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From The Muniment Room, a resource for social history, family history, and local history.

Handwritten memorandum by John E A Willis Fleming:

'These two days [28 and 29 Nov 1900], considering that 500 pheasants were reared, was a dreadful exhibition, the morning of the first day was wet, & so was each night before the shoot, but this was not sufficient excuse for the bag being so ridiculously small. I consider that the keepers have failed to do their duty, & therefore have given them all notice to go. I intend in future keeping nobody but woodmen, as I do in the Isle of Wight, & I have every reason to think that the wild shooting will be superior to the very inferior tame ditto. Keepers are a great expense & apparently do nothing to earn their money, woodmen have lower wages, & besides looking after the timber, & planting, etc, can trap the rabbits, keep the woods private, & show a fair lot of wild pheasants. J.W.F. Nov 29th 1900.'

Sources

• Willis Fleming Historical Trust WFMS:9