Category: Club News

Martyn witnesses historic Roberts match at Bisley

by RichHin Club News

Rugeley Club Chairman Martyn Buttery saw history being made on Friday 15th August as official Team Witness for the victorious British team in the historic Roberts match. On a sweltering Century range where temperatures exceeded 28 degrees, teams from GB and the USA shot for the Roberts Trophy, contested once every 8 years.

Britain had pride to regain, having lost the previous Roberts Match in 2017, and also losing away during the reciprocal matches for the Pershing Trophy in 2022 (delayed from 2021) and 2013, hosted in the United States.

The United States brought score potential, with Sarah Beard dominating proceedings. Having already won the X-Class Aggregate during the week, Sarah shot an exceptional 396 across both distances, setting herself well ahead of GB’s top scorer Adam Fowler on 391. GB made up in depth though. Where the USA’s scores dipped rapidly through the 380s into the 370s, GB held steady to finished with a score of 3863 against USA’s 3821.

The Roberts and Pershing Matches are considered somewhat the Ryder Cup of shooting in their pagentry and alternating host continents. Canada also contests the Pershing Trophy. The next match will be 2029. Both Roberts and Pershing matches are a single dewar – twenty shots each at 50m/yd and 100yd – between teams of ten. As a team match, wind coaches are permitted. The only difference between Roberts and Pershing is the use of British vs American targets. The latter have a larger bull meaning it is common for top shooters to drop no points and be tie-broken on inner-tens.

A suited man is seated. He wears a sun hat, sunglasses and a blue blazer with a badge embroidered with the Union Flag and the words "Great Britain Dewar".
Martyn supervises proceedings
Two smiling men pose for a selfie. One is suited, wearing a white shirt and a tie bearing an emblem of crossed rifles. The other is wearing a thing blue t-shirt for the hot weather, has a green cooling towel around his neck and is carrying a Canon camera with a large lens.
Club Captain Richard is roped in on photography duties
A group of smiling people pose as a group on a shooting range. They all wear visors bearing the union flag or black caps bearing the word "eley". Their shirts read
GB Roberts Team 2025 Photo: Eleanor Shorey https://www.nsratheshorey.com/

Rugeley juniors selected to GB team

by RichHin Club News

Congratulations to two Rugeley members have been selected to the GB Team for the Drew International Postal Match.

Alex Buttery and Izzy Ward both earned spots as reserves for the main mixed Drew team of 10, earning GB colours. Alex was also selected as a reserve for the men’s team of 3. Both earn their GB Colours.

Two selections is growth from 2024 when Helen Robinson was selected as reserve to the Women’s team of 3. They will shoot their cards later in the year, after which scores will be shared with the US, Australian and New Zealand teams.

Two smiling young people stand in front of a wall bearing a banner with the Rugeley Rifle Club crest. They are wearing canvas shooting jackets and holding smallbore target rifles.

Rugeley members recognised with Service Awards

by RichHin Club News

Four Rugeley members were recognised on Thursday night with NSRA Special Service Awards for their contributions to the club and sport. Presenting the awards was Cllr Olivia Lyons – the Club President.

Russell Barlow received a Special Service Award for his work instructing novices and for his promotion of disability sport. Russell has devoted huge amounts of time to coaching and promoting and encouraging participation both within the club and volunteering at events such as the British Schools Championship Finals.

Becky Andrews and Carl Kimberley both received Special Service Awards for their work on the marketing team, raising the profile of both the club and sport nationally through their work on the web and across social media.

Richard Hemingway received a Bronze Special Service Award for a variety of volunteering work at several levels. As well as contributing to the marketing team, Richard is the current Club Captain and has served as Staffordshire County Captain since 2022, also representing Staffordshire as the County Representative to the NSRA Shooting Council. He also volunteers as Membership Secretary with the Welsh Smallbore Rifle Association.

Two people smile at the camera. The woman on the left is presenting a Special Service Award to the volunteer on the right.
Two people smile at the camera. The woman on the left is presenting a Special Service Award to the volunteer on the right.
Two people smile at the camera. The woman on the left is presenting a Special Service Award to the volunteer on the right.
Two people smile at the camera. The woman on the left is presenting a Special Service Award to the volunteer on the right.

Retirement of Lord Lieutenant Sir Ian Dudson

by RichHin Club News

Rugeley Rifle Club was represented at Sunday’s civic service marking Sir Ian Dudson’s impending retirement as Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. Graham Kershaw attended the service at Lichfield Cathedral with his wife Glenys. Sir Ian visited the club in March to present the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Sir Ian will formally leave office on July 15th – his 75th birthday. Lord Lieutenants must retire at 75. In Apil, Professor Liz Barnes, teachers and former Vice-Chancellor of Staffordshire University was named as Sir Ian’s successor.

A uniformed man speaks with a robed vicar at the entrance to a cathedral. They are backlit by the open doors to the outside.
Heavy wooden tables are placed down the centre of a cathedral with a high vaulted ceiling. On the tables, various silver and crystal ware are arranged representing civic awards.
Two men stand in a cathedral. The one on the left wears the uniform of the Lord Lieutenant. The other is suited.
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Sir Ian presents the King’s Award to Club Chair Martyn Buttery in March

Martyn appointed to National Committee

by RichHin Club News

Rugeley Rifle Club Chairman Martyn Buttery has been appointed as Chair of the NSRA Rifle Committee – the NSRA group responsible for smallbore competitions and rules. Martyn has been a member of the Rifle Committee for several years and takes over from Mike Chapman.

Lord Lieutenant presents King’s Award at club prize-giving

by RichHin Club News

Rugeley Rifle Club was honoured to host the Lord Lieutenant for Staffordshire, Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE on Friday 28th March at our annual prizegiving. Accompanied by local councillors and Josh Newbury MP, Sir Ian visited to present the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, gazetted in November. Whilst visiting, he presented a number of awards and trophies and toured the club, viewing the ranges and learning about the club’s volunteering and charitable activities.

A £500 cheque was also presented to Rugeley and District Community First Responders, and £350 was presented to Staffordshire & Shropshire 4×4 Response – two of the club’s chosen charities. RADCFR maintain the defibrillator hosted on the outside of the club. This lifesaving piece of equipment was installed in 2019. Since then it has been activated six times, and used at least twice. SAS 4×4 Response provide charitable event support and transport for workers such as nurses during extreme weather.

The Lord Lieutenant was accompanied by Cllr Phil Hewitt (Chair, Staffordshire County Council), Cllr Steve Thornley (Chair, Cannock Chase District Council), Cllr David Williams, Josh Newbury MP and the Rt Hon Dame Amanda Milling.

Trophies

  • Short Range Champion – Richard Hemingway
  • 50metre Frostbite Champion (Winter) -Martyn Buttery
  • 50M/ISSF Champion – Ryan Williams
  • Dewar Champion – Richard Hemingway
  • 10M Air Pistol Champion – Paul Watkiss
  • 10M Air Rifle Champion – Zoe Perkin
  • Benchrest Champion – Paul Watkiss
  • Young Gun Trophy – Phoebe Haughton
  • Junior Short Range Trophy – Alex Buttery
  • Junior Long Range Trophy – Alex Buttery
  • Junior Air Rifle Trophy – Izzy Ward
  • Junior Air Pistol Trophy – Pippa Watterson

Awards

  • Best Potential (Junior) – Oliver Hill
  • Best Potential (Senior) – Carl Kimberley
  • Best Improver – Mick Chaganis
  • Secretary’s Award – Media Team (Becky Andrews, Martyn Buttery, Richard Hemingway & Carl Kimberley)

Captain’s Award Nominees

Ryan Cockbill (Winner)

  • Qualified for final, placed 5th in SH2 50Metre Prone at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris

Olivia Beech

Megan Bamsey

  • Represented GB at 2024 FISU World University Shooting Championship in New Delhi

Helen Robinson

  • Selected as reserve for the GB team in the Drew U-21 Match
A uniformed man speaks to a crowd of people.
A group of dignitaries stand on the firing point of an airgun range watching young people shoot air rifle and air pistol.
A smiling uniformed man speaks with people in a room.
The Lord Lieutenant meets members of the Committee.
A smiling uniformed man speaks with people in a room. In the background a banner reads "Rugeley Rifle Club".
The Lord Lieutenant meets members of the Committee.
A smiling man with a gold chain of office shakes hands with a young man in a suit. The suit pocket bears a wire badge reading "Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Team"
County Council Chair Phil Hewitt with Alex Buttery.
A man aims a target rifle through a telescopic sight.
The Lord Lieutenant takes aim with a benchrested rifle on the 50metre range.
A uniformed man takes aim with a target rifle, instructed by a suited man to his right. The target is lit with artificial lights as it is dark outside.
The Lord Lieutenant takes aim with a benchrested rifle on the 50metre range.
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
The Lord Liutenant presents the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to Club Chairman Martyn Buttery
A group of suited dignitaries stand around a young man holding a cheque. A banner behind them reads "Rugeley Rifle Club"
Tommy Glover of SAS 4×4 Response stands with their cheque with dignitaries.
A group of people stand smiling holding a shield. They have been given an award for services to Rugeley Rifle Club.
The Media Team receive the Secretary’s Award
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
A uniformed man stands with a boy holding a target rifle. A banner behind them reads "Rugeley Rifle Club" and a table behind them bears trophies and prizes.
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two people stand smiling during a trophy presentation
Two men stand smiling as one presents a cheque to the other. One is dressed in a suit, the other in the blue uniform of the communoty first responders.
Lee Featherstone presents check to representative of Rugeley and District Community First Responders
A uniformed man speaks to a man and woman in an informal setting over drinks.
Three men stand smiling as one presents a cheque to the others. One is dressed in a suit, the others in the grey shirts of 4X4 response.
Lee Featherstone presents cheque to representatives of Staffordshire & Shropshire 4×4 Response

GB Appointment for Dave

by RichHin Club News

Congratulations to Rugeley’s Competition Secretary Dave Glover, who has been appointed Adjutant to the GB Wakefield Match Team. The two year appointment will run for the 2025 and 2026 years, and normally leads to a two year appointment as Captain.

The Lord Wakefield Monument Trophy Match is an international postal match held in September, originally between Great Britain and Sweden. In 1985 Sweden was unable to raise a team and the match went in abeyance until 1991 when it resumed with a new field of competitors including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. The course of fire is an “English Match” – 60 shots at 50metres on NSRA/ISSF targets, using integer scoring. Competitors shoot on their home ranges, under supervision of a qualified witness.

Five of the ten team members are selected based on performance at the NSRA National Meeting at Bisley, with the other 5 taken from the top individuals in NSRA Comp 103 and 303 (10-metre postal leagues).

Rugeley receives British Shooting Target Change Award

by RichHin Club News

At the British Shooting Awards 2024 this weekend, Rugeley Rifle Club was honoured with the Target Change Award, presented to organisations that have made a significant contribution to public engagement and/or public perception of the sport.

Club Secretary Lee Featherstone accepted the award on behalf of the club and its volunteers, accompanied by Club Captain Richard Hemingway; Property Manager Graham Delaney and Treasurer Craig Dower – who is also GB Head Coach (Rifle & Pistol). The Award further recognises the community work done by the club over the past 10 years, which was highlighted when the club received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in November 2024. The King’s Award will be formally presented at the club’s annual prizegiving on March 28th by the Lord Lieutenant for Staffordshire, Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE.

Over the past 10 years the club has worked with the Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services and Vysions Youth Service of Brereton, providing summer camps for local young people in association with Burntwood Target Sprint. Participants have completed volunteer work at the club including a mural on the outside of the range, and in return learned to shoot Olympic Air Rifle and Air Pistol. Since 2021, more than 900 young people have learned to shoot safely through the club’s community outreach activities.

In 2019, the club fundraised for a Public Access Defibrillator, which saw the adoption of Rugeley and District Community First Responders as a supported charity and the more recent installation of an emergency Bleed Control Kit.

In 2022, the Club supported British Shooting in bringing the National Finals of the Schools Pistol and Rifle Championships to Cannock Leisure Centre, with Rugeley members volunteering as Range Officers and match administration during the competition. British Shooting have returned to Cannock every year since.

Club Captain Richard Hemingway said “To receive such a prestigious award, whilst surrounded by Olympic and Paralympic Champions is a real honour, and a well deserved recognition of the hard work put in by all the club’s volunteers over the past few years.“

During all this time, the club has enjoyed hosting guest nights for diverse local community groups, running an air rifle range at Brereton Carnival and serving as a venue for local groups including Viking re-enactors and West Midlands 4×4 response.

The Awards were held on Saturday 18th January 2025 at the Imperial War Museum (IWM North) in Trafford.

A room is lit by purple light, filled with people eating at circular tables. A projection on the wall reads "British Shooting Awards 2024".
The British Shooting Awards 2024 were held at the Imperial War Museum North in Trafford.
Two men speak behind a podium on a stage as one accepts an award. Above the stage a projection reads "Target Change Award" and "Rugeley Rifle Club"
Club Secretary Lee Featherstone accepts the Target Change Award
A group of four youth volunteers pose with rifle targets on an indoor shooting range
Some of the 900 new shooters who have passed since through the club since 2021
A group of young shooters stand in a clubroom with medals and prizes at the conclusion of a competition.
Young Guns 2024

Ed takes on champions at Benchrest Nationals

by RichHin Club News, Competitions

Ed Vickers attended the Benchrest UK National Open at Portishead Shooting Club in Somerset this weekend, where he faced off against some of the UK’s top Benchrest shooters, including Trevor Eling – who recently ran a workshop at Rugeley. Shooting at 50metres, the matches were shot to International WRABF rather than NSRA rules, allowing the use of a rear rest under the butt of the rifle, in addition to the front rest.

In the “Light” Air Rifle (<10.5lb) event on Saturday, Ed fought tricky conditions to finish 38th of 40. On Sunday, Ed rallied in the “Heavy” Air Rifle (<15lb) to place 14th/35, edging Trevor into 15th place by three points!

Letter from the Lord Lieutenant

by RichHin Club News

Thankyou to Ian Dudson CBE, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire for his kind words on the announcement of the club’s receipt of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. We very much look forward to the formal presentation with the Lord Lieutenant in the New Year.