Shropshire gunsmith off to shooting contest with a different spin
Shropshire gunsmith Andrew Lloyd was flying to Madrid today, to take part in a type of shooting competition many may not have heard about.
While clay pigeon shooting is an Olympic sport and one enjoyed by enthusiasts across the county, there is a version with an added twist.
When the clay targets that Andrew is aiming for come out of the trap, they have an addition to them which make them mighty tricky customers – little propellers which mean they can fly off in almost any direction.
Originating in Belgium during the 1960s, helice shooting is not an Olympic sport but European and World championships are held each year.
Mr Lloyd, 47, from Stiperstones, has competed in the championships several times.
"Helice is similar to trap shooting, but the clays are equipped with a detatchable piece which has two winged plastic propellers attached," he said.
"This gives the clay an erratic and unpredictable flight.
"When the propellers are moving, the target can travel low or high to the ground."
He said that the helice rotated at high speed and it was released randomly from one of five traps.
"They fly out in an unpredictable way; buzzing through the air.
"It is designed specifically to simulate as closely as possible the old sport of live pigeon shooting."
"It is an extremely difficult sport to practice for. I suppose your reactions have to be very swift. Each time a target is released, you have absolutely no idea which line it is going to take."
Pigeon shooting was banned in Britain in 1921 but is still legal in a couple of European countries.
As well as shooting competitively, Mr Lloyd runs a gunsmith business, Shropshire Gunsmiths, from Stiperstones.
He also works as a carpenter for the National Trust at Attingham Park.
"That is a wonderful job," he said. "I not only live but I work in beautiful countryside and my carpentry involves keeping the historic fabric of Attingham Park at its best."
