BASC has helped give more than 1,000 children a taste of the countryside.
In just under two years BASC has given more than 1,150 young visitors to Wick Court, near Arlingham in Gloucestershire, an introduction to the role of the gamekeeper and explained the importance and benefits of trapping certain pest species.
Wick Court Farm offers children from urban areas across the country an opportunity to live and work together for a week at a time on a farm in the heart of the countryside. One of the main aims of the Farms for City Children is to teach children about farming, the countryside and food production.
BASC South West officer Sam Walker said: “To get the opportunity to show those from a non-shooting background what we do, explain why we do it and describe the benefits associated is so important.”
Heather Tarplee, the farm school manager at Wick Court, said: “The children really enjoy their gamekeeper walks with Sam, they look for signs left by the wildlife around the farm, and by discussing their finds they are encouraged to think about pest management and the role of the gamekeeper. These walks add a whole new dimension to their experience of being immersed in rural life which enriches the whole experience.”
To commemorate the milestone, the school of the 1,000th pupil to attend were presented with a trail camera to continue to aid their education of the wild and the wonderful.
Sam Walker added: “Trail cameras are an important tool to help educate the children to the different wild animals and birds found on the farm, so when Thomas Jacks kindly offered a trail camera to mark this milestone it seemed very fitting.”