Hildenborough Rifle and Pistol Club
BRIEF HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
The Hildenborough Rifle and Pistol Club was established more than fifty years ago in the immediate post-war period to encourage small-bore target rifle shooting and, for many years, shot in a converted Nissen hut on a site in Hildenborough village. In the mid-1970s, it was decided to create a section which catered for small-bore pistols in the existing Range and which attracted a significant number of new members. Some years later, an additional section was formed in response to the interest of some members in small-bore sporting rifles, and this again resulted in an increase in membership to approximately forty.A number of sporting rifle shooters were also members of a club in the Orpington area which had been experiencing difficulties with the hiring of the military range which they used. Discussions took place, which resulted in the Hildenborough Club absorbing the membership of the Orpington Club. These changes necessitated the extension of the Hildenborough Club's approvals to include full-bore pistol shooting, which took place at the Stone Lodge ranges on a regular basis. Consequently, membership increased to approximately sixty.
As the result of developments at the original site in 1985, the Club was requested to consider moving to an alternative location and it was decided to take advantage of this opportunity to build an improved Range. After much planning, fund-raising and hard work, a suitable site was found and work began to construct a purpose-built 25 metre indoor Range, which would provide for full-bore pistol as well as small-bore shooting. A six-metre air weapons Range was created in a converted outbuilding and would be available to members whenever required. The new premises were formally opened in November 1987 and continue to provide some of the best facilities in the South.
With such facilities, an increase in membership was inevitable and numbers soon approached eighty, the majority of whom were full-bore pistol enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the 1997 amendments to the Firearms Act destroyed this sport, but a large number of ex pistol shooters continued to support the Club, which has since developed its interest in sporting rifles and has now extended its approvals to accommodate full-bore rifles. Despite the restrictions imposed upon shooters by the various changes in the law during its existence, the Hildenborough Rifle & Pistol Club has adapted and extended its shooting disciplines to reflect the changes in the law and intends to continue to provide facilities for those whose chosen sport is target shooting. At the present time, the Range is available for small-bore target rifle shooting on Monday evenings and provides facilities for sporting rifle shooting, both small-bore and full-bore, plus muzzle-loading and CO2 pistols, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
The Club is affiliated to both the N.S.R.A. and the N.R.A. and is Home Office approved for small-bore rifles, full-bore rifles and muzzle loading pistols. Home Office approval requires that the Club operates in a controlled and safe manner, and the Club's rules and regulations have been devised to ensure that our sport continues to be one of the safest around. Approximately 20% of the Members are qualified Range Conducting Officers and all firing details are fully controlled in a formal and disciplined manner to provide a safe and enjoyable sport. The Hildenborough Rifle and Pistol Club is keen to encourage youngsters and newcomers and we train all potential members in the safe handling and use of firearms and ammunition. In particular, it is hoped that the parents of those aged 16 and under will attend our shoots in order to satisfy themselves that this precision and disciplined sport is conducted in a way which promotes a safe and responsible attitude to the handling and use of firearms in a properly controlled environment.