Skip to navigation Skip to main content
BOOKINGS
Latest News, Newsletter

Spring Newsletter 2025

Posted by author-avatar

It's Been A While!

We have been so busy at Orston that we haven’t had much time to write a newsletter! We apologise and we are making the time now.

We hope everyone is well and that you’re enjoying some sun!

Some Exciting Events Ahead!

We have a fun packed summer for you! But lets start with our Sunday 100 REG ESP, which happens once a month.

Our Sunday Registered has gone from strength to strength since our restart last year and we couldn’t be more proud.

Paul puts on some tricky targets, but he mixes it up with something for everyone. Danny and Paul are both attentive on the day, making sure any breakdowns and clay refills happen ASAP. Leoni and Rox work like a well oiled machine, getting cards out promptly whilst also giving a smile and offering sweeties! And, of course we have some of the best refs in the business!

Our next Sunday Registered is on Easter Sunday, 20th April (That’s this Sunday!). You can turn up and shoot, there’s no need to book. Just be here between 9am and 2pm to get your score card. This shoot also includes the Derby County Selection shoot, so it might be a busy one. We suggest coming at lunchtime for a fry up and then going out, as first thing is often busier.

Other Upcoming Competitions:

  • 3rd May – 100 REG ESP – Pre-book – Sponsored High Gun £200

  • 23rd, 24th, 25th May – Orston Masters – £2000 High Gun split between 2 class divides (A/AA/AAA and B/C/U) – Pre-book

  • 7th June – 100 REG STR (includes Lincs Selection) – Pre-book – Sponsored High Gun £150

  • 21st June – Notts Police Shoot – ALL WELCOME! – Turn Up & Shoot – £100 civilian High Gun

BOOK A COMPETITION

We're Going On Tour!

This year Leoni and Rox will be off on their jollies to both the National Shooting Show and The Game Fair!

We will be taking our Pilla glasses for sale. We will also have some other goodies and we may even have a special offer! Please do come and say hello!

Whilst we are away, Danny and Paul will be helped in the office by Jack and Melissa who both work at our Head Office. Please show them how kind and patient you are!

It's Our Birthday Soon!

On July 1st, we will be celebrating our one year anniversary of our “new” bosses, Heckler & Koch (UK) LTD.

We have started planning a birthday shoot and we will be sending invitations out this week. Everyone will be invited, not just members. Please also keep an eye on our social media for the launch. There will be a charge, but we won’t break your bank account! Warning: This will be on Tuesday 1st July, so you may need to book the day off work, which is why we are planning well in advance.

A Quick Word From Our Friends At The CPSA

What's Happening With The Shop?

As many of you are aware, Orston Gun Shop is now closed as we just don’t have the staff or ability to run it ourselves. We had a new tenant who was in line to take the shop on and be open by now. This has sadly fallen through.

We are currently in discussions with a number of other established RFDs who are very interested in taking on an exciting new challenge. We will keep you posted on any movement as soon as we have something to say.

In the meantime, we still carry a massive range of cartridges in the clubhouse and we are still selling Pilla both in the clubhouse and online.

A New Way To Stay Up To Date!

We have decided to stop using our usual text alert system for things like competition reminders and tuition spaces.

We will be using WhatsApp Channel instead. This is a really usefull “newsfeed” type message inside your WhatsApp app. You may not have realised that it was even there!

Look at the bottom of your app and you will see a symbol which looks like a circle crossed with a speech bubble, it should be labelled as “updates”. In there, you can follow companies or organisations.

If you follow us, we can’t see any of your personal data. We can’t communicate with you directly either. You simple see what we have shared on our feed.

To follow us, click on the link below.

FOLLOW US

Snax & Shooter At Orston Cafe

We recently welcomed Sarah as our new cafe tenant! Sarah has a lot of catering and cooking experience but she now wants to start out on her own. She’s really hit the ground running and made the most of her new venture. Her food is top notch and her produce is often sourced locally.

She has fitted in so well with the rest of Team Orston and is getting to know all of our customers.

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.