Ready, aim and fire with the safest hands

TAKING aim... Chronicle reporter Rosalyn Roden has a go at the charity clay pigeon shoot in aid of North West Air Ambulance

IT WAS a first for me when I joined Chadderton Rifle & Pistol Club for a novice clay pigeon shoot.

We were carted up to the top of Ellenroad Farm, Newhey, in 4x4s.

First things first, our group of about 15 novice shooters gathered round for an all-important safety briefing.

The club made a point of taking us through the rules and expectations in detail - no doubt the reason behind their impeccable safety track record.

Range safety officer Ian Kemp said: "I'm not here to make you the greatest shot in the world.

"You'll hear a full safety briefing about the guns and protocol on carrying and using the weapons.

"We want everyone to enjoy themselves and to be shooting safely."

By law no one is allowed to hold a gun if they have served a period of imprisonment of three months or more. Every participant had to sign a disclaimer to say they weren't prohibited from holding a gun under Section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968.

Event organiser Pete Bony said: "It is all about enjoying ourselves. But where any guns are concerned, we take safety as a high priority.

"Chadderton Rifle and Pistol Club has had an unblemished safety record since the 1940s."

I was entrusted with a 12-gauge Laurona Eibar Over and Under Sporting shotgun, belonging to club member Pete.

The guns had double triggers - one trigger per barrel - and are capable of killing close up and at a distance.

Novices were given the opportunity to try a round of 25 "birds" - a flying four-inch clay disk target - using lead shots.

It looked simple enough during the demonstration, but the gun was heavy so positioning it up against my shoulder while supporting the weight of it with my other hand was more challenging than expected.

Before the shoot, I was told the course would be set so the birds for the novices were relatively easy to hit. Beginner's luck meant I "killed" the first one, but the next few shots were a bit haphazard.

Light-hearted banter ensued as members and novices alike heckled from the sideline. But, genuinely, there was a real sense of camaraderie among everyone involved.

Club president Paul Kemp, who has been shooting for almost 40 years, said: "Pete and I have shot eggs at 200 yards. It is an enjoyable sport and there is real friendship here.

"The atmosphere is always fantastic. We also take it incredibly seriously. Once you cross the line all banter stops."

Kind-hearted Pete said of my visit: "I hope you enjoyed your day as much as we all enjoyed having you with us."

That I most certainly did.