IN THE opening pages of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited, the narrator, Captain Charles Ryder, finds himself back, in middle age, I in the grounds of a stately mansion he had known in his teenage years. It was for him a strange feeling of elegy and optimism, and one I was to experience throughout the GWCT Devon High Four day as we visited four estates I had first encountered shooting in my teenage years; a feeling tempered by time but also, for the estates, sporting and dynamic futures.
These brilliant GWCT days, which raise upwards of £40,000 for this most worthwhile of charities, are, however, more like a challenge undertaken by Anneka Rice than one of Lord Sebastian Flyte's 1920s 'flapper" parties. First comes the generous consent of the shoot owners. Then the sheer logistics of transporting eight guns and their partners to four different locations (in specially commissioned Land Rover Discoveries, complete with drivers, thanks to Land Rover Experience of Honiton) is some undertaking. There was also the tail-end of Storm Ciarán to throw into the mix.
How do these days come about? "We do an online raffle of 250 tickets at £250 a ticket, and the winner gets the day, a stay in a nearby hotel the night before, and some pretty spectacular shooting," explains GWCT Devon chairman Stewart Priddle, on hand throughout the day to ensure everything ran smoothly. He was ably assisted by regional organiser Sam Middleton and GWCT volunteer Andy Cameron, who made certain, being driven by him, that I was always in the right place. Middleton had created a special WhatsApp group for the shoot owners for the day so they would know at all times where the guns were.
Unsurpassed variety
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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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Stand and deliver
A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays
