Statement from the award in May 2022 of Life Membership to John Swift;-
John became Director of BASC at a time when the Association was technically bankrupt. He famously honoured his promise to dance a jig in the car park when the Association’s finances went into the black.
John was instrumental in setting up the Deer Management Qualifications and was a key player in setting up the Deer Initiative. John also served as a trustee of the Wildlife Habitat Trust which has provided assistance to conservation projects and land acquisitions valued at more than £1 million.
John was involved in the founding of FACE, the organisation of European Hunting Associations. He sat for many years on the Board, served as Treasurer and was elected as an Honorary Member after his retirement.
John was committed to underpinning the case for shooting with science. The team he created at BASC carried out unprecedented work on choke, range judging, duck populations and some of the first tests at Shrivenham on alternatives to lead shot.
John began the BASC Firearms team, the only one of its kind in the UK. He oversaw the creation of the communications and operations departments and the establishment of country offices.
When John retired from BASC, membership levels were at a record-high and more people were shooting over more land in the UK than ever before. Commentators referred to shooting as experiencing a “new Golden Age”. John was a key part of that success.
In the articles quoted above and says a lot.
John Swift
As conservation officer, deputy director, director and CEO of WAGBI/BASC, John Swift has given distinguished service to the members, the Association and the sport over a continuous period that far exceeds twenty years.John became Director of BASC at a time when the Association was technically bankrupt. He famously honoured his promise to dance a jig in the car park when the Association’s finances went into the black.
John was instrumental in setting up the Deer Management Qualifications and was a key player in setting up the Deer Initiative. John also served as a trustee of the Wildlife Habitat Trust which has provided assistance to conservation projects and land acquisitions valued at more than £1 million.
John was involved in the founding of FACE, the organisation of European Hunting Associations. He sat for many years on the Board, served as Treasurer and was elected as an Honorary Member after his retirement.
John was committed to underpinning the case for shooting with science. The team he created at BASC carried out unprecedented work on choke, range judging, duck populations and some of the first tests at Shrivenham on alternatives to lead shot.
John began the BASC Firearms team, the only one of its kind in the UK. He oversaw the creation of the communications and operations departments and the establishment of country offices.
When John retired from BASC, membership levels were at a record-high and more people were shooting over more land in the UK than ever before. Commentators referred to shooting as experiencing a “new Golden Age”. John was a key part of that success.
In the articles quoted above and says a lot.
