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SURREY RIFLE ASSOCIATION |
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CONTACT US
MEMBERSHIP The Surrey Rifle Association welcomes applications for new members. To join, please download and print the application form (link below). You will also need your application proposed by an existing member of the club. Once complete, please return the completed form to the address shown on this page.
HISTORY OF THE CLUB The original Surrey Rifle Association was founded in 1861 by the Volunteers of the County. Its only function in those days was to arrange an annual "County Prize Meeting", at which the Surrey Volunteers could shoot for the many valuable prizes donated by the gentry of the County, both cash and kind. You could get rich quick at the Surrey County Prize meeting! The County Prize Meeting was held on a range at Epsom in 1861 and 1862, but in 1863 it moved to new ranges on W imbledon Common. The Association used these ranges on two days every year, and were allowed to use the adjacent clubhouse built by the London Scottish Regiment. The National Rifle Association also used Wimbledon Common at this time, during July each year, but had to remove to Bisley in 1890. Surrey RA continued to use the Wimbledon range until in 1894 a stray bullet killed a man at work outside the Common. The ranges were closed, and the Association removed the County Prize Meeting to Bisley.
In 1895 sufficient funds were raised to build the "Surrey Brigade Hut" at Bisley. This substantial building provided comfortable messing and clubhouse amenities, and was the first County pavilion on Bisley Camp. In 1908 the Volunteers were abolished and the Territorial Army was formed. Ownership of the "The Hut" passed to the new Surrey Territorial Army Association, and Surrey RA merged with the Surrey Association of Civilian Rifle Clubs to create a new association. The Hut became available to members of any Surrey rifle club which wished to affiliate.
During both world wars the Association ceased to function at Bisley, and the Hut (with most of Bisley Camp) was used by the Bisley wing of the Hythe School of Musketry for lectures and accommodation. From the 1920s the Association's shooting activities were divided between the Territorial's "Service Rifle Class A" and the Rifle Club's "Service Rifle Class B". But in the 1950s it started moving towards Target Shooting as we now know it. This process continued as the TA gradually withdrew from Bisley and in the early 1960s the Association bought The Hut for £350; a little less than it had cost in 1895, despite the improvements and extensions which had been carried out in the meantime. Now an independent body for the first time, the 1960s and 70s brought financial problems from which it proved difficult to break free. However, the Association managed to maintain The Hut and gradually improve it's facilities to an extent no Volunteer could have imagined.
THE SURREY RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS CLUBHOUSE FACILITIES The Association Clubhouse has recently completed major improvements and now has one of the smartest Clubhouses on Bisley Camp. Dining Hall
The newly re-furbished and extended Dining Room can accommodate 100 people for Dining functions. When cleared the Large Dining Room is ideal for seminars, conferences and other corporate events. Bar The Bar holds a large selection of fine wines and beers at competitive prices and a central log fire for Winter comfort. Garden The Garden area is undergoing tree clearance and will be an excellent venue for summer functions. Range Access The new back entrance offers convenient access to the Clay Ranges at the rear of the Clubhouse. Gunroom The Gunroom extension has added 76 new lockers and also includes new highly secure alarm and security system. The Gunroom is heated at a constant temperature all year round ensuring optimum conditions for winter storage. Temporary storage of Firearms will be considered during the Summer season. |
