Huge infrastructure upgrade – 2025
Things have moved on from 2018 despite the two year break from improvements caused by Covid.
The following work has been completed or is underway and will be completed very soon ;
Main multi-discipline firearms range – Emmerson B range
Upgrade of the backstop to a full width, full height rubber granule type
Installation of an olympic grade 5 lane Intarso retrievable target system with advancing and turning target functions.
Building of five new firing points
Upgrade of lighting to ISSC approved levels and installation of improved LED lighting throughout
Installation of on-range storage for targets and equipment
Removal of energy and velocity limits for pistol calibre ammunition
Full-bore rifle rounds up to HME limits may now be used (very useful for training and zeroing)
Introduction of mini-rifle, practical pistol, gallery rifle and other competitions
Precision shooting range – Newbury A range
Installation of a state of the art electronic target and scoring system
Improvements to target holders
Improvements to range furniture and firing points
Air range one – plinking and general purpose
Upgrade of the back wall to be fully steel faced
Installation of multiple reactive targets for plinking
Installation of a permanent chronograph
Upgrade of the retrievable target system to brand new state of the art units
Air range two – precision target practice
Range built and completed
State of the art retrievable target system installed
General changes and improvements
Second armoury built
Addition of 50+ gun safes for members to hire for secure storage
Multiple purchases of high end match grade air rifles and air pistols for member’s use
Multiple purchases of genera purpose air rifles and pistols for member’s use
Multiple purchases of firearms for member’s use
Expansion of the full-bore section with very regular external range visits
Expansion of the full-bore rifles to five units (Two .223 rifles, one .308 rifle, one 7.62x54r rifle, one AK47 rifle)
New disabled friendly entrance (under construction, to be completed 1st quarter 2025)
New classroom and waiting room completed
Introduction of reloading courses for members
Dedicated admin office space completed
Full implementation of Myclubhouse membership management system
Recording of member’s firearms usage moved from paper to Myclubhouse (much more convenient!)
Introduction of regular range bookings at Bisley offering 1000 yards plus shooting with targets and steels
Introduction of regular club fun shoots for members
Subsidy of external range hire costs – the club covers the cost of MOD and Bisley ranges, attendees only pay for ammo, travel and accommodation
Charges for targets abolished – all standard targets are free of charge for members
No range fees – members may use the club facilities as much as they like, 7 days a week.
Installation of a multi-channel CCTV system
Installation of electronic door access system
Installation of dedicated first aid points
Training of multiple club members and range officers in first aid
Club expansion and refurbishment – work commences April 2018!
As the popularity of the club increases we are seeing a growing demand for our facilities and in recognition of this we are expanding. A comprehensive plan of works is in progress.
Currently the club has 3 main ranges ;
- Air pistol – motorised targets, 10m
- “A” range – static targets, 25m, 3 position and precision
- “B” range – static targets, 20m, all other disciplines and the busiest range
We have a list of changes which will be happening or have already happened ;
- Expansion of the main “B” range length extending the firing distance from 20m to 25m – PART OF ONGOING B RANGE IMPROVEMENT
- Rebuilt firing points on “B” range – PART OF ONGOING B RANGE IMPROVEMENT
- Improved lighting on all firing points and targets – COMPLETED
- Additional air range facilities including new lanes – COMPLETED
- Addition of a second armoury to accommodate the growing demand from our members for firearm storage – COMPLETED
- Removal of the existing club room which dates from 1977 – COMPLETED
- Addition of a bigger, comfortable and modern club room – COMPLETED
- Addition of a purpose built training room for probation safety briefings – COMPLETED
- Updated membership card system – COMPLETED
- Ability to renew membership via the website and pay online – COMPLETED
- Video feeds from the ranges into the club room – COMPLETED
- Purchase of a state of the art radar chronograph suitable for indoor and outdoor use – COMPLETED
- Training and qualification of Full Bore range officers to allow full-bore shooting – COMPLETED
- Purchase of two full-bore club rifles – COMPLETED
The club has agreed with Wakefield Sports Club to take over a series of unused changing rooms which are adjacent to our existing ranges. Following a lengthly planning process building work is commencing in April 2018.
Obviously this takes time to implement and we will be careful to keep disruption to an absolute minimum. There will be no unannounced closing of ranges and any closing of ranges will be for an absolute minimum of time.
The committee have been working on this for several years and now work is commencing, we are keen to bring it to completion as soon as possible. Please appreciate this is a major construction project including a full replacement of electrics, not a simple paint and bodge job.
In addition we have a list of changes which we are considering once the main expansion is completed, subject to budget constraints, practicality and testing ;
- Motorised target system on “B” range – COMPLETED
- Improved backstop on “B” range to allow practical discliplines – COMPLETED
- Video based target displays on the firing point (tested, implementation held until refurbishment and elecrics are completed)
- Addition to the club of a state of the art Dryfire shotgun and pistol simulator / training aid
If any club member has suggestions for improvements do contact the club secretary, chairman or any of the range officers. Suggestions always welcome.