Pete Conachie: 25 years of Stewardship at Combe Sydenham

In the rolling hills of West Somerset, where ancient woodland meets sweeping moorland, Combe Sydenham has quietly grown into one of the country’s most respected sporting estates. At the heart of this transformation stands Head Keeper Pete Conachie – celebrating 25 years of dedication, craftsmanship, and character.

Understanding Pete’s journey requires understanding the evolution of Combe Sydenham itself. When he arrived in 2001, there was no shoot to speak of – just a piece of promising ground, steeped in natural beauty and potential. “You could just see it,” he recalls. “The lakes, the contours, the topography… it was all there waiting.”

Pete’s path into gamekeeping felt predestined, with a grandfather, father, four uncles, and a cousin all in the trade. His brother, Mike, has also been at Combe Sydenham for 20 years, emphasising how deeply Pete and his family are connected to the location and gamekeeping tradition.

Studying at Sparsholt College, Pete eventually found himself working just over the hill when Angus Barnes, whose father had worked with Pete’s own, invited him to “look at a piece of ground.” The rest, as they say, is history.

Building Something Enduring

The early years were defined by hard graft: clearing ground, carving out drives, managing habitats. “There was a fair bit of work to tidy it all up,” Pete says, “but we knew what it could be.” Within five years, Combe Sydenham had begun to find its rhythm. “That’s when you felt the whole operation begin to click. You’d go into a season thinking, ‘yeah, this is going to be a good one.’ ”

Since then, Pete and his team have refined the experience into something exceptional. Today, the shoot is renowned for its professionalism, warmth, and traditional ethos – traits that mirror Pete himself. “I’m quite traditional,” he admits. “I started under my grandfather, and that etiquette has stayed with me. Everyone in their tweeds, proper greetings, a good atmosphere. It should feel like a family-run day.”

And it does. Though Combe Sydenham now runs as a large commercial operation, many who visit comment on the intimate, familial feel. This is a product of Pete’s deep bond with Angus, his own brother on the team, and a strong sense of continuity.

The Art of Adaptation

Of course, even the most seasoned keeper must constantly adapt. Pete likens the work to performance art under unpredictable conditions. “The perfect day is rare,” he says, “because you’re dealing with wild birds, 20 beaters, and British weather. But when a plan you made in your head plays out just right, that’s the buzz.”

There’s a quiet confidence in Pete’s approach, borne of experience but never complacency. “You’ve got to be on your toes,” he says. “Members & Guests expect a certain standard now. That brings its own pressure, but I wouldn’t change it.”

His instinctive understanding of every drive, wind pattern, and client preference allows for on-the-fly decisions that preserve the magic of a day in the field. “For our guests, it might be their one big day. For us, it could be the 20th. But it has to feel like the most important one.”

Steward of the Land

Beneath the shooting days lies an equally important legacy: land and habitat management. Pete is rightly proud of the estate’s conservation work, from enhancing lakes and streams to restoring open glades rich with biodiversity. “There’s a spot down in one valley we cleared… it turned out to be full of king ferns, six-foot tall. Looks almost prehistoric. Just beautiful.”

Everything planted or managed for the pheasants – cover crops, wild corners, winter feed – also sustains songbirds, pollinators, and native flora. “It’s all interconnected. How we work is good for the shoot, and it’s good for nature.”

Reflections and Forward Steps

Asked about his proudest achievement, Pete doesn’t hesitate. “I think it would be still being here, 25 years on. Not many keepers stay in the same job that long. That’s what I’m proud of.”

He’s quick to deflect praise to his team, past and present. “I’ve had my brother & some brilliant lads with me over the years, supported by a brilliant team of beaters, pickers up, chefs and shoot day workers . And of course, Angus and the Founding Members of the Combe Sydenham Sporting Club have always kept the faith, even through tough times like COVID. Also we have had the support and joint vision of all the landowners and local farmers during this journey, without them we would not be able to shoot over their beautiful land.”

As for what lies ahead, Pete’s excitement remains undimmed. A potential new drive is in the works, depending on a forestry clearance. “If it happens, it’ll be something special. Keeps it fresh, doesn’t it?”

When he does get the rare chance to stop and breathe, you’ll likely find Pete by the lake, fly rod in hand, barbecue glowing, soaking in the quiet peace of a landscape he knows intimately. “It’s tranquil. Calming. That’s one of my favourite spots.”

His favourite time of year is spring. “After a long, grey February, suddenly the songbirds are back, the bluebells are up, and everything’s coming alive again. It’s the start of another cycle.”

For Combe Sydenham, and for Pete Conachie, that cycle continues – rooted in tradition, refined by time, and fuelled by a passion that shows no sign of waning.