Country Life talks to the chairman of the NGO, who will be offering advice and guidance on gamekeeping matters at Cornbury Park in June.
Lindsay Waddell, Chairman of the National Gamekeepers Organisation
The National Gamekeepers Organisation represents professional gamekeepers in Great Britain. It provides information and assistance to its members and ensures the promotion and defence of gamekeeping.
Describe what you do:
“Until very recently I was a head gamekeeper for Lord Bernard on a large estate in Teesdale. I’m now semi-retired, but I still help out with shoot management. For a few years now I’ve also been the Chairman of the National Gamekeepers Organisation, a body that promotes gamekeeping, helps gamekeepers and ensures high standards throughout the profession.”
How did you get in to your line of work?
“Gamekeeping was always something I wanted to do, and my family were kind enough to let me go out and do it aged 16 years old. My first job was as an under-keeper at Dunsinnan in Perthshire. In those days there were no colleges, you were just thrown in at the deep end.”
Waddell moved south of the border in 1969 to join the Barningham Estate before moving on to Allendale Estates in Northumberland. In 1976 Waddell became head keeper at the Raby Estate, a position he has held for over forty years. He’s now 65, and in 2015 he was awarded the CLA Long Service Award.
The NGO was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that their profession was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, they have over 16,000 members.
Why should people come and see you at the Cornbury Park Field & Country Fair?
“Anyone who visits our stand will get a very warm welcome and of course, some refreshment. We aim to assist all our members, as well as offering advice to non-members on game management of any description.”
National Gamekeepers Organisation (www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk; 01833 660 869)
To purchase tickets, and find out more about the Field & Country Fair at Cornbury Park visit: www.fieldandcountryfair.com
** Read more on the Field & Country Fair
