•GAME CARD•

Shoot name: Tregoyd, Powys Date: 9 September Weather: Wet and windy Keeper: Clive Hussell Owner: Ben Brown

Guns: Ben Brown, Andrew Brown, Andy Matthews, Kevin Roberts, Louis Roberts, Steve Barnard, Peter Hewitt, Graham Mcleod, Gavin Chambers, Ed Northcott, Will Martin 206 partridges breakfast, I met the final members of the team, including Ben Brown and his father Andrew. Ben is the third generation of Browns now at the helm of Hardwick Game Farm and who started Tregoyd. He is also in charge of Llwyn Madoc, Tregoyd’s sister shoot.

Buzzards and goshawks

With a safety briefing reminding us that, though there would be lots of pheasants, they were to be given the same protection as buzzards, goshawks and beaters until October, there was then the all-important draw. I waited patiently for my turn, the anticipation only growing: seven, and moving up two each drive — not a bad draw at all.

We piled into the cars. I jumped in with Kevin Roberts and son Louis and their three dogs. Kevin and Louis have picked-up at Castle Hill for years and I couldn’t have wished for better company. We pulled out of the drive and up towards the mountain, the mist flowing from the peaks like a wave. Farmland turned to moor and as we got higher the views became spectacular; looking down the green Wye valley, the sun was bursting through the dark clouds creating columns of golden light.

The first drive was named John Lloyd’s Bank. I asked around, with the excitement of a young boy, where the name came from and was told that it was derived from the fact that it is both a steep bank and the land is owned by John Lloyd.

Then it went quiet; it is amazing how suddenly conversation switches off and each Gun turns to their individual ritual. Some fold their sleeve over their peg, some run some blind swings. I took my coat off, scrunched my ear defenders then folded them into my ears. My heartbeat rose, and it was all I could hear. The nerves of the first drive of the season filled my blood like a drug. Then the senses heightened, waiting for that first flutter — that wingbeat, then a crack of a beater’s flag punches through the air.

First shot of the day

Boom! To my left, from behind an oak bank, Gun Peter Hewitt on peg nine fired the first shot of the day. A partridge screamed overhead before I even had a chance to raise my gun and it was over and behind me. Too slow. Focus, William! Clive and his team produced a steady stream of high, fast and challenging birds, turning from the left and the right over my peg, coming from all angles.

I turned to look above the trees and saw a high bird fold to my right. Kevin stood below with the smile that successfully shooting a difficult bird brings to any Shot. Then it was my

SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRY MAGAZINE • 25