Rally Speech by Brian Mitchell
The Exmoor Shoots are recognised as being the best for high-flying birds and the most professionally run in the world. Because of the quality of the sport people come to Exmoor to shoot from all over the world. On top of the Syndicate Shoots like Castle Hill, there are many small private shoots that also add to the local economy. Shooting is a field sport that most farmers and countrymen enjoy.
Other revenues are directly attributed to shooting. Mole Valley Farmers (a farmers co-operative) sells to the Exmoor shoots half a million pounds worth of goods, for example, clothing, cartridges, wire and stakes or encing, footwear, and so on every year. Other income is received by game suppliers, dog breeders, vets, feed merchants, car and truck dealers, petrol and diesel suppliers. The Exmoor inns, pubs and hotels would not survive the winter months without shooting. Compensation is paid to farmers for the use of their land for game crops, and for providing seasonal winter labour. Many farmers wives provide catering for the shooting lunches. All making a sizeable contribution to the local economy.
Because Exmoor Shoots are of such a high calibre they can get the best people to work for them. There are 56 Game-keepers in full-time employment and a further 2,650 part-time jobs created by shooting. The shoots provide housing for 38 employees. The visitors bring in excess of £8 million every year to the local economy. Add hat to the £5.5 million revenue that the West Somerset District Council Report estimates coimes to Exmoor from hunting, and something like £13.5 million which is directly attributed to Field Sports goes a long way to support an otherwise poor rural area, now in the depths of a farming depression.
All of us must stick together to preserve jobs, much needed income and most importantly, our way of life!!! We are the people that live and work on Exmoor. We look after Exmoor. Please leave us to continue the good work without outside interferences.
Brian Mitchell is the head-keeper to Castle Hill Shoot. He is also Regional Chairman for the National Gamekeepers Organisation and National Vice-Chairman of the Gamekeepers Organisation