The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs
The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs was started in 1901 and had enjoyed some success in promoting miniature rifle shooting and the formation of miniature rifle clubs. From our earlier reports we know of a few that had been established in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, in particular the ones at Lowdham and Newark, the latter attached to Stanley Works.
The Duke of Norfolk was Chairman of the SMRC. His letter reported here describes the progress made and ends with an appeal for additional financial support especially to promote national meetings.
Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 4 November 1904
The Duke of Norfolk, chairman of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, has published a letter in which he points out that the council has devoted itself for the last three years to promoting the class of rifle shooting termed "miniature", knowing its great utility as a popular teacher of the elementary side of the art of rifle shooting, and also the very small cost at which such knowledge can be gained, compared to the cost of rifle shooting as previously inculcated. Information and advice about this class of rifle shooting can be obtained by writing to the secretary, 20, Bucklersbury, E.C., who will also supply at the lowest possible prices all kinds of apparatus, targets, rifles, ammunition, Etc., most appropriate for carrying on the game.
"For game", his Grace remarks, "it should be made, the greatest opf national games, played with the vigour and strict attention to rules that make for excellence in the practice of any other game, recollecting also and ever that it is but a means to an end, the equipment of the masses of the people up to a certain point in learning how to guard the territories which their forefathers and contemporaries have placed in their charge. We would desire to point out that there are an enormous number of halls and other places, both in the Metropolis and throughout the country, that are not constantly in use, and that could be readily and at a small cost fitted up for indoor rifle shooting for tradesmen and artisans to the great benefit of the community. Baths, unused in the winter, might well be utilised in this manner, in place of being (as is sometimes the case) devoted to usic and dancing, and suitable shooting halls and rifle club houses can be built at no great cost."
Over 200 rifle clubs have been formed in the Metropolis and many parts of England and Wales, in schoolhouses and playgrounds, etc.. Two meetings for miniature rifle shooting have been held. But the society's income is at present altogether insufficient to carry on properly the work. Notwithstanding more than one appeal, through the Press and privately, about half of the share of the society in the cost of the great rifle meeting at Olympia this year came out of the pockets of some of the members of its council. "Under all these circumstances", adds his Grace, "we trust that some of the many people who can, if the spirit moves them, very well afford to endow thoroughly useful institutions, may have the opportunity of reading and marking these words, and will favourably respond to the appeal thus made to their generous instincts and wisdom."
Transcript from Nottingham Evening Post 04/11/1904
British Library Newspaper Archive