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- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
Opening on 15th September 1900, the rifle range at Totley was renowned as being one of the very best in the country. At the time members of rifle battalions were required to pass a course on rifle training and practice regularly in order to receive their grant of 35 shillings a year. The standard issue rifle back thenwas the classic Lee Enfield .303 rifle with a range of over a 1000 yards. Hence firing ranges needed to be long and in Sheffield the only suitable site was Totley, just to the south of the city. This explains why it was chosen Colonel Hughes of the 1st Hallamshire Rifles Volunteer Battalion who set up the sit. He acquired the land and after months of hard work and an expenditure of £4,000, the rifle range was finished. The range and out-building were as mentioned earlier constructed initially for military use but public usage began soon after in January 1901 when some of the residents of Dore decided to form a rifle club, affiliated with the National Rifle Association.
The aforementioned Hallamshires fought in World War One at the infamous battles of Ypres, Somme Messine and Passendale, losing 45 officers and 1,325 NCO men. All these men will most likely have practiced at Totley range.
Map of the range showing the stop butts, Target line and the various range firing points (100-900 yrds):
Totley map by HughieDW, on Flickr
The range finally closed in 1997 because of the “right to roam” brigade trespassing within red flag exclusion zones every time the T/A or Army Cadets were shooting, and then complaining to the police that they were being shot at by the army.
Civilian shooters, early 1900s:
Totley 1 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Lewis machine gun practice, 1929:
Totley 2 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The Hallamshire Rifles, Totley Rifle Range, 1932:
Totley 3 by HughieDW, on Flickr
For a more detailed account of the range in the aptly named “Short History of the Rifle Range at Totley”, self-published by Stephen Johnson in March 1993.
2. The Explore
Been meaning to head up here for a while as it’s a stone’s throw from where I live. It’s not been reported on much (think this is it's DP debut) but having seen a report on another site, it looked like it was worth a look-see. Nothing spectacular but it ended up as a nice little rural mooch that was a bit different and worth the trip for some on the graff that can be found along the covered area for the target markers.
3. The Pictures
Start of the safe area:
img4080 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The older style target-marker shelters:
Totley Range 01 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4082 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Totley Range 02 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4097 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Up, across and down to the newer style target-marker shelters:
img4101 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Totley Range 03 by HughieDW, on Flickr
It's a sort of out-door urban art long gallery:
img4114 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4104 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4122 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Love a bit of Coloquix:
img4102 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4109 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Not too sure what this bit of technology is/was:
img4108 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A second Coloquix:
img4117 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Stop butt wall:
img4127 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The old store room:
img4123 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Store room roof:
img4128 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4125 by HughieDW, on Flickr
An old communications socket at the 200 yard firing point:
img4129 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Opening on 15th September 1900, the rifle range at Totley was renowned as being one of the very best in the country. At the time members of rifle battalions were required to pass a course on rifle training and practice regularly in order to receive their grant of 35 shillings a year. The standard issue rifle back thenwas the classic Lee Enfield .303 rifle with a range of over a 1000 yards. Hence firing ranges needed to be long and in Sheffield the only suitable site was Totley, just to the south of the city. This explains why it was chosen Colonel Hughes of the 1st Hallamshire Rifles Volunteer Battalion who set up the sit. He acquired the land and after months of hard work and an expenditure of £4,000, the rifle range was finished. The range and out-building were as mentioned earlier constructed initially for military use but public usage began soon after in January 1901 when some of the residents of Dore decided to form a rifle club, affiliated with the National Rifle Association.
The aforementioned Hallamshires fought in World War One at the infamous battles of Ypres, Somme Messine and Passendale, losing 45 officers and 1,325 NCO men. All these men will most likely have practiced at Totley range.
Map of the range showing the stop butts, Target line and the various range firing points (100-900 yrds):
Totley map by HughieDW, on FlickrThe range finally closed in 1997 because of the “right to roam” brigade trespassing within red flag exclusion zones every time the T/A or Army Cadets were shooting, and then complaining to the police that they were being shot at by the army.
Civilian shooters, early 1900s:
Totley 1 by HughieDW, on FlickrLewis machine gun practice, 1929:
Totley 2 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe Hallamshire Rifles, Totley Rifle Range, 1932:
Totley 3 by HughieDW, on FlickrFor a more detailed account of the range in the aptly named “Short History of the Rifle Range at Totley”, self-published by Stephen Johnson in March 1993.
2. The Explore
Been meaning to head up here for a while as it’s a stone’s throw from where I live. It’s not been reported on much (think this is it's DP debut) but having seen a report on another site, it looked like it was worth a look-see. Nothing spectacular but it ended up as a nice little rural mooch that was a bit different and worth the trip for some on the graff that can be found along the covered area for the target markers.
3. The Pictures
Start of the safe area:
img4080 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe older style target-marker shelters:
Totley Range 01 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4082 by HughieDW, on FlickrTotley Range 02 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4097 by HughieDW, on FlickrUp, across and down to the newer style target-marker shelters:
img4101 by HughieDW, on FlickrTotley Range 03 by HughieDW, on FlickrIt's a sort of out-door urban art long gallery:
img4114 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4104 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4122 by HughieDW, on FlickrLove a bit of Coloquix:
img4102 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4109 by HughieDW, on FlickrNot too sure what this bit of technology is/was:
img4108 by HughieDW, on FlickrA second Coloquix:
img4117 by HughieDW, on FlickrStop butt wall:
img4127 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe old store room:
img4123 by HughieDW, on FlickrStore room roof:
img4128 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4125 by HughieDW, on FlickrAn old communications socket at the 200 yard firing point:
img4129 by HughieDW, on FlickrThanks for looking!
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