NSRA Affiliation No 2285
Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Association
The History of the Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Association - Page 2
Page last updated on Friday, 8 November, 2024 3:31 PM
'The Chipperfield Ranges'
The above photograph gives a panoramic view of The Chipperfield Ranges, Baldwin's Gate, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 5EA.
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SSRA Memberships, Range Fees, And Chipperfield Range Standing Orders And Code Of Conduct
In order to shoot at the Chipperfield Ranges you must be a member of one of the following Membership Categories.
All users of the The Chipperfield Ranges, Baldwin's Gate, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 5EA, must be aware of and comply with the information contained within the Chipperfield Range Standing Orders and Code of Conduct.
Details of Chipperfield Range Fees.
Links To Other Websites
The Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Association's website (www.staffordshire-sra.org.uk) contains links to other websites of interest. However, once you have selected any of the links in order to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over any other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites, and such sites are not governed by our own privacy statement.
Catalogue Of The SSRA Trophies
The SSRA can boast a whole array of fine trophies in their collection, of which they are always proud to present to those successful in the various competitions in which they compete.
Contained within the Catalogue of SSRA Trophies page, you will be able to view the the past winners of the various trophies, including a selection of photographs depicting the variety of trophies that are awarded.
Those Were The Days - Part 2
The three photographs which appear below, show the early days of the Chipperfield Ranges. The photographs were taken during a County Shoot, possibly in the late 1950's or early 1960's. The photographs were kindly donated to SSRA by John W Fisher.
The above photograph shows Joe Bradbury (pictured far right) and Joe Chalmers (pictured far left) both of whom were members of Rugeley Rifle Club.
The above photograph shows competitors taking aim from their firing points.
The above photograph shows the view from behind the firing points.
Major Peter Martin, D.E.R.R. - Great Britain Championship Record Score, Bisley 1981
The above photograph shows a series of smallbore rifle targets, shot by Major Peter Martin, D.E.R.R., at the Great Britain Championships at Bisley on 15th August 1981.
It is often remarked that 'a picture is worth a thousand words.' How very true. What story, I hear you ask, is encapsulated within the magnificent golden frame, shown above. Sitting majestically behind the crystal clear glass, proudly telling its tale to all those who care to listen, is a tale of unerring concentration, of control, and most of all - a tale of self-belief.
This story, still fresh in the mind of the person who created it, is as vivid today as it was then.
The creator is none other than SSRA President Major (Retired) Peter Martin, MBE.
The above photograph shows the title label within the display frame, which gives detailed information about the targets.
As can be seen from the photograph of the title label, above, the targets were shot by Major Peter Martin, D.E.R.R., at the Great Britain Smallbore Rifle Championship Final, which was held at Bisley on 15th August 1981.
Each competitor was required to shoot 40 shots at 100 yards, plus a further 40 shots at 50 metres.
Here, the story unfolds.
On 15th August 1981 at Bisley, Major Peter Martin, D.E.R.R., soon settled into the task of coolly dispatching each shot, and was quickly into 'the zone.' A keen eye, impeccable control, and a total belief in his own ability guided Peter through this most testing of disciplines.
At the end of the competition, when all was once again calm, the scores were tallied. The hopes and dreams of many would soon be realised or crushed. Which way would the balance tip for Peter - for or against? Would his score reflect his efforts? Oh yes, indeed!
The above photographs show in detail the superb accuracy of Peter's shooting on each target.
Peter need not have worried too much about the result. In fact, Peter scored a magnificent 792 points out of a possible 800 points, dropping only 8 points in the process.
This tremendous score would give Peter the honour of establishing a new Great Britain Championship Record Score.
Take a close look at the three sets of targets, pictured above. You will see just what a fantastic display of marksmanship has taken place.
The two pairs of larger targets, one on the left hand side and the other on the right hand side of the above photographs, were shot at a distance of 100 yards, with ten shots on each target. Incredible accuracy.
The centre block of eight targets were shot at a distance of 50 metres, with five shots on each target. Again, precision of the highest order.
Many congratulations to SSRA President Major (Retired) Peter Martin, MBE, on such a wonderful display of marksmanship.
Great Britain's 'Canada Cup' Team 1972
The 'Canada Cup' Match was an annual shooting event, contested by international Smallbore Rifle Teams representing Great Britain and Canada.
The selection criteria for determining the members of the Great Britain Team was afforded to those shooters competing in the 50 Metre Championships, of whom finished with the top aggregate scores. Both the 50 Metre Championships and the 'Canada Cup' Match were shot during the week of the Bisley National Championships.
The 'Canada Cup' Match was usually shot early in the morning in order to ensure the best weather conditions. The match was organised in the format of a 'Postal Competition', whereby the respective teams shot their competition cards in their own countries. The results were then sent to an independent scorer, and then each country was informed of the official score of the match, thus determining the winner.
The above photograph shows Great Britain's Canada Cup Team 1972.
Back Row (Left to Right): J.C. Palin; C.M.Y. Trotter; D. Brickles; L.A. Winter; J.B. Flynn (Reserve); R.W. de Nicolas; F. Troke; A.St.G. Tucker.
Front Row (Left to Right): E.P. Watson; H. Preston; W.B. Godwin (Ch. Nat. Adjt.); R.E. Wood (Captain); R. Russell (Secretary N.S.R.A.); A.M. Allan; P. Lawrence.
Shown below are the names of the various shooting clubs appertaining to each member of the Great Britain Team that competed in the 'Canada Cup' Match in 1972.
Back Row (Left to Right)
John C. Palin – Shot for Lensbury.
Charles M.Y. Trotter – Shot for Jersey.
David Brickles – Shot for Basildon Rifle Club.
L.A. 'Tony' Winter – Wimbledon Park.
J.B. Flynn (Reserve) – Shot for Bedford.
R.W. de Nicolas – Shot for Leek.
Fred Troke – Shot for City of Birmingham.
Andrew St. George Tucker – Shot for Twickenham.
Front Row (Left to Right)
Edward P. 'Ted' Watson – Shot for City of Birmingham.
Harry Preston – Shot for Appleton Rifle Club.
W.B. 'Bill' Godwin (Ch. Nat. Adjt.) - Shot for City of Birmingham.
R.E. Wood (Captain) – Shot for Essex.
R. Russell (Secretary N.S.R.A.)
A.M. Allan – Abingdon.
Phil Lawrence – Shot for Romford.
Sincere thanks to all those who have helped with the research, and to those who have been able to provide further details regarding the photograph of the Great Britain Smallbore Rifle Team that competed against Canada in the annual 'Canada Cup' Match in 1972.
In addition to being a member of the team that competed in the 'Canada Cup' Match in 1972, Phil Lawrence was also a member of the Great Britain Smallbore Rifle Team that competed in the 1972 Munich Summer Olympic Games.
If you can offer any further information regarding this photograph in order to complete the story of the team, or if any of the above details are incorrect, then please contact the SSRA website manager.
Canada Cup Matches - Further Information
Pictured in the photograph shown below are items of memorabilia, including various cloth badges and medals, relating to the British Team's participation in the Canadian Match series of competitions.
These items relate to Ron E. Wood, who was an instigator of the Canada Cup Match. The items are proudly displayed in the cabinet on the first floor at Bisley.
The above photograph shows various cloth badges and medals relating to the British Team's participation in the Canadian Match series of competitions.
The date on the badge on the left of the picture is 1966, which is probably the first year of the match as there are no mentions of it in the Rifleman Magazine prior to this date.
At that time, the match was shot during the Bisley meeting, which was held in June.
On the 27th June 1968, it was shot in conjunction with the Wakefield Trophy.
In 1967, the British Team comprised of the following members:
Captain - Tom Walker
Adjutant - Ron E. Wood
T.P. Morgan
John C. Palin
A.H. Greenfield (Shot in 1976 Montreal Olympics)
A. Bowry
M. Wilkinson
A. Buchan
Mrs J. Clarkson
J.C. Scobie
F.C. Almond (Father of Neil Almond)
B.R. Clark
Alternates - Geoff Doe; K. Davies.
Staffordshire Crowned The 'Queen Alexandra Cup' Winners For The Second Time In 1971
The above photograph shows members of the successful Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Team, as they proudly display the Queen Alexandra Cup in 1971 at Bisley.
Back Row (Left to Right): A. Noon, T. Ball, E. Williams, F. Troke, A. Alsop.
Front Row (Left to Right): F. Spittle, K. Etheridge, W.B. Godwin, A.J. Bradbury.
Staffordshire Crowned The 'Queen Alexandra Cup' Winners For The First Time In 1964
The above photograph shows members of the successful Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Team, as they proudly display the Queen Alexandra Cup in 1964 at Bisley.
Back Row (Left to Right): H.B. 'Bert' Longden; Reg W. de Nicolas; Edward John Chipperfield; W.B. 'Bill' Godwin.
Front Row (Left to Right): Neil Brown; John W. Fisher; Francis Owens; Frank Spittle.
Staffordshire County Smallbore Rifle Team Pictured At Bisley - 1950's
The above photograph shows members of the Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Team, pictured at Bisley - possibly during the 1950's.
If anyone can offer more information regarding the above photograph, which was kindly submitted by Richard Anthony Chipperfield Jones, or if any of the above details are incorrect, then please contact the SSRA website manager.
More details of the history, and noteworthy items of interest relating to the SSRA, appear on the following webpages:
The History of the Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Association - Page 1
The History of the Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Association - Page 3
Copyright © Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Association - NSRA Affiliation No 2285
