As you can see, I’ve migrated the blog to a new server but it hasn’t been trouble free.
I can’t get rid of the warning messages on previous posts, although all the original information is there at the bottom of each page.
I will work on it and hopefully it will be sorted.
If anyone knows how to sort it out please let me know?
Regards, Ken.
Today, I (Ken), Keith, Dave, and Barry, decided to try our hand at the registered All-Round shoot at the new Fauxdegla Shooting Ground.
First impressions of the ground, the place was nowhere as muddy as I remember, Clubhouse, Toilets, etc. looked really good. The DTL layouts were in the process of being painted and getting a general tidy up.
Weather in the morning was as You’d expect up in the mountains with a heavy drizzle combined with sunny spells.
We started off on the DTL in the heavy drizzle which made it difficult to see the clays through the droplets on our glasses. Score were ok considering the conditions.
Me on 21, Keith on 18, Dave on 16, and Barry on 15.
Considering that Dave and Barry are complete novices they were very happy with their scores.
We moved on to the ABT layout, again in heavy drizzle that came in well under the roof covering to give us all a slight soaking. The wind played havoc with the targets which made it all that much better for sporting shooters.
Scores were:
Me (Ken) 23, Keith 18, Dave 16, and Barry 15.
We then moved on to the skeet with conditions having improved a little with sunny spells.
Scores weren’t great, and some easy targets were missed due to the strong wind.
Scores were:
Keith 22, Me 21, Barry 14, and Dave 13.
Well done Barry, your getting better each time you shoot. 
The sporting was quite tricky, with the wind playing havoc with the high targets. It was a well thought out layout that looked a lot easier than it really was.
Scores were Me 18, Keith 17, Barry 14, and Dave on 10.
Looking at other people’s scores showed that we weren’t the only one’s to struggle here.
At the end the scores were Me on 83, Keith on 77, Barry on 58, and last but not least Dave on 55.
The shoot was won by our own BC (Brian Clegg) on a superb 93.
I was the only one on our squad to shoot the competition as everyone else shot birds only.
At the end of the day, I was second overall (a full 10 birds behind Brian) and first in B Class.
Expecting a payout of around the cost of my entry, I was shocked to get back a paltry £10.
No wonder everyone shoots birds only these days 
if this is all you get back.
Really sunny weather at Mid Wales Shooting Ground made for a great day out.
It was such a pity that only 10 shooters made the journey which leaves us well short for a team.
Round 1, Single Barrel DTL.
We started out on the DTL layout with some shooters having never shot it before, but everyone enjoyed the experience and some good scores were recorded. The weather was perfect and the birds flew straight and true. Well done Gwyn on a fantastic 25 straight and father and son Dennis and Sion on 24, followed by me on a 23.
Scores were as follows, Gwyn Richards 25, Dennis Evans 24, Sion Evans (his son) 24, Ken Griffiths (me) 23, Elgan Pugh 19, Rhys Davies 19, Keith Hill 18, Dave Jones 17, Glyn Jones 14, Barry Hughes 3.
Round 2, ABT.
Again, some of the squad had never seen an ABT layout let alone shoot one which reflected in the scores. So many shooters can be grateful for the ‘full use of the gun rule’, otherwise quite a few would have ended up in single figures.
All in all the scores were respectable considering we don’t have an ABT layout in our County.
Best scores came from ex International DTL shooter Dennis Evans with an excellent 21, followed by Elgan Pugh on 20, and Gwyn Richards on 19.
Scores were as follows, Dennis 21, Elgan 20, Gwyn 19, Ken (me) 18, Sion 18, Keith 17, Glyn 16, Dave 14, Rhys 13, Barry 9.
Round 3, Skeet.
Expectations were high and good scores were expected, but some shooters were left disappointed after missing easy targets (particularly me)
High bird was a very high bird which resembled a teal at times, making it very easy to over-lead.
Elgan and Gwyn showed the way by shooting a great 24, followed by Dennis on 23 and me on 22.
I was gutted to miss the pair on 4 followed by the easy low 7, which proved to be costly at the end of the day.
Scores were as follows, Elgan 24, Gwyn 24, Dennis 23, Ken 22, Keith 21, Sion 20, Rhys 19, Dave 18, Glyn 15, Barry 13.
Round 4, Sporting.
With very few targets between the top 5 scores it was all to play for on a very tricky 3 stand sporting course.
The best score of the day came from junior Sion Evans on a superb 24, fantastic shooting Sion well done mate. Glyn Jones our one and only veteran redeemed himself after a poor showing on the other disciplines by shooting a great 23, and was followed by Ken (me again) on a 22 and Keith 21, and a best ever 20 for Dave Jones.
Scores were as follows, Sion 24, Glyn 23, Ken 22, Keith 21, Dave 20, Gwyn 18, Rhys 18, Elgan 17, Dennis 16, Barry 16.
A special mention must go to Barry Hughes, who will admit to having struggled over the few months he’s been shooting (and after having a bout of pneumonia at the beginning of the year), but he thoroughly enjoyed himself today and he shot an excellent 16 on the tricky sporting. It does get easier Barry, keep it up mate.
When the scores were totted up it was close at the top.
Gwyn and Sion on a fantastic 86, Ken 85 (bloody low 7 ) Dennis 84, Elgan 80, Keith 77, Dave and Rhys 69, Glyn 68, Barry 41.
A shoot off was needed to decide the captaincy this year between Junior Sion Evans and Gwyn Richards.
It was agreed by all that the ABT layout would be utilized for the shoot off .
Showing nerves of steel, Gwyn pipped Sion by 5 targets to shoot a superb 23 to Sion’s 18.
Well done to both, great shooting and it’s a pity that one had to lose.
My thanks once again to the Williams family of Mid Wales for giving us a superb shoot and a great breakfast (thanks Rita & Lisa).
Pictures to follow soon:
The biggest, best, most thrilling shoot North Wales has ever seen was held today at the new Gwyndegla shooting ground.
A 100 bird shoot set up by the well known course setter Gwyn ‘Hotshot’ Richards, set the scene for a thrilling shoot, with the best shooters from around the world flying in, to take part.
Two shooters came from overseas (Anglesey) hoping to win what will become the pinnacle of the Welsh Shooting Calendar.
Sporting and G.S.A.B.T. in the morning, a curry and Lobscows dinner cooked by the well know Michelin Starred chef Elfyn ‘Slim’ Richards, and 50 skeet in the afternoon.
The sporting had a mixture of difficult stands and nearly impossible stands that soon sorted out the wheat from the chaff, (or Chav as in Dave Jones’s case).
The Gwyn’s Special A.B.T. was a new discipline that all shooters enjoyed, and was won by Father Christmas (or W.G. as his friends know him) on a superb 8/10.
Top lady shot Sue ‘Luscious Lips’ Gaunton rose to the top of the ladies scoreboard with a fantastic 23 out of 50 which I believe is a new record for her 
Top shot in the morning was Keith ‘Automatic’ Hill with a superb 43, followed by Gwyn Hotshot Richards on 40, with Ken ‘Beretta’ Griffiths and Father Christmas (W.G) on 39.
Top junior was Rhys ‘I Love Barry’ Davies on 34, well done Rhys, Barry will be very proud.
So scores in the morning were as follows:
Keith 43, Gwyn 40, Ken 39, Meic 35, Rhys 34, Robin ‘Two Left Hands’ 32, Dave ‘chav’ Jones 27, Elfyn ‘Slim’ Richards 25, Hefin 25, J.R. 23, Sue 23, Roger 23, and Barry ‘I love Rhys’ Hughes on a big fat 0.
The lunch was a veritable feast, served by the wonderful Richards Family under the stewardship of chef Elfyn ‘Slim’ Richards, our thanks to them all for their hard work
In the afternoon the skeet was severely affected by the strong wind (not from Robin’s arse this time) from behind the high house, which made for very unpredictable birds.
3 shooters managed to shoot a 44, Keith Hill, Ken Griffiths, and Gwyn Richards, followed by Robin ‘two left hands’ on 40, and Dave and Elfyn on 36.
Scores at the end of the day stood as follows:
High Gun Keith Hill on 87, Gwyn Richards 84, Ken Griffiths, 83, Father Christmas 73, Robin 72, Meic 70, Rhys 68, Dave 63, Elfyn 61, Hefin 60, J.R. 57, Sue 57, Roger 48, and bringing up the rear Barry Hughes on a 25.
Pictures from the shoot
This old man of 51 whose an ok shooter needs to find a kind benefactor to sponsor him
My lifelong ambition has been to shoot for my country but I’ve never had the funds to do it.
As I get visitors to my blog from all over the World, I’m hoping that someone will take pity on my plight, with a generous donation to help me on my way
Gwyn Roberts is a very talented young DTL shooter from Gwynedd. Gwyn tried for the Welsh junior DTL team again this year, with the Home International being held in Scotland. Although Gwyn shot very well all season, he produced some exceptional scores towards the end of the DTL team qualifiers – for example on the 6th Welsh team DTL qualifier he shot 100/297 and was fourth in the overall shoot out of all the competitors.
Things just got better for Gwyn as the following weekend he was to attend the final two team qualifiers – the Welsh DTL Grand Prix/Welsh Open at Mid Wales Shooting Centre. The Sunday of the two days is the main event as this is when the various Welsh championships titles are won and lost. Gwyn rose to occasion on the Sunday and produced a score of 100/296 which was to give the title “Welsh Open DTL Junior champion 2010″, he can now add this to his other current Welsh title as in the last Welsh DTL counties final – Gwyn was shooting for Gwynedd and was crowned “Welsh Counties Junior DTL champion”.
A few days after the Grand Prix, the DTL executives confirmed that this year Gwyn was to be made Junior team captain – which is a great honour in itself. Gwyn then travelled to Mid Wales the following weekend for a ritual gathering of the new Welsh team, which allows old and new caps to come together and shoot together in their planned squad layouts before the international. Gwyn was to achieve something special that Sunday, he shot his first ever 100/300 in registered competition – the pinnacle for any DTL shooter and what a confidence booster for the coming international.
Gwyn travelled to the Home International in Scotland the following week and shot the highest score for the Welsh junior team, so was presented with the “The Wilhelm Heidrich Cup” in the international banquet.
All the above was done in the space of 4 weeks, what a remarkable month for this young Gwynedd shooter !!!
Gwyn now looks forward to the European championships in Southern Counties in August and we all wish him the very best – who knows – Gwynedd may have a European champion next month if all goes well !
My thanks to Dave Lea and DTL exec Ian Jones for the info and pics.
Gwyn at the 2009 DTL counties final with his Gwynedd team mates.
Gwyn gets his prize once Arthur has drunk the contents (whisky I think).
Gwyn receiving his trophy for being Welsh Open DTL Junior Champion 2010.
Latest news on Gwyn:
Mid Wales Shooting Ground at the 100 DTL Hereford and Worcester championship Gwyn was High Gun on 100/299, fantastic achievement for a young junior, well done indeed.
Any decent cartridge these days are £160 plus and it’s getting difficult to find any for under a £140
Are we being priced out of shooting, I really think most of us are?
My thanks to Angie for providing the pictures (more to come).
More pictures added 28/04/10
If anyone’s struggling with their shooting and in need of some lessons, there’s a great new Coach based in North Wales. A former International with loads of experience winning countless major competitions over the years.
With lessons arranged at Llandegla, Catton Hall, or any ground of your choice.
As I was busy shooting and having fun (debatable on both counts) I didn’t have time to take any photographs. Of the people who did take photographs no one has sent me any to publish on my blog.
I apologize profusely to all the watchers who expect new content, but whom will never provide any themselves (lazy sods).
As to the shoot, I really thought it was good, although the targets were basically identical to the one’s we shot two (or was it three) years ago.
The two 95s were outstanding (oh if I could shoot like that ), congratulations to both shooters. I can’t remember their names but to be honest I struggle to remember my own these days due to 30 years of being nagged endlessly by she whom must be obeyed.
Well done to all the winners who showed the rest of us how crap we really are.
In all, a good shoot, shot with good friends, fantastic ground, OK clubhouse, horrible toilets, and a knackering hill walk thrown in for free.
Within Wales section has some good looking shooters in this edition.
I bet the West Glamorgan competitors are all thinking it’s them now
I am actually talking about Elena Allen and Cerys Evans…
Whose that old bloke with the two youngsters from Gwynedd..
Yesterday I had 174 visitors to my blog yet only one (Angie) left a comment.
As I live way up North I depend on shooters from the South to provide information about their area.
What did you think of the Skeet Final at Mid Wales?
Where do you like to shoot and why?
What do you think of the WCTSA?
Who are your shooting friends?
Are you looking forward to the Sporting Final?
I really don’t mind what you say, so long as you please say something
Or leave a comment on my Forum where you can see whose online:
Here’s a few pictures from the skeet County Final taken on my old crappy camera.
I apologies that most are of Gwynedd shooters, but they all wanted their ugly mugs on my website
Report to follow when I get a chance.
Glad to say it’s promising decent weather on Sunday for the County skeet final, at the glorious Mid Wales Shooting Ground.
Hopefully we’ll all have a good day whatever we score
I’ve noticed on the WCTSA website that a few counties are struggling to get enough shooters to make a full team, especially in skeet.
In the past Gwynedd have always had to borrow from other Counties just to make a senior team, yet this year we’re actually lending out shooters to other struggling counties.
To me the secret is to get the shooters who usually don’t even try for a county place due to their belief ‘that they’re not good enough’, to shoot a couple of qualifiers.
Half this years Gwynedd team have never shot anything apart from local ‘field’ shoots, yet they’ve had a go after a bit of friendly persuasion from established team members.
I know they will enjoy the finals and it will be a great experience for them, hopefully encouraging them to try again next year.
My message to Welsh shooters, join the association and have a go, you WILL enjoy the experience and be a better shooter for it
I'm happy to use Increase Sociability.