By Michael F. Twist
A PRE CHRISTMAS SHOOT WITH HIGH BIRDS & BUBBLY
I
was never really a great one for champagne, although in my youth I undoubtedly managed my share at hunt balls, weddings and such like festivities, but on one memorable occasion it truly became the nectar of the gods - it was during the war. A time when champers was only to be found where there had been a well stocked cellar at the outbreak of hostilities. Having been invalided out of the army early in the war, I was fortunate enough to be appointed manager of Colonel Devereux’s estate in the Vale of Aylesbury. The Colonel was a dynamic personality, a very high powered industrialist, a leading figure in aircraft production, so vital to our survival, and an MFH. Although he could not get out with his hounds as often as he would have liked due to the pressure of work, he vehemently believed that one of the issues we were fighting for was to retain
our sporting heritage. He was, also, a keen shot and was a partner in a shoot at Lymington, which abounded The Solent, with John Howlett, chairman of Weiworthy Pistons, a company of great importance in the world of aircraft production. I seem to recall it covered some five thousand acres and they had been able to retain one gamekeeper, Jack, who had been turned down for the army because he had hammertoes. However, whilst he carried out his duties as a gamekeeper, for much the same reason as the Colonel retained his pack of hounds, first and foremost his main job was as warrener, attempting to control the hordes of rabbits that inhabited the farms that made up the shoot and, at times, deal with the vast flocks of pigeons that, in hard weather, could devastate a field of such essential crops as kale in a matter of days. Both were much sought after
being un-rationed and Jack more than paid his wages from the sale of these, plus what expenditure was necessary to maintain the shoot. It seemed seldom that the partners were both free to indulge their sport at the same time. However, this was not the only problem to be overcome and currently it seems almost unbelievable, for when they were able to get together it was very difficult to make up a team of eight guns. Firstly, because cartridges were only available, through the War Agricultural Executive Committee, to farmers for vermin control, or to those specifically employed for this purpose.
Jack, the keeper, reported that there was a great stock of birds Many with foresight had laid in a stock early in the war, but equally a
The beating team could be seen approaching, flags flapping, over a slight rise Irish Country Sports and Country Life Winter 2021
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