Miniature Rifle Clubs 1906
Miniature rifle clubs were opening up in Nottinghamshire and this page includes reports mentioning ten either already in operation or being opened.
Those mentioned are: Codnor Park (between Langley Mill and Alfreton), Retford, Nottingham High School, Sawley, Carrington, Sneinton, Hyson Green, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Ilkeston
This is a report of the official opening of the Codnor Park range in the Memorial Hall on Saturday, February 3rd, 1906, by Earl Fitzwilliam.
Nottingham Evening Post, Monday, 5th February 1906
Some time ago a miniature rifle club was formed at Codnor Park. Close upon 100 members have been enrolled, and the Butterley Company have granted the use of Codnor Park Memorial Hall for the range. This was formally opened on Saturday afternoon, when Earl Fitzwilliam, D.S.O., fired the first shot. Mr A Leslie Wright, J.P., the president of the club, presided over the speech-making, and he was supported by Ald. James Oakes, J.P., Mr H Fitzherbert Wright, Dr. Pounder, the Rev AJS Downer, Mr Joseph Cook, and others.
The Chairman said his company were very willing to find a range. In the past they had found three ranges, all of which had been condemned as being unsafe, largely owing to the increase of houses in the vicinity and the increased power of the modern rifle. He would do all he could to encourage the club to attain efficiency.
Upon the proposition of Ald. Oakes, seconded by Mr White, a resolution was carried in support of such clubs in the country.
Earl Fitzwilliam said it was a pleasure for him to have the opportunity of helping in that educational movement of establishing rifle clubs in the country. They might be quite sure that so long as human nature was human nature, and nations existed, there would be dangers of war. He did not mean to say they would be immediate or pressing. Some people longed for the time when there would be no war, or for some Utopian idea of peace. They forgot that the people of great empires always had the element of "greater strength" to consider, and so long as one nation vied with another in armaments there would be the temptation to resort to war. The best guarantee pf peace was that their army and navy should be adequate to defend their rights, commerce, and possessions. They must look to their own position. There might be debates in the House of Commons and expert advice, but the men who were behind the guns and were able to shoot straight won the wars. It would be an admirable thing to place a corps of able marksmen, all volunteers, in the field, and he recognised that such clubs as those were calculated to do much towards realising that state of efficiency.
Earl Fitzwilliam was heartily thanked for his speech.
The range at Retford was formally opened by the Duke of Portland on February 14th. The range was erected in the Corporation baths and used by the Retford Miniature Rifle Club.
Nottingham Evening Post, Thursday, 15th February 1906
The Duke of Portland last night formally opened the miniature rifle range erected in the Corporation baths at Retford, for the use of the Retford Miniature Rifle Club. He at the same time presented the prizes and challenge cup (given by himself) won in the recent competitions. Among others present were the Mayor (Ald S Pegler) and other members of the Retford Corporation. Lieut.-Colonel A E Whitaker and Mrs Whitaker, Colonel and Mrs Denison, the Right Hon. FJS Foljambe, Colonel Foljambe, Colonel Mellish, Captain Kent, and Mr F Huntsman.
Lieut.-Colonel Whitaker at the close of the shooting read a letter he had received from Earl Roberts, who said he was very glad to hear of the establishment of a miniature rifle club in Retford.
The Duke of Portland, in declaring the range open, said too high a value could not be set on every effort that was made to encourage and support, not only the yeomanry and volunteers, but also those most useful institutions the Boys' Brigades, as well as such extremely useful competitions as they had just witnessed, and every other form of voluntary military service and drill. Of course conscription such as existed on the Continent was quite out of question in our country. Mr Balfour had said – "Our Army is free for such service only so long as the patriotism of the country will provide us with a sufficiency of trained volunteers to deal with any national emergency that may arise." It seemed, therefore, to be the duty of everyone who could do so to leave no stone unturned to work for this most desirable end. The solution of the problem of how we are to become a nation of marksmen, capable of defending our country was to make rifle shooting the popular sport. Why should not skill in rifle shooting be considered equally as honourable a distinction as success in cricket or football. It required just as much steadiness of the hand and eye, quickness, and decision to make a successful shot as to make a fine score at the wicket.
Meanwhile moves were being made to open a miniature range in the City of Nottingham, lead by Mr E. Jardine with support from the officers of the Robin Hood Rifles. This first brief report was followed by an account of the public meeting at the Imperial Hotel on March 22nd; but it seems that proposals were not sufficiently formulated to enable the meeting, which was poorly attended, to move forward.
Nottingham Evening Post, Wednesday, 21st March 1906
The proposal to form a miniature rifle club in Nottingham has taken a definite shape, and a meeting will be held this week to settle final details.
Mr E Jardine is actively pushing the matter forward, and the movement has the support of the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Robin Hoods.
The club will start with about 100 members, and about £150 or £200 will be expended on fitting up the range.
The first day of Spring was heralded by snow showers in Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 23rd March 1906
MEETING LAST NIGHT.
In connection with a proposal to establish a miniature rifle club in the city, a meeting was held last night at the Imperial Hotel, Nottingham, but the preliminary arrangements had not been sufficiently advanced to allow any definite decision being arrived at. Mr. E. Jardine, who has actively interested himself in the movement, presided, but there was not a large attendance.
The Chairman remarked that the object of the meeting was most commendable, and one that ought to appeal to Englishmen. They continually heard about the rights of Englishmen, but seldom about their duties. The duty of every Englishman was to make the best of himself physically and mentally for the good of the country.
Mr. Jardine made allusion to the efficient system of military training prevailing in Germany, referred to the poor encouragement extended to the volunteer movement in this oountry, and urged the necessity for every young man being trained in the use of arms.
Mr. G. E. Marshall, the organising secretary, made a brief explanation, and the meeting was adjourned.
A range was being built at the Nottingham High School and prior to its opening members of the School Cadet Corps were making use of the Robin Hoods' Drill Hall for practice with many qualifying to shoot at Trent Range.
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 14 April 1906
The efficiency which the Nottingham High School Cadet Corps has attained is a striking illustration of the value of such companies as a branch of the auxiliary forces.
Between 20 and 30 recruits have been exercised during the winter in company drill, and now that they have been drafted into the company the strength has been brought up to over 80.
The boys have fired in the Robin Hoods' Drill Hall with the Morris tube, and all excepting one have passed the test qualifying them to shoot on the range at Trent, while two made highest possibles. Early next term their own miniature rifle range will be completed, and better facilities will then be provided for shooting.
In April an inaugural meeting to open a range at Sawley was called.
Nem>Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 17 Apr 1906
"A NATION OF RIFLEMEN"
PROPOSED MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB FOR SAWLEY
A meeting in connection with the above will be held at the White Lion Hotel, Sawley, on Thursday, April 19th, 1906. Chair to be taken at 8 p.m. prompt, by Lieut.-Col. Lynde, V.D. Gentlemen interested in this movement are requested to attend and support what is considered a National emergency. George E Marshall, Organising Secretary, 54 Lady Bay Road, West Bridgford.
Further mention of new miniature rifle clubs is in this brief article published in May 1906.
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 26 May 1906
The miniature Rifle club movement is making headway in Nottingham and the district, and clubs are now being formed at Carrington, the Nottingham High School, Sneinton, and Hyson Green, whilst clubs have just been started at Radcliffe-on-Trent and Sutton-in-Ashfield.
The Annual Meeting of the Ilkeston Volunteer and Civilian Miniature Rifle Club was held on July 11th. The club membership was 50 and they were winning most of their matches. A ladies club was proposed.
Nottingham Evening Post, Thursday, 12 July 1906
The annual meeting of the Ilkeston Volunteer and Civilian Miniature Rife Club was held last evening, Mr. J.Sinclair presiding. The hon. secretary (Mr. W. B. Shorthose) said the income had been £45 16s. 3d., and that there was a balance in hand of 4s. 6d., there being also about £8 outstanding in donations and subscriptions. The club had a membership of 50. Eleven matches had been decided, ten having been won and one drawn, while 14,344 rounds of ammunition had been fired. Mr. H. Fitzherbert Wright, J.P., C.C., was re-elected president, and Mr. W. B. Shorthose, hon. secretary.
It is proposed to inaugurate a ladies' club, and also to extend the range by providing four targets at 25 yards and four targets at 50 yards.
The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Institutes' Association had been considering how to promote miniature ranges in the City and a sub-committee had been formed to take this idea forward. At the Association's meeting on July 27th the sub-committee reported on its findings. Several existing schemes for ranges were in progress; but the sub-committee had not come to a definite proposal of their own. Consequently they were asked to take the matter further.
The report mentions ranges at Mapperley, Carrington, Player and Sons, and the Robin Hoods.
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 28 July 1906
PROVISION OF MINIATURE RIFLE RANGES
A meeting of the executive of the above association was held at St. Andrew's Institute, Bullivant street last evening. Bishop Hamilton Baynes presided.
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Mr. J. A. Dixon presented the report of the sub-committee which had been appointed to take steps for securing miniature rifle ranges in the city for patriotic purposes. Mr. Dixon said the sub-committee had met the Parks Committee of the Corporation, who entertained the idea very favourably, but no decision had yet been come to. The sub-committee learned that there were already two or three ranges in contemplation.
Part of the Mapperley building scheme was to include a range, and another scheme was being promoted by some Carrington people to make a range on land at the back of the Carrington Police station. Messrs. Player and Sons were thinking of erecting a range on their recreation ground, and the Robin Hoods' scheme for a new drill hall was to include a miniature rifle range, so that at present there seemed to be several schemes for ranges. It was therefore a question whether the institutes should press their request for a range to be put up at the expense of the Corporation, or whether they should not try to use existing ranges, and erect one in a part of the city where there was not one at present. Provided a suitable room could be found, the cost of equipping it was about £50. Such a room should not be less than 30 yards long. The Secretary mentioned that hundreds of ranges were being put up in different parts of the country. Mr. Dixon remarked that the sub-committee had not found a range that had been erected out of the rates. In London, big ware-houses, and even public-houses, were taking the matter up. There was a danger of public-houses doing it unless institutes did. After some discussion it was decided to leave the subject with the sub-committee to obtain further information, and to find out how the institute members would be likely to take the proposal up. The committee were also empowered to frame a scheme for the utilising of existing ranges during the coming winter.
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In July the Government decided to start production of .22 rim-fire cartridges for miniature rifle practice.
Nottingham Evening Post, Wednesday, 1 Aug 1906
MINIATURE RIFLE MOVEMENT
Lord Roberts and those associated with him in the extension of miniature rifle ranges have succeeded in winning another concession from the Government, who have just decided to make in their own workshops some hundreds of thousands of rounds of .22 rim-fire cartridges for miniature rifle practice.
The Carrington Club is reported to have secured land behind the Carrington Police Station on which to set up a miniature range.
Nottingham Evening Post, Thursday, 2 Aug 1906
The Carrington and District Miniature Rifle Club has secured a portion of land behind the Carrington Police station. Permission has been given for an entrance to be made from Mansfield road and another from the back.
It was expected that the initial expenditure would be £20, and the total about £50 and estimates for butts, mantlets, etc., have been asked for. The club hopes to get a grant of £10 or £20 from the Astor Fund, and the subscription has been fixed at 2s. 6d. a year, with 2s. 6d. entrance fee.
The Nottingham High School range was completed by early November 1906 and the Duke of Portland had been invited to perform the official opening. The Duke had subscribed money towards the £160 cost of the range, as had also Mr. J. D. Player.
There follow three reports about the use of the High School range by the school cadets, by the old boys in the evenings and by members of the Nottingham and Notts. Institute's Association.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 6 Nov 1906
AND RIFLE SHOOTING.
The Duke of Portland has written to Dr. Turpin, the headmaster of the Nottingham High School, consenting to open the rifle range which has been recently erected at a cost of £160 in the school grounds. The Duke himself subscribed £25, and Mr. J. D. Player a similar amount.
The range is 25 yards in length, with four targets. Disappearing targets have also been fitted, protected by walls and screens. All the boys whose parents do not object will go through a course of training. The range will be open out of school hours.
The letter the duke sent by Captain Amory, his private secretary, to Dr. Turpin was worded as follows:–
"Dear Sir, – The Duke of Portland has to be in Nottingham on December 13th for a Masonic meeting, and he wishes me to say that if that date would be convenient for you that he should open your shooting range at the school, he will be very glad to do it, and directly he knows the time of the Masonic meeting he can arrange the time to open your range if convenient to you.
Yours truly,
H. H. Amory."
The range, it is understood, will be available in the evenings for old boys of the school and also for several young men's institutes in the city.
Nottingham Evening Post, Wednesday, 7 Nov 1906
RIFLE SHOOTING FOR BOYS.
In establishing a rifle range for the boys of the High School and those who have passed through it in bygone years, a right and proper step has been taken. There is no compulsion in the matter of attaining proficiency in marksmanship, but it goes without saying that if the boys are left to decide the question, very few indeed will not avail themselves of the opportunity to shoot when it is given. Other schools have found rifle ranges popular, and there is no doubt whatever that at Nottingham High School shooting will prove very attractive. The opening of the range to institutes in the city will greatly widen its utility.
Nottingham Evening Post, Thursday, 29 Nov 1906
Lord Robert's appeal to the young men of the nation to become marksmen has found a ready response in Nottingham, and the question of miniature rifle shooting has been engaging the attention of the Nottingham and Notts. Institutes' Association for some time.
Arrangements have been made whereby the High School authorities will allow institute members the use of their newly erected range on one night a week, and last evening a meeting of those interested was called by the "Shooting Committee" and held under the presidency of Mr. J. A. Dixon, in the Alfred-street Schools.
A large number joined the club at once, and will commence practice on Wednesday evening next on the range. The association secretary, Mr. A. E. Moore, stated that a gentleman had written a letter of sympathy with the movement, and had enclosed a cheque for £10 towards the initial expenditure.
Colour-Sergeant-Instructor Watts of the Robin Hood Rifles explained the mechanism of the modern rifle and gave preliminary instruction to beginners.
Transcripts from Nottingham Evening Post 1906
British Library Newspaper Archive