THE life of a young gamekeeper who died following what is believed to have been a shooting accident is to be celebrated with a new award.

Matthew Tyson, 19, of Beckermet, was found dead on an estate on which he lived and worked in Berwickshire just before Christmas.

He was a former student at Newton Rigg College, near Penrith, from where former tutors and friends have paid tribute to him. 

Saddened by the news of his passing, staff there have decided to present an award in his memory.

Writing in our sister paper’s The Cumberland News’ Farmer supplement this week, college principal Wes Johnson said: “Matthew was part of the Newton Rigg family for more than four years – as a school link student initially and then as an award-winning gamekeeping student on an extended diploma programme.

“He went on to secure his dream job as a grouse-keeper in Scotland following a successful placement.

“He was greatly admired at the college as a diligent and highly effective young gamekeeper who would have gone on to have had a superb career doing what he loved.

“At Newton Rigg, his memory will live on with the renaming of our student gamekeeper of the year award, which Matthew won, to the Matthew Tyson Award.”

Matthew, the son of Ian and Pauline Tyson, and a former pupil of West Lakes Academy, Egremont, was discovered on December 23.

A full inquest hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, May 26.

There was a large attendance at Matthew’s funeral service, held at St John’s Beckermet. Several gamekeeper colleagues were among the mourners and a Scottish piper played a lament.

An inquest into Matthew’s death has been opened and adjourned by Cumbria’s senior coroner, David Roberts. A full inquest hearing has been scheduled for May 26.