National Masonic Championships
History of the National Masonic Championships
The National Masonic Championship is now an annual fixture in most masonic Provincial Clay Pigeon Shooting teams' diaries but I was interested to learn of its relatively recent origins when I found myself talking to members of the Province of West Lancashire team at the competition hosted by East Kent in 2013.
I have since trawled the internet and corresponded with W.Bro Mike Casey from the Province of West Lancashire in an effort to collate details of the competitions to date. I would be grateful for any information you may have that would fill any of the gaps (i.e., which Provinces took part, who came 1st, 2nd & 3rd, the individual team scores and the name and score for the masonic high gun).
With thanks to W.Bro Mike I now understand that during 1984 the Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland & Westmorland issued a challenge to the Provinces of West & East Lancashire to compete at Clay Pigeon Shooting. The challenge was taken up and an annual Inter-Provincial Competition has continued since then, although East Lancashire has dropped out, the Province of Cheshire has taken part, and dropped out, and recently the Province of North Yorkshire have entered and hosted the competition.
In 2000 the members of the Province of West Lancashire team decided to host the first National Masonic Championship; which was subsequently arranged for 2001. However, due to an outbreak of foot & mouth disease that year the competition was deferred until 2002.
NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Surviving records of which Provinces attended which competition are incomplete but those that we have been able to confirm are as follows:
2002 - 1st NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (West Lancs)
On Saturday 18/05/2002 the competition, hosted by the Province of West Lancashire, was held at Hoghton Towers, Hoghton, Nr Preston, (the 16th Century country hall where Henry VIII famously knighted a loin of beef - hence 'Sirloin'), with about 10 Provinces being represented; although not all sent a full team.
Essex entered a team of seven masonic shooters and one guest and finished 4th, with all seven shooters finishing in the top 25 of the 150 shooters who attended. The winning team were West Lancashire, but we have no record of the scores or who the runners-up were.
2004 - 2nd NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (West Lancs)
On Sunday 6th June 2004 West Lancashire repeated the exercise, again at Hoghton Towers. The competition, a 75 bird sporting shoot, was won by West Yorkshire (183) followed by West Lancashire (167) and Cambridgeshire (166). The masonic high gun was Bro. Nigel Hurst (West Yorkshire) scoring 66 from 75.
17 Provinces attended, including Essex (our records show we came 5th but we don't have a record of the score), Middlesex (7th on 147/225) and West Yorkshire (score not known).
2006 - 3rd National Masonic Championship (West Lancs)
On Sunday 18th June 2006 the competition was again hosted by the Province of West Lancashire but the venue moved to Leighton Hall near Carnforth; the home of the Gillows family, famous furniture manufacturers. This was the wettest day imaginable with score cards disintegrating before the shoot had finished; making scoring a challenge.
The day was won by Middlesex (219) followed by West Lancs (214) and Cambridgeshire (203). The masonic high gun was W.Bro Kenneth Ellis from Cambridgeshire with a winning score of 80. Unfortunately the EMCSA were unable to enter a team this year.
2007 - 4th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Surrey)
On Sunday 26th August 2007 the Province of Surrey took on the mantle and hosted the competition at Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NY, where I believe Cornwall won but we do not have a record of the scores or who the runners-up were.
2009 - 5th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (West Lancs)
On Saturday 27th June 2009, there being no other volunteers, the Province of West Lancashire again hosted the event, this time at the Dolphin Shooting Ground, Marsh, Lane, Longton, Preston, PR4 5JY. Thereafter, the principle of hosting the Championships at an established shooting ground became the favoured format of the competition. The day was won by Sussex but I do not have the scores or details of the runners-up.
2010 - 6th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (MetGL)
On Saturday 26th June 2010 MetGL (London) hosted the Championships at EJ Churchill Shooting Ground, Park Lane, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3NS; which was won by Surrey (256) followed by Cornwall (254) and MetGL (246).
2011 - 7th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Middlesex)
On Saturday 23rd July 2011 the Province of Middlesex hosted the 7th National Masonic Championship, again at Churchill's. It was won by West Lancs (258) followed by Surrey (252) and Cornwall (251).
2012 - 8th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Cornwall)
On Saturday 23rd June 2012 the Province of Cornwall hosted the 8th National Masonic Championship at Cart Ridge Shooting Ground, Landrake, Cornwall, PL12 5AB. The event was won by Sussex (255) followed by Surrey (252) and West Lancs (248).
Essex were amongst the Provinces that supported the event.
2013 - 9th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (East Kent)
On Saturday 22nd June 2013 the competition was hosted by the Province of East Kent at Greenfields Shooting Ground, Sturry, Canterbury, CT2 0NG. It was a very close fought competition which was won by MetGL (251) followed by Cornwall (250) and West Lancs (250).
Essex were amongst the Provinces that supported the event.
2014 - 10th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Bristol)
On Saturday 21st June 2014 the event was hosted by the Province of Bristol at Westfields Shooting Ground, A436 Stanborough Road, Westfield, Nr Notgrove, Gloucestershire, GL54 3BX. In another very close competition it was won by MetGL (330) followed by West Lancashire (329) and Bristol (328). The masonic high gun was Bro. Cliff Goodwin (Sussex) with a score of 91. The next highest was shared by two brethren on 88.
In addition to Essex the Provinces that supported Bristol were Cornwall (286), Cumberland & West Moreland, Hertfordshire, East Kent (282), West Lancashire, Leicestershire & Rutland, MetGL, Middlesex (270), Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Shropshire, Surrey, Sussex (300), Warwickshire & Wiltshire (233).
2015 - 11th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Cumberland & Westmoreland)
On Saturday 1st August 2015 the event was hosted by the Province of Cumberland & Westmoreland at The Coniston Hotel & Country Estate, The Shooting Ground, Coniston Cold. Skipton. North Yorkshire. BD23 4EA. Essex was one of the 17 Provinces and 133 individuals taking part.
The masonic team scores were:-
1st - West Lancashire (257)
2nd - Cornwall (255)
3rd - MetGL (251)
4th - East Kent (246)
5th - Essex (234)
6th - North Yorkshire (220)
7th - Bristol (216)
8th - West Yorkshire (214)
9th - Middlesex (213)
10th - Cumberland & Westmorland (185)
11th - Wiltshire (172)
The remaining Provinces didn't have 3 qualifying masonic shooters but were:-
12th - Leicestershire & Rutland (155) (shooters)
13th - Monmouthshire (138) (2 shooters)
14th - Warwickshire (127) (2 shooters)
15th - Hertfordshire (86) (1 shooter)
16th - Surrey (70) (1 shooter)
17th - East Lancashire (65) (1 shooter)
Masonic High Gun: Neil March (Essex)
2016 - 12th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Warwickshire)
On Saturday 18th June 2015 the event was hosted by the Province of Warwickshire at Wedgnock Clay Shooting Ground, Wedgnock Lane, Warwick, CV35 7PX. The host Province were represented by VW.Bro Michael Morris, DepPGM.
165 shooters took part with teams from 17 Provinces.
The masonic team scores were:-
1st - Surrey (237) Shooters: Nigel Foreman, Glen Boxhall and Kevin Scarlett
2nd - MetGL (231) Shooters: Sam King, John Perrin & Marc Price
3rd - Believed to be Middlesex (223)
Masonic High Gun: Kevin Scarlett (Surrey) (87)
Masonic Runner-Up: Sam King (MetGL) (84)
Masonic Veteran: John Perrin (MetGL) (77)
Guest Team Winners: East Kent Cliffe Taliban (232) Shooters: Colin Hales, Tony Jeffery & Dave Beaumont
Ladies Team Winners: Suffolk (143) Shooters: Charlotte Brereton, Lisa Brereton & Sharon Rudd
Guest High Gun: Mervyn Moylan (West Lancs) (88)
Guest Runner-Up: Colin Hales (East Kent Cliffe Taliban) (85)
Junior High Gun: Tom Hemmings (Bristol) (62)
Veteran High Gun: John Perrin (MetGL) (77)
Veteran Runner-Up: Phil Goddard (Buck’s) (72)
Ladies High Gun: Charlotte Brereton (Suffolk) (64)
Ladies Runner Up: Saira Boardman (Warks) (60)
2017 - 13th NATIONAL MASONIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Essex)
On Saturday 17th June 2017 the event was hosted by the Province of Essex at West London Shooting School, Sharvel Lane, Northolt, Middlesex, UB5 6RA. The host Province were represented by VW.Bro Paul Reeves, DepPGM.
135 competitors took part.
The masonic team scores were:-
1st - MetGL (266). Shooters: John Perrin (91), Robert Parry (88), Marc Price (87)
2nd - Essex (261). Shooters: Neil March (91), Dave Wilder (87), Mark Lambkin (83)
3rd - Surrey (259). Shooters: Glen Boxall (90), Nigel Foreman (86), Kevin Scarlett (83)
Masonic High Gun: Neil March (Essex) (91)
Masonic Runner-Up High Gun: John Perrin (MetGL) (91)
Masonic Veteran: John Perrin (MetGL) (91)
Ladies High Gun: Charlotte Brereton (75)
Ladies Runner-up High Gun: Louise Jennings-Hoole (72)
Junior High Gun: Antony Adams (Essex) (80)
Guest High Gun: Emil Sohrab (85)
Guest Runner-up High Gun: Kevin Walsh (85)
National Association of Masonic Clay Shooting Societies - "A new era".
In February 2015 representatives from 21 Provincial Clay Shooting Associations / Societies met at Temple 10 of Freemasons' Hall, London for the inaugural meeting of a proposed National Association of Masonic Clay Shooting Society (NAMCSS). The proposition was unanimously adopted and the organisation was born.
The following Officers were elected:
Chairman - W.Bro Brian Saidman (MetGL)
Vice Chairman - W.Bro Mick Casey (West Lancs)
Secretary - W.Bro Roger Wilkes (East Kent)
Treasurer - W.Bro Cliff Jones (Herts)
Hitherto the Chairmen of the various masonic clubs & societies would meet at a National Shoot and agree who would host the forthcoming National Shoots. It was agreed upon the formation of NAMCSS that going forward Provinces would bid to NAMCSS and they would ensure the competition was awarded fairly and the NAMCSS National Shoot would be hosted, as before, by the various Provinces.
The Province of Cumberland & West Moreland were already scheduled to host the National Shoot in 2015 (see above).
The Province of Province of Warwickshire were already scheduled to host the National Shoot in 2016 (see above).
The Province of Essex were already scheduled to host the National Shoot in 2017 (see above).
2017 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (NAMCSS)
The Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro. Jonathan Spence had accepted an invitation to be the NAMCSS Patron and donated the Jonathan Spence Challenge Cup to be the Individual Masonic High Gun Trophy going forward.
NAMCSS themselves also hosted a National Masonic Shoot on 16/09/2017 at Eriswell Lodge which was attended by the then Deputy GM.
(Details of winners TBC)
2018 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Surrey)
On Friday 10th August 2018 the event was hosted by the Province of Surrey at Bisley Shooting Ground. Details to be confirmed buy Essex entered a team of eleven (11).
2019 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Suffolk)
On 22nd June 2019 the event was hosted by the Province of Suffolk at High Lodge. Details to be confirmed. Essex entered a team of seven (7).
2020 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
TBC (I believe this shoot was cancelled due to the restrictions imposed following the Covid-19 epidemic).
2021 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (NAMCSS)
On 18/09/2021 the event was a 100 bird shoot hosted by NAMCSS themselves at the Barbury Shooting Ground, Wroughton, Swindon, SN4 0QH.
The masonic team scores were:-
1st - Essex (252): Neil March (90), Mark Lambkin (82), Clive Fry (80)
2nd - Surrey (250). Shooters: Kevin Scarlett (85), Nigel Foreman (83), Glen Boxhall (82)
3rd - West Lancs (242). Shooters: Jason Rhodes (85), Andrew McClements (79), Jason Coxhead (78)
Masonic High Gun: Neil March (Essex) (90)
Masonic Runner-up Masonic High Gun: Jason Wright (Wiltshire) (88)
Veteran High Gun: Kevin Phillips (Monmouthshire) (82)
Veteran Runner-Up: Sam King (MetGL) (81)
Masonic Super Vet: Clive Fry (Essex) (80)
Ladies High Gun: Sophie Jewry (Norfolk) (60)
Ladies Runner-up High Gun: Holly Coxhead (West Lancs) (59)
Junior High Gun: Alfie Tweed (48)
2022 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Norfolk)
On 11th June 2022 the event was hosted by the Province of Norfolk at Norfolk Shooting Ground.
The masonic team scores were:-
1st - Essex (243): Neil March, Dave Wilder and Clive Fry.
2nd - West Lancs (241): Jason Rhodes, Andrew McClements and Ian Turner.
3rd - East Kent (227):
Masonic High Gun: Jason Rhodes, (West Lancs) (87)
Masonic Runner-Up High Gun: Neil March (Essex) (82)
Veteran High Gun: Kevin Phillips (Monmouthshire) (82)
Veteran Runner-Up: Sam King (MetGL) (81)
Masonic Super Vet: Clive Fry (Essex) (80)
Ladies High Gun: Sophie Jewry (Norfolk) (60)
Ladies Runner-up High Gun: Holly Coxhead (West Lancs) (59)
Junior High Gun: Alfie Tweed (48)
2023 NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (West Lancs)
On Saturday 3rd June 2023 the event was hosted by the Province of West Lancashire at the Dolphin Clay Target Centre, Preston.
The masonic team scores were:-
1st - West Lancashire (267): Jason Rhodes (94), Jason Coxhead (91) and Richard Dennison (82)
2nd - MetGL (242): Kevin Walsh (81), David Brown (81) & Bob Parry (80)
3rd - Monmouthshire (230): John Hemmings (83), Kevin Phillips (80) & Bob Daw (67)
4th - Suffolk (229): Phil Ramsey (79), Shane Brereton (76) & Dale Parker (74)
5th - Cornwall (209): Derek Gaunt (73), Ron Nako (71) & Martin Bywater (65)
6th Essex (208): Mark Woollard (79), Mark Inns (65) & Terry Attewell (64)
Masonic High Gun: Jason Rhodes, (West Lancs) (94)
Masonic Runner-Up High Gun: Jason Coxhead (West Lancs) (91)
Veteran High Gun: David Brown (MetGL) (81) (Countback)
Veteran Runner-Up: Derek Reid (Province unknown) (81)
Masonic Super Vet: John Hemmings (Monmouthshire) (83)
Ladies High Gun: Josephine Smith (Yorks N&E Ridings) (69)
Ladies Runner-up High Gun: Claire Fiddler (West Lancs) (51)
Ladies Team Winners Jemma Smith, Holly Coxhead & Siobhan Warner (West Lancs) (200)
Junior High Gun: Joe Dodds (West Lancs) (53)
2024 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Cornwall)
On Saturday 15th June 2024 the event was hosted by the Province of Cornwall at the Ashcombe Shooting Ground in Devon.
Essex were represented by Terry Attewell, Michael Borg, Oliver Bullman, Terry Charlton, Dave Francis, Clive Fry, Rob Hollier, Mark Inns, Gary Jones , Dave Purches and Mark Woollard but I do not have a record of the scores.
2025 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Sussex)
On Friday 12th September 2025 the event was hosted by the Province of Sussex at the Northall Clay Pigeon Club in Fletching, East Sussex.
Essex were represented by Terry Attewell, Paul Bates, Gary Brown, Oliver Bullman, Dace Francis, Clive Fry, Ted Gradosielski, Mark Gradosielski, Richard Harrington-Groves, Rob Hollier, Mark Inns, Dave Purches, Vince St. Claire and Mark Woollard but I do not have a record of the scores.
2026 - NAMCSS NATIONAL MASONIC CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (West Kent)
On Saturday 12th September 2026 the event will be hosted by the Province of West Kent at the Dartford Shooting Ground, Joyce Green Farm, Joyce Green Lane, Dartford, DA1 5PN.
