At a recent TLC event an auction prize of a mornings clay pigeon shooting was kindly donated by the Thrumpton Clay Pigeon Shooting Club and after an enthusiastic auction, energetically facilitated by W.Bro Graham Riche, the privilege of the two prizes were won by W. Bro John Gibson and Mrs Carol Bassford, the wife of W.Bro John Bassford of Radcliffe Lodge.

Thus bright and early on Sunday October 4th the willing ‘shooting stars’ were conducted to the most southerly point of the Province and welcomed, much to their surprise by a fellow freemason, the chairman of the club W. Bro John Dolman of the Fairfield Lodge in the Province of Derbyshire. After coffee Mrs Bassford was given some expert tuition by a national coach, who is a member of the club, and then the pair were given gun safety guidance by Benny Henson, who although not a mason has been a keen supporter of TLC since its introduction to Nottinghamshire in 2005.

When the shooting got under way W.Bro Gibson showed his skill outshooting the members but that was only in the first discipline, thereafter local skill proved supreme. Breakfast was served during the morning and after six different targets the members and guests retired to a local hostelry to compare notes and the two visitors were enthusiastically invited to join the members again in the future.

It was an excellent morning thoroughly enjoyed by all and an opportunity taken to learn new skills or hone some old ones thanks to the generosity of the donors. The members of the Thrumpton Shooting Club support TLC in many ways and we appreciate all their help.

The next major TLC event is the TLC Valentines Lunch which will be held on Sunday 14 February 2010, at Ruddington Grange Golf Club - to reserve tickets contact Graham Riche 0115 9214146.

W.Bro. John Bassford.