City of Salford Shooting Club
The origins of the Club can be traced back to before the First World War. It was founded in 1907 and was called the Manchester City Rifle Club, with a shooting range at Moor Lane in Chorlton cum Hardy. The sepia photograph hanging on the wall of the Committee Room shows members in the rather formal Edwardian dress of the day, many of the shooters sporting bowler hats.
In 1956 there was a change of name and venue, with the formation of the Salford and Manchester Rifle and Pistol Club. A range was built in Weaste near Eccles, at an ex-quarry alongside the Manchester Ship Canal. With the loan of an excavating machine, outdoor ranges were constructed of 25, 50 and 100 yards. Although a building existed, the range was used for outdoor shooting only. At the start only small bore rifles and pistols were permitted but later, permission was obtained, for full bore pistols of all calibres.
The need for an indoor range during the winter months led to the Club leasing the upper floor of a building belonging to the firm of James Hodkinson, in Ford Lane, Pendleton for rent of £7 pa. All went well until 1972 when a disastrous fire in an adjacent wood yard spread to the building and that was the end of the indoor range.
Consequently the building at Weaste was converted for indoor shooting and so the Club could enjoy all disciplines on one site.
In 1986 the Ship Canal Company gave notice for the Club to vacate Weaste range as the land was wanted in connection with the Salford Quays Development, leaving the Club without a permanent home. In October 1987, The Salford and Manchester members agreed to consolidate the Club with that of The City of Salford Shooting Club. Use of a range in Charlestown, Salford, was agreed as this building had been converted to an air gun range few years’ beforehand by the City Council in association with a programme to get youths off the street. Permission was obtained for the shooting of .22 calibre pistol and rifle and so the Club’s activities could be continued, in part.
Five years later and after a visit to a total of 47 potential sites with 4 representations to Salford Council, approval was received for a lease and then construction of Delph Range, our current facility in Worsley. Building took about eight months and the completion date of 27th Feb. 1993 is marked by the laying of the stone, which can be seen high in the wall adjacent to the car park. The Club gratefully acknowledges the financial help of our Patron, and the Sports Council for a loan which has now been repaid.
Other clubs and groups shoot at the range including :-
Irwell Valley Shooting Club
Salford University Rifle Club
Sea Scouts from the Salford Branch have shot here with their NW area competitions taking place on this range.
Currently the Club has a membership of 80 and the trophies on the clubroom wall bear witness to their many successes in competitive shooting across the UK.
