2004

By Secretary PC John Ormerod

2004 saw the members of the Clay shooting section enjoying excellent camaraderie and were unfortunate to not walk away with a few prizes this year. The year started on a high when in the Regional Down the line event the Lancashire team who had won the competition in 2003 turned in an even higher score this year. However, the feeling of confidence of another success was short lived with the late arrival of Insp Graham Nield from G.M.P. Graham needed to return a perfect score for the team to take the title, which over 100 targets isn’t easy. Well he did it in style and G.M.P took the title for 2004 with just 1 point in front. Well he does shoot for Great Britain so we’ve tried to arrange it that he’s on leave next year. (Only kidding)

That set the scene for the rest of the regional competitions and Lancashire “A” team came second to G.M.P. in all the other competitions, however, the team took consolation in that their scores where higher than last year. Everyone agreed that the increased scores were put down to the increase in practise the team were able to enjoy with the help of PSUK. PSUK provided subsidised funds to allow the team to compete in three additional events this year. The sport of clay shooting requires a degree of natural ability combined with experience through practice, which the team members certainly were able to get through the additional fixtures. 

Due to the high scores obtained by the members this year Lancashire was well represented in the National Championships. With full teams of 5 members competing in the sporting and down the line events. A change of rules this year saw the obligatory wearing of protective eye wear in all disciplines, which threw some of the seasoned (another word for old) shooters, me included. It was one of those days when the glasses seemed to permanently steam up, well that’s our excuse anyway. 

The clay section currently has 20 active members from new to seasoned shooters and is always actively seeking new members. The secretary personally would like to thank Ken Tyson on behalf of the members for all his help in the organising of the teams. Ken Tyson who has been shooting throughout his career retired this year but still acts as Chairman.

Finally...

One of the members Matthew Kneale has utilised his skills this year in obtained some sponsorship from a local gun dealer who has provided 5 skeet vests for the use of the team. The last gun jointly owned by the team has been sold but the transfer to the new owner has yet to take place. 

2003

By Section Secretary PC John Ormerod

The Clay Shooting Section has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, with membership increasing to 20 active members. The membership now includes serving, retired officers and support staff.

The PAA NW Regional sporting competition saw more Lancashire members than ever before competing in a single competition. There was a change of venue for the sporting competition this year and the grounds of Catton Hall in Frodsham provided a fresh and testing competition. Unfortunately, Lancashire couldn’t repeat the win from 2002 but came in second, fourth and fifth places in the team competition.

Two thousand and three saw Lancashire winning the team PAA North West Regional Down-the-Line competition with the second team coming in fourth. In the individual competition Lancashire members Keith Whitwell and John Pemberton came in second and third overall respectively.

The other competition we compete in is the discipline of Skeet. It a long time since Lancashire featured anything better than 3^rd in this, but with the introduction of Keith Whitwell’s skill and coaching, the members are hoping for better things to come in 2004.   

In 2003 several members of the section qualified and competed in the annual PAA Nationals held over 5 days and covering all three disciplines held in Hull. Even though we failed to make any impact on the competition everyone thought it was all good experience.

The dates for the PAA and Section shoots for 2004 have now been set and are available to anybody on request. It is anticipated that 2004 will see more members benefiting from more planned section shoots this year and continued the recent successes. The section would also like to encourage more female members to join as we only have one active female member at this time. So if there is any body out there that is interested they can contact me on the below listed numbers.

2002

No report received

2001

No report received