The flag drops as outdoor sports get go-ahead at last

Shooting enthusiasts rejoice as the COVID-19 restrictions are eased following reduced infection rates and deaths recorded across the UK

As lockdowns are eased across the country and COVID-19 case rates continue to decline, outdoor shooting activities have begun again. A calendar of shooting events looks set to go ahead.

Outdoor shooting — including clay shooting and target rifle — began again in England on 30 March with strict social distancing rules and careful hygiene protocols being put in place at shooting grounds. Among those keen to get out and go again was Shooting

Times reader Laura Boswell.

“I am booked in for Friday,” she said. “Where I work isn’t far from my local ground and all I can hear is guns going off – it’s not fair!”

Maxine Smiles Cooke, manager of the Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club, which promotes ladies shooting, was also full of enthusiasm. “There is real excitement brewing; we have 70 events in the diary already and many of our April events are booked up,” she said.

The club, which has taken 22,000 women out shooting, has its 10th anniversary this year and Ms Smiles Cook told Shooting Times: “Our members aren’t just keen to be back out shooting, they are keen to be back with likeminded people, having fun and developing their skills and confidence in the field.”

Enthusiasm to get going was picked up on by operators. “The lockdowns have hugely disrupted the shooting ground,” said Nicolas Ollivier, director of Holland & Holland Shooting Ground. “We are really pleased

“At work all I can hear is guns going off — it’s not fair!”

with the level of enthusiasm since we announced our opening. The Holland 100 sporting event has been popular, as have private lessons. There seem to be a real enthusiasm among new and existing customers to get out.”

While Welsh shooters were able to go out from 27 March, Scottish clay shooting enthusiasts were asked to wait a little longer. Northern Ireland’s shooters look set to be the last to get the guns out because, at the time of writing, no update on the lockdown rules is expected until 12 April.

Those who enjoy the social side of shooting had more good news this week as the Scottish Game Fair confirmed it will go ahead from Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 September at Scone in Perthshire. This year’s fair will still be run as a fundraiser for the GWCT but the organisation will be handled by the company that runs the Game Fair in England.

Matt Cross

For more information, visit basc.org.uk/coronavirus

As lockdowns begin to lift across the country, shooters look forward to being able to start afresh