HISTORY
The Club was formed in 1964 by the present Secretary and Treasurer. At that time the Club was part of a works Sports and Social Club at the Sigma Instrument Company based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. Originally only .22 target rifles were used in a nearby TA drill hall. In the late ‘60’s .22 calibre target pistol shooting was introduced.
As the years went by there were more and more Club Members from outside the company, when finally the Sports and Social Club disbanded, the Rifle and Pistol Club continued to go from strength to strength. With its new interests and diverse Membership, fullbore rifle and pistol shooting was added to the range of disciplines. Originally, ranges at Royston, Bassingbourn, Thetford and Bisley were regularly used.
In 1993, we achieved a life long ambition, we found a landowner who was keen for the Club to build its own range in a disused, but refilled chalk pit. The original plans were for a 100-metre rifle and pistol range, later to be modified to a 30-metre pistol range. However, in spite of the fact that both the MoD and Hertfordshire police were very supportive to the project, we were subjected to two refusals of planning permission by local councillors. A successful appeal was made to the Department of the Environment.
In the summer of 1994 work began on the building of our range, where did all those volunteers get to?
We did eventually find them - the day the range opened!
The following photographs show the progress of the building of the range over a 3-month period.
Click on the photos to enlarge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An awesome task - 1994 |
The start |
100 tonnes of sand arrives |
Turf arrives |
And finally |
On October 6th 1994 the MoD approved the construction of the 30-metre range and issued a Range Safety Certificate, at that time for fullbore pistols. We enjoyed three years of pistol shooting at the range up to the handgun ban in 1997. The use of the range was reclassified by the MoD for the use of pistol calibre firearms. The good news was that we could now use the range up to 50 metres for carbines and pistols from .22 up to .455 calibre.
Whilst it is fair to say that most Members have still not fully recovered from the handgun ban we were and still are determined to promote and continue shooting. The Club did loose some Members due to the handgun ban, but with the closure of some Clubs in the area we have been fortunate to benefit from their losses, Club Membership doubled virtually overnight. We currently have over 60 Members.
Thanks to this website, and especially to Jo (Buntline Betty) for the recent re-design of this website, Membership shows steady growth and everyone is enjoying a relaxed shooting atmosphere. The range is open to Members 6.5 days every week, periodic full bore rifle shooting takes place at Bisley and fairly local MoD ranges in east Anglia.
Annual Club Fees allow Members and immediate family, to enjoy all the benefits of the fixtures organised on the Club range at no additional cost. Fees also include the best of company, all target requirements and as much tea or coffee as they can consume. Any additional bookings on MoD ranges are subsidised by the club, and all those attending share the extra cost.
The present Secretary and President have nearly 80 years Membership with the Club, 25% of the total Membership have enjoyed Membership for over 10 years.
(See Competitions Page for details of the Presidents Cup Competition)