Q. I recall a letter published in your column in
January 2002 (from M.C.-M., Notts) in which your correspondent commented on the fashion for leaving shooting before the day is formally concluded. I now hear of something even ruder: a gun invited to shoot, who, on seeing another guest whom he cannot abide, leaves before the day has even begun. Can you pronounce on this, Mary?
G.N.V.C., North Yorkshire A. The amount of effort and money which goes into planning a day’s shooting dictates that those who accept an invitation to shoot must also accept that the fixture is set in stone. Leaving early is a breach of etiquette, but to turn tail before the day has even begun in response to the sight of an unwelcome face is an unforgivable breach. Even in the unlikely event of Alun Michael being one of the fellow guns, the participants must continue as planned. Both crimes are self-punishing, however. Word swiftly gets around and, to a greater or lesser degree, the miscreants will soon see the rust beginning to set into the lock of their gun cupboards.
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