The Derek Olivant Memorial ABT Shoot 2018 - 27th August

 

There was a real buzz about today's ABT shoot held in memory of Lincolnshire ABT shooter, Derek Olivant, as friends turned up to participate in the memorial shoot to raise funds in support of Prostate Cancer UK.  Derek suffered from the disease which eventually claimed his life but he refused to give up the sport he loved and continued to shoot for as long as he could.  Nottingham & District Gun Club was one of Derek's favourite grounds so it was fitting that this year's memorial shoot should be held there. 

The weather conditions were, at the very least, a big improvement on the day before but although it was largely dry nevertheless a stiff breeze played havoc with some of the targets from time to time.  Not that this worried Lincolnshire & GB team shooter, Jack Wilkinson, who steadily racked up 4 scores of 24.  This score was matched by a fellow GB shooter, Matt Panter.  The trophy, a magnificent silver rose bowl, had been donated by Derek's wife, Linda to the Lincolnshire CPSA who deemed that only a Lincolnshire shooter could win it but the Lincolnshire CPSA had also received donations of cartridges from Lincolnshire members which were awarded to the category winners irrespective of county so Matt had the consolation of sharing the open high gun prize of 100 cartridges which he generously donated back to the fund along with his joint A class winnings.

Jack Wilkinson

Never far from the top of the leaderboard was John Winn, just one target back on 95.  John received the veterans prize of 75 cartridges.

Top lady was Norfolk's Laura Shinn who well earned her prize of 75 cartridges with a score of 89

Top junior, also from Norfolk, was William Gilbert who also received 75 cartridges with a very commendable score of 86. 

John Winn - Veteran High Gun - 95	Laura Shinn - Ladies High Gun - 89	William Gilbert - Junior High Gun - 86

Linda Hewkin, raffle ticket seller extraordinaire, worked her socks off for a week getting people to donate raffle prizes and selling tickets.  Her efforts produced the massive sum of £496 which when combined with the levies from the 54 entrants and other donations yielded a final total of £650 which will all go to Prostate Cancer UK to fund much needed research into the control of this disease that affects the lives and health of so many men.  Thanks go to Steve Pinch, Matt Panter and Keith Ritchie for their donations and thanks to all those members who donated raffle prizes to help raise funds for such a worthy cause. 

In making the presentation Carl Smith summed up his recollection of Derek by emphasising his genial and kindly nature.  We hope that today we would have made Derek proud of what has been achieved in his memory.