Hotshots from as far afield as Belgium gathered in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales for the annual Northern Big Shots event on 20th April in aid of The Furniture Makers.
Organised by furnishing industry stalwart Victor Giannandrea, the 2017 shoot-out was held at the Coniston Hotel and country estate near Skipton. It was the fourth clay shooting event to be held in the North and featured a novel new challenge - a flying 'gnat'. Fifteen teams took part, competing for a total of 12 different trophies.
Victor says: "It really was an amazing day which saw industry leaders from around the country come together for a great day of shooting and networking. We had everyone from experienced shooters to people who had never picked up a gun in their life before; others who had come all the way from Belgium to take part plus someone else who had come from Florida in the USA.
"I was also thrilled that my original shooting partner, Ian Peel, an Olympic silver medallist at clay shooting was able to join us for the day as my personal guest to present the prizes.
"Our raffles alone raised more than £2000 and thanks to a number of very generous sponsors we were able to boost the amount raised to even more than last year, ensuring the day was both enjoyable and very worthwhile.
Winners on the day were: Top Team, Howdens Joinery; Top Gun (Male), Steve Kelly, (Mattress Online with the Breasely team); Top Gun (Female) Sarah Harris (Steinhoff team); Flurry, The Furniture Makers team; Pool winner, Jonny Westbrooke (The Furniture Makers team); International Team, Steinhoff; Best Experienced Shot (Male), Duncan Weister (DJ Weisters team); Best Intermediate Shot (Male), Phil Mercer (Howdens team); Best Novice Shot (Male), Keith Humble (Sleepeeze team); Best Novice Shot (Female), Helen James (Breasley team); A for Effort!, Linda Keelan (KI Europe team); Flashers!, Phil Mercer and David Imrie.
The Bentley Bentayga draw was won by Rebecca Sansome (Lookers) and the BMW X5 draw by David Dewing (past master of the Furniture Makers).
The next Northern Big Shots will be held on Thursday 26th April 2018.
