The WKCC is closing. It was with an ugly sadness that I read this today. The West Kent Catapult Club, that has done so much good in the scene, is being shut through loss of venue. There has been a spike in the sheer evil of idiots shooting roosting parrots in a Kentish park, and the whole negative press wave this is part of, is beyond depressing. It seems to be part of the new anti social feral youth trend. The same one that is forcing the government to consider punishing, even jailing the parents of the youngsters who are becoming ever more antisocial and plain wicked.
Here is what Lee harrison had to say:
A difficult announcement from West Kent Catapult Club
After a great deal of thought, it is with a very heavy heart that we have to announce that West Kent Catapult Club will be closing, at least for the time being.
WKCC was founded to give people a safe, responsible and legitimate place to enjoy catapult shooting as a target sport.
Over the time we’ve been running, we’ve built a fantastic community. We’ve held competitions, welcomed new shooters, encouraged junior participation and helped demonstrate that catapults can be used responsibly, safely and competitively.
We were incredibly fortunate to have had access to the ground where the club operated. Unfortunately, we have now lost that ground and, despite looking hard for alternatives, finding another suitable venue has proved extremely difficult.
There is an additional problem which makes this particularly frustrating.
The recent and completely unrelated increase in antisocial misuse of catapults by children and young people has created a much more difficult environment for responsible clubs and landowners. The actions of people misusing catapults in public are having consequences for those of us who use them legitimately, safely and within controlled environments.
That is something we have always tried to combat rather than contribute to.
Indeed, one of the reasons WKCC exists is to show young people that there is a very different side to catapult shooting — target shooting, competition, discipline, accuracy, friendship and respect for other people and the countryside.
We have worked hard to promote that message, including working alongside people involved in tackling catapult-related antisocial behaviour. We genuinely believe that education and giving people a legitimate outlet for the sport is part of the solution.
It is therefore particularly disappointing that the irresponsible actions of a minority are making it harder for responsible clubs and individuals to find places where the sport can be practised.
This isn’t necessarily goodbye forever.
We will continue to look for a suitable venue, and if we can find somewhere that meets the necessary safety, land-use and insurance requirements, we would love to bring WKCC back.
For now, though, we need to accept that the club cannot continue without somewhere appropriate to shoot.
To everyone who has supported West Kent Catapult Club, travelled to our competitions, stood on the firing line with us, helped organise events, brought along friends and family, encouraged our younger shooters or simply came along for a Sunday morning in the woods:
Thank you.
You helped make WKCC what it became.
Whatever happens next, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved and proud to have shown the positive side of a sport that is too often judged by the irresponsible actions of others.
West Kent Catapult Club — temporarily closed, but hopefully not gone forever.
