Horn Blower

Bucks & Does Charity Clay
Pigeon Shoot
For the best part of a decade, a small but dedicated
band of Horners‟ shooters have held the Bucks &
Does Charity Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition at
Bisley Shooting Grounds in Surrey, in aid of the
charity of the Master of the day. The event was the
brainchild of Past Master Bernard Schaverien and
his wife Adele (also a keen clay shooter), who
sought to encourage the participation of more
ladies in the sport. We have not of course seen
anything of Bernard and Adele for some years as
they moved to Australia, and now live just outside
Sydney. Bernard especially, is still a keen clay
shooter, and follows our events through this
Newsletter.
The 2009 Bucks & Does was held on 28 September.
In view of the not inconsiderable costs involved,
and the current financially straightened times,
there was concern that difficulty would be
encountered in gathering together sufficient
participants to make the event viable. As it
transpired, these fears were unfounded, largely
due to the persuasive skills of Liveryman Bob
Creed Miles, together with the continued
generosity and commitment of our band of loyal
supporters.
Between 9.00.a.m. and 10.a.m. on the day, over 30
shooters together with non-shooting supporters
arrived at Bisley for a breakfast of delicious bacon
butties, tea and coffee. Two very welcome guests of
the Master were Fl Lt Greg Lloyd-Davies and Fl Lt
Chris Hasler from 27 Squadron RAF, our affiliated
military unit. Both officers are Chinook helicopter
pilots who have completed multiple tours of active
service in Afghanistan and elsewhere. They had
little experience of shooting with 12 bore shot guns,
but in the words of Deputy Master Michael Hart
(no bad shot himself), their improvement was
“startling”! I suppose this came as little surprise,
they being military men.
Following the post-breakfast briefing, eight teams
of four were allotted to their start positions; Greg
and Chris joined the Master‟s team. The layout
was testing but enjoyable comprising ten stands of
eight birds and a “Flurry” where multiple clays are
thrown in different directions, thereby
concentrating the mind no end.
Between the competition and lunch, there was no
rest for the “workers” in the shape of Liveryman
Valanda Bone, and Mrs Heather Longson (both
mean shooters themselves), who moved among
those assembled selling raffle tickets. Woe betide
anyone who even half hesitated!
10
Thereafter, a proper shooters lunch was enjoyed
followed by a few words from the Master. Greg
and Chris were also persuaded to say just a little
about what 27 Sqn in general and themselves in
particular were doing in Afghanistan. The usual
charity auction, conducted by Bob Creed Miles
included, amongst other things, a donation from 27
Sqn of a day for two at RAF Benson including one
hour each on a Chinook helicopter simulator. All in
all, on the day, the Bucks & Does raised £4,744.43
for the Master‟s charity, thereby bringing to a close
another first rate sporting event in a worthwhile
cause.
Special thanks to Bob Creed Miles, Valanda Bone
and Heather Longson for making it all happen.
If any of the newer members of the Company
would like to shoot with us, simply contact either
Valanda Bone, Bob Creed-Miles or myself – contact
details in the Livery list. In 2010 we have 2 events,
Inter-Livery Shoot at Northwood on 19 th May and
the “Bucks & Does” Charity Shoot at Bisley on 27 th
September.
Lynn Walters
Stiff Competition at the Inter-
Livery Tennis Tournament
No matter which Liveryman from the Tallow
Chandlers' Company partners Alexandra Kurkjian
in the Inter-Livery Tennis held at Queen's Club,
she always emerges the winner but the top
Leathersellers pairing provided the closest battle so
far in the 7-5 final set.
The Horners pairing of Trevor and Clare Hunt
narrowly (by one point!) missed progressing into
the main competition. They were just beaten in the
Plate semi-final by new entrants, World Traders,
who had also knocked out the other Horners
pairing of Alan Davey and Jill Jackson in the
quarter-final. The final winners of the Plate had
been defeated by Trevor and Clare in the "Round
Robin" stage of the competition!
For the first time, we were unable to sit out on the
famous Queen's Club terrace for our pre-dinner
drinks so we had to entertain our dinner guest,
Raymond Layard, in the rather crowded bar
beforehand!
Despite the challenges, the Feltmakers provided a
most enjoyable day's play followed by an excellent
dinner.