The Origins of The Shooting Society

In 2004, the then Master of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, Godfrey Bilton, received an invitation from the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners to enter a Company team to compete at the Annual Inter-Livery Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition at the Holland and Holland Shooting Ground in Northwood, Middlesex.

Liveryman Mike Lakin volunteered to undertake the task of organising a four ‘gun’ team to represent the Company. On Thursday 9th May 1996 Liverymen Mike Lakin, Jeffrey Bines, Peter Dove and John Hughes made up the first Fan Maker team at the event. Such was the success of the day, that the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers has entered at least one team in each subsequent year.

Twelve years after this first gathering it was suggested that our group of sportsmen and women should be formally recognised within the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, in particular, by what collective name should we be known? The views of those liverymen who had represented the Company at the 2008 Inter-Livery Competition were sought and, at the Election Court Meeting on Thursday 23rd October 2008, Mr. Assistant John Hughes was delighted to report to the Court that henceforth ‘we’ would be known as The Shooting Society.

The Inter-Livery Competition is the key event of the Society’s year and, though a competitive occasion, the emphasis is very much on participants having an enjoyable day-out.

The Shooting Society welcomes shots of any standard and operates on a ‘pay as you shoot’ basis with no membership fee.

‘Fan Maker’ and Sporting Shot – Jeffrey Bines