Rugeley Rifle Club Explained

Rugeley Rifle Club
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Status:Sports Club
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Location City:Rugeley
Location Country:United Kingdom
Area Served:or
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Fields:Shooting Sports
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Affiliations:National Small-bore Rifle Association
Awards:King's Award for Voluntary Service
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Rugeley Rifle Club is a target shooting club in Staffordshire, England, founded in 1900. The club competes in National competitions of the National Small-bore Rifle Association shooting smallbore rifle, 10 metre air rifle and 10 metre air pistol. The club is noted for the number of members who have represented Great Britain, England and Wales. In 2024, it became the first shooting sports club in the UK to be awarded The King's Award for Voluntary Service. Developing from the Rugeley Volunteers, a standalone club was first founded in July 1900. The club folded in 1935 but was reformed around 1950.

History

First Era

Newspapers refer to a "Rifle Club" at least as far back as 1885. These appear to have been members of the local Volunteers movement. However, a formally constituted club was not set up until 17 July 1900 at the encouragement of Colonel W. A. Wetherall, affiliating to the National Rifle Association.[1] Despite being located close to Cannock Chase, the military authorities were unable to offer range accommodation at Rugeley, and members travelled to Hednesford to use the military ranges there.[1]

Newspaper reports indicate that by 1905, the club was also shooting "miniature" (Small-bore) rifle, in competition with clubs from Stafford, Chester and elsewhere under the auspices of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs. This was conducted using centrefire rifles fitted with Morris Tube apparatus to accommodate smaller calibre rounds for use on indoor ranges.[2] The club earned some national fame when Mr A. Playfer won the Conan Doyle match at the 1908 Imperial Meeting.[3] [4] A site on Brewery Street was first used for an indoor "miniature" range, later moving to a purpose built range on Bow Street.[5] Outdoor shooting took place at Hednesford, Lichfield, Cannock Chase and a miniature range in Rugeley Quarry.

The club folded in 1935.[6] Following the winding up, the balance of £12 10s was donated to the Rugeley District Hospital.[7]

Second Era

By 1951 the club had been reformed, led by two Police officers - Constable Alfred Lines and Superintendent J. Brooks. The club initially operated from the old "Drill hall" on Brewery Street.

In 1952, the club numbered around 30 and opened membership to women.[8] The membership expanded as a works rifle club from the Lancashire Dynamo and Electronic Products works in Brereton was formed, supported by the Rugeley club.[9]

In 1954 planning permission was given for a range and clubroom on Wharf Road.[10] However, this does not appear to have come to fruition and in August 1960 the Club moved to new premises in a former Gas Board building on Mill Lane.[11] Spread over three floors, the premises included a substantial social space accommodating darts, snooker and table tennis, with an indoor range on the third floor. The club bought the premises in 1963.[12] [13] The nearest outdoor range however was the Staffordshire County range at Baldwin's Gate.[14] Plans were developed for an outdoor range at Chetwynd Coppice, but opposed by the Forestry Commission despite support from the local council.[15] [16]

In 1964, Staffordshire won the Queen Alexandra Cup for the first time, with three members of the club included on the county's 6-person team.[17] The club also won the Pidduck Shield for the first time - for the top team of 10 from any town in Staffordshire.[18]

In 1969, the club completed an outdoor range at Wharf Road on the site of a former coal-loading yard adjacent to the railway.[19] A new clubhouse and indoor range were completed by April 1971 and formally opened by J. Coghlan, secretary of the Central Council of Physical Recreation.[20] The Mill Lane range was sold to pay for the move.

In November 1981, Club Secretary Joe Bradbury received the "Administrator of the Year" award from the Cannock Chase Sports Council.

In November 2019, the club unveiled a defibrillator in association with the Staffordshire & District Community First Responders [21]

In 2022, the club supported British Shooting in bringing the National Finals of the Schools Shooting Championships to Cannock Chase Leisure Centre, providing volunteer range officers and administrative staff.[22]

Club Titles & Honours

On 14 November 2024, the Club was honoured with the King's Award for Voluntary Service - the equivalent of an MBE for organisations.[23] [24] [25] [26] [27]

Notable Members

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: . Rugeley Rifle Club . The Lichfield Mercury . 3 . 13 July 1900 . 28 December 2023.
  2. News: . Rugeley Rifle Club ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES . The Lichfield Mercury . 8 . 1 December 1905 . 28 December 2023 . "After the presentation light refreshments were served, followed by a Morris Tube match, ...".
  3. News: . National Rifle Meeting Third Day at Bisley A Staffordshire Winner . . 6 . 16 July 1908 . 28 December 2023.
  4. News: Conan Doyle Competition . 28 December 2023 . . 14 July 1908 . 5 . en.
  5. News: . Rugeley Gossip The Rifle Club . Rugeley Times . 24 December 1926 . 1 . 28 December 2023.
  6. News: . DR. B. L. PATON . Evening Despatch . 30 April 1936 . 28 December 2023 . "He was also a very keen member of the Rugeley Rifle Club until its cessation last year...".
  7. News: . BEQUESTS TO HOSPITAL . Rugeley Times . 13 June 1936 . 28 December 2023 . "...and £12 10s from the executors of the late Colonel W. A. Wetherall, C.B.E, being the balance remaining after the winding up of the now defunct Rugeley Rifle Club. Mr. W. T. Johnson explained that the members of the Rifle Club, having come to the conclusion that there was practically no hope of carrying on any longer, had agreed, with the consent of the executors of Colonel Wetherall, who was the club treasurer, to hand over the available balance to the hospital.".
  8. News: . Annie, Get Your Gun! . Rugeley Times . 26 April 1952 . 28 December 2023.
  9. News: . Shades of Annie Oakley Girls Join Newly Formed Rugeley Rifle Club . Rugeley Times . 28 December 1953 . 28 December 2023.
  10. News: . DARBY AND JOAN CLUBROOM APPROVED . The Lichfield Mercury . 22 January 1954 . 28 December 2023.
  11. News: . Opening of Rugeley Rifle Club's new H.Q. in Mill Lane . Rugeley Times . 20 August 1960 . 28 December 2023.
  12. News: . Helpful council is thanked by Rifle Club . Rugeley Times . 25 May 1963 . 28 December 2023.
  13. News: . Keen bidding at gas board sale . Evening Sentinel . 31 May 1963 . 28 December 2023.
  14. News: . Rifle Club is Seeking Outdoor Summer Range . Rugeley Times . 22 April 1961 . 28 December 2023 . "When the 'Times' visited the club this week, Mr. Reg Tranter (secretary) emphasised that although they have a very good indoor range on the third floor of the club premises, they are now badly in need of a convenient outdoor range, the nearest being at Whitmore.".
  15. News: . Council Backing Rifle Club . Rugeley Times . 3 March 1962 . 28 December 2023.
  16. News: . Rifle Range . Rugeley Times . 30 December 1961 . 28 December 2023 . "The Forestry Commission conservator is unable to agree to the use of land at Chetwynd Coppice for an outdoor rifle range for Rugeley Rifle Club. Rugeley Urban Council have instructed their clerk to inquire what are the reasons for refusal.".
  17. News: . Rifle Club's Triumph at Bisley . Rugeley Times . 29 August 1964 . 28 December 2023.
  18. News: . Rugeley Rifle Club win Pidduck Shield for first time . Rugeley Times . 19 December 1964 . 28 December 2023.
  19. News: . Rifle Club is Awaiting Grant Aid . Rugeley Times . 6 December 1969 . 28 December 2023 . "Rugeley Rifle Club have two sets of plans ready for their proposed new clubrooms and indoor range at Wharf Road, where earlier this year they opened an outdoor range..
  20. News: . And it was champagne all round. Rugeley Rifle Club's new home . Rugeley Times . 24 April 1971 . 28 December 2023.
  21. News: . Defibrillator unveiled outside rifle clubhouse. . . 25 November 2019 . 28 December 2023 . NLA Access Media.
  22. News: . Young guns targeting titles in shooting championship at Cannock . . 11 February 2022 . 30 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321151623/https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2022/02/11/young-guns-targeting-titles-in-shooting-championship-at-cannock/ . 21 March 2023 . live.
  23. Web site: The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2024 . kavs.dcms.gov.uk . . 14 November 2024 . 17 . en-gb . 14 November 2024 .
  24. News: Supplement No. 1 THE KING'S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE 2024 . 14 November 2024 . . 64568 . The Stationery Office . 14 November 2024 . J13 . en-gb.
  25. Web site: West Midlands volunteer groups given King's Awards . Alex McIntyre . BBC News . 14 November 2024 . en . 14 November 2024 .
  26. Web site: Rugeley Rifle Club recipients of prestigious King's Award . issf-sports.org . . 18 November 2024 . en . 13 November 2024 .
  27. News: James Vukmirovic . A Royal Reward for Volunteers . Chronicle Week Cannock . MNA Media . 21 November 2024 . 1.
  28. Web site: BUCS GB Students announced for FISU World University Shooting Sport Championships . bucs.org.uk . 14 November 2024 . en . 26 June 2024 .
  29. News: Shooting star Martyn joins team . 14 November 2024 . Express & Star . 24 September 2008 . en-gb.

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