THE ENGLISH EIGHT CLUB
SECRETARY’S REPORT 2024
Introduction
The Club’s objectives continue to be to foster long range rifle shooting in the interest of national defence, and in particular to organise the English Team in any international match shot with match rifle. To this end, it has continued to arrange its annual Spring and Autumn meetings, which produce ever higher standards of accurate shooting at long range. Interest in experimentation continues. The Club continues its policy of encouraging new entrants to match rifle shooting. With this particular aim, the Club makes its facilities available to members of Cambridge University Rifle Association and Oxford University Rifle Club and to other young people. It also encourages F Class and TR shooters to enter club meetings, and has seen greater interest from Any Rifle shooters, keen to test themselves at longer distances, as well in the last few years
Results
In the 151[st] staging of the Elcho Match, the England team was victorious, beating Scotland by 14 points (and 29 V-Bulls). This represented Alex Cargill-Thomson’s first match as Captain of the Eight, and a first victory (taking England’s winning run to ten years, with victory in every match since 2013, with the match not being shot in 2020 due to COVID, and 2022 due to the fires). Notably, Alex was a member of the shooting Eight, and scored a perfect 75.15 at his first range as England Captain.
The Club did not enter a team into the FW Jones this year, and there is no record kept on the NRA website of the result of the 2024 Five Nations Match.
A number of members of the Club have been selected as part of the Great Britain training squad for the Woomera Match, to be shot against the Australians at Bisley in 2025. We wish all of them the best of luck, both for selection and in the match itself.
Spring Meeting
The 133[rd] meeting of the Club was held at Bisley on the 11[th] /12[th] May 2024, with 83 entries. It is pleasing to report that the number of entrants is now back in line with the meetings immediately preCOVID, and approaching record highs.
The results of the Annual Jewels Competition of the English Eight Club were:-
| The Gold Jewel and Lord Cottesloe’s Cup | N R J Brasier | (439.55) |
|---|---|---|
| The Silver Jewel | R J Lygoe | (434.54) |
| The Bronze Jewel | A Abrahams | (433.50) |
| The results of the open trophies were:- | ||
| The Welsh Aggregate Trophy (Overall Competition) | R Scaglione | (441.61) |
| The H G Courth Memorial Trophy (Saturday aggregate) | R Scaglione | (222.31 |
| The Martin Smith Challenge Cup (Sunday aggregate) | N R J Brasier | (220.28) |
| The L D Ranken Memorial Trophy (1200 Sunday) | R Scaglione | (145.20) |
| The Powell Trophy (Ladies) | Z Woodroffe | (429.34) |
| The O.C.R.A. Trophy (under 25) | E Stratford | (412.34) |
Cont’d…..
President C.N.Tremlett Captain A M W Cargill Thompson Hon Sec S.J.Whitby Meetings Sec M.J.Hissey Treasurer R.J. Lygoe O.B.E.
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Autumn Meeting
The Autumn meeting held on the 28[th] /29[th] September attracted 58 entries. As with the Spring meeting, that was an increase in the participants from 2023, and was again in line with pre-pandemic numbers. As for 2023, the meeting followed the ‘traditional’ format, being shot on the Saturday afternoon and the Sunday morning. The results of the meeting were as follows:
| The Stamford Young Trophy (highest MR score) | N R J Brasier | (444.61) |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 Club Salver (1200 aggregate) | N R J Brasier | (149.18) |
| The Dram Trophy (Saturday aggregate) | R Scaglione | (221.31) |
| Donegal Badge | N R J Brasier | (444.61) |
| Irish Cup (Sunday aggregate) | C E S Dickenson | (225.30) |
| The Ladies Trophy | E Stratford | (433.43) |
| The Under 25 Cup | E Stratford | (433.43) |
| Pilcher Platter (English Spring & Autumn Meeting agg) | N R J Brasier | (883.16) |
| Auditor’s Cup (English Hopton, Spring & Autumn agg) | N R J Brasier | (1886.248 |
| The Under 25 Spring and Autumn | E Stratford | (845.77) |
In addition to the superb all round showing by Nick Brasier, the 225 (ex 225) shot by Charles Dickenson on the Sunday should be highlighted. Despite the improvement in ammunition and equipment over the last few years, such a score is still a rare occurrence – well shot Charles!
The organisation necessary to mount our meetings is considerable. As ever, I would like to thank in particular Michael Hissey for arranging squadding (sent out by text to those who provide their mobile number) as well as for providing excellent statistics which are well displayed and now instantly available on the day (including on the website).
Thanks also go to Fiona Day for organising the receptions after shooting, and Ashley Abrahams, and Adam Leach for supervising safety and assisting with administration over the course of the weekends. I would also like to thank Jim Stevens for arranging markers and HPS for their continued support of our receptions.
Especial thanks also go to our excellent ROs, Frank Carlin and Andrew Forrester, who do a wonderful job of running the range efficiently and safely, but also within the true spirit of Match Rifle. Sadly, Frank has let us know that this will be his last year as an RO, but has generously offered to introduce us to a suitable replacement.
Membership
Those eligible to shoot in the English Eight in the Elcho Match may apply to become full members of the Club, while those not eligible to shoot in the English Eight may apply for honorary membership. All applicants must be full members of the National Rifle Association, Cambridge University Rifle Association or Oxford University Rifle Club. Applications must be made in writing to the Membership Secretary (Fiona Day). All applications must be supported by two existing members of the Club. Details of other club memberships, firearm certificate number and issuing Authority must also be provided. The Club is affiliated to the NRA.
To confirm, the club does not operate as a primary club for licensing purposes for members.
Cont’d…..
President C.N.Tremlett Captain A M W Cargill Thompson Hon Sec S.J.Whitby Meetings Sec M.J.Hissey Treasurer R.J. Lygoe O.B.E.
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Club House
On behalf of the Club I would like to thank Richard Whitby for all his hard work so generously undertaken in the time consuming role of looking after the clubhouse, both inside and out.
Though we continue to undertake some work necessary as part of our dilapidations schedule, all major work is currently on hold, pending the outcome of the clubhouse lease renewal. The current lease comes to an end in 2025, and there is now, somewhat belatedly two-way communication between the NRA and the Club around the renewal. Subject to a successful lease renewal, it remains the intention of the Club to carry out major works on the clubhouse, over and above that required by the schedule of dilapidations. That is likely to include the replacement of the roof, as well as a new toilet block. We are aware, however, that costs have risen significantly in the c4 years since these works were first envisaged, and communicated to the NRA. A re-appraisal of the affordability of any works will therefore be carried out in due course.
Finance
Our Treasurer, Rob Lygoe, continues to do an excellent job in administering the Club’s finances and preparing the accounts. The unaudited accounts show the financial result for the year was a surplus of income over expenditure of £1,328.53. Though an improvement on 2023, this was almost entirely due to an increase in the interest earned on cash, together with the one-off benefit of assisting with a guest day.
The Spring and Autumn meetings for 2024 generated a surplus of £3,729.36, which is a gradual improvement on that achieved in 2023 and 2022. The funds generated by the meetings remain a hugely important source of income for the Club, meeting as they do c50% of the regular costs of the clubhouse (rent, rates, insurance etc.). Without that source of income, the Club would struggle to maintain the clubhouse, which operates as a base throughout the year for the students of CURA and OURC (regardless of shooting discipline or nationality), and as a hub for Match Rifle shooting in general. The Club would therefore like to thank all of those who support the Spring and Autumn meetings; support without which Match Rifle in the UK would be in a considerably worse position.
The Club continues to implement a policy of pricing meeting entry for younger shooters which results in a loss to the Club on such entries. We take the view that this is an approach which is line with our charitable objectives, and which is vital to the health of Match Rifle shooting.
While the Club has strong reserves (£61,840.82 in cash at year end), it should be noted that a significant proportion of this (in excess of c£30,000) remains earmarked for expenditure on major clubhouse refurbishment in the next c18 months.
England Training Days
As has become customary, there were two practice days held by the Club in 2024; on the Friday before the Spring meeting, and the Friday before the Hopton. Both were strongly supported, with 25 shooters at the former, and 26 at the latter, and there was a good mix of new and familiar faces at each.
Cont’d…..
President C.N.Tremlett Captain A M W Cargill Thompson Hon Sec S.J.Whitby Meetings Sec M.J.Hissey Treasurer R.J. Lygoe O.B.E.
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Website
The Club already has a functioning website on which Elcho match, Spring and Autumn meeting results can be found together with photographs and match reports. As mentioned in previous reports, a club history is also available, though is now some 10 years out of date. If anyone would like to volunteer to write up the history of the club for the last (hugely successful) decade (and counting), do not be shy in coming forward. The website address is www.englishviii.org.uk.
While not strictly Eight Club business, I would, as always, highlight here that there is a dedicated website for all things Great Britain match rifle related. I would encourage all members to visit and support that endeavour at www.gbmatchrifle.org.uk.
In closing, I would like to thank all members of the Committee not already mentioned who have given time and effort in helping with the administration of the Club.
S J Whitby Hon. Secretary
June 2024
President C.N.Tremlett Captain A M W Cargill Thompson Hon Sec S.J.Whitby Meetings Sec M.J.Hissey Treasurer R.J. Lygoe O.B.E.
English Eight Club Income and Expenditure account – 1 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2024
| Income | 2024 | 2023 | Expenditure | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | 4345.00 | 3855.00 | Clubhouse Expenses | 1676.99 | 1063.86 | |
| Meetingentries | 24984.25 | 20433.50 | Rent/Rates | 4328.06 | 4328.58 | |
| Reception sponsorship | 300.00 | 300.00 | Insurance | 1531.23 | 1519.88 | |
| Jewel/Badge sales | 600.00 | 450.00 | Clubhouse Refurbishment | 75.60 | 46.00 |
|
| Interest | 541.88 | 148.12 | Meetingexpenses | 21254.89 | 16844.36 | |
| Donations | 135.00 | 275.40 | Elcho Match | 1087.56 | 933.02 | |
| Elcho Folder / Record sheets sales | 0.00 | 0.00 | Member Dev't1 | 2365.80 | 2220.65 | |
| Member Dev't1 | 2637.00 | 2316.75 | Receptions | 163.65 | 309.83 | |
| Gift Aid Reclaim | 609.72 | 590.79 | Elcho Folders / Record Sheets | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Scorebooks + clothing+ badges2 | 947.36 | 1717.02 | Jewels: Cost of Sales | 543.60 | 407.70 | |
| RAF Guest Day | 24000.00 | 0.00 | Affiliations | 666.00 | 554.75 | |
| Tremfest Dinnner | 1929.00 | 0.00 | Secretarial / Treasurer Expenses | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| 61029.21 | 30086.58 | Clothing+ badges2 | 708.35 | 1584.96 | ||
| RAF Guest Day | 23250.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Excess of Income over Expenditure | 1468.53 | 272.98 | Tremfest Dinnner | 1908.95 | 0.00 | |
| 59560.68 | 29813.60 | |||||
| Check | 59560.68 | 29813.60 | ||||
| Net Income | 1468.53 | 272.98 | ||||
| Notes | ||||||
| 1.practice days in Mayand July | ||||||
| 2. Incl. Elcho 150 match badges. Tremfest dinner in 2024plus Guiness corporate daysponsorship. |
English Eight Club Balance Sheet at 31 Dec 2024
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock at Cost @ 31 December 2024 | ||||||||
| Cash in Hand | 0.00 | 0.00 | No. | @price | ||||
| Santander current account | 3,146.31 | 2,563.79 | ||||||
| Santander deposit account | 18,694.51 | 56152.63 | Elcho Jewels | 1 | 135.90 | 135.90 | ||
| HTB deposit account | 40000.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Total cash and bank | 61840.82 | 58716.42 | ||||||
| PhotoAlbums at cost | 0.00 | 0.00 | EVIII Gold Jewels | 6 | 58.64 | 351.82 | ||
| Jewels at cost | 1107.08 | 1825.96 | EVIII Silver Jewels | 6 | 54.64 | 327.84 | ||
| Debtors | 4693.10 | 5430.10 | EVIII Bronze Jewels | 6 | 31.83 | 190.97 | ||
| 67641.00 | 65972.48 | Elcho Cloth Badges | 10 | 10.06 | 100.56 | |||
| Creditors | -200.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| 67441.00 | 65972.48 | 1107.08 | ||||||
| Accumulated Funds | ||||||||
| General Fund | ||||||||
| At beginningof Year | 15972.48 | 15699.49 | DEBTORS | At end of: | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Excess of Income over Expenditure | 1468.53 | 272.98 | ||||||
| Transfer from Clubhouse Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2023/2024 NRA affiliation | 0.00 | 666.00 | |||
| At end of Year | 17441.00 | 15972.48 | Elcho 150 badges | 0.00 | 456.00 | |||
| OURC subs | 385.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Clubhouse Fund | Rent early payment | 4308.10 | 4308.10 | |||||
| At beginningof Year | 50000.00 | 50000.00 | CREDITORS | |||||
| Transfer from General Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| At end of Year | 50000.00 | 50000.00 | ||||||
| Earlysubspayment | 200.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Total Funds at Year End | 67441.00 | 65972.48 |
F.ngli%h F.johi Cliib Ilalanil. 41lii'i't at.11 l)ec 21124 2024 2023 CostC4'31 Decr Cash 11 Hand Saniander cuntni account aniander deposii account HTB depo% li account Toial cash and bank" Phoro.41bums ai cosi JeMeLs at cost IkbioT5 0.00 2.563.7¢) 561.52.6i No. ,146..11 18,694.51 400(N).00 61840.82 Eicho Jewels 135. 135.IX) 58716.42 EVIII <Id Jewels EVIII sil er Jee15 EVIII je.eLS Ekho Ck)ih Badges 3$1.8: 327.YA IW.Y7 l(K)56 I lQ7.08 4693.10 67641. 18?S.96 5430.10 65972.48 .i1.113 10.06 10 dKo -2(K).(M) 67441.ou 4972.411 I I V7.1)11 DerJl FuDd Ai begnIng ofyear Eyess of Inconr over F)4)enditUTe Trdnsfer from Ciubhouse Fund 15972.48 1468 53 0.00 15699.49 DF.BTURS Ai end of.. 21124 202J 0.00 202312024 NRA alIlatIOn fA60 Ai end of Year 17441.00 15972.48 Elcho l.$0 badgjes OURC subs Rent carli. ptsvment CREDoRs 456.00 385. 4308.10 4308.10 ClvilKWSt Fund Ai beginn of Year Transfer fivm Trnerdl Fund Ai cod of Year 50W (X> 51K)00 00 50000.OQI 50VOO.00 Earty subs payn*nt 200.1)0 Total FuDd$ * Year Fjjd 67441.00 65972.48 f (K>()