A bright and sunny summer Saturday in mid-August on Longton Marsh, Preston, was the perfect setting for a charity shoot challenge. The event was organised by members of South Fylde Group’s Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire No 6615.
The event was held at the Dolphin Shooting Ground, Longton, Preston and was an 80-bird clay target shoot alongside a 10-bird ‘Have a go stand’ with tuition for those wishing to experience clay target shooting provided by shoot captain Mick Woods and Josephine Smith. There were 15 members of Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire taking part and 19 guests. Tuition was provided for 10 novices.
Following registration in the shooting ground cabin, which was expertly managed and presided over by lodge secretary Chris Tittley, the groups of seasoned clay target shooters made their way around the 10 traps whilst the novices were tutored by Mick and Josephine.
At around mid-morning, the charity shoot challenge came to an end and entrants handed in their score cards to Chris Tittley, who carefully processed all the results, ready for the prize-giving ceremony. Everyone moved into The Dolphin Inn adjoining the shooting ground to enjoy a superb hotpot lunch with red cabbage.
During the meal, raffle tickets were sold ahead of the big draw and announcement of the winners. Cynthia Underwood and Gina Topping drew the first two prizes and the bottles were distributed with great efficiency by lodge treasurer Andy McClements and charity steward Richard Dennison.
Following the raffle, Martin Swarbrick, WM of the Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire, thanked everyone for their attendance at this family-orientated event and for helping to raise a massive £840, which will be distributed to Masonic and non-Masonic charities.
The presentations took place, led by Mick Woods and Martin Swarbrick and the scores were as follows for Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire members: First, with a score of 70, Jason Rhodes won the Country Pursuits Challenge Cup and 250 cartridges. Second, with a score of 67, David Smith won a framed certificate and 150 cartridges. The third prize winner, with a score of 60, won a framed certificate and 100 cartridges.
Guest scores: First, with a score of 60 was James Ayres who won a trophy and 250 cartridges. Second, with a score of 60 was John Broadhead who won a framed certificate and 150 cartridges. Third, with a score of 60 was Max Hickling who won a framed certificate and 100 cartridges.
The members of Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire are extremely grateful to Max and Elaine Drellingcourt of the Dolphin Clay Target Centre, Longton, for their continued support of our charitable shooting events.