Keepers awarded for long service

Four veteran gamekeepers were honoured with the National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO) Long Service Award at the Midland Game Fair.

The award is open to full-time gamekeepers, stalkers and gillies with 40 or more years of continuous employment.

David Wharton, aged 57, was the headkeeper on the Hawnby and Arden Estate in the North York Moors and in continuous service on the estate since 1977 before recently retiring after 40 years. Tony Goodhew, 67, has worked on the Fosbury Estate in Wiltshire since 1991 and Martin Moyers, 62, who was unable to attend the Game Fair, was awarded for 40 years’ service on the Castle Goring Farm, where he is currently employed.

A further separate award, which is presented to those who have 50 or more years’ service under their belt, went to William Young, aged 79, who started his gamekeeping career on leaving school in 1953 and went on to work as headkeeper on the Firle Shoot, near Lewes, Sussex, for more than 41 years, before he retired.

NGO chairman Liam Bell, who presented the awards, commented: “It was fascinating to read the résumé of the keepers and the references from their past and present employers about the tremendous commitment these individuals have made to keepering and to managing our countryside. Gentlemen to a man, I am sure they will quite rightly wear their medals with pride. There have been a lot of changes in gamekeeping in the last 40 years and these men have seen them all, have adapted and been an absolute credit to our profession. They are an inspiration to us all.”