How to Join the Club

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Contents:- 
Membership Information
Criminal Records
Probationary & Social Members
Letter of reference
Identification
Photos Required
No Camouflage Clothing Permitted
Probationary Period
Final Safety Test
Police Notification

FEES:-
Probationary Membership
Full Membership
Junior Members
Student Members
Airgun Members
How to apply for Membership

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION:

Membership is open to everyone, but as you would expect for a gun club, careful assessment must be made of potential members. It is a Home Office requirement that every new member must be notified to the Police and our application form includes necessary questions regarding criminal records and mental health. Anyone handling firearms without a personal Firearms Certificate must, by law, sign a declaration under Section 21 of the Firearms Acts that they have not been imprisoned for specified lengths of time as this will preclude them from handling or possessing firearms of ammunition. The Club reserves the right to refuse membership to any person it feels would be unacceptable.

Any prospective member with a criminal record will be expected to provide full details of their record including a copy of a Full Enhanced Disclosure (which may be obtained from the Police). Their application will be considered by the Club's Committee before that person will be accepted as a member. The Committee's decision will be notified to the prospective member as soon as possible following the Committee Meeting. It should be noted that in the case of firearms no criminal record can be considered  as 'spent'. If, following the Police checks, it is discovered that a member does have a record that they had not revealed then their application will be considered null and void.

Prospective Probationary or Social Members must give the Club Secretary a minimum of 48 hour's notice of attendance and we require a letter of reference from someone who has known the person for at least 3 years. Probationers must be sponsored by at least one full member and this is usually arranged during registration.

Two items of identification containing a current name and address must be produced before anyone is allowed to handle firearms or ammunition. We also have a rule that all members must wear an identification card bearing a photo and therefore 2 passport sized photos are required (one for the ID card and the other for attaching to the Probationer's Progress Record Card). We apply strict rules regarding range discipline and Probationers are only permitted to shoot under personal supervision of a Club appointed Range Officer. No camouflage clothing is allowed on Club premises. 

Probationers may not shoot until they have undergone comprehensive instruction in the safe handling of firearms and ammunition. They must serve a minimum 3 months probationary period during which they are expected to attend regularly and are fully supervised and coached in the safe handling of guns and marksmanship. During the probation period Club guns and safety equipment (hearing and eye protection) will be made available and therefore no personal outlay is required.

On completion of the probationary period a Probationer may take the Club's Final Safety Test (a basic test of competence and knowledge regarding the safe handling of firearms and ammunition) and, if successful, may then apply for Full Membership (Category B). Applications are considered by the Club's Committee and, provided the applicant's conduct and character are considered acceptable, Full Membership is usually granted. The Club must also give notification to the Police of any person accepted as a Full Member. 

Junior Members (aged 14 to 17) are accepted as Probationers provided at least one of their parents accompanies them on their first visit and provides written confirmation that they are happy for their child to shoot. Juniors may also use Range 2 for airgun shooting but must be under full parental/adult supervision at all times when using airguns.

FEES INFORMATION - Current at January 2008:

Probationary Membership costs £10 and there is a £3.00 range fee payable on each visit when the range is used. Ammunition and targets are paid for on the night and current prices (January 2008) are:- .22 £2.50/50; .357 20p each; black powder 25p per chamber (i.e. £1.50 for 6 shots); targets vary from 10p to 50p each. 

Full Membership subscription, which includes member and spouse/partner, is normally determined by the Committee and announced at the AGM in January. The full amount for 2008 is £120. Subscriptions are payable 'pro-rata' for every full month remaining in the year when an application is accepted. A Standing Order arrangement is possible. Full Members do not pay the range fee and may cite the Club in connection with an application for a Firearms Certificate which would enable them to purchase their own guns and ammunition. Full Members may buy a key and use the range out of normal Club hours to shoot their own guns. There is a concessionary subscription for student members aged 18 and over and in full-time education. 

Junior Members (14 to 17) do not pay a subscription but must pay a range fee per visit (£1.25). This also allows them to use Range 2 for airgun shooting, however Juniors must be supervised at all times when on the ranges. 

Airgun Members pay a one-off £5.00 Joining Fee and £2.00 Range Fee per visit. A token renewal fee of £2 adult and £1 junior Airgun Member was introduced in January 2006; Social Members pay £25 per annum - these categories of member may not handle Section 1 firearms or ammunition unless they become Probationary Members and undergo the appropriate training as described above. 

HOW TO JOIN: 

Should you wish to join our Club and try the sport of target shooting for yourself please come along and have a word with one of our Committee Members or Full Members who will be able to give you an application form and answer any questions you might have regarding the Club and the sport of target shooting. Alternatively, ring our Secretary, Steve Davidson on 01469 515265 (preferably between 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m.) to arrange your first visit.