David Sandford’s vision to reintroduce wild partridges has won the Purdey Award – and helped to create a delightful shoot
When asked to write a report on a day with the Port loughan Shoot, County Down, in early November last year, I was unaware the Purdey Awards judging panel had already decided to present owner David Sandford with the prestigious Gold Award at the annual ceremony later in the month. The judges came to their decision in recognition of Sandford’s exceptional vision and leadership in successfully reestablishing a sustainable population of wild grey partridges, classified as extinct in Northern Ireland since 1992, on his 225-acre farm and for persuading 21 neighbouring farmers to support him across a further 1,800 acres.
This remarkable achievement is part of an ongoing conservation programme that began 20 years ago, as I was to discover when Sandford drove me round on the afternoon before the shoot. In 1996, when he moved back to the family farm on the shore of Strangford Lough with his wife, Alison, son, Mark, and daughter, Lucy, the land comprised 100 acres of grass with 125 acres of woodland, scrub, gorse and rough grazing. Keen to utilise this to start an informal family shoot and act as the catalyst for improving the land and woodland for the benefit of wider biodiversity, he sought advice from the GWCT and a programme of shrub and tree planting was instigated. Two new ponds were dug and two old ones resuscitated, and, in 2002, the farm entered a Countryside Management Scheme, which allowed the planting of wild bird cover, rough grass margins and, as the crop-able acreage had been put down to arable, over wintered stubbles.
This story is from the February 2017 edition of The Field.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2017 edition of The Field.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A sweet-pea Summer
Sweet peas are enjoying an Instagram moment’ but to appreciate fully these charming flowers one must hasten back to the real world, says Ursula Buchan
Top sporting stays
Effortlessly smart and with superb shooting and fishing on the doorstep, these British hotels are the perfect base for fieldsports enthusiasts, says Madeleine Silver
Tradition with a twist
Showcasing the finest British produce from honey, beer and butter to game and venison, this month’s trio of dishes truly encapsulate the taste of Britain, says Philippa Davis
Daylesford
Organic farming at its finest
The best of British breeds
When it comes to developing and establishing the world’s most popular gundog breeds, Britain has a lot to be proud of, says David Tomlinson
Ping and you're winning
An email alert for burgonets coming to auction draws Roger Field’s attention to a promising lot. Meanwhile, a sale from novelist John le Carré’s estate temporarily raises an eyebrow
Saving the queen of flowers
Trailing clouds of glory into your garden, historic roses are as vital a part of British heritage as a Gainsborough painting and must be preserved
Long live the sporting pub
Not just a place to drink, the right kind of country pub is a beacon for fieldsports enthusiasts. The Star Inn in Harome is one such spot
The sole survivors
An increasingly casual attitude to what we wear has given rise to the so-called dress sneaker’ but proper gentlemen's shoes will never go out of fashion
A win in the willow
The cricket bat industry is steeped in tradition yet must move with the times to meet demand, opening a lucrative door for landowners in the process