The latest news about and from the Worshipful Company of Butchers

Despite this year being different, Liverymen stepped up to the plate and represented the Company in this year's Inter Livery Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition, which is always one of the most fiercely contested competitions between the 110 City Livery Companies, as Assistant, Julien Pursglove explains.

In the past, The Worshipful Company of Butchers has had great success, both competing as a Team and with individual Liverymen.

The event, which is staged by The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, is not only great fun but also raises funds for many good causes, such as The Lord Mayor's chosen charity.

Due to the current pandemic, arrangements had to change this year and the decision was taken by the organisers to postpone the annual competition from May until September.

In order to comply with the Government's Covid-19 guidelines and to maintain social distancing, the Teams being allowed to compete had to be reduced significantly. Some years I have entered up to six four man Teams, this year we were restricted to just one! This year’s two day event took place on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th September, with Team Butchers competing on the second day. 

I am pleased to say that we had four Liverymen who bravely 'stepped up to the plate' - Fergus Howie, Richard Taylor, Greg Mahon and Nick Allen, with Greg and Nick representing The Company for the first time this year. We are very lucky to have a pool of accomplished shooters to draw on from within The Company. They shot the layout as a four man Team, 80 English Sporting targets individual and a 80 target Flush, with the scores totalled and the Flush score added to them to give an overall Team score. 

I put up 'The Captain’s Cup' last year for the highest scoring individual Liveryman from the Butchers. Last year it was won by Richard Taylor, this year Nick Allen was the successful recipient with a score of 68 - well done Nick! 

This year the Butchers' Company's overall score was 274, posting 66 in the Flush, coming 8th overall on the day. 

I would like to thank Fergus, Richard, Greg and Nick for giving their time to represent the Worshipful Company of Butchers and to The Court for their generous sponsorship of the Team.

For those interested in taking part next year, the dates are Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th May 2021. The WCB's allocated day to shoot is Wednesday 12th. Anyone interested should contact the Team Captain / Secretary, Assistant Julien Pursglove for more details by telephone on 07544 997859 or send an email to julienpursglove959@btinternet.com.