The Purdey Awards 2024
Applications for The Purdey Awards 2025
Applications for The Purdey Awards 2025 are now open.
The first step is to complete the entry form, linked below. You will then receive a questionnaire, devised by Dr. Nick Sotherton of the GWCT, all about your shoot’s practices, projects and results in support of conservation. Entrants are also required to sign a declaration that they, and all connected with their shoot in any capacity, are conversant and in compliance with the Code of Good Shooting Practice.
APPLY FOR THE PURDEY AWARDS 2025
The Purdey Awards 2024
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 Purdey’s Mayfair flagship Audley House.
The 2024 entrants were particularly strong, 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.
Established in 1999, the aim of the Awards has always been to support and promote wider appreciation for outstanding game shooting and habitat conservation projects, demonstrating how the two go hand-in-hand. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards give well-deserved recognition and reward to the best, encouraging and inspiring all of us to continue this work for future generations.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
Taking place just after the end of the UK shooting season, 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. The judges were unanimous in their praise of all the 2024 medal winners.
About The Purdey Awards
Established in 1999, the awards are held annually to promote a wider appreciation of the outstanding game and habitat conservation work carried out by shoots throughout the UK and to give well-deserved recognition and reward to the best. Since its founding, over 280 shoots, from the smallest to some of the largest across the UK have entered. Entries have ranged from grouse moor restorations to grey partridge conservation projects, from fenland wild pheasant shoots to wildfowling clubs, and examples include a superbly restored one-acre wild duck flighting pond. To date, over 100 individuals, syndicates or clubs have won a Purdey Award for Game and Conservation, sharing more than £165,000 in prize money.
The Purdey Awards are judged by a panel of 13 experts, chaired by the Duke of Wellington including Dan Jago, Dylan Williams, Jonathan Kennedy, Claire Sadler, Tim Furbank, Marcus Janssen, Mike Swan, Roddy Richmond-Watson, Bertie Hoskyns-Abhall, Adrian Walker – plus two new judges this year, previous Gold Award winner George Ponsonby and Editor of The Field magazine Alexandra Henton.
Each applicant is required to complete an online application form and a questionnaire devised by Dr Nick Sotherton of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), outlining their shoot’s practices, projects and results in support of conservation over a given time period. This can include: heather moorland restoration; new hedge or woodland plantings; deforestation; siting of cover crops, or the effectiveness of new scrapes and ponds in attracting wild duck and other waterfowl; and careful logging of bird counts, vermin control, habitat improvements and species biodiversity.
Entrants are also required to sign a declaration that they, and all connected with their shoot, and in whatever capacity, are conversant of, and in compliance with the Code of Good Shooting Practice.
After careful assessment by Dr Mike Swan of the GWCT Advisory Service and other judges, the applications are submitted, along with a report of their findings, to all members of the judging panel. The panel meets in June to select a shortlist for judging visits in August and September, and reconvenes in October or November to determine the winners. The winners remain a closely guarded secret until announced at the prize giving ceremony.
