Mike Townsend punting the Blackwater

 

Holkham Country Fair

Punt Guns, Punts and the Wells Wildfowlers

Organised by John Yates and the Wells & District Wildfowlers

Situated north of the House, by the Lake

 

Punts in their day, like our cars, attracted boasts unrelated to their every day performance! So heavy shots were the exception, and might occur only when weather, tide, feed and fortune came together. However after years of harsh endeavour, these were the shots most talked about. In reality, small bags of half a dozen wildfowl kept struggling professionals out of the poor house. Of course, there were wealthy amateurs who owned the Bentleys of the era - large double punts with powerful breech-loading guns with a professional to chauffer them. With plenty of “zos-grass” feed in the shallows and less disturbance than now, more ’fowl were available to be shot.

We aim to display antique punt guns from flintlock and percussion muzzle-loaders to later breech-loaders; illustrating the development from professional market gunners to amateur sportsmen.

The Wells Wildfowlers display covers wildfowling today as well as in the past. Field craft is the essence of getting close to quarry species which have superb eyesight, allowing flight after dark. Wild duck are wary and agile, able often to avoid the strike of the Peregrine Falcon. Wild geese are counted in thousands, and wildfowlers are happy to take home a handful for the table. They are not available for sale and profit.

Wildfowling is steeped in the traditional love of natural history and art. Come to our marquee by the lakeside to enjoy our displays of paintings and old photographs. We shall also be holding our usual raffle.

The Air Gun Range, alongside our marquee, gives an opportunity for the young (and old) to have a go and perhaps win a prize too.

Sadly, this year, we shall be without Squadron Leader Mike Townsend, punt expert par excellence, who died this spring. He had exhibited at every Holkham Country Fair since it started. We shall miss him.