Page 5 - RCS_Brochure_PDF

introduction to riPley sPortinG

by Frank Boddy

Much has happened since issuing our 2015 brochure. Now supposedly in
retirement! I find I have a little more time available to indulge myself in my
favourite hobby of running Shoots!

I am delighted to advise I have been very fortunate in taking the Sporting
Lease on the Mountgarret Shoot. This is a real gem which I propose running
as a stand alone shoot.

Ripley Sporting is a group of traditional driven game shoots and grouse
moors. Established in 1995 it is made up of three driven pheasant and
partridge Shoots and two driven grouse Moors. Our parkland and farmland
shooting around Ripley Castle covers over 7,000 acres and includes four
estates, Ripley Castle, part of Nidd, Hob Green and Cayton Estates together
with land leased from neighbouring farmers plus our new Mountgarret
Shoot, bordering Ripley Castle, which covers 2,000 acres.

Near Pateley Bridge, 25 minutes’ drive from Ripley, we have the Eagle Hall and Ashfold Side Shoot which covers
3,000 acres of high ground pheasant and partridge shooting, this also includes some moorland edge drives below our
grouse moors. Finally we have our little piece of heaven with Hardcastle and Heathfield Moors which gives us over
4,000 acres of some of the finest grouse shooting anywhere – so I am told! That is providing we have the grouse!

Ripley Sporting employs 12 full time staff ; 4 at Ripley Castle, 2 at Mountgarret, 5 on our Moors and at Eagle Hall
& Ashfold Side plus our secretary. These together with a number of part time staff, which includes retired keepers
and tradesmen who are invaluable to the Shoot, plus on each shoot day approximately 25 beaters and pickers up,
make up our team who are dedicated to making each shoot day a success.

After shooting driven game for more years than I would like to admit to, mainly in God’s own Country, our beautiful
North Yorkshire countryside. I have found that every shoot is different and have their own way of presenting a shoot
day. On our shoots, although the shooting is
important, there are a number of other factors
which I feel are just as important on the day.

The majority of us take a day’s shooting not
only for some challenging birds but also to
forget about work, enjoy the countryside
and meet old and new friends. With this in
mind my fellow Shoot Hosts, Nigel Graham,
Christopher Orme, Stuart Thompson and Jonny
Dimsdale, my Head Keepers, George Reap at
Eagle Hall & Ashfold Side and our Moors,
David Cockshott at Ripley Castle, Martin
Nesham at Mountgarret and myself always try
to create a relaxed atmosphere for everyone to
enjoy their day by ensuring everything runs
smoothly with excellent hospitality together
with some memorable shooting.
Bonny and Coco

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