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I should have listened to Peter
Gareth Dockerty reflects on the value having someone to guide you throughout your career, and the lessons learned from his own mentor, the late Peter Knox.
I feel a bit guilty writing this, as there are lots of people who knew Peter Knox better then me. They knew him for longer and spent more time with him.
I met Peter Knox in my first couple of weeks at BASC when I attended a pigeon shooting course he was delivering alongside his great friend Kelvin Pettitt. Sadly Kelvin is also no longer with us. However, I am not writing this in sorrow, but instead as a celebration and reflection of the capacity of one person to make a huge impact on you.
Peter first started volunteering with BASC in 1966, please pause and let that sink in. As Geoff Hurst was scoring that famous goal to seal England’s World Cup, Peter was devoting his spare time to the shooting community.
In 1995, he became a BASC shotgun coach. I sat with a colleague this week and he had all the booking-in forms for past game fairs. He threw one at me and challenged me to find an event Peter did not attend or find a day when he did not deliver the most lessons; I knew the challenge was futile.
Peter passed away a few weeks ago and the BASC shotgun coaches WhatsApp group was flooded with genuine shock, which is not a bad reaction for a man in his eighties. Peter seemed immortal with the ability to bounce back from anything and carry on doing what he loved.
A symbol of respect
I have been thinking about my interactions with Peter over the years and I’d like to share a couple of stories which I think display why he was so special.
I completed my shotgun course as a relatively green and eager BASC regional officer, following which and before any assessments could progress, I was assigned to Peter as a mentor. He politely requested a meeting at his house, before we undertook any shooting lessons. I sat down and had a brew with him. He excused the fact I was not wearing a tie as I was not coaching, but it was mentioned.
A week later, we had arranged for me to visit his shooting ground as he had booked in a couple of novice clients so I could practice. I arrived slightly late in between meetings and hurried out of my truck, at which point he firmly pointed out I was not wearing a tie. I laughed and searched my glove box, then apologised for not having one.
Peter then calmly explained what a tie represented to him and the broader coaching team. It was not just an awkward, out of date piece of clothing as I may well have secretly thought, it was a symbol of respect to every single client he had ever taught. It showed in a simple gesture that they were in safe hands, and he took their journey into shooting seriously.
Peter could smile and joke with the best of them, however, during a lesson that symbol would and should remain. I was sent packing and learnt a very important life lesson.
The clients had a wonderful lesson with Peter, and I went off to lick my wounds and ponder. I am still not keen on wearing a tie, yet that interaction made a significant positive impression on me.
Not for old people
For many years Peter drove a Honda CRV. At the time I also had a CRV at home and I engaged in small talk about this. I have no idea why, but I raised my concerns with him that although the vehicles are reliable, I suspected they were for old people. Peter was in his late eighties at the time, he looked at me and smiled and said I should not be concerned, the fact he had one proved they were not for old people.
As usual he was right, with a glint in his eye he strode off chuckling carrying three or four guns in slips ready to give yet another immaculate lesson. A few months later he turned up in a new Freelander, wound the window down and told me I should get rid of my CRV as it was obviously giving me grey hairs.
Fifty-nine years' service
Peter was a true gentle country man, with time for anybody and a very rich life history. I just wish I had taken more time with him, asked more questions and most importantly listened to him more. It strangely feels like my BASC grandfather has passed away.
Like many, many others I would like to say thank you for Peter’s service on behalf of thousands of people who started their shooting journey with him. Thank you for 59 years’ service to BASC and thank you for reminding me that at times I should slow down and do a job properly. As the saying goes if its worth doing, its worth doing well.
The old skeet vest he gave me still hangs in my office, and the bespoke eye dominance tool he made is still in the pocket. Made by a man who did things properly and with pride.
I will miss you, Peter Knox.
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Gareth Dockerty
Gareth is Executive Director of shooting operations at BASC. Having joined the organisation in 2016, Gareth’s role focuses on ensuring decision makers, stakeholders and the public understand the benefits of shooting for upland habitats and rural communities.
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