The firearms licensing system in England and Wales is “largely unprofessional, overburdened and poorly resourced, putting public safety at risk.” That’s what the British Association for Shooting and Conservation has told a Home Affairs Committee inquiry into policing priorities. BASC’s written submission to the inquiry is a highly critical of the current situation across the 43 firearms licensing departments in England and Wales and says the system is “in crisis.” The inquiry is focusing on the state of policing in England and Wales, highlighting low public confidence and damaging high-profile cases. It will examine what a ...

With a new year comes a plan from the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) for a new name too, as it looks to the future. A proposal has gone out to members for the name to be changed from the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association – which has been in existence for almost 100 years – to the Clay Target Shooting Association (CTSA). The proposal states: “Looking forward, we are keen to modernise our sport’s brand image in order to help attract new shooters, members, and sponsors from outside the sport. “We propose this change not to ...

Tracey Cooper’s unique design-led home and giftware has been delighting customers for the past couple of years and now she is planning on a return to The Game Fair at Ragley Hall. Tracey produces cushions, bags, Aga covers and kitchen linens, among others, with a desire to reconnect us with nature and celebrate the wonderful world around us. Tracey said: “I started my business in 2021. I had, for a few years, been selling my artwork to friends but I decided to take it a step further and start producing some homewares. When I realised there ...

The Country Food Trust has thanked those who have already contributed to its Winter Appeal, helping raise vital funds to help feed families in crisis, but says there’s still time to get involved. The Trust, which is the official charity of The Game Fair, is well on the way to its Winter Appeal £100,000 target, which will help deliver hundreds of thousands of healthy and nutritional meals – using meats such as venison, game and turkey – to those in need. It has already raised £73,964 for the appeal, launched by TV personality and countryside champion Adam ...

Crime is a key issue throughout the countryside but the extent of it is only part of the problem. For many people in rural areas, whether they have fallen victim to crime or not, the fear of crime alone can have a damaging effect on their mental health. That’s why the Countryside Alliance is once again tackling the issue with its 2022 Rural Crime Survey. All responses are anonymous and are crucial to helping the Alliance direct its campaigns, ensuring the voice of rural communities is heard in the corridors of power. A Countryside Alliance spokesman said: ...

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has expressed concerns over a potential increase in the cost of firearms licensing applications in Scotland, following a Westminster committee report. The Scottish Affairs Committee’s report draws together conclusions following its recent inquiry on firearms licensing regulations in Scotland, established in the aftermath of a tragic shooting on the Isle of Skye last year. The report sets out recommendations including a two-tier application system and the alignment of existing shotgun licensing legislation, which BASC strongly opposed, challenged and gave evidence against. The recommendations are outside of Scotland’s devolved powers on firearms ...

British Game Assurance (BGA) is appealing to the countryside community to donate warm clothing and essential supplies urgently, as its director of operations, Louisa Clutterbuck, plans a second journey to the country at the end of December. Earlier this year, Louisa travelled to the Ukraine border to donate food, toiletries, medical supplies and more. Louisa is now embarking on a second journey on December 28th, this time planning to drive across the border to get as close to Dnipro as possible while remaining safe. The BGA’s Countryside Appeal aims to collect as many unwanted warm coats, ...

Plans have been announced to almost double the number of staff in Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police’s firearms licensing department to tackle a growing backlog in applications. The plans, which would see the number of staff in the firearms licensing department that covers both police force areas increase by 12 to a total of 26 in a bid to overturn the current delays, have been welcomed by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). The Staffordshire and West Midlands firearms licensing department has consistently ranked in the bottom five ...

Outdoor apparel expert Schöffel Country raised £17,950 in support of Kids Country, thanks to their Giveback initiative over the Black Friday weekend. Kids Country is an organisation whose work reaches to our Rutland heartland and beyond, providing enriching, inspiring experiences for children in the East of England. Its program of educational (and fun) events are held throughout the academic year and provides children with hands-on experiences of food, farming and the countryside. It is one of the largest children’s programmes run by a UK agricultural society, and its impact can reach more than 10,000 children in ...

Footwear and apparel specialist Le Chameau’s Black Friday giveback scheme has helped raise a total of £18,865 for Dogs Trust. Le Chameau partnered up with the UK’s largest dog welfare charity to give something back to our four-legged friends. Dogs Trust believes every dog deserves to live a full, safe and happy life and promises to go the extra mile to change the tale for every dog in its care – no matter their quirks or needs, and for as long as it takes to find them their loving forever home.​ For every order placed on the Le Chameau website between ...

Wild meats such as pheasant, venison and duck are the more affordable ethical choice this Christmas, according to British Game Assurance. With bird flu has wreaking havoc on the free-range poultry sector, resulting in astronomical prices in some places, game remains as available and reasonably priced as previous years. At this time of year, British shoppers are much more likely to be seeking out a high-welfare option for their Christmas table. Butchers suddenly find customers queuing down the street for free-range turkey, duck and goose. Sadly however, this year the cost of high welfare, farmed options ...

Game Fair exhibitor and demonstrator Scott Mackenzie is offering more fly fishing and casting masterclasses for 2023, to improve your angling skills. For the coming year he will be running four separate three-day and night courses incorporating fly casting instruction and fishing on the River Ness at Ness-Side over two prime weeks of the season. Each course will cover every aspect of fishing and casting, including in-depth fly casting instruction covering all the different Spey casts off both shoulders, reading the water, where to fish (and avoid), fly selection, knots, wading safety and many other techniques. ...

Sporting Saint’s exclusive Dead Bird Dummy pheasant is ideal for taking gundog training to the next level. Designed with new and enhanced features such as wings and a tail – and developed by Sporting Saint’s team and ambassadors – this dummy will aid in the training of your dog as it truly simulates picking up a dead bird. Made in Great Britain, the dummy boasts a swinging head, large wings, a long, pheasant-like tail, rounded body shape and comes complete with an attached throwing cord. Scent can also be applied easily. The original design, first manufactured ...

The annual Gun Trade Dinner held last week attracted not just 100 members of the industry but also two notable ‘faces’ – former US president Donald trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. In reality, of course, they were comedians and actors, who entertained the guests following a sumptuous three-course dinner with wine. The annual industry event, held at the Victory Services Club in London, was a perfect opportunity for members and their staff and partners to gather for a pre-Christmas celebration. The traditional after dinner collection raised a total of £5,800, thanks in the main ...

With rural crime always a key issue within the countryside community, the Countryside Alliance is once again encouraging those who live and work in these areas to take part in its annual Rural Crime Survey. The results of the 2021 survey, which built on previous years, illustrated that nine in 10 people in rural areas had not seen a police office in the previous week while seven in 10 reported an increase in crime over the last 12 months. A CA spokesman said: “It is clear from last year’s results that there is a lot to ...

This year’s Great British Game Week, staged from November 7th to 13th November, was a huge success, with the week-long promotion including dinners and events up and down the country to bring these meats to the public. The week is a celebration of enjoying wild game, promoted by British Game Assurance’s (BGA) Eat Wild campaign, and aims to introduce new people to all that is great about local British game meat. This year, BGA-organised Game Dinners in Aberdeenshire and London as well as social media coverage of BGA stockists to show everyone where they can buy ...

Entries are now open for the gamekeepers’ classes at Crufts 2023, which are hosted by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. The classes are open to gamekeepers, owners of working gundogs, gundog teams and young handlers and will be held on Gundog Day, Thursday March 9th at the NEC in Birmingham. Postal entries close on January 9th and you can enter online until midnight on January 23rd. The gamekeepers’ classes are deeply rooted in the history of Crufts and BASC is proud to continue this strong tradition. The top individual dogs will go head-to-head in the ...

Instead of Black Friday flash sales next week, Schöffel Country has teamed up with Kids Country – an initiative local to the brand providing inspiring countryside experiences to children – to give back to the community. Schöffel Country will be donating £5 of each sale to Kids Country to help it continue the work it is carrying out, inspiring future generations about our countryside, farming and the food that comes from it. Kids Country aligns with the beliefs and values of Schöffel Country, Schöffel is driven by the countryside and sees itself as one its guardians of its future. Kids Country is ...

The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals, clubs, and other organisations that help to promote and develop clay shooting in England. Nominations close at midday on Monday, November 28th. You can nominate fellow CPSA members who you feel should be awarded with the recognition that they deserve and will be decided not just by numbers but by the strength of statements and acknowledgements made by those nominating. There are eight different awards which will be presented on the night – Saturday, March 11th 2023 at The Hilton St Georges Park in ...