Bisley 2012 – National Scout Rifle Championships

With 42 in our party, this was the largest contingent of Dartfordians to attend the National Scout Rifle Championships at NSRA Bisley.  In our 6 years of consecutive attendance, this year was the first where we’ve had to contend with swamp conditions.  However, the rain and mud did nothing to dampen our efforts as our Scouts performed well in their events, especially those who recently qualified in the NSRA YPS scheme who were able to put in to practice, under tournament conditions, all they had learnt.

Some of Dartford’s competitors did exceptionally well, having come in the top 20 Nationally and deserve special mention and they are:

Name Event Class Position
James O’Brien .22 Small Bore Beginners <14 7th
George McCarron .22 Small Bore Beginners <18 16th
Matthew Randall Biathlon <14 14th
James O’Brien Field Targets <14 4th
Brian Lloyd Full Bore 18+ 10th
Keith Furlong 6yd Pistol 18+ 15th
Joe Williams 6yd Rifle <12 11th

 

It’s worth noting that ALL of the young folk named above are NSAR YPS accredited, which goes to show that with the correct training and practice you can achieve good scores.

As with all camps, none of it’s possible without the leaders and support team who look after the young members whilst they’re away and none more so than Karen and Pauline who ensured there were hot meals and snacks available when our young athletes needed it and Keith and John who arrived on camp early to pitch the tents to ensure kit could be stowed in the dry and Neil for loading the van whilst we were still shooting.  Thank You very much!

If you want to be considered for the 2013 team, you’ll need to be practiced and focused as we’ll be selecting on merit – Shoot in the black and we’ll invite you back 😉

[dm]99[/dm]

£5,000 award from Lloyds Community Fund

The 5th Dartford Scout group is pleased to announce we have won a £5,000 award towards our New Hall Fund from the Lloyds Banking Group’s Community Fund.  Pictured below Earley Troop leader Jason O’Brien recieving award on behalf of the group from Karen Hannah representing Lloyds and surrounded by members from our young sections. We would like to take this oppertunity to thank everyone who took the time to vote for us by text and email and who encouraged their friends, family and patrons to join in and support us – Thank you!

2012-10-13 – YPS Finals

Over the past 6 weeks, we’ve been instructing 17 of our members to become proficient in the sport of air rifle target shooting with the NSRA Youth Proficiency Scheme.

The course concluded with an exam, in which a minimum of 70% must be attained before progressing to the shooting part of the test.

The “Shoot off” consisted of a practice card upon which as many “sighting” shots could be fired in a limited time period, in order for the participants to familiarise themselves with the rifle they had been allocated.  Thereafter, a further 4 cards were issued where 5 pellets were shot at each.

In order to grade the participant’s capability, the NSRA created the following grade bands.

50 – 109 – Skilled Shot

110 – 149 – Marksman

150 – 174 – Expert Shot

175+ Master Shot

The level of competence from our members increases each time we run this course and this year every attendee passed with flying colours with 7 Skilled Shots, 7 Marksmen, 2 Expert Shots and 1 Master shot.  A special mention to Jessica Boreham & Henry McCarron for attaining the ‘Expert shot’ and to elder brother George for attaining ‘Master Shot’ – The highest possible grade within the NSRA’s YPS scheme and only the 2nd one the 5th Dartford Scout Group has been awarded.  Thankfully, all three of these Scouters and nine of the others attendees will be representing Dartford at this year’s National Scout’s Rifle Target Shooting Competition at NSRA Bisley next weekend.

2012-10-06 – Mamma Mia Fundraiser

Despite a lower than hoped attendance, the 40 or so who came to our Mamma Mia fundraiser had a great time watching and singing along to this iconic film and many had really pushed the boat out with their costumes to add to the party atmosphere as you’ll see in the photo’s bellow.  Younger members helped raise funds, by making and selling popcorn, sweets and ice creams and handing out hot dogs, which came in the price of the ticket.  Another successful social evening where we raised over £200 for the New Hall Fund.