The UK's leading wildlife research charity is holding a flagship fundraising event at the Hatfield House Estate in Hertfordshire on Friday 22 May, by kind invitation of the Marquess of Salisbury.
Proceeds from the simulated game day will go towards funding the vital ground-breaking wildlife conservation research of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). The event will begin at 8.30am and includes a breakfast, five varied flushes around the estate, a champagne reception, a three-course lunch in the Old Palace at Hatfield, and a raffle and sporting auction with spectacular prizes.
Each of the five flurry drives will consist of 100 clays, providing a variety of quality and quantity of shooting, modelled on some of the estate’s well known drives. Around 30 teams will compete against each other for exclusive prizes. A host instructor and scorer will offer help and advice throughout the day.
The event has been organised by the GWCT's Hertfordshire committee. Committee chairman Hugo Richardson said, “We are delighted as a committee that we are able to organise such a prestigious event at the home of the trust's president Lord Salisbury.”
The event is being run in conjunction with E.J. Churchill, and is kindly sponsored by Boodle Hatfield and Savills. Individual stands are sponsored by Saffrey Champness, NFU Mutual, Laird Hatters, and Kingdom and Wilde. Gosset Champagne and McKinley Vintners will be handling champagne and wine sponsorship respectively, and Loch Fyne are supplying smoked salmon. NFU Mutual will have Roland Elworthy, senior valuer from Holt's Auctioneers, to provide free gun valuations if required on the day.
Hugo Richardson added, “Not only will participants enjoy some good and challenging shooting, there will be some very enjoyable hospitality.”
The cost of entry is £1,2000 for a team of four guns. Additional friends and guests can be booked for breakfast, the reception and lunch at £80 per person, and a tour of the house and gardens by prior arrangement. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.gwct.org.uk/events/calendar/2015/may/hatfield-house-simulated-game-day/
For further information, please contact Gay Wilmot-Smith on 07501 064828 or by email at gwilmotsmith@gwct.org.uk.
END
Photocaption: The simulated game day at the Hatfield House Estate will be a flagship fundraising event for the GWCT. Photocredit: Photo courtesy of E.J. Churchill.
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