The National Championships were held again this year after an enforced break. They should have been held in the Province of Dorset but Covid-19 had an effect on their arrangements and the National Association stood in in order for the competition to take place.
The National secretary Roger Wilkes knew of Barbury Shooting Ground and it proved to be a wise choice. A ground with superb facilities gave quality targets to test the 150 guns taking part. We had exclusive use of 14 stands and a part of the clubhouse reserved for refreshments.
Generally speaking, scores were high with one or two stands designed to sort out the best shooters.
At the Presentation, after the buffet meal, the trophies were handed out by Rt W Bro Phillip Bullock the Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic Province of Wiltshire. At least that is what he is now. Originally he came from Southport when it was in Lancashire.
Ten West Lancashire masons travelled to represent our Province and we have had better days. When the scores were announced and the dust settled, we ended up 3rd behind Surrey and Essex. The Provincial Team Scores were:
Essex 252, Surrey 250, West Lancashire 242, Met. GL London 241.
21 different Provinces entered this year’s competition.
The Lancashire Team comprised of Jason Rhodes (85), Andy McClements(79) and Jason Coxhead(78).
We did have some good fortune as young Joe Dodds won the Junior Class. Well done Joe it was our only silverware.
Thanks to Dave Smith for photographs
For the Watson Eden Trophy
39 Entries braved the weather for the 38 Inter Provincial Shoot at Paint Mine Woods on Sunday 3rd October. There were representatives from Yorkshire West Riding, Yorkshire North & East Ridings and West Lancashire but nobody from Cumberland and Westmorland. This was a shame as they started the competition way back in 1984 and for the second-year running have failed to compete.
7 Stands were available to shoot the 50 targets and apart from having some flying rabbits there was something for everyone. At the end of a blustery & wet morning the teams retired to the Longlands Hotel for much earned refreshments.
The Prizes were presented by W Bro Neil McGill the Chairman of the Lancaster & District Group of Lodges & Chapters
Inter Provincial Scores available for download (PDF) – Here
Thanks go to Liz & Karen for running the Office, Barry Robinson & Scott Devine for scoring and Barry Robinson for the use of the Longlands Hotel.
Special thanks to Andy McClements & Richard Dennison who organised a very enjoyable day out.
Our charity Clay day was held at Curwen Hall Farm by kind permission of our vice chairman Andy McClements who also organised and ran the event.
It was a day of two halves.
The Society had obtained a 1968 Firearms Act exemption certificate from Lancashire Constabulary to enable non certificate holders to come and shoot.
Over 20 people came to ‘Have-a-Go’, some returning from the last one. Two of our qualified coaches Mick Woods and Karl Prince made sure that all the groups enjoyed themselves and managed to hit a few clays in the process.
The weather was extremely hot, and the plentiful supply of bottled water was most welcome.
The other half for the more experienced shooters was a simulated game day.
This was held deep in the woods but was no cooler for the shooters. Dave Jenkinson who ran this part must have melted in the heat.
Most people enjoyed the experience and some good shooting by our Society chairman and his family saw them come out on top.
A magnificent raffle was held, with the proceeds going to the Lancaster Light Blue Club. Thanks to all those who bought tickets they were given £250.
Thanks to the generosity of our vice chairman Andy McClements we raised over £600 for our Society.
Our thanks go to Colin Preston, Andy and his partner Julie who ran the event, Dave Jenkinson for running the flush and out two coaches Mick & Karl. The team effort made the day a success.
The Annual General Meeting of the Society agreed to givedonations to three Blackpool Charities
Sands supports anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. Bereavement support is at the core of everything we do.
Some of the services that we offer include a free national helpline and a bereavement support app for parents, families, carers and health professionals; a UK-wide network of support groups with trained befrienders; an online forum enabling bereaved families to connect with each other and a wide range of bereavement support resources available online and in print.Sands receive £300
As the charity for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals they support the best in patient care and medical research for the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
area. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a vital element of the community on the Fylde Coast, and also regionally, thanks to the work of the Lancashire Cardiac Centre and the Haematology Unit.
Blue Skies makes a positive difference every single day to patients, their families and friends.
Blue Skies have been asked to allocate the money to the Premature Baby Unit to provide clothing and nappies to families not prepared for the early birth of a baby.The Premature Baby Unit receives £500
Provide specialist support, respite and outings for unpaid carers from the age of 5 years and their families.
Helping carers to create friendships, feel less isolated, strengthen their resilience and make happy memories. Making a Better Life for Carers. Their service is often a lifeline for many carers who would otherwise feel isolated and unable to cope.
WLMCPSS donate £500 to Blackpool Carers Centre
At the recent West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society Annual General Meeting held through Zoom in June 2021 it was suggested to the meeting that the society may like to consider making a charitable donation to the extremely hard working Blackpool Carers Centre on Newton Drive, Blackpool.
After some discussion it was agreed that the society would support Blackpool Carers to the magnificent sum of £500. In line with the WLMCPSS policy of supporting Masonic and Children’s charities the request to BCC was that the £500 be allocated to ‘young carers’ as there are many needy young people caring for vulnerable parents within the Blackpool area.
At a presentation arranged at Beaverbrooks House, the main offices for Blackpool Carers Centre, committee member David Jenkinson presented the cheque to Terri Hodkinson, Fund raising Officer. Terri thanked David for attending, the WLMCPSS for their generosity and looked forward to attending local lodge meetings again in the near future, to further explain the work of carers both young and adult.
Left to right – Terri Hodkinson, David Jenkinson
Once again the National Masonic Championships are coming back to where they started in 2002.
After having to cancel the National Championships in 2020 because of Covid-19 lockdown, the National Association has granted West Lancashire the 2023 Championships. This will be the 5th time this event has come to our Province.
West Lancashire are proud that they started the National Championships and delighted that it now firmly established as a prestigious event for the 36 Provinces who are members of the National Association.
We hope that the 2023 Championships prove every bit as enjoyable as the 18 that precede it.
Charity Clay Day
June 5th; within sight of the end; hopefully, of Covid -19 regulations, and we managed to hold our first Charity Clay Day for over 12 months.
The Dolphin Clay Target Centre gave us exclusive use of the ground for our event and 25 Masons & guests turned up to ‘Have-a-Go’ and 35 members of the Society came to shoot a very testing 50 bird course.
A lovely sunny day helped and the supply of bacon sandwiches fed those who could not wait for the Dolphin Inn to open to serve ale & meals.
Two of our qualified coaches worked extremely hard to cater for the masons who were split into 4 groups.
The more experienced shooters went round the 50 bird sporting course which some found difficult & testing.
Steve & Jan Walls with Chris & John Bruffell took the entries and sorted out the groups as well as organising the Raffle and thanks to all who attended and participated, we raised just over £300
Thanks must go to Max and Elaine Drellincourt for giving us the use of the ground and making us welcome.
Our next Charity Clay Day is at Curwen Hill Farm, Wray near Lancaster on Saturday 17th July
Book in early for instruction as we expect a lot of entries as this event is in conjunction with Lancaster Light Blue Club. For our members and their guests there will be a Simulated Game Day, well worth trying if you have never experienced shooting a flush.
A beautiful fine day for the War of the Roses at Coniston Shooting Ground near Skipton when once again Lancashire and Yorkshire competed in the War of the Roses.
Lancashire was represented by the Province of West Lancashire and Yorkshire by the Provinces of West Yorkshire and North & East Riding.
A great turn out – 25 Masons and 15 Guests from Lancashire and 24 Masons with one guest for Yorkshire.
The targets were not exactly easy, as can be seen in the scores, but all competitors were glad to be back shooting after such a long layoff.
As the scores came in Yorkshire took the lead and retained it for a long time but gradually some good scores from Lancashire meant the Lancashire won by 12 Targets
Full list of Scores click here.