Warter Priory, the world class shooting estate set in the heart of the East Riding of Yorkshire, held a two-day clay shoot and fundraising ball in support of the Countryside Alliance in the middle of May. This renowned annual event has over the years raised a significant amount for a number of charities, and we were therefore incredibly grateful to the Warter Priory Estate for choosing the Alliance as this year’s beneficiary.
With 48 teams of four guns and four loaders on the Thursday, and 60 teams on the Friday, this was the largest number to have ever taken part. The seven stands that were shot each day included a pool shoot, and all were beautifully sited in the estate’s valleys on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, which provide the most perfect ground over which to shoot. With the excellent sport, food and refreshments provided on each stand, combined with fabulous weather throughout, teams could not have asked for more.
On completion of each day’s shooting there was a champagne reception followed by a lunch during which an auction of some truly fabulous lots was held. These included a 200- bird day at Warter Priory for 9 guns, lunch in Le Touquet for 8 people travelling by private plane, a species day for 9 guns on the Raby Estate, a beginners course on the Cresta Run, and VIP tickets to the Festival of Speed with lunch in Goodwood House, to name but a few. There was also an auction during the Bushbeaters’ Ball on the Saturday night, which saw 300 people enjoying a delicious dinner, disco and dancing to The Ordinary Men. This memorable party had been preceded during the day with a High Tower Challenge, with 30 birds set over three High Bird Towers, and refreshments available from the famous Warter Priory Gun Bus. The challenge was open to everyone, the prize being one peg on a double gun day at Warter Priory this coming season.
In total, just over £205,000 was raised for the Countryside Alliance during the three days; a truly staggering amount. We are extremely grateful to all the team at Warter Priory who put in so much effort and hard work to make the event the phenomenal success it was, and for making it so enjoyable for all those who were lucky enough to be taking part. An enormous thanks must also go to those that so generously gave their support, whether through sponsorship, entering a team, donating auction lots, or bidding for those lots.
This was the Countryside Alliance’s main fundraising event of the year, and it was one that also provided a marvellous opportunity to talk to so many people who were committed to shooting and other rural pursuits, adding even more value to this tremendous event. The funds raised will be of enormous importance to the Alliance, especially with the forthcoming general election on 4 July which could see a change of government. If that does prove to be the case, then we are likely to see the most radical period of political change in a generation, and we can expect the challenges to be considerable.