A Gamekeeper's Reflections

"When I penned these verses I never thought for one moment they would appear in print, and I am indebted to my daughter, Amy, for persuading me to have it done, for her editorial and for the illustrations.

I would like to expressgrateful appreciation to Chris Catlin for his advice and subediting, and special thanks to Sophia Gallia for her extencive help.

Thank you to Buccleugh Sporting, Judge's Choice Dog Food and The Shooting Times and Country Magazine, who have sponsored this book. Its proceeds will go to two causes close to my heart - The National Gamekeepers' Organisation Charitable Trust and Gamekeeper Welfare Network.

For those who read it, the gamekeepers and other countrymen and women, I hope they recognise much of what I have tried to convey. To any others my wish is that it may give them an insight into what we are and how we view our countryside. I have not lived in the northern Pennine Dales, with their plants, birds and lead mining ghosts, for forty years without it leaving a lasting impression.

Lastly this is for all the gamekeepers gone and for all those to come; for without them the countryside would have been, and will be, a poorer place."

Lindsay Waddell 2008

£5.50