On manoeuvres

I started beating on shoots during my late teens and have probably covered hundreds of miles battling through ankle-tugging bramble and trudged across energy-sapping mud and plough, not to mention waging war with countless laurels and rhododendrons. I have been beating on small informal farm shoots and on large commercial shoots. I take great pleasure from being part of a well-organised team. And team is the all-important word.

I have often likened a beating line to a military operation. Those who go wide to prevent birds from leaking out from the drive are known as the ‘flanks’,