The Old Elizabethan Association

On Saturday 11 August on a perfect summer's afternoon, an assorted collection of OEs and their ladies assembled on the Cambridge pier. We were 14 in all with three more ladies to follow. A rangier more hawk-eyed gang with the odd craggy full-bore veteran would be difficult to find. A nod of the head from Gresham Barber, master mind and OE sec, and we embarked on the 5.15 eastbound to Herm and a rendezvous with guns in the afternoon.

Ten of us were due to shoot including our 'dear leader' Jerry Girard and Gill his wife. We were met by Mick Le Pelley and set off up-hill. We slipped quietly off the road, through a copse, and came out into a lush green secluded meadow. This, as promised, was the area not seen by the public. From the top of the slope were superb views across the sea to Guernsey.

We divided into three groups guided by Gresham, Mick and his partner Sue. Each of us was to fire 25 rounds at clay discs catapulted in three different trajectories. The first one from right to left along the ground, like a rabbit; the second one rising directly towards us, like a beaten bird; the third one directly away like a fleeing bird . . . easy! After a quick brief and some coaching tips from the master we took position at the firing points.

To release the clay animal one shouts 'pull' (this must be 'clay-pigeon English') and then the trouble begins. The wretched target is moving - we never had this trouble at Bisley! Scoring is very simple, you either hit it or you don't, in my case mostly the latter. Quite a few of our steely-eyed crack shots found the little critters got away, but it was fun learning and our mentors were very patient. Soon we were cracking away at the whizzing discs and cheering every shattered clay. There' nothing like the whiff of cordite!

Top guns were the Bodman family with son Finlay beating father Angus for the top slots. As we wended our way down the hill I'm sure I heard a rabbit sniggering in the bushes.

The timing was perfect. We intercepted the seven o'clock boat with the last of the ladies and repaired to the Captain's Table for a very pleasant dinner in relaxed company. As we wound up the evening the scores were announced. After this brief period of humiliation for some, we headed back to the lights of St. Peter Port across a flat calm sea and the end of a most enjoyable get-together.

Well done Gresham! The organisation was impeccable; it all ran like clockwork in a very relaxed and professional manner. All the equipment was there and ready to go, even a special gun for the ladies. We got the training we needed and timely hints. For me it was a great chance to try an exciting sport amongst friends in truly green and natural surroundings. And well done for leaving the sniggering to the rabbits.

John Hardie (5551)

Photos of the event