Riflemen’s Day, 17 April 2024

Liveryman Derek Stimpson yet again surpassed himself in organising this year’s day at Bisley.  Bisley might be Derek’s second home, as he knows the camp and the sport so well, but year on year the complexities of organising this event have increased to further challenge him.  Derek is always worried that sufficient Liverymen will attend but this year the day was a sellout in double quick time.  Centred on Cottesloe Lodge, kindly made available by fellow Liveryman Jim McAllister, 25 breakfasted on bacon rolls and coffee before the dessert of Derek’s range briefing for the day! Five teams of five members then set off on the round-robin of five events on a dry but chilly day with a strong westerly wind blowing directly in the shooters’ faces.  Luckily, Derek had ensured, or even insured(?), that two top ‘wind coaches’, Will Meldrum and Hugh Butcher, were in attendance to assist on the 1,000 yards.  Liveryman Alice Gran Stimpson was also ready pen in hand to record the scores.  As usual she would have to be nifty with the numbers at the end of the day.

1000 yd Firing point on Stickledown, shooting into the teeth of the wind.

After a splendid barbecue lunch, the afternoon saw the second half and completion of the event when the Master presented champagne to the winning No3 team of Zack Feather, Robert Parker-Swift, Richard Black, Leo Black, and James Ashdown – scored 1371 (HPS1800).  (See the team below with their shooting champagne swag!)

For our Livery aficionados the Individual winners were:

1000 yds             Richard Black                   47 (HPS 50)

Swedish Deer  Robert Parker-Swift       45 (HPS 60)

Mini McQueen  Peter-Carlo Lehrell        49 (HPS 50)

Running Boar   Patrick Turner                    71 (HPS 100)  

 [Richard Black scored 76 but had already won the 1000yds]

Stalkers Test    Paul Quinton                      98 (HPS 100)

These lucky winners took away a BSRC engraved glass.

Derek summarised the event so , ‘Overall shooting was to the usual high standard plus a spirit of jovial competitiveness, and I believe we all enjoyed the day.  Our thanks to the BSRC team for running the range and targetry, Alice Gran for running the scoring, and to Jim McAllister for hosting the event at his Bisley home “Cottesloe Lodge. We were pleased to have Jim join us.’

And of course, our thanks to Derek, for yet another great day.

The London Proof House looking ready for the Christmas celebration.

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Coat of arms with weapons, flags, and Latin inscription:

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