I have been a member of the club for more years than I can remember. I have seen it change and I have seen members come and go. The joy of target shooting is such a stress relief for me.
Matt Skehlon was presented with a coveted Blue Plaque yesterday in recognition of his achievement in the sport or target shooting.
Members of the Whittlesey Rifle Club were joined by the High Sheriff the Honourable Frances Stanley DL, the town’s Mayor Alex Miscandlon, Whittlesey Rotary Club President Jim Saunders, Town and District Councillor Dee Laws and County Councillor Michael Fisher, to unveil a Blue Plaque celebrating his achievements.
Matt said the club, “was a key part in his early years of training ahead of his first Paralympics”, and that “it is an honour to unveil the plaque on the range in his name”.
The Whittlesey Rifle Club will be hosting an Open Day in support of Whittlesey town’s Big Bash 2025 on Sunday 22nd June 2025 from 11am-4pm. So why not come along and try Target Shooting for free!
Our club president, multi-medal winning Paralympian, World Champion and World Record Breaking target shooter Matt Skelhon is taking a break from training to be there and meet the public.
At 12:30 the club will be unveiling a Blue Plaque in Matts honour, celebrating his achievements.
The Whittlesey Big Bash 2025 is well worth visiting with 300 classic vehicles, a family disco and the chance to try other sports like archery, tennis and fishing, all for free! Plus, weather permitting, there will also be a WW2 aircraft flypast at 13:30!
Whittlesey Rifle Club (WRC) was live on the Peterborough City Radio Sports show on Easter Friday (18th April).
You can listen again by downloading the PCR app or following this link. https://pcrfm.ddns.net:50152/player.html PCR Sports With Dipam Joshi & Nilesh Patel Friday April 18th at 18:02
Club Development officer Alan Bessant spoke about the potential for a new building and the clubs plans to become a “Regional Centre of Excellence” for target sport shooting while further enhancing its provision for disabled members, including those with impaired sight.
The growing number under 18 members and the diverse, inclusive and social nature of the club was also highlighted.
Alan said afterwards, “It was the first time competitive sport shooting had featured on the show and the interview went very well. This was a great opportunity to reach out to a new wider audience and hopefully it will help continue to drive up awareness and membership, especially from those groups who have the most to benefit from the sport”.
The show also celebrated club presidents and Paraolympian Matt Skelhons amazing career.
Whittlesey Rifle Club (WRC) members are delighted to see a new and possibly enhanced building included as part of the plans to rebuild the Manor leisure centre.
The proposals presented by Whittlesey Mayor and portfolio holder for Leisure Councillor Alex Miscandlon were unanimously accepted as part of overall budget plans during a main council meeting on the 24th February 2025.
Fenland District Council leader Chris Boden specifically mentioned the club and highlighted its longstanding benefits to the community. He also applauded its ambitious plan to become a “Regional Centre of Excellence” for target sports and indicated the councils wish to support that subject to funding. The club is now engaging with the relevant parties to bring that vision into reality.
Club chairman David Ransome said ”This is a once in a generation opportunity for the Club. Target shooting is a very inclusive and social competitive sport, which people of all ages and physical abilities can enjoy. We have a proud 100-year tradition of serving the area. The clubs community volunteers are extremely grateful for the support shown and will work hard with the council to build a wonderful community asset to take us forward towards the next century and enhance Whittlesey Towns reputation”
Members of the WRC turned out to support our club President during his Paralympic competition.
Unfortunately Matt didn’t win a medal, but we still had a great turnout.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Greatest Hits Radio also did interviews and the Mayor posed for photos.
Being elected for a Fifth Paralympic Games is a massive achievement and Matt’s successes deserve recognition and the fitting of the blue plaque at the club, will be the icing on the cake.
Well done Matt! You are truly an inspiration to the Whittlesey Town and an ambassador for the sport of shooting that all abilities can enjoy.
Our President has Paris Paralympic gold in his sights!
The Whittlesey Rifle Club is asking everyone to join us cheering on our Club President, Matt Skelhon, as he aims for Paralympic Gold in the Paris games this week.
Matt, aged 39, learned to shoot at the Whittlesey Rifle Club before famously winning a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, followed by silver and bronze at London 2012. After a tough few year with no medals at the subsequent games, he has fought his way back to form. His last competition is on Thursday September 5th he will be taking part in the outdoor R6 50m rifle prone competition, where he is both European and world champion, which also helped secure his Paralympic team selection.
Matts last competition is being televised, so club is holding a Community Event with Free tea and coffee. It an open invitation, A chance to the town to come together.
Community Event: –
Next Thursday morning on 5th Sept at the Straw Bear pub, 09:30-12:00 (the final is taking place around 10:45am).
The Straw Bear Pub and Accommodation can be found on Drybread Road Whittlesey, and on the internet at https://www.thestrawbear.co.uk
Please come for some “Flag waving and fun” to support our own Whittlesey World Champion Target Sports Shooter!
Whittlesey Rifle Club has appointed a new disability officer.
Actor/writer David Proud has been a member of the club for a while. He has now joined the club’s committee and accepted the role of disability officer. David has been shooting for five years and said that he liked the sport as it forces him to relax. He added that the facilities at Whittlesey were really well laid out for wheelchair users and it was also a great social hub.
Club chairman Andy Surtees said: “We are really pleased David has accepted the role. He brings a wealth of experience and will help us do even more to promote the club and its facilities.’’
Andy also thanked the previous disability officer, Barry Plumb, who has been forced to step down for health reasons, saying everyone at the club was grateful for his contribution and wished him the best for the future.
The announcements came at the town’s Big Bash, where the club was running another of its successful free family open days to support the event. David was one of the volunteers on hand to meet the guests and show people around the club with the opportunity to try target shooting.
Members also celebrated winning a prestigious High Sheriff award for its volunteer community work. The High Sheriff, David Way, visited the club after the ceremony alongside Whittlesey Town Mayor, Alex Miscandlon.
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