CATEGORIES

Strength in Numbers -The success of Britain's growing band of Farmer Clusters shows the value in working together and engaging with the public in the name of conservation, says Gabriel Stone

In a world that leans into gloomy headlines, it's important to wave the flag for a refreshing success story. That's especially the case when it comes to our overburdened farming sector and the wider way in which we manage the landscape. Yes, we: everyone can play a role, not least through one inspirational initiative. Ever since a 2013 pilot project by the GWCT in association with Natural England, Farmer Clusters have mushroomed across Britain. Led by farmers with guidance from expert advisers, today's network of about 125 clusters encourages a cohesively managed, locally tailored, larger-scale approach to conservation work.

Sir Alexander McCall Smith

When he isn't busy penning bestselling novels, this prolific Scottish author is to be found on the water, indulging his passion for sport with rod and line, says Alec Marsh

Heaven is a High Four

A team of guns enjoy a day of the finest sport Devon has to offer, courtesy of the GWCT and a quartet of generous shoot owners

Don't play it by ear

Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on day-to-day life, making ear protection a non-negotiable piece of field kit

Stand and deliver

A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays

Why proper conduct is key

Game shooting is a force for good in the British countryside but shoots must consider how they can demonstrate this to those who would curtail our sport, says lan Coghill

A covey of partridges flushed high across the line, guns picking their birds as pheasants entered the fray. The last bird of the drive was a lone pheasant rocketing past two guns as the whistle sounded Sutton Parva Wiltshire

Challenging sport and plentiful hospitality are the order of the day on a relaxed family-run shoot where the ethos is 'less is more'

A place of tradition in the heart of town

Cordings has helped shape the sartorial landscape of Britain for 185 years, with its classic country tailoring a firm staple of many sporting wardrobes

Unpicking the story of hunt buttons

These treasured tokens are bestowed only upon those who go above and beyond in service of their hunt but the rules around them can be complex

In it for the long haul

It may have fallen out of favour at the elite level but long-format three-day eventing is still proving popular with grassroots riders

Back to base-ics

Britain's famously unpredictable climate can make staying comfortable in the field a challenge but the right under layers can be a game changer

Attired for autumn

The changing of the seasons leads to an inevitable shift in the sporting wardrobe as flat caps, fore-and-afts and ratcatchers come out of hibernation, say Neil and Serena Cross

Tagging the Cornish tunny

Enormous Atlantic bluefin tuna are once again making waves in UK waters almost a century after their showstopping appearance in the North Sea

Going over old ground

Forget modern tractors and minimum tillage - there is something glorious about the sight of farmer, horse and vintage plough in perfect harmony

Return of the natives

There is nothing as satisfying as creating a magical miniature woodland or conservation hedgerow using our native trees - and now is the best time to start.

En garde: a guide to fencing

Not just a clash of swords and some fancy footwork, this ancient sport is an art form that demands agility, discipline and control

The journey begins

Introducing youngsters to shooting is a privilege but one that carries great responsibility, particularly when it comes to choosing the right gun

Game Fair form guide

The Field's essential insight into what to do and what not to miss at the show of the season, this year taking place at Blenheim Palace

Helping hot dogs chill out

From cool coats to clippers, there are a whole host of ways to keep your canine companion comfortable as the summer heat intensifies, says David Tomlinson

How to canapé

A summer celebration is nothing without these tiny works of art. Devised by the country's best canapé cooks, they are just the thing to make your party swing

Who was Baron Pierre de Coubertin?

It was a diminutive, 19th-century French aristocrat, Baron Pierre de Coubertin (pictured, left), who came up with the idea of reviving the Olympic Games while studying in Paris. He was a sporting sort himself, and had also long despaired of what he perceived as French degeneracy; his country had been humiliated by the loss of the Franco-Prussian War and he attributed this to his countrymen's lack of moral fibre.

A gold-medal guide to Olympic shooting

Everything you need to know, from history, disciplines, rules and regulations to the British sportsmen and women striving for glory

The cycle begins

Though it may lie forgotten for much of the year, the kennel bicycle is indispensable in summer when hound exercise gets under way

Turning the tide on the Tyne

The industrial age brought prosperity to Newcastle but at great cost to the Tyne and its salmon. Today its waters are a haven for fish and anglers alike

Glamour, intelligence and drive as standard

Retrieving birds with pace, energy and undeniable elan, these sporting poodles are winning over even traditional gundog breed enthusiasts

Ginger-beer childhoods

Summer holidays filled with outdoor adventures are the perfect way to foster a love of the countryside and a lifetime enthusiasm for the field

Art in the field

Sculpting his wild subjects from life, Fred Gordon is breaking new ground in bronze, says Janet Menzies

Banging the drum for a great British breed

From warhorse to workhorse to show horse to riding horse, the mighty Shire has come full circle and its future looks bright

Long live the sporting pub

Not just a place to drink, the right kind of country pub is a beacon for fieldsports enthusiasts. The Star Inn in Harome is one such spot

Ping and you're winning

An email alert for burgonets coming to auction draws Roger Field’s attention to a promising lot. Meanwhile, a sale from novelist John le Carré’s estate temporarily raises an eyebrow