A LAUNCESTON rifleman was honoured with a trophy by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall after his club secretly nominated him for his incredible dedication to the sport.

Dave Wood, a member of Launceston Rifle and Pistol Club, was stunned to receive the Lord Lieutenant's trophy from Lady Mary Holborow —who is also the president of Cornwall Target Shooting Association (CTSA) — following a unanimous decision by the body's executive.

Mr Wood believed he was at the CTSA's annual general meeting to watch a fellow member collect an award and was shocked to hear his name announced as winner of the prestigious prize.

"I was very surprised," said Mr Wood. "I thought I was going to witness another member receiving an award which was all part of the ruse to get me there. I had no idea at all but I was very pleased."

The trophy is presented each year to the person deemed to have done the most to further the sport during the previous 12 months.

Mr Wood beat nominees from around the county after club secretary Alan Savory wrote to the CTSA's executive praising him for his work repairing the club's range following a land slide. Mr Wood trained as a scenic carpenter and has used his skills to refurbish most of the range facilities.

See the full report in this week's 'Post'