On this day in Wembury — 9 December 1980

The Western Morning News reported on a heated public meeting in Wembury where Mr. Robin Panned of Grenville Road, secretary of the Plymouth Gun Club, defended his proposal to establish a clay pigeon shooting site at Hollacombe Quarry. Locals had objected strongly, citing concerns about noise and safety. Mr. Panned countered that cars and motor-cycles created more noise than clay pigeon shooting, and even argued that football and cricket “make shooting seem like wholesale carnage.” He said access roads to the quarry would be cleared, fencing erected to prevent unauthorised entry, only condemned trees felled, and that the quarry’s buildings would be re-roofed to serve as a club office and storeroom, with two areas designated for parking.

Despite these assurances, the plans never came to fruition, and there is no clay pigeon shooting at Hollacombe Quarry today. The site remains part of the wider Wembury landscape rather than a developed sporting ground.

(Source: Western Morning News, 10 December 1980 — reporting on events of 9 December.)