Rivers, canals and Britain's glorious waterways are championed and admired at every opportunity. They are the subject of countless photos, television programmes and books - and are places to visit and enjoy whenever considering a walk in the countryside. Sadly, not so the humble ditch; yet they are the all-important capillaries supplying the veins of the UK's far more visual watercourses. As well as having a practical farming purpose and being important in preventing flooding, ditches are an essential habitat for many species of flora and fauna. In no way a dry riverbed of hard facts, A Year in a Ditch is informative and a source of knowledge to anyone interested in exploring the delights of this vital habitat. The book is full of relevant quirky notes and obscure snippets, the fanciful and factual; old wives' tales; quotations and snippets of poetry.Ditches are an integral part of some very bizarre sports and pastimes indeed and there are even suggestions as to how one can actually dine out in a ditch!A Year in a Ditch will be a wonderful read for anyone wishing to know more about the 500,000 kilometres of these often-neglected waterways that have threaded their way through the British countryside for millennia.

In 1975, David Shepherd wrote The Man Who Loves Giants - an autobiography. Even though he was only forty-four, he had already achieved more than most could have in three lifetimes. In the intervening years, until his death in 2017, he painted a huge variety of subjects; founded the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation; renovated and restored everything from steam engines to dolls' houses; and appeared on both radio and television. 'Being the extrovert I am,' he once said, 'I like things large and exciting ... especially elephants ...' However, this enthusiasm wasn't restricted to animals; it extended to his love and ownership of several full-sized steam engines, including locomotive number 92203, otherwise known as Black Prince. David's friends ranged from showbiz celebrities to well-known sportsmen and women; and British and European royalty to internationally influential politicians and presidents. He was awarded the Order of the Golden Ark by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands for his services to conservation in Zambia, and the Order of Distinguished Service, First Class, by President Kaunda. Her Majesty The Queen presented David with the OBE and CBE. David's first gallery successes were not of the African wildlife for which he is now best known. London scenes, planes, boats and trains have long featured in his portfolio - as do English landscapes and bygone rural life. Since David's autobiography, no book has dealt so comprehensively with his life, painting, and conservation work as this biography by J. C. Jeremy Hobson, professional author and David's youngest son-in-law. With access to family archives and photographs, private diaries and reminiscences, this is a unique portrait of a remarkable man.

If you don't know what to do with game and are rather apprehensive about cooking it, or if you are already a game cook and wish to expand your knowledge, then you will find this comprehensive book of enormous interest. As the authors point out in the Introduction, "Cook Game" takes the cook back to basics one minute and is mouth-wateringly adventurous the next.This title contains over 180 delicious game/fish recipes and over 40 other recipes covering marinades, sauces, stocks and accompaniments. It covers pheasant, partridge, grouse, snipe, woodcock, wildfowl, pigeon, guinea fowl, qual, rabbit, hare, venison, wild boar, game and fish pies, trout, salmon and coarse fish. It provides recipes for 'fast food' and dishes that are particularly suitable for children and presents special guest recipes as well as a chapter of helpful hints Includes some 'exotic' recipes for ostrich, kangaroo and crocodile.

'Have I remembered everything?' 'What shall I wear?' 'Who am I likely to be shooting alongside?' 'Will the dog behave?' 'Will the birds be there?' These are all questions that might keep the Gun, the picker-up, the keeper and anyone else connected with a day's game shooting awake the night before a much anticipated day. 'Why did I say that?' 'Why did I do that?' 'Why did my dog do that?' 'Why did I think about the weather?' 'What was I thinking?' These are all questions one might ask oneself the evening after! Fortunately, you are not alone in your nightmares! If you've ever encountered a particular incident or experience on the shooting field, whether it be a formal day, or as a rough shoot with a couple of friends, it's a fairly safe bet that others will have it too. The Imperfect Shot illustrates in words and cartoons, light-hearted errors and ill-judgment of those who have experienced minor faux pas and misdemeanours on the shooting field - and also glorifies those who have got the better of a particular situation! There are, among its pages, real pearls of wisdom; there is, though, much advice written somewhat 'tongue-in-cheek'. All immediately bring a mental picture to mind. A mental picture is not, however, required. The illustrations, brought to life by renowned country and field sports artist, Oliver Preston - himself a shooting man of no ill-repute - has negated the need for the cry which otherwise might go out: 'Oh, if only I had a camera!' As if the situation was not clear enough, Oliver adds more. Some tales might, of course be apocryphal - and I'll leave it for the reader to decide which they might be!

This book shows the reader how to perform all the tasks required of the modern gamekeeper, including how to rear and release game, and advises on many aspects of habitat improvement and conservation. It also covers important and sometimes controversial issues, such as public access on private land, the need for predator and pest control, and many other aspects which need to be considered by keepers, be they part-time or professional.