Whitgift Veterans Rifle Club

The Whitgift Veterans Rifle Club (founded 1896) is an active and sociable Home Office Approved shooting club, focussing primarily on Small Bore and Full Bore target rifle shooting disciplines.

Applications for membership are welcomed from current and past Whitgiftians, full or part time current and past members of staff, the school’s Combined Cadet Force, the Whitgiftian Association, or any family member thereof.

The ‘Veterans’ compete in Winter and Summer Small Bore League competitions in both team and individual categories, weekly on Tuesday evenings at the school range.

In the summer months, we enter several Full Bore competitions at Bisley with a further couple of practice shoots at the start and finish of the season.

After the final competition event in mid July, namely the NRA Schools Veterans Match, an informal dinner is held at the Artists Rifles clubhouse at Bisley where all are welcome.

Over the past few years, the WVRC has lent its support to the formation of an independent Whitgift School Rifle Club under the leadership of James Stremes, a current member of staff, without whose dedication and perseverance this would not have come about. The new club has gained Met. Police and Home Office approval, and shoots several competitions as well as the newly re-instated House Shooting Competition.

Thus current and future generations of boys at Whitgift will have greater accessibility to the sport of target shooting, and hopefully in due course Full Bore shooting will follow their current Small Bore experience.

We extend our sincere thanks to James Stremes and those who led the club before him, and trust that the boys, now and in the future will support him and the new club to the full.

All of which can only assist an influx of boys on leaving Whitgift to join the WVRC, following their enjoyment of shooting experiences gained at school.

In conclusion, to those of you interested in a chance to dust-off old shooting abilities – or indeed try it for the first time – and join in our various activities, please contact Guy Riches at secretary@wvrc.org.uk.

All equipment and plentiful advice is available – give it a shot!