Kirjahaku

This book shows the reader how to perform all the tasks required of the modern gamekeeper, including how to rear and release game, and advises on many aspects of habitat improvement and conservation. It also covers important and sometimes controversial issues, such as public access on private land, the need for predator and pest control, and many other aspects which need to be considered by keepers, be they part-time or professional.

'Have I remembered everything?' 'What shall I wear?' 'Who am I likely to be shooting alongside?' 'Will the dog behave?' 'Will the birds be there?' These are all questions that might keep the Gun, the picker-up, the keeper and anyone else connected with a day's game shooting awake the night before a much anticipated day. 'Why did I say that?' 'Why did I do that?' 'Why did my dog do that?' 'Why did I think about the weather?' 'What was I thinking?' These are all questions one might ask oneself the evening after! Fortunately, you are not alone in your nightmares! If you've ever encountered a particular incident or experience on the shooting field, whether it be a formal day, or as a rough shoot with a couple of friends, it's a fairly safe bet that others will have it too. The Imperfect Shot illustrates in words and cartoons, light-hearted errors and ill-judgment of those who have experienced minor faux pas and misdemeanours on the shooting field — and also glorifies those who have got the better of a particular situation! There are, among its pages, real pearls of wisdom; there is, though, much advice written somewhat 'tongue-in-cheek'. All immediately bring a mental picture to mind. A mental picture is not, however, required. The illustrations, brought to life by renowned country and field sports artist, Oliver Preston — himself a shooting man of no ill-repute — has negated the need for the cry which otherwise might go out: 'Oh, if only I had a camera!' As if the situation was not clear enough, Oliver adds more. Some tales might, of course be apocryphal — and I'll leave it for the reader to decide which they might be!

All manner of equines helped build our roads, our villages, towns and cities. They were, for centuries, virtually the only means of getting ourselves and our goods from A to B. They became a part of our folklore and the subject of many an artist’s painting. They went to war, tilled the land and brought in the harvest, carried us in sporting activities and nowadays often facilitate our enjoyment in leisure activities. The Horse Lover’s Miscellany celebrates this thinking by including fascinating, amusing, quirky and practical information likely to be of interest to every weekend rider, horse owner (both aspiring and current) and enthusiastic equestrian. The author focuses on many aspects; from equine ancestry to equine epitaphs; from dressage to showjumping; carriage driving to ploughing matches; pony clubs to polo and much more besides. It’s an eclectic mix of fact, moving tales of endurance in the harshest conditions, eccentricity, quotes, amusing anecdotes and ‘I never knew that’ snippets from both times past and the present day.

Anyone who has been at all involved in game shooting for any length of time will, over the years, have undoubtedly gained a great deal of knowledge regarding how to shoot a high pheasant, train a gun dog, use ‘best practice’ incubation techniques and run a shooting day with expertise. Tried and tested, such knowledge is proven and sound, but have you ever had cause to ponder on some of the lesser-known realities and possible myths connected to many other aspects of the sport? Ponder no more for, in this book can be found the answers to almost any and every shoot day-related question that you’ve ever wanted to know. Within its covers are exposed the superstitions of some game shots and keepers; commonly held beliefs explained; ‘facts’ declared fallacies and, conversely, theories that might, on first hearing, seem somewhat suspect, given credence as a result of scientific research. Can, for instance, a grouse fly faster than a partridge? Is it that, as it seems, a pheasant’s hearing becomes more astute as the shooting season progresses – and could, as has often been claimed, a pheasant on the south coast of England during World War One have actually heard the sounds of military fire many miles away across the English Channel? Why was Napoleon once chased by rabbits and why might today’s gamekeepers be interested to know of an Act passed by Henry VIII in 1566? Keepers and shoot captains alike will certainly be interested to read as to whether or not it’s true that some strains of pheasants are more likely to wander over the boundary than others, whilst those with dogs will want to know if, as is sometimes claimed, ‘a good gun dog can ever be a bad colour’. The truth behind the origins of some items of sporting clothing are explained, as are the reasons why one should never say goodbye to fellow Guns whilst standing on a bridge! In amongst it all, much mention is made of general rural life and weather lore. As to the latter, it seems that it’s more worthwhile taking note of some of the old sayings than it is modern weather forecasters – particularly when attempting to shoot snipe in winter, or pigeons in the fog. There’s no doubt that this, at times, somewhat quirky tome will be of widespread interest to all who love being out in the shooting field at no matter what level. Well researched, and with outstanding tongue-in-cheek illustrations from the incredibly talented Bryn Parry, Hot Barrels! is sure to inform, amuse, entertain and educate.

Rivers, canals and Britain's glorious waterways are championed and admired at every opportunity. They are the subject of countless photos, television programmes and books - and are places to visit and enjoy whenever considering a walk in the countryside. Sadly, not so the humble ditch; yet they are the all-important capillaries supplying the veins of the UK's far more visual watercourses. As well as having a practical farming purpose and being important in preventing flooding, ditches are an essential habitat for many species of flora and fauna. In no way a dry riverbed of hard facts, A Year in a Ditch is informative and a source of knowledge to anyone interested in exploring the delights of this vital habitat. The book is full of relevant quirky notes and obscure snippets, the fanciful and factual; old wives' tales; quotations and snippets of poetry.Ditches are an integral part of some very bizarre sports and pastimes indeed and there are even suggestions as to how one can actually dine out in a ditch!A Year in a Ditch will be a wonderful read for anyone wishing to know more about the 500,000 kilometres of these often-neglected waterways that have threaded their way through the British countryside for millennia.

The artist and conservationist David Shepherd had a lifelong interest in railways. They were not only the subject of many of his paintings, but he also actively supported railway preservation in the UK and abroad. He was instrumental in setting up the East Somerset Railway and owned a number of steam locomotives, the most famous of which were Class 9F Black Prince, later sold to the North Norfolk Railway, and BR 4MT The Green Knight, later sold to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. In this book J. C. Jeremy Hobson, professional author and David Shepherd’s youngest son-in-law, has drawn on family archives, paintings, drawings and photographs, private diaries and reminiscences to create a unique portrait of a remarkable man’s lifelong interest in railways with examples of his stunning paintings of steam locomotives, showing these magnificent machines in their full working glory.

The sporting lodge has adapted over the years to form the focal point of many estates. In this fascinating and beautifully illustrated book, the authors write not only about the lodges themselves but also about fishing huts and modern luncheon lodges. One of the earliest fishing huts is the delightful Charles Cotton’s Fishing House built in 1674 by Izaak Walton’s friend. The informative, lively text describes life in the lodge both then and now with glorious first-hand accounts as well as incidental snippets explaining general shooting lodge fare and dining rituals of times past. Gun-rooms and rod-rooms, game books, fishing registers and hunting diaries are all covered. Every major lodge had a range of outbuildings nearby. Those built in coastal locations might include mooring facilities built originally to allow the owner and his guests to arrive by private steam yacht. Sporting Lodges also records some extreme eccentricities, such as the lodge on a remote Scottish island where the conservatory contained heated turtle pools — turtle soup being considered an excellent ‘restorative’ after a long day’s shooting! With its tales from the past and anecdotes from the present, the authors have written a book which creates a superb portrait of this wonderfully British sporting institution.

In 1975, David Shepherd wrote The Man Who Loves Giants – an autobiography. Even though he was only forty-four, he had already achieved more than most could have in three lifetimes. In the intervening years, until his death in 2017, he painted a huge variety of subjects; founded the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation; renovated and restored everything from steam engines to dolls’ houses; and appeared on both radio and television. ‘Being the extrovert I am,’ he once said, ‘I like things large and exciting … especially elephants …’ However, this enthusiasm wasn’t restricted to animals; it extended to his love and ownership of several full-sized steam engines, including locomotive number 92203, otherwise known as Black Prince. David’s friends ranged from showbiz celebrities to well-known sportsmen and women; and British and European royalty to internationally influential politicians and presidents. He was awarded the Order of the Golden Ark by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands for his services to conservation in Zambia, and the Order of Distinguished Service, First Class, by President Kaunda. Her Majesty The Queen presented David with the OBE and CBE. David’s first gallery successes were not of the African wildlife for which he is now best known. London scenes, planes, boats and trains have long featured in his portfolio – as do English landscapes and bygone rural life. Since David’s autobiography, no book has dealt so comprehensively with his life, painting, and conservation work as this biography by J. C. Jeremy Hobson, professional author and David’s youngest son-in-law. With access to family archives and photographs, private diaries and reminiscences, this is a unique portrait of a remarkable man.