February -Heart and Head - Feb 17, 2024
Heart and Head
February has seemingly galvanised the countryside into action! Certainly, farmers are being proactive as are many other organisations especially with an up and coming election to sway hearts and minds. Gamekeeper groups and organisations are making their voices known and it has never been more important to our livelihoods and our future.
For the gamekeeping community it is a time to reflect on the past season and gear up for the next with very little space for relaxation and even a holiday. It is also the time when all the organisations and related companies hold meetings up and down the country knowing full well that there is only a short window in which to attract interest. The recent Trusted Game Conference was one such meeting which was a perfect opportunity to bring ourselves up to speed with current events, challenges, and possibilities as well as social interaction with our peers. Well done to the organisers and Lord Benyon who hosted the event; a fine example of working together for a common aim.
There are important topics being debated up and down the country, not least United Utilities, Governmental and company intervention attempting to inhibit legitimate interests in rural areas which impact directly on the people who live and work there, very often for generations.
Our hearts are telling us enough is enough whilst our heads very often urge caution. Fighting the good fight is a moral judgement and the saying: “bad things happen when good people do nothing”. It is time we all made our voices heard together and individually for all our sakes and most of all generations to follow.
The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust are not political in any way and must not be as a charitable organisation, but we can and we will stand up for what is right.
In the meantime, our plans are going ahead for our Roadshows in March/April/May and we hope you will join us to learn and consider your own path forward and life chances.
Finally, a very big thank you to shoots/estates/individuals for your support. You have been amazing and we are so thankful.
With best wishes
Helen