Fantastic...My letter has been selected as 'Letter of the Month' in June's issue of Sporting Shooter Magazine..yay!!
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THE WESSEX INTER-SHOOT CHALLENGE SATURDAY MAY 9TH 2015 AT CHITCOMBE, DORSET by kind permission of Roderick and Lydia Wurfbain.
This unique event being held at Chitcombe, near Woolland on the 9th May 2015. Each team of three will compete in a 50 bird clay shoot, fly fishing, fun gundog retrieving, archery, rifle shooting, catapult shooting and quad driving. Bar and refreshments on site. A dog can be loaned if necessary. The cost is £120 a team which includes a spit roast lunch and the profit split between the NGO and GWCT. To enter and further details from: chris.vallance1@btinternet.com or tel. 01258 820497 as soon as possible. This is an annual event for your shoot. Compete for the Saffrey Champness Grey Partridge Trophy and the Sport arm Ladies Trophy. A team of three, (preferably keeper, beater, gun) and dog will represent shoots large and small in a unique countryside competition of five sections: Team 50 bird clay shoot, ATV driving test, Fun Gundog competition, The Poachers Corner (archery, catapults and air rifles) and Fly Casting. The emphasis will be having a fun day and all proceeds with be shared between The National Gamekeepers Organisation and The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Cost is £40 a head (£120 a team) which includes a 50 clay layout and spit roast Breakfast, bar and refreshments on site. Raffle, Scurry and other attractions. Please contact Chris Vallance (chris.vallance1@btinternet.com) for further details - 01258 820497 WESSEX INTER-SHOOT CHALLENGE BOOKING FORM: A spit roast lunch is included and the cost is £40 per head (£120 per shoot team) the dog is free! All profits are to be shared between The National Gamekeepers Organisation and Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. NAME OF SHOOT………………………………………………..NAME OF TEAM……………………………………………………………..CAPTAIN……………………………………............…………………………………………………………………………….ADDRESS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..E-MAIL (Only used to contact you about the competition to save postage costs)……………………………………………TEL NO…………………………………All cheques are payable to “National Gamekeepers Organisation”. Please post cheque with completed form to: Chris Vallance, Keepers Cottage, Fifehead Magdalen, Gillingham, SP8 5RR.Full details will be sent on receipt of payment. Enquiries to: Chris Vallance (chris.vallance1@btinternet.com) 01258 820497  It’s just over a year since I started my gundog blog. Every two weeks since March 2014 I’ve reflected on my training, created articles on many fantastic dogs, handlers and countryside events. My first steps into the blogsphere felt like the first day of starting a new job..so much to learn, meeting new bloggers and the prospect of exciting times ahead.
A year ago I hoped my blog would have visitors from local gun dog handlers and friends but with the help of Google analytics I can see my site has had visitors from all over England, America, New Zealand and Russia! It’s truly inspiring how an online community can bring so much joy to the gun dog domain. What have I learnt? It’s taught me to edit my writing - make it short and snappy! Blogging has enabled me to become a better writer. I have learnt that many bloggers are similar to me…juggling family life with a day job and be able to squeeze writing into a small window of opportunity. I have learnt to set goals and be strict with meeting milestones. It's a great feeling knowing I am a blogger and I have a need to write. Whether you are a new or returning visitor I am grateful to each of you for spending time to visit my site and and share my journey. Thank you! Here’s to another exciting year of blogging and friendships old and new! “I have a vivid memory of being hit several times by buckshot!”Barras Stone was part of the beating team for the Sherborne Castle Estate Shoot because it was a way of earning 15 shillings for the day. In the Autumn of 1960 a 14 year old boarding pupil at Foster’s Grammar School joined the beating line situated in the unspoilt north Dorset countryside.  Barras Stone “As the pay was exceptionally generous it became a competitive environment to get a place on the team. The gamekeeper would come up to the school and select a group of us for the beating line. Fortunately for me and several other boys it became a regular arrangement" says Barras. And so one cold misty morning back in October 1960 a group of Foster border boys congregated outside Sherborne Lodge to earn their 15 shillings… “The shoot days were normally long, wet and very cold. Most of the beating was in a field of kale which was sodden with moisture. We didn’t have any protective clothing. I would come out of the field looking like a wet rag!" Barras described the shoot as a mixture of woodland and open field drives. “If the shoot went well we were also given a brace of pheasants which was sold to the butcher for a guinea.” Barras is keen to point out that his hard earned pennies enabled him to buy Christmas presents for the family each year.  www.sherbornecastle.com Barras grins. “I have a vivid memory of being hit several times by buckshot!” He laughs. “I do remember my back stinging for a while!” As we reflected on his beating days Barras paints a picture of tradition, opportunity and hard work. “We were given a light lunch and a drink during the day but we had to stay a discreet distance away from the guns. The guns always looked very smart with an assortment of dogs by their side.” Barras indicated the event also brought the local community together. He added “The local vicar would often be part of the shoot day!”
“After a long day beating we had to walk several miles back to the school. Being a border meant we were subject to lots of rules and regulations so being able to earn some money was a fantastic opportunity.” As Barras embarked on a trip down memory lane it became clear that beating 50 years ago was an enjoyable yet challenging experience. Braving the elements in a jumper and jeans were accepted conditions of a beater’s role. Thankfully today we have the luxury of protective clothing and a team of well trained dogs to support the line. With the added bonus of working established drives it makes beating today an enjoyable and rewarding experience.  The 2015 BASC Chudleys Scurry Challenge proved to be as popular as ever at the West Country Game Fair. 14 year old Becky Mann and her black labrador, Ellie, successfully completed the Lite Launcher Long Retrieves with a total of 24.97 seconds. Their fast time moved the dynamic duo into first place and has placed the young handler on the league table, earning her 30 points. It was a joy to watch this promising youngster take part in a gun dog event which demands focus and the desire to succeed. Becky’s voice and body language towards her dog was calm and full of honest expression. The 4 year old working labrador eagerly responded to her every command. The scurry challenge enabled the pair to display energy and drive. It was obvious to see Becky has a truly unique bond with her canine friend. There’s no doubt these events offer an exciting opportunity for young handlers to flourish with their dogs and enjoy the challenge of a competitive environment. It’s essential to encourage young handlers to participate in this sport and enjoy all areas of training and competition. Becky is one of our shining stars and there is no doubt we are going to see a lot more of her enthusiasm and passion in the future.  Becky was delighted with her time for the scurry challenge. West Country Game Fair – Sunday 22/3/15 Time Scurry for Long Retrieve: 1st Ellie Becky Mann 24.97, 2nd Rossco Claire Perry 25.47, 3rd Ellie Nikki Inglis 26.06
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