Long-serving keepers are honoured by the NGO

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation this month awarded its Long Service Awards to Keith Wooldridge, Terry Oscroft, David Barnes and Stewart Lomas for 50 years of service, and to David Nokes, Jeffrey Powell, Steve Carter, John Pickard and Glynn Smith for 40 years of service.

One group of three keepers, all of whom had worked at Broadlands in Hampshire, had an impressive 136 years of gamekeeping experience between them.

The NGO took on the Long Service Awards for gamekeepers in 2015 when the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) ceased to run the game fair. The awards were started in 1962 by the CLA and have run every year since.

Former NGO chairman Lindsay Waddell and Shooting Times contributor: “Other than the satisfaction of knowing that you as an individual have made a considerable contribution to the wellbeing of the countryside for future generations, it is important for the individuals, their friends and families to have that contribution recognised by the wider shooting and countryside community.

“Well done to you all, and to all those who will receive them in the future.”