Category: Club News

Alex gains place on University Talented Athlete Scheme

by RichHin Club News

Rugeley Rifle Club member Alex Buttery has gained a place on the Talented Athlete Scheme at Staffordshire University. Following in the footsteps of dad Martyn, Alex has developed at the club as a junior, representing the County at Junior level, before progressing to the senior inter-county team. He narrowly missed selection to the GB Drew Junior Team this year.

Aside from access to fitness suites, a place on Staffordshire’s TAS scheme gains Alex access to performance coaching for strength & conditioning as well as sport psychology, which will help him take his shooting to the next level.

GB officership for Martyn

by RichHin Club News

Congratulations to Rugeley Rifle Club Chairman Martyn Buttery, who has been appointed Adjutant for the GB Dewar Team in 2025 and 2026. The Adjutant is an assistant to the Team Captain, and typically takes on the Captaincy following their term as Adjutant.

Rugeley dominate County Championships

by RichHin Club News, Competitions

Rugeley Rifle Club repeated its 2023 success at the Staffordshire Smallbore Rifle Association’s Championships, held at Baldwin’s Gate near Keele.

Richard Hemingway again led the charge, retaining his title as Staffordshire Long Range Champion, winning A-Class in the process. He also won the County 50Metre Championship.

Dave Glover won B-Class, was highest scoring Veteran and also earned the NSRA County Silver Medal – awarded to the highest scorer who hasn’t won it before.

Graham Delaney won C-Class and the R.W. De Nicolas Memorial Trophy for the top C, D or Junior shooter. Graham won D-Class last year. Vic Tyne was runner-up in C-Class and Helen Robinson placed sixth.

Paul Watkiss won D-Class.

Two men stand on a veranda, the one on the right receives a trophy from the suited gentleman on the left. They are smiling and shaking hands.
Paul Watkiss receives his trophy from Staffordshire County Association President Mike Willcox.
Two men stand on a veranda, the one on the right receives a trophy from the suited gentleman on the left. They are smiling and shaking hands.
Vic Tyne receives his trophy from Staffordshire County Association President Mike Willcox.
Two men stand on a veranda, the one on the right receives a trophy from the suited gentleman on the left. They are smiling and shaking hands.
Richard Hemingway receives a trophy from Staffordshire County Association President Mike Willcox.
Two men stand on a veranda, the one on the right receives a trophy from the suited gentleman on the left. They are smiling and shaking hands.
Dave Glover receives his trophy from Staffordshire County Association President Mike Willcox.
Two men stand on a veranda, the one on the right receives a trophy from the suited gentleman on the left. They are smiling and shaking hands.
Graham Delaney receives his trophy from Staffordshire County Association President Mike Willcox.

Bleed Kit Unveiled

by RichHin Club News

As part of Rugeley Rifle Club’s ongoing partnership with Rugeley and District Community First Responders, the club was delighted to have Club President Cllr Olivia Lyons unveil the new Emergency Bleed Control Kit mounted on the exterior of the club.

Available to the general public in an emergency, it is located next to the defibrillator, installed in 2019.

Three volunteer first responders stand with a new bleed kit mounted on the exterior of a building.
RADCFR volunteers with the new bleed kit
A man and a woman stand in front of a wall on which are mounted two boxes. The yellow box contains an Automatic Emergency Defibrillator. The red box contains an Emergency Bleed Control Kit
Club Chair Martyn Buttery and Club President Councillor Olivia Lyons unveil the new bleed control kit at Rugeley Rifle Club.
Two boxes are mounted on a wall. The yellow box contains an Automatic Emergency Defibrillator. The red box contains an Emergency Bleed Control Kit

Ryan selected for Paralympics

by RichHin Club News

Congratulations to Rugeley member Ryan Cockbill who has been selected to represent TeamGB at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Ryan’s Paralympic debut came in 2012, shooting in the R4 and R5 air rifle events. In Tokyo he qualified for the final in the R9 Mixed 50m Air Rifle, finishing eighth.

At the 2022 World Para Sport Shooting Championships he won a Bronze medal in the R4 Mixed 10m Air Rifle event.

Best of luck to Ryan!

Four Paralympic athletes pose for a photo in a garden. Three are using wheelchairs whilst one stands.
(L-R) Issy Bailey, Ryan Cockbill, Tim Jeffery and Matt Skelhon will represent GB Shooting at the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Funeral Arrangements for Tom Glover

by RichHin Club News

Tom Glover‘s funeral will be held at 2.30pm on Tuesday 4th June at Cannock Chase Crematorium, Norton Road, Heath Hayes, WS12 3HJ.

A wake will be held afterwards at Hednesford Town FC, Keys Park.

The family have requested no flowers, but any donations received will be passed on to causes at County Hospital Stafford.

Tom Glover

by RichHin Club News1 Comment on Tom Glover

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our Club President, Mr Tom Glover.

Tom joined Rugeley Rifle Club in 1977 when he brought his young son Dave along to learn to shoot. In that time he has served various roles on the committee and his service to the club over almost 50 years is truly admired and respected.

Tom has been one of the most generous people the club has had as a member, time is the most precious commodity we have and Tom always gave his time to members willingly and without hesitation.

He leaves behind his wife Beryl, son Dave, two grandsons and three great grandchildren and will be surely missed.

To quote Tom “Thanks for coming”.

Tom’s funeral will be held at 2.30pm on Tuesday 4th June at Cannock Chase Crematorium, Norton Road, Heath Hayes, WS12 3HJ. Full details.

Rugeley members support British Shooting Target Sprint Series

by RichHin Club News

Rugeley Rifle Club members supported the West Midlands leg of British Shooting’s Target Sprint Series today. Martyn, Mick and Michelle were on hand as stewards and range officers. The event took place on the outdoor ranges at the NSRA’s Aldersley Shooting Centre at the Aldersley Leisure Village.

Rugeley have been a huge supporter of British Shooting events in the Midlands, with members also volunteering at the British Schools Championship Finals.

Special award at Club Prizegiving

by RichHin Club News

Rugeley Rifle Club celebrated the past year’s achievements at their annual prize-giving on Friday night, with trophies presented by Councillor Sarah Elsom DL. The highlight of the evening was the surprise presentation of the NSRA Silver Award to Club Chairman Martyn Buttery. Martyn has long served on committee roles in the Club, as well as sitting on the Rifle Committee at the NSRA. He was instrumental in bringing the British Shooting School’s Shooting Championship Finals to Chase Leisure Centre – an event which has relied heavily on volunteers from Rugeley serving as range staff. In addition to prizes and trophies for shooting achievements, a number of discretionary awards were made. Megan Bamsey won the Captain’s Prize for achievements over the past year, including selection to represent GB at the 2023 ISSF Junior World Cup, and the Secretary’s Award to Russell Barlow for his outstanding support instructing and coaching within the club.

A £500 cheque was also presented to Rugeley and District Community First Responders, one of the club’s chosen charities. RADCFR maintain the defibrillator hosted on the outside of the club. This lifesaving piece of equipment was installed in 2019. Since then it has been activated six times, and used at least twice.

Trophies

  • Short Range Champion – Richard Hemingway
  • 50metre Frostbite Champion (Winter) – Martyn Buttery
  • 50M/ISSF Champion – Richard Hemingway
  • Dewar Champion – Craig Dower
  • 10M Air Pistol Champion – Paul Watkiss
  • 10M Air Rifle Champion – Ryan Williams
  • Benchrest Champion – Paul Watkiss
  • “Through the Ranges” Champion – Zoltan Papp
  • “Through the Ranges” Runner-Up – Dave Glover
  • “Through the Ranges” Handicap Champion – Lee Featherstone

Awards

  • Junior Short Range Trophy – George Robinson
  • Junior Long Range Trophy – Alex Buttery
  • Best Potential (Junior) – Izzy Clark
  • Best Potential (Senior) – John Passey
  • Best Improver – Lee Featherstone
  • Secretary’s Award – Russell Barlow
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Stag Trophy for Best Improver to Club Secretary Lee Featherstone.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a young man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Junior Long Range Championship Trophy to Alex Buttery.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a young man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Junior Short Range Championship Trophy to George Robinson.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Lichfield Cup for the Short Range Club Championship to Richard Hemingway.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the “Through the Ranges” Runner Up Trophy to Dave Glover.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the “Through the Ranges” Handicap Competition Trophy to Lee Featherstone
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the “Through The Ranges” trophy to Zoltan Papp.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a shield to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Benchrest Championship Shield to Paul Watkiss.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a crystal trophy to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Club Air Pistol Championship trophy to Paul Watkiss.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a trophy to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Dewar trophy to Craig Dower.
A woman stands on the left at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting a ship's decanter to a man stood on the right.
Cllr Sarah Elsom DL presents the Long Range Club Championship decanter to Richard Hemingway.
A woman stands on the right at a prize-giving ceremony, presenting an envelope to a man stood on the right.

Captain’s Award Nominees

Megan Bamsey (Winner)

Richard Hemingway

Pavelas Voitiukevicius

Olivia Beech

Kiral Voitiukevicius

Zoe Perkin

  • Fifth in final of NISC Open

Pippa Watterson

  • Finalist, British Shooting Schools Championship
  • Fourth in final of NISC Open, won Class C