On manoeuvres

Nick Ridley hails the foot soldiers of the beating line, who go into battle with military precision to make every drive a success

- Nick Ridley

I started beating on shoots during my late teens and have probably covered hundreds of miles battling through ankle-tugging bramble and trudged across energy-sapping mud and plough, not to mention waging war with countless laurels and rhododendrons. I have been beating on small informal farm shoots and on large commercial shoots. I take great pleasure from being part of a well-organised team. And team is the all-important word.

I have often likened a beating line to a military operation. Those who go wide to prevent birds from leaking out from the drive are known as the ‘flanks’, a well-known military manoeuvre. The main body of the line pushes forward in what should be an arrow-straight line; the ‘skirmishers’ (the stops) have been sent well forward to the flushing points to stop birds running through, the overall plan devised and executed by the gamekeeper, or ‘the general’

You could also use military terms to describe the beaters. You have the ‘troops’, the guys and girls who form the bulk of the beating line. These beaters want to come along for a good day’s banter and exercise, and most of them are not interested in taking on any other responsibility such as holding a shot count clicker or even a radio. Then you have your NCOs (non-commissioned officers). These are normally experienced in the art of beating and are willing to take on some extra duties such as organising part of the line or even taking charge of a few beaters to undertake a bit of blanking in before the main drive commences.