Every morning when I wake up, I have to remind myself that the global pandemic is an extraordinary, unbelievable reality, which is going to get worse before we can consider getting back to a semblance of normality. The daily mortality count is a chilling reminder of why we must all adhere to the ‘lockdown’ and support those who are working on the frontline, particularly those in the NHS. When we eventually get to the end of this, hopefully we can come out of it closer and more sensitive in both families, communities and as a country.
The widespread damage COVID-19 continues to wreak upon businesses all over the country, including mine, will probably ensure many of us will be entering a period of financial uncertainty. As cabinet makers, we have had many orders postponed or cancelled and cannot fit or deliver the completed jobs. Normally, this is our busiest time of year, building gun boxes and gun cabinets in the run up to the shooting season. To ensure we keep our social distance, we have a one in, one out policy at the workshops so the three of us get only two days a week each. Hopefully, those that need it will receive government help, sooner rather than later. There does seem to be an assumption that we should be austere and miserable during this ordeal, but it is at times like this that we need to keep our chins up. Quiet, good-humoured resolve was the Queen’s suggested approach.
I am afraid that I cannot help but see the forced isolation as a tremendous opportunity that we shall (hopefully) never see the like of again. That opportunity is time and there are, of course, good and bad sides. We, as a family of four, usually spend the odd weekend together as both my kids (19 and 22) are away from home.
Denne historien er fra June 2020-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 2020-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
RSPB gives mixed message on shooting
Having recently attended the RSPB’s virtual AGM, Conor O’Gorman discusses the outcome of the charity’s year-long review of game bird shooting
Causeway for concern
Alan Jarrett’s renewed interest in reading takes him down memory lane to an offshore island duck flight that very nearly ended in disaster
Through a purple patch
The Garrows Estate is taking a conservation-focused approach to restoring the wildlife populations and biodiversity on the Scottish heather moorland.
When the wheels fall off
Losing form on a day’s shooting can be infuriating, especially if you’ve been shooting like a god up to that point. Simon O’Leary looks at some common causes and how to remedy them
Beaches, books & bad behaviour!
The annual Kay family vacation to Northumberland offers a chance to give the cockers a blast on the beach – although they don’t always shower themselves in glory, as Ryan Kay recalls...
Using the Stop whistle
Now you’ve instilled the basics, it’s time to up the ante with some more tricky distance work. Howard Kirby explains how to take the core Stop whistle command to the next level
The humble teal
They may be tiny, but as far as Rupert Butler is concerned, the appeal of this little duck is huge. He recalls some of his most memorable nights in pursuit of these aerial acrobats
Fab all-rounder
Mike is impressed with the Fabarm Elos B2 Field Notte, which offers great value for money, is suited to fieldwork or clays and is future-proofed for use with steel in all choke constrictions
CALL OF THE WILD
Dom Holtam reconnects with one of the purest forms of shotgun shooting as he walks-up woodcock over pointing dogs in the Scottish Highlands
A yen for the Fens
Tony Jackson recounts a memorable duck flight over an area of Fenland in Norfolk with his friend and author, the late Alan Savory
