03 June 2013

Sun shines on wildlife at North Yorkshire fun day

Archery was just one of many popular activities at the family fun day on 26 MayA family fun day at Northallerton, North Yorkshire has raised a significant amount for wildlife research.

The event was held at Morton Grange, East Harlsey on Sunday 26 May, and was deemed a hugely enjoyable day out as well as raising funds for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). The Trust is one of the UK's leading wildlife research charities. Its recent high-profile work has included projects to investigate salmon population decline, track the movements of the elusive woodcock by satellite tagging, and identify the best ways to protect vulnerable natural resources across Europe.

The event was sponsored by the Bedale Office of George F. White Chartered Surveyors, who also raised £1,900 for the GWCT through silent auction at their stand at the Bedale Point to Point earlier this spring.

The aim of the day was to introduce and encourage youngsters into the safe handling of a gun and the chance for them to take on their parents over 4 challenging clay stands. There was some keenly contested sport with 3 teams scoring 82, 82, & 83 out of 100, while the pool stand provided 5 pairs of challenging crossing clays, which attracted 30 entrants and achieving a highest score of 7/10.

For the non-shooters, there were a range of other activities laid on including target golf, archery, airgun target shooting, ‘horse’ racing, a bouncy castle and – after lunch – a much-anticipated dog race with much laughter as the heats of terriers, spaniels, ‘big’ dogs and ‘others’ all chased after the ‘rabbit’ on the end of a line of string attached to an old mini engine. The final race of the day was a running race for all the dog handlers of which all were children.

The fun day happily took place on one of the sunniest days of the year so far and was deemed "hugely enjoyable" by sponsors George F. White. Edward Hewetson of George F White commented, "It was great to be able to support an event targeted at the next generation of country sport enthusiasts, and to see families try new sports together."

To bring the day to a conclusion, guests were invited to take on a further round of clays to settle family scores, and to take part in the raffle which had a number of generously donated lots including a day’s salmon fishing on the River Ure, a day's guided pigeon shooting and a day's guided rabbit shooting.

The GWCT and George F. White would like to extend their thanks to all who attended and to the other organisations who supported or sponsored stands and events, including Biker Group, Gilsan Sports, R&R Ice Cream, Wagg and Andrew & Debbie Keeble who kindly supplied 300 sausages from their new brand ‘Heck’ Sausages which were greatly appreciated by all in the fine sun.

For more information at the GWCT and their other events in Yorkshire or the North East, please contact Sophie Dingwall at sdingwall@gwct.org.uk or by phone on 07925 597676.

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Photocaption: Archery was just one of many popular activities at the family fun day on 26 May.


Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk