TONDU
TARGET SHOOTING CLUB has been in existence under varying names since
1896. Although believed to have started out originally as a militia
training range it was soon turned to civilian use and has remained so
to this day. The land that the club stands on was bought and gifted to
the club in the 1960's, thereby helping to ensure its continuing
existence as a great venue for target shooting. A fuller account of the
clubs history can be found by clicking the history button on the left.
The
club is situated just off the A4063 Bridgend to Maesteg road, in
the village of Tondu, and is approximately 1 mile from the village of
Aberkenfig, giving easy access from jct. 36 of the M4. The range
complex is situated alongside the river Llynfi and covers just over 3
acres of land. The surrounding trees and woodland give excellent
screening from the road and houses, ensuring minimal noise disturbance
to the local residents.
The
Club has 5 shooting ranges, 4 outdoor and 1 indoor.
The
indoor range is primarily used during the winter months and
evenings and can cater for three prone or kneeling .22 rimfire shooters
at 25 yards. The indoor range is also used extensively for 10 metre Air
gun shooting at varying days during the week and is fitted with a
returning target system for each of the three Air gun firing points.
The
first of the outdoor ranges is 25 metres and is for 22 rimfire
cartridges. The range has a covered
firing point which is situated between the indoor range and the river.
Prior to the 1997 pistol ban this range was used for various 25 metre
International pistol disciplines and was the first range in Wales to be
kitted out with a full set of turning targets. Nowadays it is used
primarily for .22
semi-automatic sporting rifles.
The
second outdoor range is situated just the other side of the indoor
range and has covered firing points, with 20 positions at 50 metres.
This range is for .22 rimfire shooting and can accommodate rifle at
prone, standing and kneeling - including sitting for disabled shooters,
or bench rest shooting. The range is also approved for 50 metre
standing .22 Pistol and has recently been used for Field Target
shooting.
The
third outdoor range is at 100 yards and can accommodate 8 .22 rifle
shooters in the prone position only.
The
fourth of the outdoor ranges is the 25m walled Pistol range, built
by the club to accommodate International competition pistol shooting
for the hosting of the 1983 Commonwealth Shooting Federation
Championships. This range is one of the few International standard
pistol ranges in Wales and is now used mainly by the club's Black
Powder section, shooting a variety of Black Powder pistols and rifles.
As well as these, members can also use "pistol calibre" carbines on
this range.
As
one of the best outdoor range complexes in Wales, Tondu has hosted
premier matches, among them the Welsh 50 metre Championships, the Wales
v Army, Wales v Police matches, the 6 Nations Championship, and the
European Division Championships for the Commonwealth shooting
federation. with the ranges continually being used for many of these
events.
The
50 metre range firing point looking from the stop butt through a fish
eye lens - 3p standing shooting in progress.
With
the M4 being so close, the club draws its members from a wide
area, with some members travelling from Llanelli and Chepstow as well
as more locally. There are currently around a hundred members at Tondu,
with year on year increases over the last few years, proving a growing
interest in the sport in spite of the pistol ban and anti-gun attitude
shown by most of the media. There has been a big increase in the use of
the ranges by disabled shooters, ably encouraged by Kerry Davies and
her late husband Clive, with the club continuing to strive to improve
the facilities for the disabled. Recently there has been a surge of
interest in Field Target shooting with even one or two members using
the ranges for archery practice.
With
the existing clubhouse, on the end of the indoor range, showing
its age and lack of facilities, the club took the decision a number of
years ago to build a new clubhouse with full facilities. After a lot of
time and hard work this was finally completed and has now been in use
for some years. The new kitchen has certainly proved to be a great
success, and this ability to provide catering has proved very popular
with competitors and members at events.
The
club has been affiliated to the NSRA
(National Smallbore Rifle
Association) since
1904 when the NSRA was formed as the Governing body for smallbore
shooting in Great Britain and we are proud to have received an award in
2004 for our 100 years of affiliation.
We have a number of members who are qualified in various positions
within the club:
Five NSRA Range Conducting Officers
Two NSRA Club Coaches
One NSRA Field Target Instructor
Two MLAGB Approved instructors
(MLAGB - Muzzle Loaders Association of Great
Britain)
One NSRA Child Protection Officer
Three CRB checked personnel
(CRB - Criminal
Records Bureau)
One registered First aider
Finally if you've got this far and are interested in joining the club -
you'll find most of what you need on the joining rules and the
documents pages from the menus - top left.
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