Feeling inspired? Applications for The Purdey Awards 2025 are now open, apply here.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Purdey Awards for Game & Conservation, which meant there was even more reason to celebrate at the Awards ceremony, with an evening of Bollinger Champagne, canapés and good company in the Long Room at Audley House.
As the judges recognised, the entrants were particularly strong this year, representing a variety of shoots around the UK, each demonstrating their own unique conservation efforts. All seven shortlisted entrants underwent significant preliminary assessment by Dr Mike Swan of the GWCT Advisory Service, followed by in-person visits from the judges – made up of a panel of 13 experts – who then met to discuss the merits of each and decide on the winners.
The ceremony took place just after the end of the UK shooting season, hence the mood was celebratory as guests gathered to recognise this year’s impressive conservation work. The winners were announced by the Duke of Wellington, Chairman of the judging panel, and awards were presented by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, owner of the world famous Goodwood Estate.
Gold Award Winner
“The Phillips’ family’s passion for the custodianship and stewardship of the land is quite frankly amazing, and it’s a real privilege for me to be working there with such an amazing team behind me. The collaboration between the farm and the shoot in the habitat creation, predator control and the plethora of species we’ve got there is something I’m incredibly proud of. If every shoot with a mind to could try and adopt something that so many of us are trying to do here... Awards like the Purdey Awards are the shield that we can defend ourselves with in the future.” – James Bendall, Gamekeeper at Macaroni Farm, Gold Award Winner
This year’s Gold Award winner was Macaroni Farm in Gloucestershire, acknowledging the impressive scale and integrated approach to farming and shooting. With well-executed plans and active engagement, the project demonstrates extensive environmental care, with promising momentum and a passion for multi-purpose land use that will continue to drive conservation efforts.
Silver Award Winner
“King George VI summed it up perfectly: ‘The wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it for those who come after us.” – James Allsop, Shoot Captain and Chairman at Monk Wood Shoot, Silver Award Winner
The Silver Award was given to Monk Wood Shoot in Chesterfield, where an open-cast mine has been transformed into a vibrant habitat, with the creation of 30 ponds, wildlife meadows and successful grey partridge conservation. It’s an inspiring example of the extraordinary impact that one shoot owner can achieve; and one where shooting was a key motivator behind the conservation.
Bronze Award Winner
“I’m brimming with pride, very proud, and I look forward to sharing the Award with everybody back home and our community. My advice for people thinking about applying for this year’s Awards: Enter. Do it!” – Rupert Brewer, Game and Wildlife Manager at Bisterne Estate, Bronze Award Winner
The Bronze Award was received by Bisterne Estate in Hampshire for its significant scientific work and collaborations with organisations like GWCT, with a particular focus on the wetlands and redwing and blackwing conservation. Judges praised the unique community engagement efforts, and highlighted the potential for growth in terms of its woodland, grey partridge and game shooting efforts.
Gamekeeper Award Winner
“It’s just fantastic to win, it makes it all worthwhile – all the people who said it was impossible to get grey partridges breeding naturally in the wild, well, we’ve proved them wrong haven’t we! For those who are thinking about entering this year’s Awards, I’d say just get on with it. Particularly when it comes to local areas, if everyone does their bit and shifts more towards conservation-minded shooting, it makes gamekeeper’s jobs a lot easier. If you’ve got an estate that’s a shooting estate, you’ve got to put back into the environment more that you’re taking out, it’s as simple as that.” – Jon Fuller, Gamekeeper at Hatton Grange Estate, winner of the Gamekeeper Award
In addition to the Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes, this year saw the introduction of a new individual award, given to Jon Fuller, Gamekeeper at Hatton Grange Estate in Shropshire for his outstanding efforts and personal investment. Finally, Padbury Hill Farm in Buckinghamshire will be visited by the GWCT in the coming months, in support of the potential of this project to progress.