Outstanding contributions celebrated at The Game Fair

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July 25, 2026

From conservation champions and dedicated volunteers to inspirational advocates for shooting, BASC celebrated a raft of remarkable achievements at its annual honours and awards ceremony, held earlier today at The Game Fair.

BASC’s annual honours and awards recognise those who have made a lasting contribution to shooting sports, wildlife conservation and the wider countryside community.

Seven awards were presented to worthy recipients, with the ceremony held at The Game Fair earlier today, 25 July.

Speaking after the presentations, BASC chairman Eoghan Cameron said: “It’s a privilege to recognise those who embody everything BASC stands for – passion, dedication and responsibility. Each year, these awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the individuals and organisations who go above and beyond to support shooting, conservation and the communities around them.

“The achievements of this year’s recipients demonstrate the incredible commitment, expertise and enthusiasm that exists across our community. Their work represents the very best of shooting and the positive role it plays in protecting our countryside and inspiring future generations.”

2026 award winners

Prince Philip Distinguished Service Award

The late Christopher Graffius

(Received by Christopher’s daughters, Catriona and Elizabeth, in his memory)

Christopher Graffius gave more than two decades of distinguished service to BASC, serving as executive director of communications and public affairs and becoming one of the most respected voices for shooting and conservation in the UK and beyond. He played a pivotal role in shaping BASC’s communications and political engagement, combining deep knowledge and strategic insight with clear, effective advocacy. Widely respected across the countryside sector, in Westminster and among colleagues throughout Europe through his work with FACE, Christopher brought dedication, diplomacy and good humour to everything he did.

His contribution to BASC was immense, and his legacy will endure in the strength of the community he served so faithfully.

Honorary Life Membership Award

Robin Marshall-Ball

Robin Marshall-Ball has been recognised for his broader contribution to WAGBI, BASC and shooting over many decades. He first started volunteering in around 1974 and has since been a regular feature at regional and national events, from Young Shots days to the West of England Game Fair, more recently chairing a volunteer committee in Wiltshire whose fundraising has supported local schools, conservation groups and the provision of defibrillators on shoots. A long-standing champion of the water vole and the need to control mink, he remains a go-to source of advice on the subject in the South West, alongside a career as a writer and commentator on shooting matters since the 1970s. His wife Pam has been by his side throughout, making a substantial contribution of her own.

Stanley Duncan Conservation Trophy

Adam Horn

Adam Horn has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to conservation-led land management and his commitment to demonstrating how wildlife, habitat and shooting can work together. A full-time gamekeeper at Godmersham Park, Adam has spent the past decade delivering exceptional results for biodiversity, habitat and shooting through a clear focus on sustainable estate management. His work across wet grassland, downland, woodland and arable farmland has helped transform the estate, including the creation of new habitats, restoration of hedgerows, establishment of wildflower margins and improved support for vulnerable species. Through practical conservation and effective wildlife management, Adam has shown how responsible shooting can play a vital role in protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

Ian Richardson Trophy

Rod Greenwood

Rod Greenwood has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to wildlife management education, professional standards and the development of future generations working in the countryside sector. With more than 30 years of practical industry experience, Rod has dedicated his career to advancing land and wildlife management while sharing his expertise with others. As a former lecturer in Game and Wildlife Management at Sparsholt College, he played a pivotal role in educating future wildlife professionals, while also contributing to DMQ training and maintaining high industry standards. Having begun his career in gamekeeping before moving into education, Rod’s knowledge of deer management, firearms safety, sustainability and wildlife management has helped shape the careers of many across the sector.

Tim Sedgwick Trophy

Lisa Amers

Lisa Amers, operations manager at Guntrader, has been recognised for her role in launching a parliamentary petition against government proposals to reclassify Section 2 shotguns as Section 1 firearms for licensing purposes. The petition attracted more than 100,000 signatures in under a fortnight, qualifying it for parliamentary debate. BASC was the only shooting organisation to give the petition full support, and Lisa played a key part in its success by circulating it to the Guntrader database, helping to secure the signatures needed to hit the target so quickly. The petition drew significant press and political attention, rallying support in parliament and securing a Commons debate.

Payne-Gallwey Long Service Award

Paul Leyshon

Paul Leyshon has been club secretary of the Morlais Valley Shooting Club for over 30 years, having started wildfowling at the club’s marsh at the Burry Inlet as a teenager, before its formation in 1981. A founder member, he took on both the secretary and treasurer roles when the club faced serious difficulty around 13 years ago, putting together a plan to attract new members that has left it with a thriving and full membership today, including a new Junior Member position for the next generation of wildfowlers. His contribution has extended well beyond the club itself, acting as principal contact with local landowners, police, MPs and councillors, and in 2023 helping BASC coordinate a meeting between Carmarthenshire Wildfowlers and Gower MP, Tonia Antoniazzi. In 2025 he was a lead official at the club’s visit to the Senedd to launch the BASC Wildlife Fund, and arranged a wildfowling visit to the marshes for Tonia.

Gamekeeper of the Year

Charlie Mellor

Charlie Mellor, estate head gamekeeper of the Norfolk Estate, Arundel, for His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to gamekeeping, conservation and biodiversity. Leading a team responsible for both the Peppering Partridge Project and a commercial pheasant shoot, Charlie has played a key role in demonstrating how shooting and conservation can work together to deliver meaningful environmental improvements. Since joining the project in 2009, he has helped increase grey partridge numbers on the South Downs while improving wider biodiversity through habitat management, monitoring and a focus on the importance of habitat, food sources and effective predator control. His dedication has helped establish the Norfolk Estate as an example of sustainable land management.

You can find out more about BASC honours and awards here.