The inaugural running of the Middleton Clay Day was a great success with 21 teams taking part in the competition.  The shooting element was organized superbly by award winning shooting ground E.J Churchill who set up 5 stands simulating different types of shooting including High Pheasants, Grouse and Rabbits.  Each stand had a flurry of 100 clays, all computerized so they were exactly the same for every team.  The stands were set out amid stunning countryside on the Birdsall Estate in fields just below Toisland where it was obvious the competitors appreciated the breathtaking views due to all the cameras that suddenly appeared from every 4x4 window!  The teams were divided up into 5 squads who were ushered around the course and moved swiftly through each stand. 

We couldn’t have ordered better weather!  It was warm throughout the day but overcast and slightly cloudy while the shooting was taking place, providing optimum visibility for the clays (although that would be debatable from watching some of the shooting!) When the competition element had concluded the clouds parted and glorious sunshine shone through leading to some of the diners moving their tables outside the marquee to feel the full effect of the sun while eating their lunch.

The superb surf and turf luncheon was a spectacular follow up to the shooting and a special mention must be given to Lyn Cottingham and her team of all the usual helpers and wardens of St Mary’s Church Birdsall who worked so hard to produce such fabulous fayre.  Washed down with jugs full of pimms the social side was as much fun as the competition.

All in all we were delighted with how the day unfolded and we would like to offer a big thank you to all the teams who took part and their loaders and guests who accompanied them throughout the day for their support.  We would like to extend this thanks to our sponsors who also supported so generously and enabled us to host a successful event.

Well done to Warter Priory who won the competition and we would also like to say a huge thank you to them for donating their winnings back into the fundraising pot.  The Westow Wildcats won a shooting lesson to help them improve for next year which was kindly donated by Cottondale Shooting Ground and the young shot prize was awarded to Nathan Sutcliffe from Cosmic who won a gun slip and cartridge bag kindly donated by E.J Churchill.

We are pleased to announce that the 3 organisations the event was run in aid of will benefit from the funds raised and we will be donating £750 each to St Mary’s Church Birdsall and The Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

We are already working on next year’s event, incorporating feedback from this year’s competition to make it bigger and better.  The date for your diary is Sunday 9th July 2017.  More details will be announced in due course and can be found on our website.