Welcome to the 10th Btn Suffolk Home Guard Rifle & Pistol Club

The Club is a private members organization offering the facilities for shooting air rifle, pistol, sporting rifle, gallery rifle in .22lr-.455” and muzzle loading rifles and pistols of a larger diameter providing they are within the limits of our certification.

We also now run practical rifle & pistol, speed steel and cowboy action competitions at regular times throughout the month.

When the post war Home Guard was disbanded in 1956, the M.O.D instructed the ex members to form civilian rifle clubs to keep skilled in marksmanship, offering the free loan of .22 Lee Enfields.

This club was founded by former members of the 10th Battalion of the Suffolk H.G, hence the title. One of the tasks that the H.G used to have was the defence of RAF Stradishall, (now HMP Highpoint), so permission to use the small arms range on the airfield was given. The 600yd Army range at Thetford in Norfolk was also used, alongside the 2nd and 3rd Battalions. An interest in pistol shooting was starting to develop and as a temporary measure the Gibraltar Barracks small arms range was used, but a need for the club's own range fast became apparent.

The secretary Ed Richardson, who was the driving force behind the club for over 40 years, arranged the lease of a flint quarry that was excavated by hand, and over the next 30 years the Range was extended and improved on, becoming one of the East of England's premier shooting centre's, hosting the County Pistol Championships and the British Pistol Club Eastern Area Championships.

We have had one member representing the Country in the Olympics on two separate occasions, and several others at International and National level, but shooters of all standards are just as welcome, competitive or not.

In 1996 a Sports Council Grant enabled the club to purchase the freehold of the range complex and with funds already saved a new clubhouse was built, unfortunately this coincided with the handgun ban, which led to many members leaving shooting altogether, however, those that stayed took up the challenge with the new disciplines.

Today the club is in good health with excellent facilities for shooting .22lr-.455.

The Club has 5 separate ranges, all open air with covered firing points, 3 of which are certificated for .22rf - .455”. Larger calibres in Muzzle Loaders are permitted at the Committees discretion.

Ranges:

Range 1 - 12 x 25M Range

Range 2 - 12 x 25M Range

Range 3 - 8 x 50M Range

Range 4 - 4 x 10M Air Pistol Range

Range 5 - 4 x 20M Air Pistol/Rifle Range

We utilise our 50M range for practical rifle & pistol competitions and can engage targets for a full 180°. This is also used for our speed steel and cowboy action competitions.

The clubhouse and toilets are situated close to the No.1 firing point, near the entrance to the complex. We have an extensive hardstanding to the carpark.

The Range is situated near the Suffolk - Essex border, approximately 15 miles North West of Colchester.

How to get there:

From Long Melford green, turn onto the A1092 for Cavendish, after 0.56 miles turn right onto B1066 for Stanstead, (Not Stansted, Essex) At 1.6 miles turn right up the hill for Shimpling, after 0.4 miles turn right down Blooms Hall Lane, continue for 400 yards and turn right onto farm track leading to range in 150 yards.

For more information about membership or if you're interested in joining please click the link below and fill out the form and a member of the committee will be in touch with you in due course.

JOIN NOW