Faces

Holts’ charity shoot, Sandringham Estate

HOLTS’ charity clay shoot is now firmly established in the social calendar. Held annually at Sandringham Estate by gracious permission of Her Majesty The Queen, it’s attended by many of the fine-gun trade as well as many Norfolk worthies keen to demonstrate that their county takes shooting very seriously.

This year’s beneficiaries were The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and St Peter’s Church, Wolferton. The day was attended by 33 teams, many of which could have done with a little saintly help.

Not so, however, the formidable landmark Dusters, who barely missed a target and took first place, beating Boss & Co Gunmakers into second.

A special prize should have been awarded to the Sandringham keepers, who manned the stands throughout in full tweeds despite temperatures in the high 80s.

Shade and cold beers were eventually found in the luncheon tent, where local opera singer Jack ollett provided a cultural aperitif before the serious knife-and-fork work began on lunch prepared by William Alldis of The Shotgun Chef.

In all, the event raised a splendid £35,000 through entry fees, furious auction bidding, generous cash sponsorship from Boss & Co and the donation of cartridges by the Hampden Group and Kelling Hall.