The Purdey Awards for Game and Conservation
Two entries tie for gold in top Purdey conservation award.
Lochindorb Moor and the West Sussex Biodiversity Project announced as winners.
For the first time ever, two top entries – Lochindorb Moor and The West Sussex Biodiversity project - have tied for Gold in the Purdey Awards for Game and Conservation. The Awards, now in their tenth year, were last night presented by the Duke of Wellington at a ceremony in central London. The Purdey Trophy and cheques for £4000 each were awarded to Alasdair Laing, owner of the Lochindorb Estate in Morayshire and Adrian Weller who leads The West Sussex Biodiversity Project near Amberley.
The Purdey Awards for Game and Conservation are held annually by London gunmakers James Purdey & Sons. They aim to encourage imaginative conservation projects which improve the habitats for both reared and wild game birds, and in the process benefit other species of flora and fauna enhancing the biodiversity of shoots and of the countryside.
Richard Purdey, who has been running the awards since 1999, said: “Both entries are shining examples of how simple measures correctly applied can achieve extraordinary results. By pure coincidence both estates were awarded the same points by the judging panel and thus share this year’s Purdey Gold Award for Game and Conservation.”
The Duke of Wellington first presented the Purdey Awards in 1999 when he was Chairman of the Awards judging panel. Since then, there have been different presenters including television chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, actor and playwright Julian Fellowes and former editor of the Daily Telegraph Sir Max Hastings.
And the winners are.........
Lochindorb Moor, Logie Estate, Forres, Morayshire, Scotland
Gold Award
£4000 + Jeroboam Laurent Perrier Champagne
Alasdair Laing was awarded the Purdey Gold Award for the restoration of grouse to his 10400 acre Lochindorb Moor. In the 1980s the estate experienced a severe decline in their grouse populations. The cause was identified by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) as tick borne Louping Ill, preventing the grouse from breeding, and being spread by ticks on Mountain Hares, of which there had been a large increase in numbers. In order to reduce the number of ticks it was necessary to reduce the population of Mountain Hares to a much lower density, which in turn saw the number of grouse increase steadily. Since 2000 there has been an annual sustainable surplus of grouse allowing 70 – 120 brace to be shot per let day. The moor is let for an average of ten days per season and is now financially viable.
Not only has Lochindorb seen the increase of red grouse but a number of other species, notably wading bird and capercaillie have also increased. The estate provides an educational resource which is promoted by the GWCT, and to help the public understand how grouse moors fit into the ecological balance of the area, several walking routes have been introduced.
The judges were impressed with the very high standard of management undertaken by keepers David Taylor and Kevin Begg who are committed, knowledgeable and empowered through the excellent relationship they enjoy with their employer Alasdair Laing.
Good moor management means Lochindorb has above average heather cover for Scotland and no bracken, whilst grouse are caught at night in the spring in order to dose them with wormer. This task requires exceptional dedication by the keepers and is just one example of how Lochindorb goes the extra mile.
The West Sussex Biodiversity Project
Gold Award
£4000 + Jeroboam Laurent Perrier Champagne
The judges awarded Adrian Weller, Mark Elliott, Adrian Waller and Simon Edwards the Purdey Gold Award for their outstanding work on their jointly owned West Sussex Biodiversity Project. The project was set up to purchase and create two wildfowling shoots on two separate blocks of Arun Valley water meadows, achieved by restoring the sluices and correctly managing` the water levels, and in turn restoring traditional habitats for duck, geese, green plover and snipe.
The work included clearing ditches, installing sluices, adjusting water levels, fencing off margins to allow reedbed creation, and opening up areas to cattle allowing them to roam the ground to create natural splashes, which in turn dramatically increased the numbers of wildfowl. At their second shoot the partners used brush – sweep herbicides to control thistles and soft rush, creating grass patches for duck and areas where snipe will feed.
The judges were impressed by the partner’s efforts to create their wildfowling shoots by letting nature do much of the work, resulting in an abundance of mallard, teal, widgeon, gadwall, geese and snipe at both sites. They have also involved local children through encouraging school visits to learn about traditional water meadow management. A former derelict dairy has been transformed into an educational centre which displays information on the ecology and biodiversity of the water meadows. It is also the headquarters for the shoot.
Richard Purdey said: “The secret of the project’s success is clear vision, a thorough understanding of the area, as well as the hard work of all the partners involved.”
Barnby Estate, Waveney Valley, Beccles, Suffolk - The George Family
Bronze Award
£1000 + Magnum of Laurent Perrier Champagne
The judges awarded the George Family the Purdey Bronze Award for the immense task of conservation under the difficult conditions dictated by this particular area of Suffolk broad. The Barnby estate is a unique area of wetland and to undertake its restoration required bringing on board and coordinating all the local interested parties and authorities. Despite shooting being the declared driver of the project, the George’s sensitive handling of local issues secured sufficient grants which, together with their own resources, allowed them to proceed with the work.
Had the project not been undertaken, and it commenced in 1982, the whole area would have relapsed into unproductive swamp. Regular cleaning of dykes was undertaken, thus lowering the water table and allowing effective ride management. This has subsequently benefited the local flora and fauna – notably the return of rare orchids. Barnby Estate is now a delightful family shoot in a unique environment, which is shot just four days a season, with early morning all wild duck flighting, followed by a few pheasant which are reared and released annually in very modest numbers.
Peter Stratton, owner of Holybrook Island, Theale, Berkshire
Special Award £250
Holybrook Island, between the River Kennet and the main railway line to the West Country is a long established family and friend’s shoot which provides five days duck flighting, wild pheasant and trout and barbell fishing. The judges were impressed by the role nature had played in their conservation and how the owner remained determined not to allow his land to be developed for commercial or residential use.
Tim Sykes and Christoph Harwood, joint owners of Park Farm Shoot, Denmead, Hampshire
Special Award £250
Tim Sykes and Christoph Harwood were awarded their prize for the amount of time and attention they spend on their shoot teaching youngsters about shooting and conservation, starting them off in the beating line, and then assisting keepers, before they go on to learn how to handle guns.
Roy Harris, Herstmonceux, East Sussex
Special Award £250
Roy Harris has been the part time and voluntary keeper for Cowden Farm’s 450 acres since the shoot was established in 1981. He receives the Award for the vital part he has played in steadily improving the shoot through the employment of sound conservation measures, experimentation with game crops and new drives, and developing new ponds for duck flighting. Roy Harris was presented with the award as recognition of his dedication, commitment and exemplary work over nearly 30 years.
Mark Williams, owner of Pontfadog Shoot, Llangollen, North Wales
Special Award £250
Mark Williams receives a Special Award for his determination to keep improving the small friends and family shoot started by his father over the steep hillside of the Ceiriog valley. His work over 30 years has included cutting out miles of paths along near vertical hillside, planting new woodland for habitat improvement and undertaking all the keepering himself, with assistance from his family and the small shoot syndicate.
Finalist certificates were presented to:
Leicestershire Wildfowlers Association
Toft Farm Shoot, Rugby, East Midlands
Paddy Featherstone – Godley of Kenny
Farms near Kirriemuir, Scotland
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The annual Purdey Awards for Game and Conservation aim to encourage imaginative conservation projects which improve habitats for both reared and wild game birds, and which in the process benefit other species of flora and fauna and enhance enjoyment of the shoot and of the countryside.
James Purdey & Sons Ltd has been a member of the Richemont Group of companies since 1994.
For further information on the panel of judges, or for more in-depth information on the winners, images etc. please contact:
Brian MacLaurin Associates Rania@brianmaclaurin.com or 020 834 1806
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