Turners go Clay Shooting
On Saturday 9th September 2017 the morning began circa 9.30 when members and guests began arriving at the Shooting Lodge of E. J. Churchill’s Shooting Ground situated in the rolling Chiltern Hills, with 40 acres of landscaped grounds. We were met by the professional event staff and a warm bacon roll and croissant and an excellent coffee. Churchill pride themselves in providing exciting, creative and quality events to suit the clients’ needs and they certainly achieved this result with the Clay Shooting experience.
A total of 19 members and guests attended ranging in shooting experience from the beginner to the very experienced. After the security briefing and being supplied with hats, glasses and ear defenders, the Guns and instructors were divided into four separate teams according to their shooting experiences. The fun began with an introduction to the various Clay Pigeon Shooting Stands each requiring a different level of skill and ability with everyone through expert tuition or their own experience hitting clays (at some point). Low level cartridges especially loaded at Churchill’s were used for all novices to ensure that only memories (not bruises) remain.
After 90 minutes of practicing on a variety of stands there was a well-earned break for refreshment in the delightful surroundings of the Lodge. There was non-stop chatter and excitement that some members and guests had even managed to shoot at and hit clays !!
Then the competition began in earnest, over four stands and with nerves a jangling we set off, with no one wishing to be awarded the ‘Clay Preservation Award’ on conclusion of the Shoot.
Expectation was high and for some it was met with excellent results whilst others maybe didn’t quite rise to their full potential and pre-stated skill.
On return to the Lodge there was again excitement at how everyone, irrespective of their result had thoroughly enjoyed the day. .
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- Members and guests enjoying the clay shoot
Lunch which was a steak ciabatta sandwich and salad with a glass of wine or beer which was topped with the announcement of the best scores. There were no prizes to be awarded just the satisfaction and personal pleasure of shooting well.
The top shot of the day was a guest Dominic Gowans with three other guests Mark Cook – Dave Varela and Jonathan Coutts being equal second. The highest scoring member was Ismael Assenjee. It would be unfair to list all those who could have achieved and been awarded the ‘Clay Preservation Award’.
As we departed late afternoon there was a chorus of excellent day let’s do this again next year.
Well done to everyone who attended and to E. J. Churchill for the excellent facilities.
Report by Fred Bain, Turners Company Shooting Captain