With the mercury in the red it has been far too warm to do anything overly energetic - far better to find a shady spot and relax with a good book (or audiobook). Sam, Jake, Avian and George have been scouring their libraries for summer reading recommendations for fieldsports enthusiasts - think natural history, shooting fiction, fishing anecdotes, gamekeeping handbooks and beyond.

Reading List

Guns Wanted by JK Stanford

Wilderlands by Eloise Kane

The Great Auk by Tim Birkhead

Fish, Fishing and The Meaning of Life by Jeremy Paxman

The Badminton Library by Lord Walsingham

Birds, Sex and Beauty by Matt Ridley

The Scoundrels Trilogy by Major Victor Cornwall and Major Arthur Trevelyan

Gamebird Diseases - a Gamekeepers' Guide by Alan Pearson

Modern Firearm Engraving by Mario Abbiatico

A Practical Guide to Modern Gamekeeping by Jeremy Hobson

The Shooting Party by Isabel Colegate

The Chimp Paradox by Prof. Steve Peters

Honourable mentions

Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell

John Macnab by John Buchan

Born Free by Joy Adamson

Return of the Grey Partridge by Roger Morgan-Grenville and The Duke of Norfolk

Uncommon Ground by Patrick Galbraith

Words from the Hedge by Richard Negus

Living with Greys by Tarquin Millington-Drake

Books for Kids

Redwall by Brian Jaques

A Leopard's Tale by Jonathan Scott

Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

Feathers / Venison by Jose L Souto

George and Chris are once again joined by John Henderson, General Manager of Holland & Holland, for the second half of their conversation, this time turning properly to one of the most famous names in British gunmaking.

John reflects on his first 16 months at the helm, the move from Hardy and the world of fly fishing into Best gunmaking, and the similarities between two brands built on heritage, engineering and field-sports obsession.

The conversation ranges from the sound of a Hardy Perfect reel to Beretta’s stewardship of Holland & Holland, and why the Beretta family’s investment is about protecting and strengthening the London gunmaker’s identity rather than turning it into something else. John also explains the painstaking handwork behind a Holland & Holland gun, including his own attempt to learn at the bench.

There’s also discussion of Holland & Holland’s revived apprenticeship scheme, the future value of handmade craft in an age of AI, and the enduring appeal of double rifles.

Plus: bespoke engraving, enamelled actions, African conservation, £500,000 Range Rovers, the new St James’s flagship store, and John’s Desert Island Shooting day — featuring family, friends, a fox-red Labrador called Goose, tall Devon pheasants, and possibly a quick helicopter detour for salmon fishing.

George and Chris are joined by John Henderson, General Manager of Holland & Holland, for an episode that begins with grey partridge chicks, Sardinian beer and a spectacularly awkward shooting-photo shoot in Wales.

In the mailbox our New Zealand correspondent needs advice on choosing the right first shotgun. Next, a listener from the Ozarks seeks marital advice, and finally we hear from a trainee gamekeeper just starting out on his career in Northumberland.

PLUS: the Epicurus shoot-off, the Order of the Garters season-opening dinner, and the mysterious appeal of a pint of Wallop.

More so than almost any other activity, fieldsports presents wonderful opportunities to accumulate kit. In this episode Sam, Avian, Jake and George discuss the pieces of field clobber they'd never be without, the items that just didn't live up to their promise, and the ones they hanker for but that might require a lottery win to be able to afford.

In part two of our conversation with Claire Sadler, recorded at the Holland & Holland shooting ground after the Wild & Glorious x BASC Women’s Cup, Claire explains why women-only shooting days still matter, and why confidence remains one of the biggest barriers to newcomers. We also get into BASC Council, the importance of political engagement, and why apathy may be shooting’s most dangerous enemy, as well as tackling the tricky topic of shooting clothing for kids.

Inevitably, we can't do serious chat the whole time. George has not one, but two 'brilliant' ideas, only one of which involves hurling wellies around the Game Fair arena. Chris is non-plussed by Claire's Desert Island Shooting choice, complete with bears, mountain lions, snakes, and tarantulas.

In part one of our recording with Claire Sadler (Vice-chair of BASC, Beretta ambassador, passionate advocate for women in fieldsports), we dive into some listener correspondence. What's the best month to shoot in? Should kids be allowed to 'go feral' once the whistle to end the drive is sounded? Is it *ever* OK to drink vodka? PLUS, George issues a 'mea culpa'.

We interrupt our usual programming for a special episode packed with exciting dates for your diary. Do not adjust your set!

Donate to Gemma's London Marathon Fundraiser: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/gemma-raymond

After months of anticipation, the moment of truth is finally upon us - we're testing Avian's cider. Will we all die, go blind, lose the power of speech... there is only one way to find out.

We also celebrate a Shooting Hero, find out why Jake doesn't suffer the close-season blues and why Sam is venturing 'Up Country' in the coming weeks.

Matt Ridley (aka Baron Wensleydale) is back to tell Chris and George about his estate - East Carnigill - which was recently awarded the 2025 Purdey Gold Award. We also dig into some of the systemic challenges that estates like East Carnigill face, and how these stifle progress. The estate was praised by the judges for its incredible black grouse conservation efforts, and these birds are a real passion for Matt. We dive into his book - a study of the phenomenon of lekking, and reveal perhaps the most surprising and baffling bird in the world.

Should peg dogs be held to the same standards as their picking up counterparts? Are sticky-out chokes better or worse than a barrel-mounted camera? Should you warn your host that you're a terrible shot?

Matt Ridley, zoologist, author, journalist and conservationist joins Chris and George to tackle these pressing issues, as well as the challenge of introducing work colleagues into shooting, and whether food comes before sport when planning a shooting trip.