper, what he loves about his profession the most and why he would encourage the young generation to consider a career in gamekeeping.
Raymond is the first gamekeeper to be employed by The Kennel Club. He is responsible for turning Emblehope and Burngrange Estate into a “training centre of excellence for working dogs”.
Geoff has been a gamekeeper for many years. When he is not spending quality time with his granddaughter, Geoff is pigeon or clay shooting.
Mark Howard is our May gamekeeper of the month. Read his story.
Stephen has been a gamekeeper for most of his life. He has a passion for the outdoors, conservation and animal welfare.
Richard is the senior beatkeeper at Crag Estate and coordinator of the Peak District Moorland Group. He has grown up in fieldsports and has a passion for the countryside.
Lily studied her level three Advanced Technical Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management at Newton Rigg College.
Liam is the headkeeper at Millichope Park and national chairman of the National Gamekeepers Organisation. He has a lifetime of experience as a gamekeeper and a passion for the countryside, particularly protecting the unique species in South Shropshire.
News
2nd April 2020
Supporting gamekeepers in their hour of need
How many of us rely on the efforts of the small army of ‘Custodians of the Countryside’ for our sport? Ex-keeper Steve Bloomfield investigates…
8th October 2019
Save the Date: Countryside Clay Shoot 2020 announced
Being held in support of 2020 Year of the Gamekeeper – a fundraising initiative for the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust.
10th September 2019
New counselling service is now available
Health is paramount to working in any physically demanding job, however, many forget that mental health is equally important. The serious impact mental ill health can have on individual gamekeepers and their families has caused alarm recently. The Gamekeepers Welfare Trust (GWT) supports all gamekeepers, stalkers and their families whenever help is needed.
In June 2020, the GWT gamekeeping survey confirmed the need for further services to help alleviate stress and promote mental health wellbeing within the community. This view was further reinforced by the excellent survey published by the Scottish Government which involved members of the SGA, BASC and Moorland Groups. Click here to read more about the survey.
In response, from 1 December 2020, counselling services, as well as resilience training and associated support will be available to all gamekeepers, stalkers or ghillies regardless of which association they belong to. GWT’s Jamie’s Helpline, dedicated to help those who are struggling to cope, will also be available for all to use. It is accessible and reachable at any time and calls are free from any phone.
The counselling services are confidential and add to a range of support services the GWT offers all over the UK.
Helen Benson, GWT Chief Executive said: “I am absolutely delighted we are now able to offer the next step in support for individuals in our community who need our help and support. This is an important move forward to be able to provide a completely holistic service for our gamekeepers and their families.”
To contact the GWT you can send them an email or phone 01677 470 180.
The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust “ladies pack”
The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust has launched a free “ladies packs” designed for the partners of gamekeepers.
This pack aims to support those who work independently to support gamekeepers; looking after children and upholding many jobs during the shooting season or stalking season.
In some instances, gamekeeper families will regularly have to relocate while still supporting their partners in a stressful environment with long hours and often few holidays.
The packs contain support and information on physical and mental health, and where to find help when required on a variety of issues which can affect both the keeper, partner and family.
The packs are free and can be ordered online here www.thegamekeeperswelfaretrust.com.
For more information, you can contact GWT on enquiries@thegamekeeperswelfaretrust.com or 01677 470180.
Background image by Nick Ridley
