Plumbers take gold in Inter Livery Rifle Shooting!

Jason Karr, Greig Walker and Steven Ward stepped-up to represent the Plumbers, taking on a broad representation of City Livery Companies that included the ‘feared’ Gunmakers and Bowyers.

To add to the variety of the day, and a lot of noise and smoke, the 95th re-enactment group provided some Baker Rifles (muskets) for the team to try their hand at loading and firing. It was a real privilege to be able to fire one of these antique rifles.

This year, the competition disciplines were: the 1000 yard Target Rifle – pictured above; black powder Revolvers – pictured below; the 300 yard Gallery Rifle; the Running Boar (moving target), and the old pub sport of Bell Target shooting with air rifles.

I think it’s fair to say that our team were not the most experienced shots, but the Livery Day organisers encourage all abilities to come to try their hand and provide one-on-one coaching throughout. Our team were lucky enough to have a King’s Medal winner as one of the coaches, which may have contributed to our success.

Prizes were presented by the new Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Marshall Harvey Smyth, and the Plumbers’ Company somehow picked up the prize for the Gallery Rifle session:

Much celebration followed!

After this year’s successful outing, our future involvement is almost guaranteed. You don’t have to be a decent shot (it’s meant to be fun) but it does help if you are.

With sincere thanks to Colin Sach from the Bakers’ Company who organised and hosted us on the day, the RAF Rifle Association who co-ordinated the day and provided all the coaches, and to Upper Warden Charles Brooks, our Company sponsor and organiser.

Liverymen Jason Karr, Greig Walker, and Steven Ward