Staff Profiles

Ian is our Chairman and is very much the life and soul of the party and can be found in the clubhouse welcoming guests, making them feel at home, Ian enjoys nothing more than a friendly chat and always has a smile and a coffee for you!

Ian was a keen recreational clay and game shooter, he started and ran a small “members” clay club on the farm which ran for some 25 years prior to Sporting Targets. Ian also had a “Farm” shoot inviting friends, family and neighbors to enjoy his hospitality both in the field and in the house.

Ian is the local Borough councilor, a position he has enjoyed since 1994 and attends many meetings each week serving the views of his parishes. In his time in office he has chaired many panels and was Deputy Major of Bedford.

 

June Clifton – Director

Slightly more elusive, June manages the kitchens and is responsible for the copious amounts of first class fayre consumed on a daily basis. She has a unique sense of humour.

 

Andrew Clifton - Managing Director

Our Managing Director, Andrew is responsible for the smooth running of the whole complex from clubhouse, to events and everything in-between, he oversees the ground, sales and marketing, shop and clubhouse teams.

Andrew came up with the idea of Sporting Targets along with Ian and June, once all the planning and building the complex was opened in 1990. Andrew has expanded Sporting Targets since opening, adding many new shooting stands, extra activities, expanding the clubhouse and building the Shop.

Andrew is a keen shot and enjoys all aspects of shotgun shooting and was introduced by his father, Ian, at a very early age. His main interest in clay shooting are the disciplines of English & FITASC Sporting. He competes regularly all around the country and attends all the major Sporting & FITASC competitions that time will allow! Andrew is a qualified sporting and FITASC referee which keeps him up to date with the rules. He has represented Bedfordshire on many occasions in these disciplines.

 

Tess – Corporate Sales and Events Manager

Tess’s role is to manage corporate and group events, taking it from the initial enquiry through to the event itself and beyond. She makes sure that the event is run smoothly and that the customer and their guests have a day to remember, not only full of fun and banter but for some, learning a whole new sport. Tess briefs all the other Team members, Instructors, Catering, Ground and Shop Staff who together make this happen.

Tess lives locally with her children Sophie and David (who works part time at Sporting Targets). She enjoys horse riding, walking the dogs and is a keen novice clay shooter.

 

John – Corporate Development Manager

John´s key objective is to develop business to business relationships, with booking agencies and local firms, often found deep in thought reading contracts. John also does marketing for the club, such as advertising managing Facebook and the various websites that we use to promote the club.

John is also a CPSA Qualified Instructor and CPSA Acadamy Coach as well as being a CPSA Safety Officer. John is also a qualified Referee in English Sporting, Sportrap, Skeet, Skeet Doubles, FITASC, if you have any queries about rules on any of these disciplines, John takes pride in keeping himself up to date.

John is also a keen photographer and does the majority of the photography around the ground as well as the pictures you see here, excepting his own.

 

Steve Matcham – Shop Team, Experienced Shotgun & Rifle Instructor.

Steve is an Instructor and although he is available for lessons he can more often be found advising and assisting customers in the shop using his extensive knowledge in both Game and Clay Fields. Steve started his interest at an early age of 5 and as such has a vast experience, he is an avid rifleman and deer stalker. Steve is a qualified BASC coach and is as happy teaching with a side by side as he is an under and over.

Steve has worked previously in the retail sector and joined the company in 1999. Steve is a qualified first aider for the company

 

David Turner

David comes to us with a life time of experience as a ‘well rounded’ shot and instructor, for all his adult life. He’s been associated with the industry for the since 2000, since giving up his ‘day job’, as he calls it. Having run his own pheasant shoot for more than 15 years in the Home Counties David has a broad and diverse knowledge of all things game related as both a shooter and a shoot captain. His commercial background and charismatic personality endear him to many, and with a friendly, warm and welcoming manner, succeeds in a retail environment, principally dealing with gun sales and valuations.

David is also a CPSA qualified Instructor so you will find him coaching and instructing his clients around the ground on a regular basis.

 

Angela has been a part of the team at Sporting Targets since 2002 and oversees the smooth running of the reception area. She can be approached with any of your queries regarding lessons, memberships, vouchers, competitions and much more, so if you have a question Angela will have the answer

Angela enjoys getting to know people and always enjoys a chat. Along with the other reception girls, she will welcome you in with a smile and a coffee and will always go the extra mile to make your visit an enjoyable one.

 

Kay - Receptionist

You will also find Kay on Reception during the afternoons and Sundays. Kay often has a stash of sweets behind reception.

A kind and warm greeting awaits you on your arrival from the lively and enthusiastic Kay.

 

Joanne - Receptionist

Jo works Thursday and Friday afternoon and all day on Saturday, like Kay, she is likely to have a secret stash of sweets behind the counter. Jo comes from the retail world and understands good customer relations; always with a big smile Jo is happy to help you enjoy your visit.

 

 Pat is the man that you call for when something doesn’t work, he is normally first on the scene with spanner or screwdriver and has a vast knowledge of everything mechanical, he is always ready to listen to any issue that may occur and won’t let any problem beat him, Pat has been with Sporting Targets since 2003 and nothing has to date!!.

Pat loves a spot of friendly competition and seems to be as happy shooting left or right handed, he is happy shooting clay or game and his social manner makes him a joy to have on any day.

 

Chris Pritchard

Chris works Thursdays and Fridays and every other week end. Chris has always worked in the training and development world using the tools and techniques to identify and implement individual and group training needs. His interpersonal and social skills are highly polished.

It has been said by clients and customers that he has a very patient, relaxed and professional manner which helped to make their event a great success. Chris specialises in the coaching of novices and improvers and has the knowledge and experience to give them the grounding they need to progress in the sport. However, he is just as capable of coaching more experienced shooters and helping them to get on the right path for success.

 

Ian Jones is a highly qualified Shooting Instructor with a proven track record in training shooters of all ages.

As well as being a CPSA Club Coach, CPSA Academy Coach and a qualified Safety Officer he was also one of the first people in the UK ever to be awarded the Accredited Shot Coach qualification. He passed the exams on the first day they they were ever held.

Over the years Ian has successfully trained hundreds of beginners including many youngsters. He also has a proven track record with Shooters of all abilities including improvers up to the competitive levels. He has a relaxed but highly professional style, and can take the novice from absolute zero to high levels of competence.

Ian is also an experienced Game shot which enables him to give focused lessons for those wishing to improve of that aspect of their shooting.

Alongside his Shotgun teaching skills Ian is a keen Archer and is a member of the Bowmen of Rutland. He will help you to get the best out of your Archery experience at Sporting Targets.

 

David is one of Bedfordshire’s most accomplished Junior shooters having shot for the county on several occasions in several disciplines. David helps out in the shop as well as on the ground and is always keen to help in whatever manner possible, he is enthusiastic shot who loves clay and game alike.

 

Joe is a qualified Sporting & FITASC referee. Joe left to study at college and is now a qualified arborist which he continues to do when not here at Sporting Targets. Joe helps set up the targets, both for practice and competition he helps Dick & Pat with the day to day maintenance.

 

Timmy, Beth and Bracken are the club´s mascots and are always on hand should guests feel the need to provide a bit of fuss and attention, they don’t say no to the odd treat either!