Shooters go on the pull

A dozen shooters went to Hawley in Kent to try their hands at clay pigeon shooting. After a brief introduction, the motley crew settled down to a twenty-five bird sporting layout (for the uninitiated: bird = clay pigeon; sporting layout = one way of positioning the clay pigeon launchers and timing of the "birds" being flung up in the air) followed by some skeet shooting ( = another way of positioning the launchers - this time they come from the left and right simultaneously). The guns were as assorted as the shooters, ranging from a Russian hammer gun bought in a pub for Ł50 to Lawrence’s Ł20 000 Purdey purchased for him at birth by his father. The scores were variable but the best of the day was by David the Hairdresser (special rates for students) closely followed by David Childs, to a rather low score from Stavros.

Marcos Dakalakalakalakalakas suffered injuries to his trigger finger when he fell out of his pram while crying about French culture. Tea was taken in Dartford followed by beer in Southside where everyone was impressed by Lee’s impression of a second-hand beer dispensing machine in an impromptu game of "Whose Line is it Anyway." involving tomfoolery with belisha beacons.

The Courtman Shield match has been moved to the eighth of March to allow the City and Guilds dream team to shoot for Great Britain, so make a note in your diary. More clay pigeon shooting will take place around Easter and everyone (even non-members) are welcome. See the notices in the range when they go up