January 2025 - Jan 15, 2025
January is the last few weeks of the lowground season and in some cases the beginning of the salmon season on some Scottish rivers. Because there are often multiple days including farmers/keepers days to fit in for shoot days, it just seems to fly by.
The last few weeks have brought us some extreme conditions which have been challenging to say the least but there are benefits. Birds have come into feed and it is likely to culminate in a good to reasonable season for many.
So what now? We battle on as our organisations keep an eye and respond to what is happening on the political front and consequences for estates/shoots on the ground. We can all do our bit in helping whether providing evidence of the wildlife on the ground, the benefits of predator control etc etc and keeping social media alive with positive images through Moorland Groups and others.
We can all do our bit in keeping positive, looking at our personal resilience and looking after each other.
I was asked in a recent podcast the single most important message to the industry and for us it was “be kind”. No matter what is happening outside, we should be cognisant of what is going on with our colleagues, our family and ourselves. So on that note we are keeping going with the “Check in with a Mate” campaign.
We are in the process of ordering a cholesterol machine to continue our health checks around the country this year, and continue to expand our health and wellbeing nurse team. Don’t forget this is here for you – at any time and in confidence – working through any health issue you or a member of your family may be of concern.
We are here for you if you are worried about your job too, working through c.v’s and other aspects to make sure you are as ready for a new job or change of plan and our wonderful Gillian is ready and able to help with any aspect of housing or finance which may be worrying anyone. After Christmas can be a difficult time especially after these cold temperatures, and rising costs.
Enjoy the remainder of the season and don’t’ forget the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust is here watching out for you, and here whenever you need us. You don’t need to be a crisis – just a chat through might be just what you need to work out the next step or problem.
Thank you finally to all our supporters and fundraisers. You are amazing!
Helen