Polaris Rangers Help Maintain Shooting Grounds
The West Wycombe Estate in Buckinghamshire is well known for the notoriety of the Hell-Fire Club and caves, dating back to the 1740s and the time of Sir Francis Dashwood, the then Secretary of State.
Cross to the other side of the estate and you will find, set amidst a stunning 40 acres of woodland, the E.J.Churchill shooting ground developed in the 1980s by Sir Edward Dashwood, a fanatically keen shot. The name E.J.Churchill has been synonymous with fine hand-made English guns for over a hundred and twenty years and this tradition extends into the shooting grounds, a sporting agency and corporate business. It is the only shooting ground to be voted best in the country four times by the IPC shooting industry awards.
Recently appointed as E J. Churchill’s Shooting Ground Manager, Senior Instructor and Gun Fitter, is Mark Marshall. As an ex World and British Champion, and currently ranked No.2 in the world at Fitasc, he brings vast experience to overseeing the running of the diverse shooting facilities, with the support of Eddie Caines, the Grounds Manager.
The Polaris Ranger Crew 6 seater and Ranger are used extensively on the shooting grounds.
“We offer clay pigeon shooting instruction from novice through to experienced game and clay shooters both at the shooting ground and in the field,” says Mark. “From individuals to corporate hospitality groups. It’s also fantastic news that we are hosting the CPSA World Championships in April 2014.”
Helping them to maintain the shooting ground’s reputation for an exceptionally well-kept and run facility are two powerful Side by Side machines from Polaris: a Ranger Diesel and the Ranger Diesel Crew six-seater, supplied by Andrew Shepherd at Adrenalin ATV.
The UTVs are used extensively in the shooting grounds and on the estate, performing tasks ranging from transporting people and equipment to maintaining the grounds. During the World Championships there will be a huge logistical challenge of moving large volumes of people and equipment around the estate, not to mention the distribution of a quarter of a million clays among the shooters.
Mark adds: “We have to cover a lot of ground including rough and wet terrain and forestry areas and we just couldn’t do it without the Polaris Rangers.”
Eddie supports these points. “The Ranger Crew is exceptionally smooth and both Polaris machines are brilliant for what we do. They are light and agile and it’s surprising how far they go off road. The smaller Diesel is used every day and is very good on fuel. We fill it once every two weeks compared to doing a tank a day on the petrol UTV we had.
“We have had no problems; both Polaris Rangers have been very reliable and cope with the heavy loads. We can soften the back suspension as required to meet the different working conditions. They really are superior to anything we have worked with before.”
Jack Britnell is one of caddies and groundsmen working with the Polaris Rangers every day. He has the responsibility for moving clays and traps but, equally important, using the UTVs in the grounds maintenance with brushcutters and leaf blowers loaded into the back and for transporting cuttings, logs and generally cleaning up .
“There is a 4×4 course to be maintained and areas around the estate to be kept tidy for the different shoots. We have an airfield next to us and we transport people over there on hospitality days for helicopter rides. Older people in particular like the Polaris Crew for moving around in, with its great ride and suspension.”
Rob Fenwick, E.J. Churchill’s Managing Director, is extremely pleased with the partnership. “We have developed a great rapport with Andrew at Adrenalin ATV who is quick to support us when we have a special need or urgent requirement. The Rangers are used here on a daily basis and are essential to the smooth-running of our operations.
“We need machines that are strong enough and reliable enough to keep up with our busy schedules. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these work-horses to any of the estate owners or other customers that come here. “
E.J. Churchill can be contacted on 01494 883227 www.ejchurchill.com and Polaris Britain: 0800 915 6720 www.polaris-britain.com