For those of you who receive our Newsletter you will have read the reports of our visits to Meon Springs and Lains. It was a bright and breezy day in February that 23 members and guests visited Meon Springs, Hampshire. We were welcomed by owner Nicholas Butler and his son Jamie to this new venue in a delightful lakeside setting.

With the expected testing series of stands arranged by shoot organiser Peter Corney, it proved to be an exciting start to our season. Shoot Captain, Roberta Walker, rather than competing this year, took the Novices round the course, the experienced shots getting their eye in with a variety of clays coming at varying heights and directions.

High Gun winners on the day were Guest Bobbie Kemp with a score of 60 from John Cutcliffe with 54. Novice Peter Gauntlett with 23, followed by Liz Diss with 16. Lady High Gun was Joan Hodges with 46, from new comer Sarah Free with 34. Member High Gun was Clifford Sturt with 53 from Peter Tipple with 48. The day ended most pleasantly with a sociable meal and Prize Giving.

We were blessed with really beautiful weather for our visit to the familiar ground of Lains Shooting School in March. Unfortunately Roberta was unable to attend, due to her incapacity, in hospital with an ankle fracture. However husband James, followed her pre-prepared itinerary and after Howard Kirby's welcome and safety talk the shooting commenced. The new stands at Lains are dug out to minimise noise which meant a quick eye to hit the 'crossers', but clays were obliterated, sometimes with consumate ease.

Regular guest John Gamblen, coached the Novice squad, where Peter Gauntlett fittingly took High Gun prize with 21 scored, from Brenda Forbes with 19. Guest High Gun was yet again Bobbie Kemp with 39, just beating Joan Hodges whose 38 clinched Lady High gun from Sally Sturt with 29. Members prize went to Peter Tipple with 44 from Clifford Sturt with 38. Prizes were awarded after the team flush, whereupon we all repaired to a new lunch venue, the White Swan at Thruxton.
We enjoyed an excellent lunch thoughtfully arranged by our absentee Shoot Captain Roberta. So good that we all want to feast there again next season!

Our third foray into the Clay Shooting field was to The Shooting Club at Widdington Farm, Upavon. This was our second visit to this lovely part of Wiltshire, set in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and green fields. It proved just as popular as last year, even though the weather was damp to say the least, we were able to miss the worst downpours. Roberta Walker, by then on crutches, joined in and accompanied by Peter Tipple moved from stand to stand on the buggy. Enthusiasm was not dampened by the light rain, but eye-hand co-ordination needed to be extra quick to pick off many of the clays.
There was some excellent shooting overall throughout the day, which ended with the usual excitement of the team flush, a suitable finale. After which we took our seats for an enjoyable home cooked lunch followed by a modest prize-giving. Novices, Peter and Valerie Gauntlett, scored equally earning them the prize. Sally Sturt well deservedly took the Members High Gun with 54 scored. Peter Tipple and David Cheeseman drew second with 49 and regular visitor Joan Hodges took Guest and Lady High Gun prizes with 58, closely chased by Sally Sturt with 54.

Earlier this year the Shooting Society was invited to participate in a triangular match on the Isle of Wight by the Royal Corinthian Y.C. with the Royal Yacht Squadron also competing. The home team won but our team of seven members including Clifford and Sally Sturt, Peter Tipple, John Stelling, Richard Mangnall, Richard Curry and Roberta Walker, came a creditable second with the Squadron well third!
After an excellent lunch at the RCYC we agreed to stage a rematch on the mainland in 2008. We have also accepted another challenge to shoot against the Royal Solent, Bembridge Sailing Club and the Seaview Yacht Club, on the Isle of Wight later this year.

With three of our four shooting events now completed, it would seem that the competition for the individual trophies is extremely close. This season it is the three best scores that will count for the four High Gun awards. Once again the recipients will receive a magnificent watch generously donated by our sponsor Michel Herbelin UK, through the good offices of Peter and Valerie Gauntlett.
Thus we now look forward to our fourth shoot which will take place at Acorn Shooting Ground Compton Manor Estate, Kings Somborne, on Wednesday 5th September, where the final places will be determined. A welcome return to this shooting ground run by Des Sturgess. We can look forward to a splendid variety of targets, set in the picturesque countryside of Hampshire, followed by lunch in the Shooting Lodge. Guns and instruction can be provided, so watch for the next newsletter.