Question 1

Interested in trying rifle shooting?

Accepted Answer

If you are interested in shooting and think you would like to have a go, then this section is to help make your first time go as smoothly as possible.

One aspect of shooting that makes it different from other sports is that you will be using a firearm; this means that safety is a very important part of the sport.

The Home Office requires a certain procedure for your first visit.
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Initially, contact the club secretary Edward Kendall to make an appointment to visit the range.

Question 2

The unfortunate waiting list...

Accepted Answer

All shooting clubs are limited by the Home Office on the ratio of Probationary to Full members they can have at any one time. This means we can only take on a handful of new members at a time and they have to serve the probationary period and become full members before we can admit any more. There was a surge in interest in shooting during lockdown and seemingly another surge in interest with current world events.
 
The upshot of this is that we have a backlog of potential new members and a waiting list that we are working through.
 
Please do not despair! If you would like to try shooting please contact the club secretary Edward Kendall in the first instance for a chat and he will add you to the list and give you an idea of how long the waiting list is.

Question 3

Visiting the club for the first time...

Accepted Answer

Your first visit to the club is a non shooting visit - this is one of the Home Office's requirements.
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During your first visit, a tour of the range will be given, with discussion of the different types of shooting available.
 
There may be other members using the range, so you will see the main types of competition you can expect after instruction and coaching and the type of equipment you need for shooting will be shown and explained.
 
All the equipment a beginner will need to start shooting is supplied as part of your membership, the only other charge will be the cost of the ammunition you will use each night.
 
After the tour, if you like what you have seen and want to join, the rules and membership fees for Probationary Membership will be explained. You will be given an application form for Probationary Membership to complete and bring back to the club the following week.

Question 4

Your first shooting visit...

Accepted Answer

During your next visit, you will be coached on the safe handling of the type of rifle and shooting discipline you have chosen, this will include:
 
 Movement within the range
 Use of breech flags
 The operation of the range ‘in use’ red light safety system
 Keeping quiet whilst shooting is taking place
 Picking up your empty cases and tidying-up the firing point you used
We will also explain aspects of the Law relating to ownership of rifles and ammunition, including their safe storage.
 
You will then get to shoot a number of details during the course of the evening. During your first few visits you will be directly supervised, this is to ensure you are using and handling the firearm safely, but also so that there is someone on hand if you need any help and to give advice.

Question 5

Probationary Membership...

Accepted Answer

Your first shooting visit counts as the first of five visits that are classed as pre probationary membership. During these five visits the cost of each visit is £5 plus any ammunition you use.
 
After your fifth visit you will be invited to join the club as a probationary member. This is done so you get the opportunity to have a go for a few weeks before committing to membership.
 
Once you decide to join a probationary membership fee of £40 becomes payable. This will cover your range fees for the next six months of your probationary period.
 
During your six months probationary period you must attend the club a minimum of fifteen times to qualify for full membership.
 
Once your probationary period is up you will be invited to join as a full club member and full membership and range fees will be payable.

NEW TO SHOOTING?

Interested in trying rifle shooting?

The unfortunate waiting list...

Visiting the club for the first time...

Your first shooting visit...

Probationary Membership...