• 138th Imperial Meeting July 13th to 28th 2007
• HRA Captains Day 2007
• First Guest Shoot with Welwyn Phoenix

138th Imperial Meeting July 13th to 28th 2007

With the British summer having deteriorated to record rainfall levels in May and June, the prospects for another scorching Imperial Meeting were very slim. The doubting Thomas’s were not disappointed, but despite awful weather forecasts, five hardy souls from WPRC along with another 1100 equally determined shooters embarked on the road to seeking shooting glory or at very least the satisfaction of being able to say ‘I was there’.

Dick Hayden, our only representative in the Match Rifle events, shot all his competitions in the first week. The weather WAS awful but shooting continued with downpours on every day. It seems amazing to us lesser mortals, that these competitors with targets almost completely obscured at 1100 and 1200 yards can manage scores of 196.19v ex 200, the winning score in the Edge this year. Dick lasted until First Wednesday, when the supplies of dry underwear and his patience ran out. He decided that staying on till the last MR events on Friday was a call beyond duty and beat a welcome retreat home.

Maybe he was psychic or just fed up. However it proved to be a wise decision. The main force from WPRC were due to start their competitions on Friday morning, but following a torrential storm in the early hours which carried on most of the day, the ranges were nearly washed away for the second time in 13 months. Shooting was cancelled at 0930 when lightening strikes on Century were falling 100 yards in front of the Cadet International Match shooters. Both the Century and Hutton competitions were abandoned without a shot being fired.

The rain continued to fall, forming a large lake between the 100 and 300 yard firing points, deep enough to sail canoes later in the day. Alistair Bullen, Nick Verduyn, Colin Skellett, and Bob Jackson sought shelter and solace until the sun came out in the afternoon. The attached pictures show what effect the storm made on a normally dry and dusty Bisley in July. As a result, two butts were out of action for most of the meeting, and shooting was a lottery. Some were lucky and shot in high temperatures with amazing humidity, those unfortunates who got rained upon, really got a soaking. Thankfully as the final week progressed the weather improved and by Friday deep rutted campsites and endless muddy tracks were the only obvious signs of the deluge that had prevailed for most of the first ten days

However the talk on camp was all about shooting successes and failures and as usual our group from WPRC had both to report. To be fair, there were very few absolute catastrophes and happily we can report some remarkable successes which may be hard to repeat in future years. The high points can be summarised as follows:

• Everyone got on at least one Prize List.
• Nick failed to challenge his 172.24 in the Stock Exchange and missed the Prize list. He actually had a 24th place!
• Colin made 3 Lists, but somehow cleverly managed to retain his Tyro status.
• Nick made 19th in the Times and 20th in the Wimbledon both on the same day.
• Alistair finished 148th in The Grand Agg. and secured his A Class – not before time.
• Alistair made a tie shoot in the Wimbledon with 50.9 and finished 5th with 25.2

And finally the icing on his cake………….

• Alistair Bullen was a clear winner of The Corporation with a 50.9 at 1000 yards. Beating Queens Prize winners, European Games Gold medallists, all the current Palma team and 1062 other competitors. ‘The Corp’ is regarded as the premier single distance competition at The Meeting and has always been the turning point of everyone’s Grand Aggregate. A fabulous achievement by our Club Captain, made possible by considerable dedication and hard work.
  
  
  
  

'If you're not working what the Hell!!'

HRA Captains Day 2007 - Welwyn Phoenix score again in County Events

Two Hertfordshire County events were staged as 2007 season openers in late March this year. Both held on the same day to attract turnout, WPRC were well represented in both.

County Captains Day – Morning, 25th March - 300, 500 and 600 yards
This competition for individual shooters is run under handicap conditions encouraging emerging talent to shoot against the more experienced. Often it is found that experience will influence the result particularly if early season conditions of high winds and rain make the going more difficult. WPRC fielded three competitors in the group of 10 shooters and yet again led the way against their other County Club adversaries.
Colin Skellett, Nick Verduyn and Alistair Bullen all produced very creditable gun scores to be 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. But even better, when the handicaps were applied, the overall result improved considerably with a win for Colin, with Alistair and Nick in 3rd and 7th places. A great start to 2007.

Full results:

County Clubs Challenge Shield – Afternoon, 25th March – Team competition

It had been agreed that the scheduling of the HRA Challenge Shield should be coincident with the HRA Captain’s Day shoot, as this had worked well the previous time. The 2007 HRA Challenge Shield was to follow the Captain’s Day shoot. Since Welwyn Phoenix RC prevailed at the last Challenge Shield, then it was our honour to organise 2007 competition. Having booked targets, sent out invitations and made sure the Captain’s Day shoot had not been re-scheduled all was in hand.

Three Hertfordshire clubs entered the 2007 Challenge Shield.

The afternoon was slightly over cast, but not too bad considering the time of year. Slight disaster on the target front, the targets that were booked had been cancelled so we were informed by the range office. No butt markers were available, but 2 electronic targets at 500 yards were available.

The team captains were consulted and a change of format agreed. The new format was to be 2 convertible sighting shots plus 10 to count shot twice at 500 yards, for each member of the 6 man team. However, as two clubs could not filed a full complement this was amended to best 5 of 6 scores to count. An agreeable rota was constructed to allow the three teams to share the 2 electronic targets. We were back on track.

Disaster, the electronic targets were not working after the lunch time recess. It was almost an hour before the targets were up and running again. Coupled with the fact that we were still in the winter season for shooting hours, gave us only 2 hours to complete the shoot. It was not possible to shoot everyone twice, as there was not enough time. So, it came to the best 5 of 6 from one detail at one distance. Welwyn Phoenix RC managed to prevail for a second consecutive year, followed by Watford OCA.

Therefore WPRC have the honour of organising the 2008 HRA Challenge Shield.

First Guest Shoot with Welwyn Phoenix

With the prospect of shooting at 300 and 600 yards on a beautiful warm spring day, the opportunity paid off for eight visitors to Bisley recently.

WPRC’s policy of opening it’s doors to those who would like to try full bore shooting paid off for a large group of guests who joined Club Members for a day on the ranges.

The group comprised both complete novices and some who were renewing their interest in the sport. Following a comprehensive safety briefing, each visitor was allocated a coach and mentor for the day. They then proceeded to get down to the serious business of ‘hitting the black’.

It was gratifying for coaches to see that all of their charges achieved a considerable degree of success and progress throughout the day. Notably those that had been away from the sport for extended periods were able to ‘get back on the bike’ with amazing ease.
Examples of success during the day were:

• Total novice at full bore 43 ex 50 - 600 yards
• Not picked up a target rifle for 18 years 46 ex 50 - 600 yards

Keen, talented or good coaching. You decide!

Plenty of target space enabled members to also enjoy a good days shooting, but all agreed that the winner of the day was Target Shooting, which seemed to be certain of some new recruits in the very near future.

To our guests; Ian, Mike, Martin, Pat, Brendan, Bridget, Mehbub &Adrian; thanks for joining us. We know you had a great day – the smiles said it all, particularly when the V Bulls were signalled from the butts.
See you again SOON!!

To the members who attended; a great team effort – thanks for your support.

Next Guest Shoot - Watch the Shooting Program >>

Contact us if you are interested in trying a day out with Welwyn Phoenix.

Next Events

31/08/08
300, 600 Yards

21/09/08
300, 500 Yards

19/10/08
300, 600, 900, 1000

more details...