It all began in 2002. Rich Clark had been shooting field target competitions across the south west of England for some time, as a nomadic player with no home club. Keen to find a suitable local venue, he floated the idea of a new club in this area (the nearest was over 20 miles away) and Shebbear College offered the use of their Top Field on acceptable terms. However some significant capital would be needed, and the search was on for some grant funding.

In May 2003, after a few raised eyebrows about the whole idea of helping to fund a new gun club in today’s politically correct environment, the Tarka Country Millennium Awards office backed by the Millennium Commission (Lottery money) agreed to grant a little over Ł4,000. This was used to equip the new club with all

kinds of physical things, targets, fencing, security items, signs, a couple of trainer rifles, pellets, compressed air bottle, chronograph, paint, etc. Not only hardware, but software too. The grant paid for first aid training, training Rich to become the first qualified shooting coach in this area, getting members approved by the Criminal Records Bureau to work with young people, paying for the first year’s insurance, and subsidising the first 20 members by paying their annual subscriptions.

We owe a debt of gratitude to TCMA without whose help and commitment this venture would not have got off to such a good start.

Also to be acknowledged are the South West of England Field Target Association, who immediately offered affiliation to the new club, and actively supported the grant application. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary inspected the ground and studied our safety policy, giving whole-hearted written approval for both, even though their remit does not extend to non-FAC air gun clubs. This was a key item in securing the grant. Shebbear Parish Council also gave a positive recommendation at the same time and have since made small grants for specific purposes. Several local businesses have also given financial and material support, especially WBB Minerals, and “Buster” Jones who donated the club hut.