WE SAY

I’m not a natural fan of Nigel Farage, despite our potential common ancestry.

When Nigel visited The Bell, my number one city-centre watering hole in Bath, around ten years ago, he was asked to leave by the bar staff and then, while campaigning on the pavement to camera, was submitted to the ‘Farage Wave’ by local Gary on his way in for a pint. The ‘wave’, a vigorous side-to-side pumping action of a clenched hand, went viral, and the proud customers of The Bell promptly stuck more than £250 behind the bar for Gary to have a few more pints on them. You can still google the moment online and I recommend that you do.

But I have to say, that whether from caprice or principle, Nigel Farage has done the shooting community a big favour recently, and I am a big enough character to acknowledge that. I’m not brave enough to buy him a pint at the bar of The Bell, but if he came round one evening in disguise I would be prepared to ferry one out to him in the garden, where he would no doubt enjoy one of The Bell’s legendary dub DJs.

We’d all known for years that the trade faced difficulties, and occasional hostility, from the banks. The slightest whiff of gunpowder was enough to send some of them running to their ethical business protocols without a reflective pause to consider the real nature of the business that was in front of them. But until Nigel Farage stood up to Coutts, the chance of us getting a fair national hearing of these reasonable complaints was zero.

So I’m prepared to raise a glass to Mr Farage and thank him for his principles on this occasion.

Just don’t mention Brexit to me.

And just a further note, while all the sound and fury has been going in, the Gun Trade Association has for years been quietly working away in the background making sure its members had access to bank accounts and appropriate lines of credit—one of the many reasons why it pays to be a member.

Steve

Gunshop Manager

Game and Country Ltd, one of the leading Gunshops in the South of Scotland/North of England, is looking for a Gunshop Manager to take the existing business forward.

We specialise in stalking and keepering needs.

A sound knowledge of Firearms, Shotguns, Reloading Equipment and Optics including Thermal Imaging is a distinct advantage.

To apply, please send your CV to Richard McGill via email to richard@gameandcountry.co.uk