At a recent committee meeting (the breakfast was first class too) the clubs committee members discussed the escalating cost of living in this wonderful country of ours and therefore the increase in all of our masonic activities which includes clay shooting. To this end and subsequent to confirmation at the forthcoming AGM it is proposed that the club extends its activities within the shooting world, this will incorporate air rifles and possibly other projectile forms in the future.

Many of the clay shooting grounds in the province also feature air rifle ranges, Sandwich, Hawley and Outdoor Pursuits (Sittingbourne) being just three, many members already indulge in air rifle shooting as well as their clay shooting providing another string to their bow (please excuse the pun). We also want to encourage non-masons, ladies and juniors to join the club as many provincial clubs have facilities for this class of members to take part and all of the competitions that we enter have categories and trophies for this class of member.

We do not see the addition of further shooting sports detracting from our clay shooting but as an addition to it and maybe, depending on the interest, it will create an extra avenue of membership. We have seen previously that as we travel around the many clay grounds with our distinctive shooting apparel we are asked about freemasonry and on several occasions this has led to new members being initiated, the same could result from air rifle shooting. The East Kent club already has a thriving group that are already involved in air rifle shooting and much advise is available through this currently small group on equipment, ranges, targets etc. as many add to the excitement of air rifle shooting by simulated game shooting at spinning targets as well as self-reloading targets and the standard paper targets.

 While we continue to arrange and take part in competitions regionally as well as Nationally and even Inter-nationally we meet on a Sunday every month for our club shoot using one of the clay grounds within the county of Kent and sometimes a little further afield. We also have members that are more intent on entering national registered events and they shoot most weekends, depending on your free time, location and the costs most club shooters meet a couple of times a month and we believe that this would also be the case with air rifle shooting with the added facility that many air rifle ranges have facilities for continuing during inclement weather allowing for shooting to take place all year round.

 If there are masons that may be interested in joining the club, either as an air rifle shooter or a clay shooter then please contact Roger Wilkes at; eastkentclays@gmail.com or 07768 123449 and please remember its not just for freemasons but for Family and friends too, It’s Good To Talk!!! 

Many Regards

Roger Wilkes

Secretary; East Kent Clay Shooting Club