History of the Association

The National Association of Masonic Clay Shooting Societies was founded on 19 February 2015, at an historic meeting held at Freemasons’ Hall in London. Ten Masonic Provinces were represented at that first gathering, which was hosted by the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London and chaired by Brian Saidman.

The meeting elected the Association’s first officers:

• Chairman — Brian Saidman (Metropolitan Grand Lodge)
• Vice Chairman — Mike Casey (West Lancashire)
• Secretary — Roger Wilkes (East Kent)
• Treasurer — Nick Jenkins (West Kent)

The new Association grew quickly. Within twelve months, sixteen Provinces had joined — roughly a third of all Masonic Provinces — with contact established with a further eight, extending its reach to around half the country.

The Association was honoured by the acceptance of two distinguished patrons: the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Jonathan Spence, as President, and the Most Excellent Second Grand Principal, Russell John Race, DL, as Vice President.

Regional Ambassadors were subsequently appointed to co-ordinate clay shooting within the Masonic Provinces, and the Association continues to grow — uniting brethren across the country in friendship, sportsmanship and charity.

Although the Association itself dates from 2015, the National Masonic Championships have a longer pedigree — the first was held at Hoghton Tower in 2002. The full roll of honour is on our National Championships page.