Nottinghamshire Rifle Association

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 14 April 1906

LADYS RECORD RIFLE SHOOTING.

The recent weekly competition by the South London Rifle Club, at Staines, was remarkable for the good scores made by Mrs. Chapman, a lady member, her total of 34 out of a possible 35 at 900 yards being a record for the sex.

The leading scores, seven round each at 800, 900, and 1000 yards, were:– Class 1, Sergeant Alton, 2nd (South) Middlesex, 91 (winner); C.W. Birch, 86; Lieutenant Whelan, 85. Class 2, Sergeant Lister, Middlesex I.Y., 77 (winner); C.I. Hill,76. Class 3, Mrs. Chapman, 77 (winner); Private Minchin, 70. Range series, 800 yards, Sergeant Alton, 34 (winner); 900 yards, C.I. Hill, 34 (winner); Mrs. Chapman, 34 (winner); 1000 yards, Lieutenant Whelan, 30.

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 18 Aug 1906

MUDDLING WITH THE CADET RIFLE

It is very unfortunate for the British public and for its manufacturers (remarks the County Gentleman) that there has been one continued bungle from first to last in the production of the new cadet rifle. A number of War Office officials formed themselves into a committee, without a single practical man on it, and called for samples from private manufacturers of all the most up-to-date miniature rifles. Then the committee sat down and picked out everything they thought was good in itself from all those samples, and assembling them together, produced their rifle, which they conditioned should be made for sale at 35s. The conglomeration of improvements, however, made by various War Office officials, quite unskilled in rifle designing, gave the least efficiency at the highest cost in manufacture. So much so, that no manufacturer could be found to produce it at 35s. or even at 40s., and 45s. was found to be the lowest price at which it could be sold. The Government declined to make up the difference from the public funds, and so the cadet rifle has hung fire – another standing specimen of War Office mismanagement.

Nottingham Evening Post, Monday, 1 Oct 1906

RIFLE SHOOTING AS A WINTER EVENING PASTIME.
LETTER FROM THE DUKE OF NORFOLK.

We have received the following letter from the Duke of Norfolk, chairman of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs:–
With the approach of the autumn and winter months a problem which confronts those who are engaged at work during the day is, "What shall we do with our winter evenings?" and as a solution to this question I should like to again bring very forcibly to the notice of all Englishmen how incumbent it is upon them that they should become skilled in the handling of a weapon which can be used in defence of their country should ever they be called upon to defend its shores.

The subject of rifle shooting has received very great prominence in the columns of the Press since the memorable warning issued to our fellow countrymen in June of last year by the late Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, and I trust that I shall not be thought to be guilty of plagiarism if I also urge the necessity for all the young men of this country to practice rifle shooting.

The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, of which Lord Roberts is president, and of the committee of which I am chairman, has, during the past five years, done all in its power to make rifle shooting the pursuit and pastime of all Englishmen. Its efforts, I am pleased to say, have not been unsuccessful; it has been instrumental in forming over 400 rifle clubs. It has held many rife shooting tournaments throughout the kingdom, and it has, in a word, shown how rifle shooting can be brought to the very doors of the masses. That its work is appreciated by those who are in a position to judge of its value is evidenced by the fact that the War Office has recently granted to the clubs affiliated to it the same facilities as are granted to the clubs affiliated to the National Rifle Association, prominent amongst which is exemption from payment of gun licence by members of clubs using rifle ranges tor miniature rifle practice.

I am afraid that the reason a larger number of rifle clubs do not exist at the present time is that the general public is ignorant as to the requirements necessary for the fitting up of a range, and I should like to point out that in the event of open space not being obtainable almost any hall or room of not less than say 60 feet in length can at very small cost be protected in such a way as to afford facilities for the carrying on of rifle shooting practice, and if those desirous of bringing about the formation of a rifle club will communicate with the secretary of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, 20, Bucklersbury, London, E.C., they will be supplied with full information on the subject.

The cost of the erection of an indoor range is by no means great, and under ordinary circumstances a sum of £20 should more than cover the outlay necessary, and should be sufficient in addition to equip a club with at least three rifles. In conclusion I should like to mention that those who are unable to themselves bring about the formation of a rifle club in any particular district can assist this great movement by a contribution, however small, towards its funds. The work that the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs has in hand is a national one, and should receive national recognition. Our progress is greatly hampered by want of funds, and the committee would be grateful if those interested in the society's objects would show their appreciation of its work by making a monetary contribution. I shall be very glad indeed to acknowledge any sum which may be sent to me.

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 8 Dec 1906

PUBLIC NOTICES

MAPPERLEY INSTITUTE

THE NEW INSTITUTE AND
MINIATURE RIFLE RANGE
WILL BE OPENED BY
MAJOR-GEN. R. S. S. BADEN-POWELL
ON
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, 1906,
AT 3.30 P.M.

The chair will be taken by Mr. Ald. Bennett, supported by the Mayor. Col. L. Rolleston, the Right Rev. Bishop A. H. Baynes, and other Gentlemen.

Reserved tickets, 2s. 6d. each. to be obtained only from the Hon. Sec., Mr. J. E. James, Arnehall-road, Mapperley.

The tickets are necessarily limited, and early application is requested.

Nottingham Evening Post, Thursday, 13 Dec 1906

MAPPERLEY INSTITUTE AND RIFLE RANGE
OPENING BY MAJOR-GENERAL BADEN POWELL

At the conclusion of the High School ceremony, Major-General Baden-Powell proceeded to Mapperley, and opened the institute and miniature rifle range, which has recently been erected there. The movement commenced over twelve months ago with the object of providing recreation for the youth of that rapidly extending district, and the Mapperley Brick Company kindly placed at the disposal of the promoters a room. This became inadequate, and a scheme was formulated which resulted in the provision of the present building and a rifle range, which can be approached from the main room, at a total cost of about £500. The institute consists of a room 75 feet by 26 feet, and two targets. have been placed in the range, which is 25 yards long. The place has been so constructed that another storey can be added if required.

Colonel R. L. Birkin, D.S.O. is the first president, and the rifle club is to be affiliated to the National Rifle Association. The membership stands at 130, and towards the cost about £130 has been subscribed. It is hoped eventually to introduce educational work into the institute, and the committee are anxious that it should be understood that the range is provided for young men to learn the art of rifle shooting.

A large number of people thronged the route along Woodborough-road, and when the gallant major arrived he was accorded an enthusiastic reception. Outside the institute a contingent of the Robin Hood Rifles, commanded by Major J. Ashworth and Capt. C. W. Milner, formed a guard of honour, and the regimental bugle bands were also in attendance. In addition to these, some 300 members of the Boys' Brigade, under Capt. O. W. Hind and Captain R. H. Swain, were present. At the opening ceremony Ald. C. Bennett. who has taken an active interest in the institute, presided. and was supported by Major-General Baden- Powell, Col. L. Rolleston, the Mayor (Ald. J. A. H. Green), the Sheriff (Councillor F. Ball), Ald. F. R. Radford, Bishop Hamilton Baynes, Mr. Thos. Hill, J.P., Mr. E. Jardine, Mr. J. A. Dixon, Mr. T. C. Seal, Mr. J. G. Small, Mr. S. G. Ward, Mr. J. Burton, Mr. John Radford, and Mr. C. J. Walker.

After the chairman had briefly opened the proceedings, Major-General Baden-Powell visited the range, accompanied by Colonel Rolleston, the Mayor, and Sheriff. and registered a bull's eye.

Major-General Baden-Powell, in afterwards declaring the institute and range open, said it gave him unfeigned pleasure to be present, and he took it as a great honour to be allowed to perform such an interesting ceremony. An institute of that kind was one of the greatest steps that could be taken in England towards raising the workmen to a higher plane than hitherto. (Applause). It was a movement they desired to develop all over the country and he was glad to see Nottingham leading the way by making, as it were, a combine of all its institutes to fight against the evils of poverty and poor surroundings, because there was nothing like poor surroundings to drag a man clown into the gutter. A place of that description was calculated to life him up and make him a self-respecting man. Institutes of that character. conducted on proper principles, could not but do something to that end; and, therefore, it deserved the encouragement and support of every citizen as the movement spread throughout the country. With regard to the rifle range attached to the club, he should like to point out that whereas the institute was a means of producing better citizens, the range, if used in a proper way, would do an immense amount of good by making them patriots, if they considered rifle shooting for the sake of their country, not merely as an amusement or pastime. The promoters of the institute deserved the greatest gratitude of the members for furnishing them with a range and supplying them with facilities for recreation. At the same time, that higher aim should not be lost sight of, that the object of the institute was to make them honest, sober, industrious, and, above all, thrifty citizens, and that of the range to make them good patriots. If these aims were carried out he could not but think that future generals would start on a much fairer plane than their fathers, and that ultimately they would have a race of good, industrious workmen. They did not want to force their way by force of arms, but by force of example and force of character which would arouse the admiration of other nations. They knew him a being connected with a little place across the water. (Applause.) There he found them surrounded by would-be enemies, and for a long time they thought they would never be attacked, but they had a small force of drilled instructed men, who relied on the townspeople to turn out and help if occasion demanded. They did, but a great proportion did not know one end of the rifle from the other end, they had no confidence in themselves, and consequently the drilled men in the front line had no confidence in those behind. The thing on a larger scale was likely to happen to England, surrounded as it was by a good many people not too well disposed, and whom a little irritation might make into enemies. They had a strong navy and a good army, but the sea was becoming a ditch now that other nations were getting as great ships for carrying and war purposes as Britain was. They must rely to a certain extent upon their drilled forces for resisting invasion. Were the townspeople prepared to do it here? Some knew one end of the rifle from the other. Others did not, but ought to. It was in no sense of militarism, but they wanted them to learn the use of the rifle merely for the protection of their country and themselves. (Applause.) The country would not require more if they were ready. No man was fool enough to attack a man if he had a gun in his hand and knew how to shoot. (Applause.) The danger was where an enemy saw they were not prepared to resist them. They had it in their power to avoid that danger by learning to shoot. (Applause.)

A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. Small, seconded by the Mayor, and supported by Bishop Baynes and Colonel Rolleston, was awarded to General Baden-Powell, and subsequently Ald. Bennett gave a reception.