British countryside celebrated in striking new GWCT Christmas cards

A WONDERFUL SELECTION of paintings are captured in this year’s Christmas cards by Fordingbridge-based charity The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). The five designs are all exclusively painted by leading wildlife artists and showcase the best of the British countryside in winter.

Owen Williams, whose work has featured across the countryside press, has painted a woodcock battling the frost on ‘Christmas Shadows’. More quarry species feature in Rodger McPhail’s ‘Late Season Pheasants’ and Jason Lowes’ ‘Snowbound Grouse’, while Ashley Boon has created an iconic image of a red squirrel in snow. Completing the set is ‘Carols in the Kennels’ by renowned cartoonist Loon, which depicts a pheasant making the most of its freedom while the working dogs are locked away.

Demand is expected to be high, following a second successive record-breaking year, with over 4,000 packs of cards sold in 2017. With the cards now in stock, GWCT shop manager Beverley Mansbridge is advising people to order early.

“Demand seems to be getting higher every year and we’ve already started to get orders coming in" says Mrs Mansbridge. "People love the fact that the cards are unique. We often get calls from people who received them from someone else last year and want some themselves. We're fortunate to have the support of such a talented group of artists who want to help us to undertake our important research.”

Cards are sold in packs of ten costing £5.50, excluding the slightly bigger 'Carols in the Kennels' which costs £6.50. All proceeds from the card sales go towards supporting the Trust’s work.

As well as cards, the Trust has a whole range of goods in its store, including ties, cufflinks, limited-edition badges and popular books, including the best-selling The Knowledge – a Gun’s guide to Conservation.

To order, visit www.gwctshop.org.uk

The deadline for postal orders on cards is Friday, November 16.