Cheddar Rifle Club held its awards evening at the White Hart in Cheddar.

CHEDDAR Rifle Club’s annual meeting and prize giving was held at the White Hart in Cheddar and was well attended by members.

The club has six ladies and 19 men as active shooting members. Before the formal proceedings started, a minute’s silence was held in memory of absent friends.

The various officers reported on the club’s performance in their specific areas and it was noted by the treasurer, Don Lee, the finances were in a good condition, despite the cost increases levied on us by suppliers.

Badges for the best monthly shooters in both the Somerset and Bristol & District winter leagues were won by: Mike Griffin, Dave Oatley, Keith Thickett, Tom Paisey, Cliff Simmons, Steve Olsen and Paula Marks.

In the handicap events, the ladies’ was won by Barbara Griffin with Pat Williams runner-up and Pete Jones took the men’s competition, with Simon Ellis a close second.

There are several team events in the club calendar. This year’s Ken Lane Trophy

(teams of three) saw Williams, Griffin and Mike Soars beat Dave Oatley, Ellis and Paisey by just two points.

The Mad Hatters Duo came down to two rivals and Oatley won with a score of 95 against Soars.

The Battle of the Sexes, which is another popular team event, saw the ladies’ team of Williams, Ruth Bell, Marks and Gaynor Avery beaten by Ellis, Oatley, Thickett and Simmons in the final round of three.

The H Leonard Williams Trophy, best of 10 cards, was won by Gaynor Avery and the pairs competition was won by Thickett and Bob Abbott.

The Captains Cup which is for the most improved shooter over the previous year, was presented to Soars.

The best outdoor shooter at 50 metres was Thickett, so he collected the Peter Crandon Trophy.

Overall, members shot 19 possibles (10 out of 10 bulls on any one card) and Griffin was top of the scorers with eight of the 19 possibles, followed by Thickett with seven. Others included Bell, Oatley and Carolyn Olsen. Paisey scored his first ever possible this year and was awarded a certificate of merit.

Finally, the group of Bell, Thickett, Oatley and Griffin fought it out to establish the golden shot with six groups and six rapids (10 shots in 90 seconds) and Griffin took the honour, as well as the club champion which also includes six best scores.

Cheddar Valley Rifle Club is an established and fully approved 0.22 calibre target rifle shooting club with their own 25 yard indoor range in the village.

The club welcome new members and all equipment needed is provided by the club. The club is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 7.30-11pm.

Anyone interested in trying the sport should contact the secretary on 01934 522961 or 07790 839768.