The Robin Hood Rifles Jan-Jun 1907
At the end of 1906, the Robin Hood's were seeking to establish a new head-quarters and drill hall on Derby Road on land offered to them by the City Corporation some three years earlier. They were contemplating a similar arrangement to that which had provided the facilities at Trent Range. However, the prospects for agreement with the Corporation did not seem favourable on account of the costs involved.
Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 4 Jan 1907
Editorial article:
Always an interesting occasion the annual prize distribution in connection with the Robin Hood Rifles was more than usually so last night in view of the fact that on Monday the City Council will have before it the question of the new drill hall. This is no new proposal, but the time now appears to have arrived for its accomplishment. It is only necessary, as the Mayor indicated, to look to the rifle range at Trent and the headquarters site to realise that the assistance rendered by the Nottingham Corporation in the past to the volunteer movement compares very favourably with that of other municipalities, and the outcome of Monday's discussion may be looked forward to with confidence. In other respects there was much ground for satisfaction at last night's gathering, Colonel Cantrell-Hubbersty's statement of the year's work making clear how admirably the efficiency and excellence of the regiment are maintained. There is still, however, room for additional recruits. More than four hundred men are required to complete the establishment, but the carrying out of the drill hall proposal should prove a substantial stimulus.
The annual prize presentation was held in the Mechanics' Institute Large Hall. The tone was generally upbeat; but there was concern at the lower than desirable level of volunteers in the establishment. Hopes were placed on a fresh intake of recruits. Concern was also expressed as to the likelihood of coming to a suitable arrangement for the proposed new drill hall with the Corporation, despite the Mayor' being much in favour of the scheme.
Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 4 Jan 1907
ANNUAL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.
THE DRILL HALL SCHEME.
Gratifying evidence of the sustained popularity of the Robin Hood Rifles with the citizens of Nottingham, was forthcoming last night, when the forty-fourth annual distribution of prizes took place in the Mechanics' Large Hall. The formal ceremony was graciously performed by the Mayoress, and Colonel Cantrell-Hubbersty's review of the past year's work and references to the new drill hall, were listened to with the closest attention.
Colonel Cantrell-Hubbersty presided. and was supported by the Mayor (Ald. J. A. H. Green), the Sheriff (Councillor F. Ball), the Mayoress, Miss Dorothy Green, Bishop Hamilton Baynes, Bishop Brindle, D.S.O., Rev. H. T. Hayman (chaplain), Mr. A. Richardson, M.P., etc.. Col. Cantrell-Hubbersty said they were contemplating applying for permission this year to form a regimental camp, but their finances would have suffered in consequence of the grant for such a camp being so very much less that for a brigade. They, therefore, now proposed to join a brigade camp at Towyn, situated to the north of Aberystwyth, on the sea coast, and in close proximity to the manoeuvre ground. The authorised establishment was 2,104, but the present strength was only 1,667, so that they required 437 to complete their establishment. A squad of recruits would be formed on Monday, and he earnestly hoped that sufficient number of young men would present themselves for enrolment, in order that they might qualify themselves to defend their country in the day of attack, for it would be useless to do so when the enemy was clamouring at the gate. (Hear, hear.)
It was now upwards of three years since, in conjunction with the present Mayor, they attempted to devise a scheme whereby they could raise sufficient money to erect a new drill hall, and suitable head-quarters, upon the site in Derby-road that had been placed at their disposal by the Nottingham Corporation. But with very great reluctance at that time they were compelled to abandon the idea, as the finances would not then bear the strain of so great an outlay. It was, however, necessary that they should make another attempt, and on Monday they were petitioning the Corporation to come their assistance by providing the necessary amount upon the same lines as were adopted in connection with the Trent range. (Applause.)
He was sanguine too, that their petition would be favourably considered, for they firmly believed that it was fully recognised that a new drill hall and headquarters were essential, not merely for the maintenance of their military efficiency, but also for the preservation of a force that was exercising an enormous amount of good amongst the youth of this city. (Applause.) He should like to take the opportunity to return his most sincere thanks to those officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates who had been interesting themselves in the bazaar which was to be held next month in aid of the funds of the Samaritan Hospital. (Applause.) The Robin Hoods were ever desirous of rendering all the sympathy and assistance in their power to stimulate the good works of the city, and he felt assured that the stall which they were to provide for the forthcoming bazar would oompare favourably with any of their previous efforts. (Applause.)
The prizes were then presented by the Mayoress, and Colonel Cantrell-Hubbersty pinned the long service medal on to the breast of Lance-Sergeant J. Lee. Bishop Brindle moved a vote of thanks to the Mayoress, Bishop Hamilton Baynes seconding. The resolution was carried, with cheers for the Mayoress.
The Mayor, after expressing his wife's thanks for the honour that had been conferred upon her in inviting her to present the prizes, said the Nottingham City Council had done their duty in the past probably better than the Corporations in most localities; they had only to the rifle range and the head-quarters site. Now the Robin Hoods were asking for the drill hall. They were asking for a partnership in which they were going to contribute an equal share with the Corporation, and under which the Corporation, in the end, would have the whole of the property, He did not hold the purse-strings and he did not keep the accounts, but he did say that they should do what they could, as a municipality, for the volunteers. He hoped that when the proposal with regard to the drill hall was brought before the City Council on Monday they would find it would have a very strong support from members of both sides. (Applause.)
During the evening an enjoyable programme of music was performed by the regimental band, under the baton of Bandmaster A. Pounder.
A month later and the Evening Post is reporting no sign of progress on the Derby Road Drill Hall.
Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 1 Feb 1907
Although nothing has yet been decided in the matter by the General Purposes Committee of the Nottingham City Council, there is not much probability that the scheme for providing a new drill hall for the Robin Hood Rifles will be carried through in its present form. The question of expense is the chief obstacle.
However, the Mayor is still undeterred and is hoping for government money soon to be made available. He was also keen on having more ammunition available to the volunteers and help with travel to and from the range.
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 9 Feb 1907
Referring to the new drill hall scheme, at the annual dinner of the D Company of the Robin Hood Rifles, the Mayor of Nottingham said that there was no desire on the part of the Corporation to be parsimonious in their treatment of the regiment. He was looking forward to the next speech of Mr. Haldane's, and he was hoping that when the War Minister introduced the Army Estimates provision would be made whereby commanding officers would be able to obtain money on much better terms and in an easier manner than in the past for such purposes as the erection of drill halls.
If that were so, with the free gift of the Derby-road site, their scheme might be carried out. It was worth waiting to see what Mr. Haldane would do.
The Mayor also said that one of the crying needs of the volunteers was that the rank and file should have a much fuller supply of free ammunition than at present, and that they should not have to pay the expense of travelling to and from the ranges to shoot.
Meanwhile the annual round of volunteer competitions continues to be reported in the Evening Post.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 2 April 1907
The competition for the Seely Shield at Trent Range in connection with the Robin Hood Rifles yesterday, produced some remarkable shooting. Out of 120 shots fired by the eight men of the winning team (A Co., 1st Battalion), only seven missed the mark. This works out at an average of less than one miss per man, and easily beats previous records. The creditable part of the performance is the fact that the men had previously marched ten miles in a broiling sun on a dusty road. No fewer than six of the twelve teams entered scored 100 and over, and the results came as a shock to some of the older hands who at one period practically monopolised the prizes in the big events. There was time when men hesitated to enter because they feared they had no chance of winning. A 1 have, however, shown what can be done by perseverance. Last year they sprang into prominence as a shooting company, and they have maintained their prestige by the excellent performance yesterday. The so-called "cracks" were like the men who fell out of the balloon - not in it.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 14 May 1907
The second contest in the Robin Hood Rifles battalion aggregate competition took place yesterday at Trent, a large number of men visiting the range. The best effort was that of Colour-Sergeant-Instructor Watts, who obtained 33 at both 200 yards and 500 yards and only lost four points at 600 yards, obtaining 97 in all.
The annual competition sponsored by the Nottinghamshire Rifle Association was held for the 47th time on the Whitsun bank holiday. Entries were available to volunteers and members of the Association.
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 18 May 1907
The forty-seventh annual prize meeting of the Nottinghamshire Rifle Association at Trent Range on Monday, June 3rd. promises to be entirely satisfactory.
The silver medal of the association and 40 money prizes, aggregating £54, will be open to members of the Sherwood Rangers, South Notts. Hussars I.Y., Robin Hoods, 4th Notts, veteran volunteers and yeomen, and all members of the association.
There will also be contests for the National Rifle Association's bronze medal, the winner of which will be entitled to compete for the Prince of Wales' prize of £100 and badge at Bisley, and the N.R.A. recruits' medal, the winner of which will be entitled to compete in the King's Prize competition.
In the revolver competition the first prize will be the bronze medal of the National Rifle Association.
Nottingham Evening Post, Monday, 3 June 1907, p8
Stop Press
At the 49th (sic) annual prize meeting of the Notts. Rifle Association at Trent this afternoon Captain P. M. Payne won the silver medal of the association with a score of 96, Private A. Thompson being second with 94. Private T. Wood won the recruits' bronze medal with a total of 91, and Private A Thompson the N.R.A. bronze medal with 94.
Transcripts from Nottingham Evening Post 1907
British Library Newspaper Archive