CLA recognises the ‘quiet ones’ of the countryside at The CLA Game Fair

Gamekeepers and riverkeepers keep a low profile and are rarely recognised for the work they do in maintaining the natural environment.

However, the CLA has done something about it - paying tribute to many of them at The CLA Game Fair on Friday, 23 July.

The CLA Long Service Awards took place at the CLA Game Fair, the world's largest countryside event, at Ragley Hall, near Alcester, in Warwickshire. The 13 accolades were presented by the Marquess of Hertford and the CLA President.

CLA President William Worsley said: "In areas where wildlife is abundant, where habitat is healthy and diverse and where nature truly is in balance, the one consistant factor is a good gamekeeper. We have chosen the longest-serving members of this distinguished profession to say a sincere thank you for looking after our natural environment.

"Presenting these awards is one of the most pleasing jobs I do as CLA President."

 Mr Worsley went on to say that few people saw the "the quiet ones" who spend long, and often solitary hours, at their work.

 "These awards are an opportunity to recognise their efforts over the years," he said.

To qualify, the gamekeepers needed at least 40 years' service each on not more than five estates, while the riverkeepers had to have dedicated at least 25 years to looking after the same river system.

Peter Eaton, from the Shavington Estate, in Whitchurch, Shropshire was praised for more than 40 years' service to gamekeeping. He said: "I started as an underkeeper then became head keeper in 1974. I hope I've developed the shoot in my time. After all, I've worked with three generations of the Heywood-Lonsdale family, so I must be doing something right!"

Chris North received an award for 40 years' service to the gamekeeping profession. He was described as an "exceptional head keeper" by the Duke of Norfolk's Estate at Arundel, West Sussex. He said: "The main difference between me and many others is that for 40 years I've reared my own pheasants at Arundel. They fly just like a wild bird and are of exceptional quality."

John Naylor, who works at the Rise Park Estate in Skirlaugh, Hull, was recognised for 33 years in the job. He started off as a gamekeeper in Hull in 1977 after serving as a policeman in the Hull City force. John said: "My particular interest is trialling German Shorthaired Pointers and I regularly host trials. During my time in the profession I've also completed an Open University Degree course in English Literature, so I hope I'm a well qualified gamekeeper!"

John Wilford from the Wroxall shoot in Warwickshire said he was "chuffed" when he was awarded his 50-year accolade. He said: "It doesn't seem like 50 years. I have a good gaffer and am just starting to find my way around!"

Meanwhile, Robin Tingley from Wantage in Oxfordshire was recognised for 40 years' service at Lockinge Farms. He said: "I started working on one of the estate dairy farms alongside my father in 1969, but my real talent was in gamekeeping."

"In a short space of time I became a beat keeper then I took on role of head keeper. This job requires a high degree of dedication," he added.

Michael Carmody, who's employed on the Rougham estate, near Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, managed to cram 30 years under his belt. He said: "I started off in Liverpool, but I'm so glad I moved to East Anglia. I loved it at Kilverston Hall in Thetford, Norfolk, but gamekeeping at Rougham is even better."

Robert Williams, otherwise known as "Bob the Moors", has worked as a gamekeeper on Crown Land since 1947 in Denbigh Moors, Denbighshire. The 84 year old said: "It's great up on the Moors in the summer but not in the winter. In my spare time, I'm a Baliff - I love keeping busy."

Wynn Bennett, who works on the Castle Howard estate, north of York, was nominated for over 43 years. He said: "I'm proud of the job I do. All of the produce is sold at the guest farm shop at Castle Howard, so we certainly mean it when we say our meat is local."

Bob Wonham was recognised for over 42 years' dedication to gamekeeping. He works on the Avon Tyrrell estate in Hampshire. Bob said: "My very earliest memories are of releasing trapped deer with my father. It was a natural step to go into gamekeeping."

Stewart Wilson was congratulated for nearly 30 years' work as a gamekeeper on the Wilbraham Temple estate at Great Wilbraham near Cambridge. Mr Wilson said he was "over the moon" at receiving such an accolade from the CLA.

Guy Robinson, a riverkeeper for more than 32 years on the Leckford Estate in Hampshire said: "I am delighted with this award. I can relax knowing I've done a good job."

Ronald Plunkett, another riverkeeper, notched up 27 years and 10 months at the Galloway Estates in Wigtownshire. In his spare time he writes a river report in the Trout and Salmon magazine under the name of 'Pathfinder'. Ronnie said: "I was attached to the Canadian Air force during the war, and worked as a 'pathfinder' in mosquitoes, and the name stuck!"