ozzy518 Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 End of an era. I knew that the ground was having issues with the owners of the land, Elvedon Estates, but on looking on their web page it's confirmed. Lakenheath clay target centre is closed til further notice. Apparently Elveden Estates state that they intend to redevelop the clubhouse that burned down and reopen the venue as a shooting ground. Spose I'll have to go to Cambridge Gun club til Lakenheath reopens now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMMER BURT Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 real shame as it is a loverly place to shoot with some good targets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampwick Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Always found them pretty miserable there! Looking forward to a new operator. If it's anything like their other sites it will be good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnerbob Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Used to go regularly in the 1980's...as said, end of an era.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Always found them pretty miserable there! Looking forward to a new operator. If it's anything like their other sites it will be good! Yes, couldn't agree more, I've shot there since the early 80's, well before the now departed ground owner took over, it was a good ground, with loads of potential, but sadly lacking somebody who knew how to put on a good Sporting layout. Let's hope a sensible Sporting shooter will now take over..?? Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 First shot there in the 60s when the club was inside the Base ( secure and BX supplied) ... Stopped going for reasons noted by Lampwick n Cat, so maybe a bright light for 2014? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Thank goodness for that, let's hope elvedon estates do as they say as it's been rubbish for a long while, traps braking down, being charged for miss birds, good riddance I'm afraid, too much good competition locally to carry on like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Dam shame I used to shoot there regularly as a school boy loved it and the crazy yanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmyman Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Fond memories as I Shot my first 'ton' there. But as agreed P U had a funny attitude to say the least. regards remmyman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Let's hope a Phoenix rises from the ashes and the it's not in the hands of P U! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Churchill Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Yes, couldn't agree more, I've shot there since the early 80's, well before the now departed ground owner took over, it was a good ground, with loads of potential, but sadly lacking somebody who knew how to put on a good Sporting layout. Let's hope a sensible Sporting shooter will now take over..?? Cat. I agree, it had the potential but there was no imagination when it came to putting on good targets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornfree Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I used to shoot skeet there every Wednesday night and miss it.I hope it opens again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88b Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 The last time I shot there it was pretty dire, I can remember in the late 80's early 90's it was great. Hopefully the new set up will be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clamps Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Always found them pretty miserable there! Looking forward to a new operator. If it's anything like their other sites it will be good! +1 - They were a pretty grumpy lot, however, i did like the choice of targets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mda998 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 will be sadly missed P U was and is a lovely bloke he wears his heart on his sleeve and tells you like it is, i wonder if the people on this thread would ever say it to his face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 (edited) Edited as my good nature got the better of me Edited January 3, 2014 by sishyplops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 will be sadly missed P U was and is a lovely bloke he wears his heart on his sleeve and tells you like it is, i wonder if the people on this thread would ever say it to his face Well, I'm sure that plenty of people did offer constructive criticism of the way the ground was run, but on the strenght of the reply they received, decided to spend their money elsewhere. Even the Yanks seemed to lose interest in the place in it's final years. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave TS Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Even the Yanks seemed to lose interest in the place in it's final years. Cat. I believe PU ******** the base off to the point they also wanted it closed, as well as Elveden Estates . As someone else that has shot there for over 20 years, the last time about a month ago (when more than half the traps were out of order) to be honest I am glad it has finally been put out of its misery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMMER BURT Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 well lets hope it reopens and is a good as i was in the late 80's last time i shot their was last sept and the car part had 4 cars including mine and my mate's nothing had changed target wise from the year before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloggs Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) I think it's a shame that Lakenheath has closed, I started clay shooting there and also bought my first gun from PU. I agree that towards the end there was a lack of money invested in the place (replacing knackered traps etc), and targets had remained the same for some considerable time but to be fair to PU he knew he was effectively winding up his business - I'm sure that most of us would have played things exactly the same if we were in his shoes. I really do hope that it reopens soon - it's a good venue with great potential.. Edited January 5, 2014 by Bloggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornfree Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 will be sadly missed P U was and is a lovely bloke he wears his heart on his sleeve and tells you like it is, i wonder if the people on this thread would ever say it to his face most would need a chair to stand on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) I miss the old place. It was so handy for a bit of practice. I got in touch with the estate office http://www.elveden.com/ who confirmed they want to open it up as a clay ground but there is "much to do" and as yet there are no timescales as to the re-opening. I was told more information /news would be posted on the website as soon as this becomes available. Edited February 14, 2014 by Whitebridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzy518 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) Living in Newmarket it was well handy for me, even without the clubhouse as Walkers snack bar was nearby for a Bacon roll or even the mighty breakfast Baguette. Just dont use the lay by after dark...... I drove around the old place the other week whilst at work, all the stands are gone, as has the caravan thing. Just a pile of empty gas bottles. Really hope that Elveden get things up and running. Planning permission is in place, as are utilities. I wouldnt be surprised if they are waiting for someone to take it on leasehold as before. Unless of course they just sell it to the Yanks opposite and build USAF housing on it. Edited February 13, 2014 by ozzy518 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornfree Posted February 13, 2014 Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 The yanks are talking of cutting the number of staff on mildenhall and lakenheath so hopefully that won't happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzy518 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 The way they drive is cutting their numbers down already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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