AKS Lytham proudly opened its doors and its shooting range on Friday, September 19th, to host the inaugural Veterans' Shoot. The event brought together 26 veterans and partners from across the Fylde Coast, creating a special day dedicated to their service and camaraderie, strengthening the bonds between the school and the local veterans' community.
The event, which took place on Friday 19th September, saw veterans taking to the school's range for an afternoon of shooting—an activity many haven't done since leaving the military. Laughter and stories filled the air as participants reconnected with a skill from their past. Following the shoot, everyone gathered in the pavilion to relax, reflect, and enjoy a well-deserved bite to eat.
A highlight of the afternoon was the prize-giving ceremony at 3:45 PM The entire event was the vision of Sharon Hobson-Woodhead, an integral part of the AKS Lytham community. As both the school’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) administrator and a former Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME), Sharon saw a unique opportunity to bring her two worlds together. With a distinguished military career from 1990 to 2001, she served as a Military Skills Instructor and rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major (CSM).
"The goal of this event was to get the various regimental associations working together," Sharon explained. "By using the range at AKS and tapping into the school's rich military history, we've created a chance for them to reconnect and enjoy an activity they haven't done in years. It’s a way to reinforce the school's ties with the wider Fylde Coast community."
As Treasurer for both The Duke of Lancaster Regimental Association and the Fylde Memorial Arboretum and Community Woodland, Sharon hopes this will be the first of many joint activities. While the day was primarily a social event, it also raised valuable funds for the arboretum, a key part of the Fylde Coast veteran's community. The event was a testament to the power of community and a celebration of the enduring spirit of service.
This was the first of hopefully many events in ran by Fylde Memorial Arboretum and Community Woodland for Veteran's and their families across the Fylde Coast.