The story of a Vertically challenged Gamekeeper

It’s the 1st of April 1984 and a keen new Keeper is starting his first day on the job. He’s moved to  Pampisford in Cambridgeshire with a young family in tow to start what would turn out to be an adventure and turn into a bit of a legacy.

The Adventure begins 

The new Keeper has lots to do, with new Release pens to build and getting the rearing field set up, throw in getting the Cottage ready for the family then he’s definitely got his hands full. Fortunately our new Keeper has two keen helpers, myself and my elder brother Neal, 5 and 7 years old. That’s right our new Keeper was my father, Gordon Coles. He keepered the Estate for 5 seasons and they were some of the happiest days of my childhood. I vividly remember my first encounter with a wild pheasants nest. I’d tagged along with Father to cut some wood for the fire, midway through chainsawing Father stops, turns off the saw and gently encourages me over. Carefully lifting a cut log,  nestled beneath was a Hen Pheasant sitting on a dozen eggs, from that moment I was sold on our new adventure.

My Father had a forced break from Gamekeeping  when the Shoot folded but still helped out on other local shoots beating with me in tow. We stayed living on the Estate for 10 years.

Second chance

He finally got his chance to get his teeth, or what he had left of them back into Gamekeeping full time 18 years ago at the neighbouring shoot at Babraham. Which is around the time I moved in with my now wife to one of the Estate cottages, as the crow flies probably 800 yards from where I grew up.

He was at Babraham for 6 seasons and really put the place back on the map, and in a way it saved him. Despite all his success though the dreaded C word caught up with him and sadly took my Father and mate away on February 3rd 2012.

First twist of fate

 Despite the loss I knew I wanted and probably had to keep beating and shooting. In the first twist of fate I ended up replying to an advert  about a Syndicate in the Cambridge area looking for guns.  Long story short it turned out to be the Estate I grew up on and i jumped at the chance to Shoot at what I considered Home. After two or three seasons the Keeper, who had been talking for a while about retiring decided this season would be his last. I had already been looking after a couple of drives or mini beat of you will, and  at the Shoot dinner, after one or two more glasses of wine than I should have I volunteered to take over as part time Keeper and was duly appointed at the end of that season. 

Following footsteps

So in 2017/18 I started my Gamekeeping adventure in earnest, literally following my Father’s foot steps. 7 seasons and 98 shoot days later, like my Father 40 years ago I’m about to embark on an adventure. Our Shoot captain has hung up his hat after 14 years in charge. Fortunately the Syndicate is continuing with someone new at the helm so I’ll still be the Gamekeeper. With one small difference, I’ll be hanging up my spanner’s and going full time! Which is scary, yet oh so exciting!….Stay tuned Gamekeeping Wavy Flaggy Fans!