Geo

I have posted about this on here before, I also waited the best part of a year for a grant in Essex but sought help from the Countryside Alliance , they responded and helped by giving me some good lines to include in my e-mail to the PCC and it was all sorted 3 weeks later. Good luck

I don't now much about old guns but that seems to be great value for money. The fact that it is by H&H , gun looks to be in good condition and with a leather case! When is the next auction ?

I had an excellent lesson with David Court last weekend as he attempts to transform me from a mediocre clay shot to someone that can safely and competently shoot game by October. I believe he is also on the BASC coaching line at Highclere this weekend, it would be worth going to pick up some tips from him . If only I could persuade the wife that it will really be like an episode of Downton Abbey I might be able to make it!

Copfurn is on near Writtle on Sunday 29th , went there the other week for the first time , good layout in amongst the trees. There never seem to be many on Bank Holidays because of restrictions on shooting times I think.

Not in Essex !

Excellent, thanks for the info. All the best.

Terry, Thanks for the reply. I haven't been there yet so due a visit . Have they got claymate so that I can just pop along after work as and when and shoot alone? Alternatively are there any other pigeon watchers that would be interested in a social evening shoot at Fennes in the Summer ?

I live in Essex , applied in Jan 2015, had a letter a couple of weeks later saying it would take 28 weeks which would suggest July/August , in the end I received it in December ,49 weeks later. While I was waiting I took advice from the Countryside Alliance and contacted my local Police and Crime Commissioner, he referred my complaint to the Chief superintendent for Essex, he contacted me by e-mail to explain why it takes so long ( I could list the reasons out here but very long and boring ) . I then had a visit from the FEO a couple of weeks after that and my SGC was granted. It may or may not make any difference to the waiting time, but it has to be worth raising it with the authorities for the sake of our sport. I was also told that hundreds of licences have been revoked in Essex due to incidences of domestic violence , maybe this has contributed to the slowdown in grants. While you are waiting you could go to Graham's clay shoot near Purleigh, he provides everything you need to have a go for a reasonable cost, I found it a good way to get some experience. Best of luck.

I was in exactly your situation a few months back . Got my SGC , bought a gun , went to my local ground ,which has claymate stands available, for the first time without instructor expecting to shoot on my own ,and ended up chatting to others and going round with people I had never met before. I met some good people ,learned how to use the equipment and managed not to completely embarrass myself on the scorecard either, all in all a really positive experience. If you can take up the offer from Glenlivet it will be all the more enjoyable and leave you itching to get out again.

Our terrier was named Superdog by the kids because he looks like the cartoon .. and it stuck.. Soop for short in public to avoid being carted away by the men in white coats .

I work in Brentwood and live near Chelmsford so any where between Southend and Chelmsford would be ok to visit on the way home. C Thanks

With the clocks going forward over the Easter weekend, travelling home from work in the daylight is a welcome prospect after what seems a long Winter. It would be good to get out and get some practice a couple of evenings a week through the Summer , I really need it . If anyone is aware of any opportunities in Essex please post them here. Cheers.

The Black Country is the centre of the universe as far as canal fishing is concerned and they are often free,they are in my area.Put together a simple float set up and you should catch most species of coarse fish, it's the way people used to start before the advent of muddy holes in the ground full of carp. Give it a try you've got nothing to lose. ATB

I think you just have to bear in mind the circumstances and be try and manage their instincts.. when I walk my dogs across the village green I put them on the lead because if I didn't they would be in the duck pond trying to get hold of the residents thereby upsetting the people throwing bread , if I didn't put them on the lead walking along the road they would probably chase neighbours cats but when out in the fields I let them off , recall in general is ok , I have trained them to come back , but try and stop them chasing a rabbit !

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My terriers kill the rats that live around our syndicate fishing lakes ,the rats irritate the anglers and eat from the feeders used for the duck shoot so obviously this is welcomed by all. When hunting through the undergrowth they often put up a rabbit and chase them for a while although rarely catch them. Is this sort of behaviour frowned upon ? 'Jack Russell chases rabbit' is hardly a news headline is it. They have never chased livestock but I always put them on the lead if there are livestock around just in case. I guess if they killed my neighbours chickens I would have to have a long hard think about what to do about it , but hunting vermin in a farmer's field with permission is surely not a problem is it ?

+1. Having previously shot with a variety of Brownings and Berettas I bought my first gun a few months ago after a 49 week wait for SGC (Essex) . I bought a Lanber Sporter in mint condition for £500.00 and have shot just as well if not better with it. It is very well made and simple to maintain leaving more time to concentrate on the shooting ,ther are quite afew revies on the internet that confirm what a good all rounder it is , worth reading. I am an average size so didn't have problem with fit , although I did spend some time in the shop discussing it with the dealer and trying various guns ,even ones that I couldn't afford, just so I could understand how important the feel of the gun is. Time spent with a reputable dealer chatting about your needs is time well spent.

Is the PW charity shoot good for beginners or is it a serious competition ?

Where does Northampton sit geographically speaking ?

I haven't been shooting long and went to Crowfield in Upminster a few weeks ago having been invited via Pigeonwatch , very friendly and good catering ! Sadly I haven't managed to make a second visit yet. I would also recommend Graham's near Purleigh ,another very welcoming set up for the novice and Copfurn near Writtle , both alternate Sundays. All the best.

I wouldn't mind coming along .How far is it from Essex ?

I had to wait 49 weeks for grant of my first SGC ( Essex !) . Initially I was told it would take 28 weeks, after week 45 had passed I contacted the Countryside Alliance for advice , they told me to contact my Police and Crime Commissioner and gave me some words to use in my complaint, which I did. Within a week I had an apology from the Chief superintendent of Police spelling out the reasons for delay ( too numerous to mention ) and 2 weeks after that I had my visit and my SGC dropped through the letterbox a few days later. Coincidence ? Maybe , the Police were keen to point out that my complaint hadn't accelerated the process in any way.

I had a couple of lessons there a while back , it's a good place . I don't think it is open as a clay shooting ground though just lesson and group bookings.