Eight-year-old named Junior Gamekeeper of the Year

Zeph Silk has been named junior gamekeeper of the year for 2025 by the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust.

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Hands-on role at Matterley Estate

The eight-year-old from Hampshire helps with pest control, habitat management and pen maintenance at Matterley Estate, where his father Matt is headkeeper. Zeph has taken responsibility for his own rearing shed, manages a pen of quail and has hatched goslings and helped rear two litters of puppies.

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Family pride in a rural calling

His mother Laura said: “He wakes up in the morning desperate to get out on to the rearing field and check his shed of chicks, and he goes to bed after debating why he can’t go fox shooting every evening.”

Zeph beats as often as school allows and is saving his beating money to buy an AGT Vixen air gun. He also talks regularly at school about gamekeeping, recently delivering an assembly about catching and preparing his first trout.

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A passion for countryside and conservation

Helen Benson, chief executive of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust, said: “It’s clear from the nomination we received that Zeph has a genuine calling rather than a passing interest. His daily life revolves around the countryside, shooting and conservation.”

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Award presented on shoot day

Zeph received his award and a Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust gilet during elevenses at a Matterley shoot day on 13 December.