Winderwath Estate Shoot. General Information Guide

Transcription

1 Winderwath Estate Shoot General Information Guide

2 Welcome Winderwath Estate is located in the heart of the beautiful Eden Valley in North Cumbria. The Estate has been owned by the Pollock family for more than half a century. Today the Estate extends in total to approximately 3,250 acres. A large area is farmed in-hand based around a livestock and arable system whilst the remainder of the estate comprises five substantial let farms. There is around 300 acres of woodland which is managed for both sporting and commercial forestry purposes. 20 or so residential properties are generally let to local occupants. The Estate employs an Estate Foreman and a full time Gamekeeper.

3 Winderwath Estate has a long history of sporting interest, bordered on two sides by the River Eden and River Eamont both renowned salmon and trout rivers. There is a long history of shooting activity on the Estate but the current shoot was established in 1952 by David Pollock. The first recorded bag was in 1965 with a season s total of 346 pheasants shot. The shoot has developed over the intervening period from what was once a small family shoot to a commercial shoot based predominantly around pheasants but with some partridges making drives a little more interesting! The Pollock family are still very much involved with the shoot taking a number of days themselves throughout the season. Whether you have already booked a shoot day or are contemplating doing so Winderwath Estate provides a fantastic days sport in an easily accessible and beautiful location. We hope that this leaflet gives you a little more detail on the shoot and what is on offer but if you have any queries whatsoever please do not hesitate to get in touch.

4 The Shoot Based on the Winderwath Estate located in the heart of the Eden Valley near Penrith. The estate comprises over 3,250 acres of rolling countryside with numerous let farms, houses and extensive woodland, all owned by the Pollock family. The shoot provides good quality driven pheasant (and some partridge) shooting over a large part of the estate utilising the rolling countryside and woodlands to produce daily bags of between 100 and 250 birds. The shoot is managed on a day to day basis by our keeper David Kellett, who has worked at Winderwath since David is capably assisted on shoot days by the Estate Foreman, Richard Dunn who will accompany shooters throughout the day. All transport around the estate is provided in a purpose built trailer.

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7 The Facilities and the Day The shoot hospitality is based around The Barn in the heart of the Estate where there are toilet facilities, ample parking and catering is provided. Coffee or tea is provided on arrival with a shoot safety briefing by the keeper and selection of pegs before the day commences. Shooters will be asked to sign a copy of the Shoot Safety Briefing (see later) to acknowledge that they have heard or read this. The day normally comprises at least five drives but depends on the bag the team requires, the weather and time available. The keeper has absolute discretion on the day s format. On a normal day lunch is provided around 1.00pm and light tea at the end of the day. Alternatively if shooting through (without a break for lunch) a more substantial mid morning snack is provided with lunch taken at the end of the day, usually around 2.30pm. Lunch and tea will be catered for in The Barn with mid morning snacks taken in the field. At the end of the day the keeper will provide the shooters with record cards and all shooters will be offered a brace of oven-readypheasants to take away.

8 Insurance The general conditions of the shoot contract specify that shooters have public and personal liability insurance cover for 5 million and hold a valid UK shotgun certificate. For further advice on shooting insurance please see the BASC website at who provide free insurance to their members as do The National Gamekeepers Organisation, please see Alternatively shoot specific insurance can be obtained from reputable insurance brokers including: Lycetts ( CLA ( or the NFU (

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11 Local Facilities The shoot is located, some four miles east of the town of Penrith, with good local road links to the A66 and M6 motorway and is in close proximity to the main West Coast railway line. Penrith and the surrounding area has numerous quality shops and restaurants. There are a number of wellestablished and renowned hotels and other accommodation in the area including: Udford House located on Winderwath. Contact Jane Pollock on (01768) Temple Sowerby House Hotel The Kings Arms Pub, Temple Sowerby George and Dragon, Clifton Tufton Arms Hotel, Appleby

12 Winderwath Estate Shoot Rules Safety is Paramount 1. Above all guns must have regard for the safety of all those around them and shoot responsibly at all times using common sense in deciding if a shot is safe. 2. Guns should take great care when shooting towards or above public places, public rights of way, roads or neighbouring properties nor obstruct these or cause danger. 3. The start and end of each drive will be marked by a whistle unless otherwise directed by the Estate Gamekeeper or Estate Foreman. 4. Guns will be numbered and lined out from right to left. 5. No pigeons will be shot until the pheasant shooting has commenced. 6. No ground or low game or foxes are to be taken. 7. Guns to mark fallen birds and inform shoot staff who will retrieve shot and wounded game. 8. Fibre wad cartridges only and no shot size smaller than 7 s to be used. 9. All spent cartridges should be collected by guns and deposited in the shoot trailers. 10. Shotguns must be carried in gun slips between drives. 11. Alcohol is provided but guns must drink responsibly. 12. Appointed First Aiders on the shoot are Richard Dunn and David Kellett. Dangerous shooting will not be tolerated. The Estate Gamekeeper has absolute discretion in asking a gun to leave the shoot day if considered to be shooting or behaving in a dangerous or unacceptable manner.

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15 Contacts Overall management of the Estate and shoot is undertaken by H&H Land and Property (Tim Parsons) who can be contacted on or via post at Borderway, Rosehill, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2RS Day to day operation of the shoot and shoot days is undertaken by the Keeper, David Kellett who can be contacted on Assistance on shoot days is provided by Estate Foreman, Richard Dunn who can be contacted on Directions From the west take the A66 heading east for Appleby/Brough, you will pass the Centre Parcs holiday resort on your right, you should take the next left in approximately 450 metres. You must then take the next right and then right again, The Barn is located and signposted 350 metres on your left. From the east take the A66 west heading for Appleby/Brough take the slip road titled Culgaith and Temple Sowerby. At the end of the slip road turn left and follow the road for approximately 1,000 metres. The Barn is located immediately after Low Woodside.

16 Winderwath Estate! The Barn!