History

Circa 1900, a paper industry engineer named Albert Reed, bought Bridge Mill in Tovil, Maidstone from British Oil and Cake Mills (BOCM), and established it as a paper mill. Another mill was then built nearby and Albert E. Reed and Company was on its way to being a multinational conglomerate. Later, land was acquired on the banks of the River Medway at Aylesford, and Aylesford Paper Mills established. Over the years the business and the site grew to become one of the largest papermaking plants in Europe, and Albert E. Reed and Company blossomed into Reed International: one of Britain’s largest and most successful public companies through the 1960s and 1970s.

From its inception, the management of Aylesford Paper Mills was keen to encourage employees' sporting and social societies, with all sporting activities being very heavily subsidised. Clubs were only open to employees of Reeds and their families and facilities were provided for all types of sport, including small-bore rifle shooting. It is believed that Aylesford Paper Mills Rifle Club was formed in 1917 (the precise date is not known, as the original records were lost during World War II).

In the 1950s, Reeds Clay Pigeon Shooting Club was formed and had exclusive use of some 300 acres of wood and marshland on the north bank of the Medway, where Reed established its Island Site operations. 

We left the site in the early 2000s.

In 2002 our clay shooting ground was also repurposed. Parts of the site are currently being used as a solar farm. Since leaving the site, our clay shoots have been held at local commercial shooting grounds.

In the early 2000s, the Club started full-bore rifle shooting, primarily at Bisley ranges in Surrey, where we also shoot pistol-calibre rifles (usually lever action rifles) and muzzle-loading pistols.

Reeds has now established its new base at Lordswood Sports and Social Club. We have a five position indoor range suitable for small-bore, centre fire pistol and blackpowder shooting. There is an additional 10m air gun range. Alongside  our shooting here, we continue to shoot at Bisley ranges and at Dartford Clay Shooting Club. The range opens in Autumn 2024.

Nowadays, the Club is as popular as ever; we have over 80 members and are very busy with both shooting and our social events. However, there always room for more, and the Club is  keen to attract new members. We want to grow all of our activities, and at the same time encourage new members, particularly first-time shooters, into the Club. Junior members are very welcome as are veterans as age or fitness is no bar to taking up shooting.

Over five years Reeds built the range facility at Lordswood, finally opening in 2024.