Gallery Rifle Discipline Day

The Introduction to Gallery  Rifle (GR) Course will provide the fundamental skills for taking part in GR events and  competitions, and will include individual coaching of positional shooting techniques.  The course is open to all NRA   members including those who do not currently hold an FAC or possess the appropriate firearm, but have successfully completed the required probationary course.   Non NRA members can attend providing they possess the appropriate firearm and pay the additional course fee.

The course will involve both classroom and practical range work with expert coaching from  national and international level shooters.

Full details and forms available at the NRA web site.

The outline programme for the course is shown below:

08.00                           Assemble at the NRA Training Centre located in the HAC Building

08.15-09.00             GR Classes; types of firearms, competitive circuit,  GRAW and Phoenix, Clubs, kit and equipment

09:00-09:30            Revise Principles of Marksmanship, positional techniques, dry firing/practice

09.30-09.45              Break, move to Melville range

09.45-12.30               Zero 25x, application of fire, grouping practice from Standing, Kneeling, Sitting etc at Melville Ranges

12.30-13.15                Lunch at the Army Target Shooting Club

13.20-17.00               25x/50x application of fire and match practice at Melville Range

17.15                          Finish

Peter Beauchamp Bishop

1944 – 2014

Peter Bishop was born in Walthamstow in August 1944.His middle name was given after his grandfather who was a yeoman warder at the Tower of London and was housed at Beauchamp Tower.

As a schoolboy, Peter excelled at many sports including football, cricket, swimming and cycling, representing his school and local clubs on a regular basis.

On leaving school, Peter was taken on by Hawker Sidley as a trainee welder, at the same time he attended night classes attaining qualifications as a machine fitter and turner and welder. At this time, together with his lifelong friend Terry, he joined the Civil Defence where they were members of a Heavy Rescue Team.

An interest in shooting began in the early 60’s with club shoots at Bisley and clay target at numerous venues around London. Peters work history would take a book to relate. Suffice to say, he worked for many famous companies (Hawker Sidley, Lotus Cars, Lesney Matchbox Toys and many construction companies). He also worked on some well known projects- the New London Bridge, the Victoria Line and the Channel Tunnel. Field archery became a serious sport for Peter and he was ranked among the top bowmen in the country. Together with his wife Bren, Peter took to indoor bowls. Here he organized national leagues and became a well respected authority of the game.

By 1994 Peter was suffering with rheumatoid arthritis and other health issues. He became too ill to work so took early retirement. After 30 years together, Bren sadly died of cancer.

With no work and no family, Peter’s life was empty. After thinking about his options, he decided to take the bull by the horns and try to contact old friends from his childhood and teenage years. Through various means he eventually contacted his ex-fiancée Christine who had also recently lost her spouse. Their feelings for each other were rekindled, and together they moved to South Wales.

It was here that his interest in shooting returned. He joined Swansea Rifle Club and over the years became competitive in air rifle, bench rest and gallery rifle. On the gallery rifle circuit he made frequent visits to Bisley, Wrexham and Haverfordwest, if not to compete, then just to lend a hand. Peter was a member of the NRA and a qualified range conducting officer with the NSRA. He used his engineering skills to make parts and customize rifles and shooting kit, not just for himself but for his fellow club members.

Peter also had an interest in flying. He passed the pilots exam and together with three friends built a light aircraft which had the call sign G-LEEK.

So Peter was a man of many talents and accomplishments. But he will be remembered most for just being himself- generous, good humoured, patient, a great friend, a true gentleman and above all a romantic loving husband to Chris.

We are all going to miss him.

Gerry Betteridge