Test Valley Clay Pigeon Club (TVCPC) serves as a prominent fixture in the North Hampshire shooting circuit, celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere and family-led heritage. For over 30 years, the ground has been curated by David and Sue Blackman, proprietors of Test Valley Guns, ensuring a high standard of safety and professional expertise. The club is specifically designed to be inclusive, offering a supportive environment for novices, children under supervision, and seasoned competitive shooters alike.
The competitive offerings at the club focus on versatility and technical skill, primarily featuring 70-bird English Sporting and 25-bird Skeet agendas. To maintain a high level of engagement for regular members, the course layouts are redesigned for every session, providing a fair yet unpredictable challenge. These rotations are carefully crafted by the resident experts to simulate a variety of game-shooting scenarios, ensuring a fresh experience with every visit.
Utilizing a unique woodland setting, the club differentiates itself from standard open-terrain grounds by incorporating natural obstacles and elevation changes into its stands. The technical infrastructure is powered by automatic traps from industry leaders such as Promatic and Bowman, ensuring consistent target flight and minimal downtime. Specialty targets, including the notoriously fast "rabbit" (or hare) clays, are strategically placed to test a shooter's speed and precision.
Coaching and technical support are pillars of the TVCPC experience, with David Blackman’s background as a gunsmith providing visitors with unparalleled access to equipment advice and troubleshooting. The club offers structured tuition ranging from one-to-one professional coaching to small group sessions, making it an ideal entry point for those without their own equipment. Comprehensive safety briefings and a commitment to high instruction standards ensure that all participants can enjoy the sport with confidence.
Beyond recreational shooting, TVCPC provides tailored solutions for corporate team-building, stag/hen parties, and group events, leveraging its expansive grounds and professional hospitality. These events can be customized with dedicated instructors, provided equipment, and catering options, allowing organizations to foster team spirit through a disciplined and exciting sport. The inclusive nature of the club ensures that groups with varying skill levels can compete and bond effectively.
The club operates on a fortnightly schedule, offering its services every other Sunday to a loyal following of enthusiasts. Strategically positioned near the A303 and Popham Airfield, it serves as a highly accessible retreat for the Basingstoke and Deane shooting community. Socially, the club functions as a vibrant hub, anchored by a comfortable canteen area where refreshments like bacon rolls and tea are served by Ali and Zoe, fostering camaraderie among participants.
Key Facilities and Highlights
Dynamic Terrain: Rotational woodland layouts that are redesigned for every shoot to maintain challenge and variety.
Professional Equipment: High-performance automatic traps from Promatic and Bowman for reliable target delivery.
Technical Expertise: On-site gunsmith available to provide advice on gun fit, maintenance, and performance.
Social Amenities: Family-friendly canteen with indoor seating, a log burner for winter, and freshly prepared refreshments.
Primary Disciplines
English Sporting: Standard 70-bird program featuring diverse hunting-style trajectories.
English Skeet: 25-bird rounds focused on rhythm and technical timing.
Novice Training: Specialized training stands available at a per-bird rate for skill development.
