Target Shooter 1

Mirfield Rifle Club and Paul Lane
Rifle and Pistol Club
Club Feature
The Mirfield Rifle Club was formed in the early
1950’s. The original ‘Gun License Exemption
Certificate’ was issued on 3rd February 1955 and
home Office approval was granted on 24th March
1960.
Unfortunately during the 1960’s MOD defense cuts
closed Mirfield Drill Hall. The club eventually found
range time on the Air Training cadet range in a
cellar underneath the ATC building in the Fitzwilliam
Street Huddersfield.
This was not the best of ranges. During heavy
rainfall, wellington boots were required to walk
down the range to change targets.
Once again fate intervened and in the late 1960’s
Above - Pennine cup shot at Diggle 2009
the Fitzwilliam Range was lost in a ring road
development. Attempts were made to obtain range
time at other local ranges without success, so
Mirfield became a club without a range.
At one of many EGM’s a decision was made to
try and find a plot of land on which a new range
could be built. This took place in 1969 and building
commenced. Most of this was DIY and the club
progressed in the 1970’s and 1980’s to what we
have today.
Recently a few members wanted to try the new sport
of .22 benchrest and with the help of Mirfield Rifle
Ranges and the Paul lane R.P.C committee, fourmembers
joined the UKBR22 and started shooting
postal leagues.
There are about 20
members of the club
now shooting with the
UKBR22, including four
ladies and 5 juniors.
The club has been
successful and won
many trophies in rimfire
benchest.
Members shoot on the
1st and 3rd Saturday
mornings of each
month and if there are
other clubs or individual
shooters that would like
to give rimfire benchest
a try; they are welcome
to come along.
80 Target Shooter