Valley View is back – reopened under new management – so Tonky70 and myself decided we'd have a meetup there. His first time, and a return for me – so I was interested to see how things had changed.It was pretty blustery day yesterday, with the threat of rain – but luckily we stayed dry, if not a little buffetted by some of those high birds on the wind.Not much has changed on the surface at VV – they have a new website, but the site is much the same – great targets set up around a pretty big layout. It wasn't over busy, so they set us off in a squad of two – using the 'odd numbers one way, even numbers another' system that they have there.Variety of targets was good – starting with a few high birds, through tree openings – then some interesting setups on the top field – a quick G/A, followed by a right to left incomer which dipped and floated on the breeze. There was a big crosser, followed by a looper which caught a few out. There was a nice stand set in the trees at the back of the SG which consisted of a right to left crosser in a tree clearing that needed quick reactions and fast hands to get on.There were also a couple of stands set up with manual traps – one which was disappointing (two straight g/a birds – which were both loaded manually – so slow), and one which was great – a sim pair of crossers which damaged my scorecard, but made me think!There didn't seem to be high tower birds this time – but that maybe as they are moving stuff around on site. Lots of trees cut down to thin the wood out – I think they are doing a lot of work to improve.Scorewise – I hit a 67 (which is above average for me, so I was happy with that) – then back to the club house. They have a new 'very very free range' menu, with excellent sausages, bacon and burgers form a local farm – a little expensive (£3.50 for a sausage bap) but great quality and nicely cooked.Carpark is still the field at the front – quagmire after the rain the previous night – but easily accessible.All in all – I'll definitely be going back, I love this shoot – and fairly local for me.
Last edited by a moderator:
