Monument record MDR11674 - Rifle range, Long Eaton

Some time after 1885 and before 1900 a rifle range was constructed to the south of Long Eaton, between the railway and the Cranfleet Cut. A target structure was built at the southern end of the range, which was still extant in 2007. It comprised an earthen bank with a retaining wall on the southern side, behind which were mechanisms which appear to have been used for hoisting targets above the crest of the bank. A small room was present at the east of the bank, presumably for storage. Behind the structure was a large earthen bank, constructed to shield the canal towpath to the south from rifle fire. To the north of the target complex, stations are depicted on the 2nd ed. OS map of 1900 at intervals of 100 yards, up to 700 yards at the north of the field. Three small buildings are depicted at these stations, one of which still survived in 2007. The 3rd ed. OS map of 1921 shows that some of the shooting stations at the range were marked by earthen banks. An additional target structure had also been constructed at the north of the rifle range by that time. This red-brick structure was still extant in 2007. A second, smaller rifle range was constructed to the east of the first sometime after 1949 and before 1968. A red-brick target structure was constructed at the south of this range, which was still extant in 2007. (1) The 2nd ed. OS map shows the target stations extending to 800 yards, the most northerly being located immediately to the west of the building currently called Trent Rifle Lodge. (2)