The mine owners, Mr. U. A. Ritson and sons, wanted to encourage the men of the village to train to become soldiers and volunteers for the army. In 1905 the Rifle Range was built adjoining the old Cricket Club Pavilion and ‘the would be’ volunteers met there to practice their shooting skills.
Thomas Johnson (b. 1906) records his father won several silver spoons in shooting competitions.
Volunteers in the county used to meet on the Polo Field, opposite Fair View, for training camps lasting 2 weeks sometimes.
After the 1st World War it was decided to repurpose the Rifle Range.
In 1920 a Committee room and office was built for Captain Wharrier, who was the Colliery Welfare Officer. The Boys Club was also found space. The Burnhope Colliery Brass Band practiced in the Rifle Range before they were given a Band Hut in 1921. In 1921 a Gymnasium, with shower and baths, was fitted out. When the old Cricket Pavilion burnt down in 1922, Eva Brown’s Millinery and Hobkirk’s Newsagent were accommodated. Hobkirk later built a new shop, from which Neil Johnson now trades. Eva Brown later married Dr Grant the physician. On their wedding day there was an accident in the pit, Dr Grant attending in his wedding suit.
In 1938, Lanchester Rural District Council used the Rifle Range as a centre for distributing gas masks and air raid precautions, because the international situation was critical and the prospect of another World War was imminent.
Part of the Rifle Range continued to provide space for shops, including shoe repairs and electricians, the rest used by the Colliery to store building materials to maintain the Colliery houses.
In the 1960s Bill & Ina Laycock converted the Rifle Range to a Decorating & Hardware shop.