WWW.SHOOTINGGAZETTE.CO.UK SEPTEMBER 2019 29
On the shoot
the helicopter landing pad next to
it which has been used by Guns in
the past.
Our day, a Monday, was a
syndicate day, and Tim’s day
to shoot as well. The syndicate
members, nine Guns, didn’t all
know each other and had travelled
from Cheshire, Norfolk and
Wiltshire, as well as more locally
in the county. All were there for
one thing, ‘a traditional partridge
shoot with excellent drives that
is extremely well run.’ This was
when I noticed that Craig wears an
earpiece. “My pet hate is radios, no
one wants to hear them all day. The
shoot should just happen the best it
can,” he explained.
The Guns mingled over coffee
and were given a safety talk by
Craig. Two of the Guns, Tim and
John Harris, would be shooting
with .410s, and were pegged
next to each other, much to their
amusement and delight.
We loaded up and headed for
the fi rst drive, School House Walk.
Driving through the beautiful
estate was an eye opener. I don’t
think I’ve seen anywhere like it.
Everything was immaculate, not in
a manufactured way, just extremely
well cared for. Farm roads were
mainly pot hole free, verges mown,
and no broken fences or rusting
machinery. There were also many
lakes and ponds, 14 of them, dugby Tim’s father and now populated
with ducks (a drive is offered to
Guns at the end of the day if they
want it). Cover crops, coppices,
small and larger woods abound.
There are 175 acres of cover crops,
125 of maize, and 25 each of kale
and linseed with millet. Craig has
recently moved some of the pens
so they are located more centrally
within the shoot as he feels that this
will suit the birds better.
I joined Tim on School House
Walk and found out more about
shooting with a .410. Tim uses a
Yildiz. He injured his back a few
years ago, started shooting again
after the injury using his son’s .410
and couldn’t believe how wellLeft: John Lilley wasnÕt the only
one to see challenging partridge
on this rolling Wolds landscape.
Below: Worlaby headkeeper
Neil Swinn.