The BSG clubhouse is indeed a remarkable link with the history if target shooting today, and today, with us splendid dining room, collections of early 20th centaury photographs depicting shooting of that period, mounted heads, and, not least the comforts of the Edwardian-style clubroom, it provides a much sought after per-and post–prandial venue for sporting clay shooters, both private and corporate.

History

The colonial-style clubhouse, now used by BSG as it headquarters, was originally erected on Wimbledon Common as the headquarters of the NRA Council, which met there to discuss musketry in order to be in a position to report to, and advise, the government of the time. However as the centaury advanced, so Wimbledon Village began to encroach on the common and the element of risk to the public from the ranges increased in proportion to the expansion, things came to a head when a grave digger called Ingram, while excavating a fresh grave in Putney Vale Cemetery, was struck between the shoulder blades by a stray bullet and , as a result, toppled into his mornings work. Perhaps even more convincing, as far as the authorities were concerned, was a bullet that passed through the top hat of a government minister while he was taking a stroll in the common. A new site of the ranges were sought and, in 1890 the NRA met for the first time at Bisley. On this occasion, it was the Princess of Wales who had the honour of the first shot. The Council clubhouse, still sited at Wimbledon was dismantled and rebuilt at Bisley in 1895. However, the splendid Victorian structure has a curious idiosyncrasy. When rebuilt, the workmen discovered, as it was close to completion that they had put it together back to front. However it was decided to leave it as it was and, today, it is virtually impossible to detect thus last-Victorian blunder.