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Orston Shooting Ground News – May Events, Lessons & Updates 2026

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It’s been a busy and exciting time at Orston Shooting Ground as we move into the spring and summer season. With longer days, improving weather and plenty happening on site, there’s never been a better time to visit.

Here’s everything you need to know — from bank holiday opening times and upcoming events to shooting lessons, ground improvements and what’s new in the shop.

Bank Holiday Opening Times – Early May

Clay shooting at Orston Shooting Ground

We will be open from 10am to 3pm on Monday 4th May for the early May bank holiday.

  • Practice shooting only
  • No competitions or tuition running
  • Last cards issued at 2pm

If you’d like to book a golf buggy, please call 07921 951477 in advance.

Ongoing Improvements at Orston Shooting Ground

Ground improvements at Orston Shooting Ground

We’ve continued making improvements across the ground to enhance your experience.

As you arrive, you’ll notice our new marquee — now serving as our spring and summer clubhouse and eating area.

We’ve also been:

  • Creating new pathways
  • Repairing existing walkways
  • Installing a new roadway near skeet

This new roadway supports the development of our Practical Shotgun area, which we’re excited to continue expanding.

The Orston Masters 2026 – Book Now

The Orston Masters is fast approaching and promises to be one of our biggest events of the year.

Dates:
Friday 22nd May
Saturday 23rd May
Sunday 24th May

Weekend slots are filling quickly, but there is still good availability for Friday.

This competition is open to all — no CPSA registration required — with prizes available for:

  • Unclassified shooters
  • A / AA / AAA classes
  • B and C classes


Book your place online or call 07921 951477.

Shooting Lessons & Tuition Available

Clay shooting lessons at Orston

Spring is the perfect time to improve your shooting skills, whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique.

Special Offers

  • Half-price junior tuition during May half term (weekdays only)
  • Prices from £30 (excluding clays and cartridges)
  • New 3-lesson course available for £185


Book shooting lessons online or call 07921 951477.

Upcoming Clay Shooting Events

Clay shooting events at Orston

Alongside the Orston Masters, we have several exciting events coming up:

  • 16th May – Practical Shotgun (Level 1)
  • 3rd June – Cancer Research UK Charity Shoot
  • 6th June – 100 REG Super Sporting
  • 20th June – Notts Police Shoot (100 ESP)


View full events schedule

What’s New in the Shop?

The Simpson Brothers Gun Shop at Orston has some great new stock in, including:

  • Yeti 177ml Ramblers
  • Beretta chokes (restocked)
  • Legia spray (restocked)
  • The new Browning 825 shotgun

If an item isn’t available on-site, it can usually be sourced from their main shop in Wittering.


Visit Simpson Brothers Gun Shop

Clubhouse Renovations & Building Works

Orston Shooting Ground building works

If you haven’t visited recently, you’ll notice some changes.

Our clubhouse is currently undergoing renovations, and we are temporarily operating from cabins on-site.

All services remain fully operational:

  • The shop is unchanged
  • The café is running from a temporary kitchen
  • Shooting activities continue as normal

We don’t yet have a confirmed completion date, but we’re excited about what’s coming next.

 

 

Orston Shooting Ground,
Bottesford Lane,
Orston,
Nottingham,
NG13 9NX

Call: 07921 951477 | 07496 875539

David Grayson

CLAY INSTRUCTION

Dave has been a regular part of the Orston Instructor Team for over a year now and we can’t remember what it was like before we had him!

He has over 50 years shooting experience in the field. As a CPSA qualified instructor and member of the Institute of Clay shooting instructors, Dave is highly qualified to teach both beginners and competition shots.
He has also shot clays competitively for over 15 years, with success at all levels; County, Regional, National and Internationally. So you are in perfect hands if you are a competent shot who needs coaching.
Dave is such a lovely and personable man, we highly recommend him for anxious people and those who need encouragement.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT SHOTGUN OWNERSHIP

DO I HAVE TO KEEP MY SHOTGUN AT HOME?

No – you do not.

Within your shotgun application form, in the section referring to storage of shotguns, you could simply state that if you were to purchase a gun you would store it at a local gun club, such as Orston Shooting Ground. We do offer long term and short-term storage options dependant on your situation. Storage is free to Club Orston members. Alternatively, you can also store it at another license holders address. We also offer options for clients who would like to purchase a shotgun prior to receiving their license, enabling them to shoot with their own gun on their lessons at Orston SG. See available guns for sale here.

 

DO I HAVE TO PURCHASE A SHOTGUN?

No – you do not. 

Many people have a shotgun license and do not own a shotgun. We have guns available to hire for shotgun license holders here at Orston. The price is FREE for members of the club and £20.00/gun for non-members.

THE PROCESSING OF YOUR APPLICATION

Your shotgun license can take anything between 6 weeks to 6 months to process depending on your local constabularies processing time. Usually the process goes like this:

 

  1. Your cheque will be banked
  2. You will receive a call from your local firearms licensing officer who will arrange an interview you.
  3. When a suitable interview date is agreed he/she will want to ask you some safety questions (most of which we will have gone through within your lessons) and ensure you are safe to have a shotgun certificate. He/she will also check your security within your house and check that it is sufficient to store shotguns within it.
  4. Providing your interview has been successful along with your medical check and reference check you will then receive your shotgun license in the post usually 2-4 weeks after completion of your interview once signed off by the head of firearms for your county.

REFERENCES & MEDICAL CHECKS

Amongst your shotgun license application form you will be asked to complete a medical check and supply two references. 

Your references will be contacted at some point throughout your application process before approval. 

You can get your medical check completed by your doctor, however recently the doctors’ fees are varying and timescales differ, so in some instances it is easier to apply through Med Cert, who charge a flat fee and have a good turnaround time. 

APPLYING FOR YOUR LICENSE

If you’re wanting to take shooting further at this stage, we would suggest applying for your shotgun license. This is a certificate that authorises you to purchase shotguns and ammunition. If you’re wanting to go shooting alone or hire a shotgun you will need to gain a certificate in order to do so. This certificate lasts for 5 years.

You apply via your local firearms department, part of your local police force. Typically, local to us is Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire although you may be reading this article from further afield! Typically, this is/would have been in paper form, however in recent times certain firearms departments have moved to an online system so it is worth checking with your local department online prior to filling out a form (below). The cost of a shotgun certificate is a one-time fee of currently £80.00.  You can find your local firearms department, by simply searching on the internet ‘County Name’ Firearms department.

When applying for your shotgun certificate the application form will be for both firearms and shotguns. For clarification when firearms are referred to, it means ‘rifles’ so therefore is not relevant to a shotgun application form. 

Paul Murgatroyd

CLAY INSTRUCTION

Paul has been an invaluable member of Orston Shooting Ground over the last 4 years. Progressing from Head Groundsman, to Grounds Manager and now General Manager.

Paul has extensive clay shooting competition experience, shooting for his County on many occasions and for the Leicestershire Police Shoot Team, winning many national titles. Paul’s ability for target setting some of the UK’s finest courses at Orston undoubtedly benefits his clients through his coaching techniques and methods. His professional and calming persona provides a very good balance for those starting on the competition ladder or wanting to develop their clay shooting skills in the sporting disciplines. Paul is APSI qualified.

Steve Brightwell

GAME & CLAY INSTRUCTION

We are very lucky to have Steve as part of #TeamOrston, for those of you involved within clay shooting will know he needs no introduction! 

Steve has won numerous national titles and is currently on th GB shooting team in countless disciplines. Having said this, Steve’s dry sense of humour and infectious talent helps encourage new individuals into the sport and is as happy to teach first time clay shooters as well as competition level shooters and game shooters!

 

Steve Spiers​

GAME & CLAY INSTRUCTION

Steve’s love for clay and game shooting shines through with all his
clients, whether offering a first time Have A Go session or teaching
regular game shooting clients.

A retired police officer, Steve can often be found competing around
the County in clay shooting competitions, assisting on local game shoots
and competing for Leicestershire Police Team.

Andrew Watson

GAME & CLAY INSTRUCTION

Andrew is an APSI Fellow, meaning he brings a huge amount of experience and knowledge to all of our clients at Orston. A highly regarded instructor both on the clay ground and in the game field, Andrew brings a huge amount of success and enjoyment to his clients.

Whether its smashing your first clay, or hitting clays off the 100 ft high tower, Andrew will bring passion, enthusiasm and enjoyment to your lesson.