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The Shooting Times Woodcock Club is open to any shooter who has successfully shot a right-and-left at woodcock in front of two independent witnesses
By Selena Masson
Monday, 11 May 2009
ST Woodcock Club raises more than £7,500 for game research at the 25th annual dinner
Ater a season that for many was memorable for bumper numbers of woodcock, members of the Shooting Times Woodcock Club came together last month for the club’s 25th annual dinner. Held on 25 April in the spectacular surroundings of the Roman Baths and Pump Room, in Bath, the event raised more than £7,500 towards the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) woodcock research — nearly twice last year’s total. On the night, guests were entertained by a speech from the well-known television presenter and property expert Phil Spencer.
A keen Shot himself, he told of how he grew up in a very traditional sporting family and has coveted membership of the club for years.
The dinner was once again sponsored by Glenfarclas whisky — Nick James, managing director of parent company Pol Roger is himself a club member. Also present on the night was Eleanor Piper, from the Gearach shoot, on Islay, who last season become one of the club’s fi rst two female members.
Star lot in this year’s auction was three days’ woodcock and duck shooting on Islay, with walked-up snipe for two Guns. Generously donated by Islay’s Burnside Lodge, it raised an impressive £2,200. Other lots that raised substantial sums included a pair of gold-plated sterling silver woodcock cufflinks donated by Ruffs of London, and a last-minute lot from sporting artist Owen Williams offering the chance to ring woodcock at night as part of the GWCT’s research. In addition, £750 was raised for the charity Help for Heroes through the sale of raffl e tickets.
“There’s no doubt that a fantastic venue made this year’s dinner a special one,” commented Shooting Times’s Acting Editor Alastair Balmain. “It was the biggest annual dinner in recent years and we were delighted to welcome many new members — as well as aspiring members like Phil Spencer. The amount raised on the night is evidence of club members’ generosity and passion.”
The Shooting Times Woodcock Club is open to any shooter who has successfully shot a right-and-left at woodcock in front of two independent witnesses.
For more information, contact the club’s secretary, Katharina Doye, tel 020 3148 4741.
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