Whitfield Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot

Back in May '26 I had the opportunity to trade at yet another new event to me, the Whitfield Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot, near Hexham, Northumberland. This was a three day event, well more like two and a half as it started on a Friday evening followed by the Saturday and Sunday.

The flag at the entrance to the shoot

Time has taught me to always be sceptical regarding coffee requirements in the evening and in the case of this event I was once again, proved correct. I was, however, fairly optimistic for some decent daytime trade as I (rightly) assumed that the handling of shotguns and the consumption of alcohol combined wasn't the done thing and I imagine against the law.

Trade on the Saturday was definitely the high point of the event for me. I'm lead to believe that this was the day that farmers and possibly landed gentry were in attendance. The beverage choice was also indicative of what I assume such attendees would drink, not much demand for iced drinks then!

Sunday was still a good day, just a bit slower which is always nice following a busy day. With a change in clientele came a change in drink choice too, ice definitely required and a near sellout of cold drinks too.

Fuel to keep me going from Hogs N Chix

Now if you've read any of my other blog posts you might notice a recurring theme in my enjoyment of my fellow trader's offerings and this will be no different! Huge thanks to the team at Hogs N Chix who kept me well fueled with breakfast baps at well, breakfast and hog roast baps for a late lunch. I may have slightly overdone the pork consumption at this one but I don't do it very often and it was very good too!

Home for three days

When I was booked for this the organiser, Caroline asked if I had ever traded at a clay pigeon shoot before, which I hadn't but I had participated on a stag do many years ago. She warned me about the volume so I went with ear protection but I didn't feel the need for it even though there was shooting taking place behind the van. It's much worse being next to a speaker thumping out music than the constant sound of shotguns being fired, as it turns out. And as someone with a keen interest in 20th Century history I was able to imagine what it might have been like in the trenches in WWI under relentless gunfire, minus the constant threat of death, dysentery and the presence of vermin of course.

A really nice three days out in the country and the weather on the whole was fairly kind to the event and as it turns out, were my customers as I'd accumulated a rather generous pot of tips!