I/We hit the headlines yet again and in fine style as always, so who is coming to The British Shooting Show 2020, not only is it a great show but this year we celebrate Pass It On Young Sports 10th Anniversary since its launch, we have so much going on with all my Young Sports Ambassadors being there talking and promoting what we do, something for all the family so bring your kids along too 😉
http://countrymans-diary.co.uk/?page_id=7001

My latest article on my professional pest control. click on the link below
 ​http://www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk/blog/out-foxing-charlie-15

The Fishing match, wow what a turn out of fathers and sons mums and daughters all wanting to win top spot, the event was sponsored by JP ANGLING of Bristol who also judges it too, the final was won by young Chris Stokes a fine young sports of 8 years old who loves air rifle shooting and with his Dad Big Chris has fished all over the country and world, he is a very lucky young man to have a Dad like he does, I got to witness young Chris play a 9lb common carp that took him all over the lake, the fish put up a mighty battle for 25 mins, but young Chris fought back and played that fish like a professional beyond his 8 years, he got it to the net 5 times and each time it took off, young Chris finally landed it single handed and was exhausted just as the whistle blew to say end of match, all in all a fabulous taster day and fishing match at a new venue, the 2018 fishing match will be back at Jackland’s Fishing Lakes.
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The Ole Hedge Creeper, what a year, I am that busy I have met myself coming back so many times now, my stand up shows have been such a huge hit this passed 2 years with so many bookings, I am now actually finding myself turning shows down, I take pride in every show I put on weather its a pigeon or wildfowling demo a game cooking demo a night vision demo and so much more, I make all my shows hysterically funny, inspiring and educational, I really have drawn some huge crowds but not forgetting the young sports, you see I incorporate the kids as volunteers from the crowds so they really are the stars of the show, the more laughter from the crowd and cheers the more the crowds build, I actually have people at shows booking time slots to watch my shows now and volunteering their kids and in many cases themselves to take part in my shows, I am already booked out until December 2018 for my shows with very few spaces left,
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My Masonic career that I take very seriously for its all about charity has really progressed, I am now a member of 2 more lodges and about to join one of the worlds most prestigious ones after being invited to join, not something all masons aspire to so I must be doing something right to be invited to join those noble ranks, I have also been asked to head up the Somerset branch of a national masonic fishing charity (www.mtsfc.org.uk) a great honour and a post I have gratefully accepted, this is a charity that works close to my heart, for its about giving children in need those with problems etc a new passion ans something to aspire too, its also for anyone in need like veterans with PTSD etc another thing close to my heart and well just about anybody with problems or special needs, take a look at their website for you maybe able to help, you don’t have to be a mason to join in and help, I have also been working a lot in the main stream media this year with the BBC and others not only actively defending field sports but also conservation and how it walks hand in hand, also taking up the fight against this ghastly idea of licensing sub powered air rifles, for I say education is the key not more licensing, and that’s why our Pass It On Young Sports Air Rifle range is so important, for its founded on education and a passion to pass the right firearms training on to our children. www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk  
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The Out Post Shop, lets start with the shop, my Shop has gotten so busy now I have had to take on a secretary to help with the running of everything, many of you have met Mag’s she really is a god send and runs my diary and office now as I am too busy, The Out Post Shop is growing day by day and is the place to get all The Ole Hedge Creepers endorsed products, if they don’t do what they say on the tin they don’t get stocked on my shelves, so anything you buy from my shop you know it comes with my golden thumbs up seal of approval, its also the place on line you can get all my books and game cookery books, all profits go directly to Pass It On Young Sports thus helping inspire and secure the futer of Country Sports. www.theoutpostshop.co.uk
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Gun Ice, again this is a brain child of two back woods good ole country boys from The West Country, the full story is on the website, but Greg and Rob are both very proud of this for it actually saves lives, so go on the website and read the full story and get yourself a gun ice for it saves lives, can you afford to go out and dance with mother nature without one. Www.gun-ice.co.uk
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Final words from The Ole Hedge Creeper, I have been flying the flag all year from the bow of our Mighty Ship made from the finest English Oak, I have lead my team into days were we show field sports and conservation walk hand in had to over 2600 inner city school kids from 91 inner city schools, we have worked with The BBC TV and Radio promoting what I/we stand for and that’s the correct and ethical balance that comes from field sports and conservation, I have hunted/shot/trapped and fished all over the country, one memorable day was with my Dad and Uncle Dave down in Dorset beach casting for mackerel, there are so many days this year that stick in my memory and too many to put down on paper, you should read my articles on the Countryman’s Diary magazine, I have written in depth on there all about this year, I will let some of the pictures do the talking for now on this end of year round up.​​​

All that’s left for me to do now is wish you all a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year, see you on the other side in 2018 for tiz proper job muckers I telle.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk


A Year Gone BY
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
​

10/12/2016

Well I simply just don’t know where to start with this annual newsletter. Its been such a brilliant year for Woodspring so I suppose I should start at the beginning the year, picking up from where the last newsletter finished off. This year we have gained many new sporting rights for different shoots and venues so keeping on top of those as well as the rest of the 22,000 acres we look after has been to say the least a full time job. But as always our club men and women and especially our young sports have done the jobs asked of them in fine style, showing we are a leading field sports club in this area and dare I say it, the country.

In fact one well known field sports celebrity (god rest his soul) said this of our little club: “Woodspring Pigeon Shooting & Wildfowling Club are a gem in the sea of the rough with all its members that are true ambassadors, proving that Field Sports & Conservation walk hand in hand”. As a shooting club we not only fully support Pass It On Young Sports but also the whole club volunteers manpower for them and for us as a club associated with them let’s just say I am a very proud Chairman of you all right now.

All our conservation projects have paid off in a big way this year. But alas one of our fields has been sold and taking with it one of our ponds, Such a shame 10 years of hard work gone and all the conservation work gone with it, Now it looks just like any other field with all the wild flowers etc gone, But that's farming for you if it does not make money it costs money alas the farms have no choice but to get the best from their lands or face going under and what would be the alternative a new housing estate built on what once would of been lush pastures, Well we started again and this time we have built six ponds and different habitats with each, A local senior school did a biology study on some of our wildfowling lands and they found it to be 18 times better for wildlife fauna and insects than anything else in the local area. So I say that’s a massive triumph showing yet again field sports and conservation truly do walk hand in hand and thus proving we live and breathe our shooting clubs motto “FINDING THE BALANCE”. We have always punched way above and beyond our weight in this little club and I say long may we continue to do just that.

Crop & Livestock Protection
Our duties this year have been at an all-time high with an up surge in the mink population of late as well as foxes calls come in almost daily about fox attacks on live stock and the nice man in a white van dropping off town caught foxes next to free range chicken farms and lambing fields. We have had a massive success both day and night and I think this is another reason why we are gaining some very high profile sporting rights for the club

Keeping the pigeons off the crops kept us very busy and we have had some fantastic bags this year both over the decoys and roosting in our woods. I will say our Young Sports shot magnificently and on one day Young Sport Jake and Tyler had a red letter day with a massive joint effort with a 140 mixed pigeons and corvids day shot over decoys and supervised by yours truly, Surprisingly the air rifle section in the shooting club have had some fantastic results with the pigeons and corvids on crops where a shotgun was unable to be used and had some very impressive bags of wood pigeon and corvids too. Keeping the rabbits under control as been at an all-time high especially on the many sports grounds the club looks after and again the air rifle section have done an amazing job.

Now with the colder weather we start with the ferreting and traditional rabbit control duties. I must admit this is my favourite type of hunting, so bring on the frosts and the colder weather as running dog, terrier and ferret come out to play. I will say the young sports have loved the ferreting and I must admit so have I also using the harris hawks were we can too has made a great impact on these rabbit populations.

Wildfowling
Wildfowling we are having a simply brilliant wild fowling season and those Lads that make it out in the harshest of weathers have been rewarded with magical flights of duck and geese. With stunning sunrises and sunsets I think this is on par to be the best season yet and with our new ponds and access to the fore shore this truly is a season to remember, I will say again our Young sports are having a blinder with many of them taking their first wildfowl and are now hooked for life.

Well what can I add about the pheasant shoot but the birds are flying strong and are in good condition. The same can be said for the Partridge the wild Duck who are using all the ponds. And well the woodcock oh boy I do love to see those go up and the young sports trying to bag those, I personaly have had a couple of right and lefts so far this season and a few singletons.

The snipe bogs are litteraly teaming with them and as always prove to be a little too fast for some of the club boys and the Woodcock, man they are coming out of our woods like driven pheasant. The Mallard, Teal and Widgeon are all making up good numbers and some magnificent flights.

Social
And what can I say about the famous Woodspring Pigeon Shooting & Wildfowling Club Christmas Dinner. We had guests from all over from as far afield as Buckinghamshire as well as local farmers, clubmen with their families and young sports a plenty.

The meal and venue was put on by one of our local fine food establishments was second to none this year. The food was out of this world to say the least and not a plate went back with food on it and as I looked around all I could see was all the member's guests and young sports laughing and chatting and waiting for the speeches and sporting raffle to start .

After the three course meal we had the trophy presentation and everyone from the old guns to the young sports were eager to see if they had won a trophy. The results for this year were as follows;



·         Top Clay Shot - Bob (The Vice Chairman)

·         Top Marksman – Chris

·         Best Pigeon Shot – Bob (The Vice Chairman)

·         Top Gun Trophy for Most Birds Bagged – Jake (young sport)

·         Sportsman Trophy – Rob H

·         Clubman Trophy - Chris

·         Highest Attendance – Jake (young sport)

·         Most Improved Shot – David (young sport)

·         Marc Ray Memorial Trophy - Jake (young sport)

·         Wood Spoon for Least Amount Shot - Connor (young sport)

·         Bigs Girls Blouse – Rob H

·         Clangers – Jake (young sport)

·         Young Clangers – Tyler (young sport)

·         High Bird Trophy – Dan


By far the stars of the evening were the young shots I have already mentioned Alfie, the others were as follows;

·         Young Clubman Trophy – Tyler

·         Young Sportsman Trophy – Connor

·         Young Shot Award – David


Young sport David who scooped up the coveted and sought after Young Shots award as all the boys cheered him on with a hooray and clapping he was also presented with the most improved shot award too. I think his beaming smile and sheer look of shock on his face said it all along with a rousing cheer from the entire room as the other young sports lined out clapping as he came to the front to be presented with his trophy.

The Marc Ray memorial award was awarded to Young sport Jake this year who has showed what it takes to be a Woodspring clubman and leading by example the woodspring way, I must admit I did have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye presenting this one as it’s the first time in the clubs history a young sport had won an adult trophy and in fine Woodspring style too.

Both David and Connor were also congratulated for passing their marksmanship course at a recent Pass It On Young Sports marksmanship event

As you can tell I love teaching the young sports and the evening was not over yet.

A further award was presented to young sports Connor/David/Tyler & Jake for their outstanding roll in representing the shooting club and volunteering all year helping at The Pass It On Young Sports taster days and events. Yet again a mighty cheer went up from the entire room for these inspirational Woodspring Young shots.

We then held a sporting raffle with some top prizes being donated by Air Arms/Jack Pyke/Armex/NGO/Pass It On Young Sports and The Ole Hedge Creeper himself and many many more great fieldsports companies and organisations far too many to name.

For the calendar are the usual boxing day meet young sports clay shoot and the New Year’s Day clay shoot of Farmers V Shooting Club. These are always well-attended events with hot soup, bacon rolls, steaming coffee and lots of friendly banter. As always we will be having our simulated pheasant shoot which has now become quite a tradition for the farmers and shooting club and young sports of course and it is fast approaching our 10th year Anniversary of doing it. I think we may have to make next year a big one and I will put my thinking cap on to see if we can make this an even bigger special occasion than normal. Maybe a wild boar hog roast or something similar.

Well I suppose all that’s left to say is “May I wish you all a very merry Christmas and an even better, healthier and prosperous New Year”.

Kindest Regards
Rob Collins (Chairman)
Woodspring Pigeon Shooting & Wildfowling Club
Never forget our Moto it’s all about FINDING THE BALANCE

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Regards Rob Collins (chairman)

Tel: 07901251119

Web:
www.woodspring-pigeon-shooting.co.uk

www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

www.countrymans-diary.co.uk

www.gun-ice.co.uk

www.reallywildadventures.co.uk
​www.theoutpostshop.co.uk

Well I simply just don’t know where to start with this annual newsletter. Its been such a brilliant year for Woodspring so I suppose I should start at the beginning the year, picking up from where the last newsletter finished off.  This year we have gained many new sporting rights for different shoots and venues so keeping on top of those as well as the rest of the 8000 acres we look after has been to say the least a full time job.  But as always our club men and women and especially our young sports have done the jobs asked of them in fine style, showing we are a leading field sports club in the area and dare I say it, the country.

In fact one well known field sports celebrity said this of our club: “Woodspring Pigeon Shooting & Wildfowling Club are a gem in the sea of rough with all its members are true ambassadors, proving that Field Sports & Conservation walk hand in hand”.  In addition your efforts have not gone unnoticed in the wider world too as we have been nominated for the Countryside Alliance (rural Oscars) for what we do with the rest of the volunteers at Pass It On Young Sports.  Wow what can I say but a great honour for Pass It On Young Sports to be nominated for the awards both North and South and in many different categories.  As a shooting club we not only fully support Pass It On Young Sports but also the whole club volunteers manpower for them and for us as a club associated with them let’s just say I am a very proud Chairman of you all right now.

All our conservation projects have paid off in a big way this year.  A local senior school did a biology study on some of our wildfowling lands and they found it to be 18 times better for wildlife fauna and insects than anything else in the local area.  So I say that’s a massive triumph showing yet again field sports and conservation truly do walk hand in hand and thus proving we live and breathe our shooting clubs motto “FINDING THE BALANCE”.  We have always punched way above and beyond our weight in this little club and I say long may we continue to do just that.


Crop & Livestock Protection
Our duties this year have been at an all-time high with an up surge in the mink population of late as well as foxes and the nice man in a white van dropping off town caught foxes next to free range chicken farms and lambing fields.  We have had a massive success both day and night and I think this is another reason we are gaining some very high profile sporting rights for the club

Keeping the pigeons off the crops kept us very busy and we have had some fantastic bags this year both over the decoys and roosting in our woods.  Surprisingly the air rifle section in the shooting club have had some fantastic results with the pigeons on crops where a shotgun was unable to be used and had some very impressive bags of wood pigeon and corvids too.  Keeping the rabbits under control as been at an all-time high especially on the many sports grounds the club looks after and again the air rifle section have done an amazing job.

Now with the colder weather we start with the ferreting and traditional rabbit control duties.   I must admit this is my favorite type of hunting, so bring on the frosts and the colder weather as running dog, terrier and ferret come out to play.

Wildfowling
Wildfowling we are having a simply brilliant wildfowling season and those Lads that make it out in the harshest of weathers have been rewarded with magical flights of duck and geese. With stunning sunrises and sunsets I think this is on par to be the best season yet and with our new ponds and access to the fore shore this truly is a season to remember.

Well what can I add about the pheasant shoot but the birds are flying strong and are in good condition.  The same can be said for the Partridge the wild Duck who are using all the ponds.


The snipe bogs are teaming with them and as always prove to be a little too fast for some of the club boys and the Woodcock, man they are coming out of our woods like driven pheasant. The Mallard, Teal and Widgeon are all making up good numbers and some magnificent flights.

Social
And what can I say about the famous Woodspring Pigeon Shooting & Wildfowling Club Christmas Dinner.  We had guests from all over from as far afield as Buckinghamshire as well as local farmers, clubmen with their families and young sports a plenty.

The meal and venue was put on by one of the shooting clubs sports grounds that we look after doing the vermin control.  The food was out of this world to say the least and not a plate went back with food on it apart from the bones of the lamb shanks.

After the three course meal we had the trophy presentation and everyone from the old guns to the young sports were eager to see if they had won a trophy.  The results for this year were as follows;

• Top Clay Shot - Bob (The Vice Chairman)
  
• Top Marksman – Richard
  
• Best Pigeon Shot – Ryan
  
• Top Gun Trophy for Most Birds Bagged – Tom
  
• Sportsman Trophy – Ross
  
• Clubman Trophy - Bob (The Vice Chairman)
  
• Highest Attendance – Tom
  
• Most Improved Shot – Dan
  
• Marc Ray Memorial Trophy - Chris
  
• Wood Spoon for Least Amount Shot - Bob (The Vice Chairman)
  
• Bigs Girls Blouse – Ryan
  
• Clangers – Richard
  
• Young Clangers – Alfie
  

By far the stars of the evening were the young shots I have already mentioned Alfie, the others were as follows;

• Young Clubman Trophy – Connor
• Young Sportsman Trophy – Jake
• Young Shot Award –  Emily
• High Bird Trophy – David
  

Emilie who scooped up the coveted and sought after Young Shot award as all the boys cheered her on with a hooray and clapping she was also presented.  She was also congratulated for passing her marksmanship course at a recent Pass It On Young Sports marksmanship event.

The high bird trophy is normally reserved for the adults only, however David scooped it up with a remarkable shot with an air rifle (under supervision of course) dropping a rabbit in front of his older brother Connor who had already missed it.  I was supervising him and at that point I knew there was only one clubman I could award this trophy to.

I think his beaming smile and sheer look of shock on his face said it all along with a rousing cheer from the entire room as the other young sports lined out clapping as he came to the front to be presented with his trophy.  I must admit I did have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye presenting this one as it’s the first time in the clubs history a young sport had won an adult trophy and in fine Woodspring style too.

As you can tell I love teaching the young sports and the evening was not over yet.

A further award was presented to young sports Emilie/Connor/David & Jacob for their outstanding roll in representing the shooting club and volunteering all year helping at The Pass It On Young Sports taster days and events.  Yet again a mighty cheer went up from the entire room for these inspirational Woodspring Young shots.  Never to leave a young shot out, Young Sports Tyler,Oscar & Riley were presented with young sport Jack Pyke cammo caps for their part in the young sports programme.

We then held a sporting raffle with some top prizes being donated by Air Arms/Jack Pyke/Airgun Gear TV/Basc/NGO and oh so many more, too many to name,

The young sports danced the night away to young sport Emilie on her piano having a dance competition as the rest of the Woodspring Pigeon shooting Club and guests chatted and enjoyed the evening.

-

For the calendar are the usual boxing day meet and the New Year’s Day clay shoot of Farmers V Shooting Club.  This is always a well-attended event with hot soup, bacon rolls, steaming coffee and lots of friendly banter.  As always we will be having our simulated pheasant shoot which has now become quite a tradition for the farmers and shooting club and it is fast approaching our ten year Anniversary of doing it.   I think we may have to make next year a big one and I will put my thinking cap on to see if we can make this an even bigger special occasion than normal.  Maybe a wild boar roast or something.

Well I suppose all that’s left to say is “May I wish you all a very merry Christmas and an even better, healthier and prosperous New Year”.

Kindest Regards
Rob Collins (Chairman)
Woodspring Pigeon Shooting & Wildfowling Club
Never forget our Moto it’s all about FINDING THE BALANCE