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A unique pheasant and duck shoot in Northern Ireland took top honours at the Purdey Awards.
By Alex Flint
Friday, 20 November 2009
James Purdey & Sons celebrated the 10th anniversary of its annual conservation awards on November 19, with the top Gold Award going to Northern Ireland for the first time.
The Castlevennon shoot near Banbridge, County Down, won the coveted Gold Award, shoot owner John Gibson receiving the Purdey Shield, a cheque for £5,000 and a jeroboam of Laurent-Perrier Champagne from Vicomte Bernard de La Giraudière, chairman of Laurent-Perrier UK Ltd.
Mr Gibson said: "Just being short-listed and invited to attend the ceremony was an absolute delight, let alone winning the thing.
"Whether young or old we all dream, and I was always dreaming about what we could do with Castlevennon.
"It's been a total pleasure for me to create something from nothing, to see the biodiversity and wildlife that we have created."
Presenting the awards, the Marquess of Douro described the "remarkable clarity of vision" that Mr Gibson had displayed in converting 100 acres of an intensive dairy farm into "a model small shoot and a year-round haven for wildlife."
The Silver Award went to Frank Jones of Newton-le-Willows Wildfowlers Association and the Bronze Award to Richard Vainer of the Kettelshiel and Bedshiel Moors.
Anthony White was awarded the Purdey Special Award for his work at Leckhamstead Wood, Keith Chalmers-Watson of Ardtaraig was highly commended, and Dr Robert Hedley received a finalist certificate.
Closing the ceremony, Vicomte Bernard de La Giraudière said: "All those who entered these Awards, whether winners or not, should know that their dedication and perseverance proves that nothing is impossible.
"The Purdey Awards make public the evidence of the tremendous impact that proper shoot management has in preserving habitat and flora and fauna.
"Without this dedication some of the beauties of the British landscape would undoubtedly have been lost forever."
For a full report on the Purdey Awards, pick up the December issue of Shooting Gazette, on sale November 28.
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