The fifth Breitling at Banks Lyon Abbeystead Clay Pigeon Shoot was a great event this year, building on the success and reputation of past events. Around 250 guests turned out for the event and nearly £15,000 worth of Breitling watches were given away on Saturday, May 26th.
The shoot was organized by Samuelson Wylie Associates, with the permission of His Grace, the Duke of Westminster to use land on his Lancashire estate. The shoot welcomed teams of four from across the UK to compete for the 1st prize. The winning team consisted of Simon Coakley, Rudy Coxhead, John Swire and Brett Winstanley from Preston. The watches were won by Leeds-based group The Clay Preservation Society, while Andrew McPherson of Windermere won the Fauntleroy Trophy for best tweed.
To end the day, an auction was held to raise money for charities, including £22,000 for the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and hundreds of pounds for Abbeystead Primary School. Guests bid on a variety of prizes, including a flight in a Breitling fighter jet performing an aerobatic display, jewellery, shooting days at some of the UK’s top estates amongst others. Guests included world superbike legend Carl Fogarty amongst others.
Rodney Banks-Lyon of sponsors Banks Lyon Jewellers said: “The event has grown from a shoot to a real social gathering and each year it just gets bigger and better.
“This year we raised an incredible amount for a cause that’s close to many people’s hearts. We’re very grateful to everyone who attended from across the country, those who gave so generously in the auction, and in particular His Grace and the tenant farmers who accommodate us so kindly each year.â€
For details about next year’s event, telephone Ben Samuelson on 01524 590610.