MEMBERS of Teesdale Gun Club celebrated a proud day when their new-look pavilion was officially opened on Sunday. The clubhouse has doubled the size of previous facilities and is the culmination of a five-year programme of improvements at the group’s base at Banklands Quarry, near Mickleton.
Conceived prior to the pandemic, work began on the clubhouse extension in July last year.
The extra space has been used to create a new kitchen, office and meeting room.
During the unveiling, gun club officials also showed off their green credentials.
A bank of solar panels – which can convert UV light into power – feeds into an inverter, which charges up lithium batteries to help provide electricity instead of the previous diesel generator.
Meanwhile, heat is provided by a sustainable woodchip burner. Secretary Tony Brittain said a future project could see the club harvesting rainwater rather than transporting water to the venue.
The extension was funded through a £35,000 grant from Sport England and further cash came from Barnard Castle west county councillors Richard Bell and Ted Henderson, whose contribution helped to pay for the solar panels and new toilet block.
Mr Brittain said: “It all came together and we have so much to be proud of. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved over the last five years.”
Cllr Bell said he was particularly impressed by the club’s efforts to embrace renewable energy. “This is an excellent facility and makes you realise what you can do off grid,” he added.
In common with all other sports clubs, the club had to cancel its fixtures during the Covid alert and has cancelled its planned presentation evening for a second year.
However, a full programme of summer shooting went ahead and the winter's fortnightly fixtures are being held as scheduled.
A down the line (DTL) and sporting challenge was organised to coincide with the opening of the clubhouse.
The next event is an open fundraiser on November 7.
