What does the future look like for the British countryside?

As I write this I am getting ready to head to the Future Countryside event by Countryside Alliance, held at Raby Castle, where I will be speaking in the afternoon in front of a room of key figures within parliament about what we can do to make people fall in love with the countryside again, and engage more with it's custodians.

And I'm nervous. Why?

Because I have to speak on stage? No.

Because I am going to be surrounded by people who don't understand me or where I am from? No.

I'm nervous that they won't truly listen to what I have to say, that they won't understand the power that they have to put simple schemes in place and that they won't put into action the promises made over the next couple of days. Promises to make the countryside more accessible to ordinary people, amongst other things.

However, I am grateful for the opportunity to address these people, to be seen on a platform that I wouldn't have been included in a few years ago; and just as I have improved my skill and knowledge of Fieldsports through grit and determination, I am determined to make my voice heard.

Because we really need to see a big change, a real change, to get more of society to understand the rural way of life, to ensure it continues to thrive for generations to come, and to ensure people truly learn how to respect nature and our environment. It is impossible to respect something that you don't ever see or understand.

I am so proud of what I have achieved so far in 2026 and of what is still to come. This Countryside Alliance event is the first of many that I will either be attending, be an Ambassador for or be organising. It takes me back to my days in the corporate world as an Event Manager and I realise I have been building the skills for this new, accidental countryside career that I find myself in for many years - but this is much more fun because it involves the outdoors and nature!

I am also proud to be the first female Ambassador for HikMicro Vision, a company that recognised this passion I have for the countryside and wild food, and wanted to ensure I could afford to continue my lifestyle and share it with as may people as possible, to continue to inspire those who may not have considered it an option for them until they saw me.

I recently had some negative comments brought to my attention that were made by people who are founders of countryside groups. Groups which claim to be providing 'safe, supportive spaces' for beginners in the world of Fieldsports. I don't understand how you can provide a safe and supportive environment whilst publicly ridiculing fellow female hunters, especially when race is brought into the equation.

Although I am female so it is often expected of me, I don't subscribe to ladies groups; however I do understand their value. I just hope that in future those 'mission statements' that are claimed in public are held up in private, and that all new members are treated fairly and made to feel welcome into a safe, non-toxic environment - and that it stays affordable for all. This should be the case for any fieldsports 'group' irrelevant of gender, race, background, ability or status.

What this recent information has done is made me realise that I am on the right path - and it has given me additional fuel to fight with. I am focusing my energy on giving back to people, on 'holding the ladder' to help people climb up beside me on this fieldsports journey. I am not interested in pulling the ladder up behind me and clinging onto knowledge or and permission like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. It doesn't help our community to grow, and it certainly doesn't help with my inner growth and enlightenment. I am not religious but I do believe in being a decent human - I want everyone to be able to have access or a pathway to what I do, should they want to, or even just a small part of it. That means I am more interested in paying it forward than taking advantage of those who are new to the rural way of life to make myself rich.

I am also proud to have been asked to be an Ambassador of The Game Fair this year ( you can buy discounted general admission tickets here using my code NICOLE20) and I am looking forward to welcoming people who want a deeper understanding of the different pathways into fieldsports at my personal demo on Sunday 26th, watch this space for more info...

I am working hard toward the deadline for the publication of my book in June! 'Field notes of a Black British Huntress' is a memoir, covering my life from childhood all the way upto now in a comedic tone; discussing topics of food security, race and gender, living with neuro-diversity, motherhood, climate change and general respect for nature. It will be the most authentic version of me that anyone will ever have access to and it is terrifying to bare my soul - but it is necessary to reach a wider audience outside of the fieldsports community, to show them a peek into our world in a way that will hopefully be a little more digestible than what mainstream media likes to portray.

So what does the future of the countryside look like? I don't know, but I hope that it looks peaceful, that it is filled with an abundance of life and of people who have respect for nature and I hope that it continues to be watched over by land custodians who understand the true nature of wildlife management and the circle of life.

What are your hopes for the future of the countryside? And what are you doing to make it happen?

Happy shooting!