THE award-winning Northcote restaurant has donated almost £1,000 to grouse moor conservation and community projects after an unlikely alliance between Lancashire and Yorkshire spared them disaster on the Glorious Twelfth.
Poor weather last summer left staff at the Michelin-starred restaurant struggling to source local grouse for the traditional opening day banquet.
But after BASC’s northern office put out a call for help, the North York Moors Moorland Association (NYMMO) came to the rescue.
Better weather in North Yorkshire meant native grouse were flourishing, so their prized game was hastily sent west to the Ribble Valley to be served up that evening.
To show their gratitude, the Northcote has donated £885 to NYMMO, which represents a number of grouse moors across the North York Moors.
NYMMO has previously raised thousands of pounds for local charities – including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The organisation has also been involved with re-wetting projects via grip blocking to enhance the biodiversity of the moors and has supported a successful barn owl nesting project.
NYMMO’s Tina Brough said: “When BASC asked if we could do anything, gamekeepers on our grouse moors were only too happy to help.
“We believe grouse should be celebrated as the ethical, sustainable game meat it is. The Northcote fundraising will help us continue our conservation and community projects. And if they ever need any more grouse, they only need ask.”
BASC north regional officer Gareth Dockerty said: “We’re not sure the ‘war of the roses’ rivalry has ever truly gone away, but this shows how shooting brings communities together.
“Grouse is a native wild game bird with population levels often dependent on weather during the breeding season. Grouse shooting is sustainable so the birds will only be harvested when they are mature enough and the population is high enough. The remaining birds are then left to breed at the end of the grouse season.
“We were pleased to see the spirit of co-operation between Yorkshire and Lancashire ensured that the fine tradition of eating grouse on the 12th was able to be enjoyed by the Northcote’s customers. The Northcote’s generosity in return will ensure the NYMMO can do even more of its valuable work to benefit the local community and other visitors to the moors.”