The first Imperial Meeting was contested on Wimbledon Common, in south-west London, in 1860 when Queen Victoria fired the first shot and gave a prize of £250 to the best individual marksman. This year, the event celebrates its 156th year hosted by the National Rifle Association at The National Shooting Centre at Bisley. The open competition aims to promote and encourage marksmanship throughout the King’s (or Queen’s) dominions and the event has grown to include many different disciplines. The largest entry is for Target Rifle, which dominates the final week of the Meeting and culminates with the final of the King’s Prize.

The atmosphere at Bisley is second to none, with friendships made and renewed on the firing points every year, but the event does not end with the shooting: the famous Bisley clubs take over and, between shoots and at the end of each day, competitors enjoy the Bisley hospitality at its best.

This year College Target Rifle Shooting Coach Steve Bates was supported by a number of Bradfieldians working with the College Shooting team including; Rory Mace (G 18-23), Matthew Keel (E 17-22), Christina Cuming (M 15-20), Maya Beaton-Jaramillo (J 19-24) and Keisha Farley (I 18-23). 

The photograph above shows left to right:

Bradfieldian Simon Lee the new Secretary General of the NRA (G 74-79), No1 unknown not OB, Christina Cuming, Matthew Keel, Keisha Farley and No 5 unknown not OB during one of the awards ceremonies. More images of the awards in the gallery below.