MORE than 50 members and their guests helped Bridport Shooting Club mark three decades in existence earlier this month.

Outgoing club chairman, and 30th birthday event organiser, Neville Mason thanked all those in attendance for their support over the years.

New chairman Chris Milnes then escorted life member John Palmer into the range to fire a few shots with a .38 long-barrelled revolver, repeating the actions of his father, the late Tony Palmer, who fired the first shots at the club on August 1, 1985.

Alongside Milnes, original club secretary Peter Hutson and John Palmer were able to recreate the photographs taken in 1985.

Seven of the club’s 12 founder members joined mayor of Bridport Sandra Brown and representatives of Dorset Police’s firearms department and Dorset Police Shooting Club at the event.

After the repeat of the inaugural shoot, everyone returned to the club room where the mayor cut a cake which had been made in the shape of a pistol for the occasion by Debbie Bird, the daughter of club treasurer Kelvin Bird.

Guided tours of the premises were given by members and these included a display of exhibits, information sheets and photographs relating to the club from its beginnings through to the present day.