Three east Essex sharpshooters are poised to write a new chapter of England and Essex clay pigeon shooting history.
History making - England has come calling for three east Essex clay pigeon shooting stars. The are (left to right) Henry Webb, Johnny Walker and Alistair Ford. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN
Great Bentley marksman Johnny Walker, Alistair Ford of St Osyth and teenager Henry Webb, from Bradfield, are part of a unique elite Essex quartet along with Ongar-based shooter Gill Billington who are set to compete for England in the Home International Tournament in Southern Ireland.
They will become the first-ever shooters in major competition to represent the county individually in all four of the tournament's disciplines at the Mulroy Gun Club, Letterkenny, County Donegal on Saturday, August 21.
Essex has, however, twice before provided four shooters in home internationals.
Reigning British Skeet champion Walker, 62, who will be captaining the 16-strong England Skeet team, is competing for the veterans' title.
Ford, 49, is on target for the seniors' crown; Webb, 16, goes in the juniors, with Billington focusing on the ladies championship.
Walker told the Evening Gazette: "I'm so proud to be captaining my country on such a unique occasion for Essex.
"To have four people representing England from the same county is fantastic in itself, but to have a shooter in all four categories has never been heard of before."
Published Thursday July 22, 2004
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