He won numerous medals and was in the Queens Hundred several times, his best result being twelth. He was also in the British Team to the Channel Islands in 1974 and to Canada in 1978.

Although ill health prevented his visits to Bisley for some time, his shooting gave him great pleasure for many years and I hope some people will remember him still.

Michael died on March 13th after a long battle with lung cancer at the age of 83. He leaves me, two sons, a daughter and two granddaughters.

Deirdre Puttock

Norman Barton was born in 1926 on the Isle of Wight to a family that can be traced back to the 1500s.

During the Second World War he served as a home guard messenger boy and well remembered the bombing of Cowes in May 1942.

He started a five year apprenticeship in the ship drawing office at J.S. Whites Shipyyard at Cowes in 1943. Two wartime destroyers built at the yard, HMS Cavalier and the Polish Blyskawica are still preserved today.

From the 1950s Norman shot with the Newport and District Rifle Club, both at the indoor range at Newport and at the outdoor range at Newtown Creek. He participated in summer visits by the club to Bisley.

In 1964 the shipyard closed and Norman and his family moved to Brookwood, so he could commute to London to his new job as the Greater London Councils Naval Architect. The proximity to Bisley was obviously also a strong influence on where to move to.

In addition to work connected with the Woolwich ferries and the fleet of sludge vessels, he found time to shoot at the basement range at County Hall.

Norman was a member of the Farnham Rifle Club since the 1960s and was Club Secretary from April 1981 until 2012, a grand total of over 31 years. Members recall him as a helpful person and welcoming to new members. He was also regarded as a good wind judge particularly at long range - experience gained over many years shooting.

One of his most satisfying achievements was to reach the final of the Queens Prize in 1978. To do so he used one of the first South African Musgrave rifles to have been imported into the country.

He joined the Crown Agents in the 1970s rising to be in charge of the marine department. This entailed overseas trips to places as diverse as Brunei and Tanzania.

Norman retired from the crown agents in 1984 and was then the NRA armourer until 1987. He then looked after the NRA trophies exhibition for a couple of years.

In 1988 he participated in the RAF Target Rifle Club goodwill team to the bi-centennial tour to Australia and he combined this with a four month tour together with his beloved wife Audrey.

Norman always enjoyed visiting Bisley and continued to shoot with Farnham RC until early 2012, and he watched his final Queens Prize final in July last year.

Unfortunately increasing frailness and illness meant he moved to a local nursing home in October 2012 where he subsequently died on 20 February 2013, having bravely battled prostate cancer. He will be missed by many shooters at Bisley.

His early years were spent in North Yorkshire and Surrey. He joined the Royal Navy during World War 2 and was on HMS Argonaut at the D-Day landings and later as part of the British Pacific Fleet. He stayed in the Navy after the war and I believe it was during this time his interest in shooting began ? the first evidence I have come across is in the form of team photos from the mid 1950s. After leaving the Navy in 1966 he worked for the John Lewis Partnership in and around London. The family moved to Berkshire to enable that daily commute. However, being within easy distance of Bisley was also a factor in the choice of location. Later he moved successfully into financial planning. Again the shooting was a factor as being self employed allowed him the time to undertake a number of trips with GB teams around the world as well as attending meetings around the country.

I, as one of those three sons who did not follow him into shooting , am not in the best position to describe his shooting achievements. Now, as I sit in his study and look around me I see some of the evidence of his shooting career and successes. There are cups, medals, tankards, badges, spoons, team and individual photographs. Great Britain Rifle Team tour photos contain a number from trips to Canada between 1978 and 1988. He was Captain for the last of these. There were also trips to the West Indies, Australia, Channel Islands and possibly more. There are team photographs for the England team at the Mackinnon Match for a number of years as well as group and individual photos ? formal and informal.

My personal memories of his shooting include the winning of a national trophy in a close finish with Lord Swansea but then being unable to raise himself from a prone position as his back had ?gone? - again ! I remember his pride when he did make it into the last 100 of the Queen?s Prize. I recall one particular trophy ? a Berkshire Stag ? being a fairly frequent resident at the house for a number of years.

He was always a private man. It was said that he did not speak just to fill a silence but only when he felt he had something he wanted to say.

He was always competitive in his shooting. He chose to retire from participating when he felt he was not able to continue to the standard he had set himself. But he always retained his interest in the sport.

If there are friends who would like to share their thoughts and memories of my father the family would be delighted to receive them.

John Kingston

Tony Ellis and I joined Leek Rifle & Pistol Club in 1972. The club was founded as a Home Guard Training Centre in the early 1940s and all the shooting was in a cement blockhouse in Alma Street in Leek.

Tony joined as a Police Officer member and was instrumental in helping to plan and build what is now The Leek Shooting Centre at Blackshaw Moor on the Buxton Road, three miles outside the town of Leek. It has a Clubhouse, Indoor 25 metre range, Outdoor 25, 50 and 100 yard ranges. This enables us to shoot everything from air-pistol, air-rifle up to full bore rifle.

Tony was not only a Police Master Pistol Shot, but an excellent small bore and full bore enthusiast. He trained the Staffordshire Police Armed Response Group and the Riot Squad and was Police Sniper trained.

After he retired with the rank of Inspector he was invited back to take part in the Police Athletic Association Full Bore Bisley Competition in 2003 and won it with a score of 149.23 out of a possible 150.

He was a leading influence in inter-club co-operation and our outdoor range at Thorpe Village in the Peak District is shared with several with several clubs from Derbyshire and Notts. To share meetings, competitions and real friendships with the Mansfield and Derwent Clubs have led to great relationships. Several years ago the Derwent and Leek full bore sections were amalgamated under Leek?s banner.

At various periods, Tony was Team Captain, Competition Secretary, Chairman and President of the Club. He had more influence for the good of every member than anyone else I know of. He was totally respected as the best type of Police Officer, Companion, Friend and Sportsman with a sense of humour that was never far away. He is sorely missed.

Vic Smith
March 2013

To view this document click here

Andrew Mercer has written an open letter to all Open Day coaches, volunteers and staff, thanking you for your efforts.
Click here to read it.

The results of the 2013 Mini Palma match are available to download below

Click here to download results

Download the revised Policy

This consultation document is available for download here.

The stats for CLRA 2013 are now available

Download stats

Click here to download

The NRA ran a trial Smallbore Long Range match on Sat 27 April shooting at 200, 300 and 400yds. The feedback was very positive and the results are available for download here

We expect the new facilities to be available by mid to late June.

Take at look at the work so far.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nrauk/

Discipline Member
John Bloomfield - Target Rifle

All nominations for the above vacancy must be returned to the Chief Executive by 17:00 on Tuesday 30th April 2013. All Candidates and Proposers must be fully paid-up Members of the Association. Registered Members must be qualified for voting for their respective Regional or Shooting Discipline candidate by 30th April 2013. All Members desiring to vote must be fully paid-up, registered Members by this date.

Voting slips will be posted out to all entitled Members by 24th May 2013 together with the procedures for voting.

Voting slips in the correct envelope supplied must be received by the NRA office by mail or by hand, no later than 5.00pm on this date.

I am privileged to have been invited by the NRA to captain the Great Britain Target Rifle Team to contest the next Long Range World Championships, the Palma. The match will take place at Camp Perry in the United States in August 2015 and I expect the tour to take just under three weeks.

I am delighted to announce that Nigel Ball and Toby Raincock have accepted my invitations to be Vice- Captain and Adjutant respectively. I intend to take the strongest team possible and I now invite applications to join the training squad from which the remainder of the team will be selected. I intend to hold a number of training/trials weekends this autumn and in 2014 before selecting the team.

I should like to encourage those who might not consider themselves ready for the full Palma team but who are eligible for and considering applying for the Under 25 team to contact me also. I intend to invite the Captain of the Under 25 team (soon to be appointed) to train their team alongside the main Palma squad and hope to run some joint training weekends this autumn.

If you wish to apply or have any questions, please contact me by email to janepalma2015@gmail.com or by letter c/o the North London Rifle Club, Bisley Camp, Brookwood , Woking, Surrey, GU24 ONY, by 20 June 2013 at the latest and earlier if possible.

Yours sincerely

Jane Messer
Captain
GB Palma Team 2015

Download Report

Exploding Targets: 'Tannerite'

Download Press Release

Advisory notes for collectors on the situation regarding ammunition and The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 (MSER), The Control of Explosives Regulations, 1991 (COER) and the Explosives Act, 1875, Section 23

Download document

The final results for the Civilian SR Leagues are now available:

Download results

Due to a major underground fault with the power supply the following building currently do not have power: Dolphin Lodge, Atholl Row, The RAF clubhouse and associated buildings, Site 5 ablutions, Ladies and Gents Dormitory ablutions, The Menagerie. We are working to locate and rectify the fault as soon as possible.

Please be advised that resurfacing work on parts of Queens Road & Billesden Road will commence from Monday 15th April. The working hours will be 07:00 to 16:30.

To assist with access to the camp, we will be opening Queens Gate on Century Range from 07:30am until 17.30pm for the duration of the roadworks. The contractors will be allowing limited access in and out of the Camp through the main gate during works, however there is no schedule for such access and delays will be inevitable.

For your information, although the works are scheduled for 7 days, if there is inclement weather, then delays will occur and may take longer.

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 6 April 2013 plus the League summary is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

Download League results (pdf)

Please note, contrary to scandalous rumour, the "ARMY OPEN" 2013 has NOT been cancelled.

However, range space is LIMITED. We shall operate a first come, first served allocation policy, with a strict cut-off for entries. We will endeavour to allocate overseas competitors and those who may have flights, ferries booked priority on Sunday afternoon details.

IMPORTANT CHANGE: You may supply any ammunition within ICFRA rules (.308 under 156 grains). Alternatively, we can supply ammunition for those who cannot provide own.

4 SHORT RANGE, 4 LONG RANGE MATCHES, FOLLOWED BY AFTERNOON TEA IN THE "ARMY CLUBHOUSE"; FOR PRIZEGIVING

ENTRIES from: atsc.open.meeting@gmail.com

The National Rifle Association in conjunction with the Army Rifle Association and sponsored/supported by Sport England are proud to present the Adaptive Shooting Championships.

There are two competitions to be held on the 3rd July:

1. Disabled veterans and serving military personnel 2. Disabled civilians

To view the calendar and details for entry click here

A great supporter of Gloucestershire shooting passed away suddenly in February. Martin Workman from Dursley was one of those people who you could always count upon as being there to do things for a Club, to help out with a team in a match or to provide individual advice and encouragement. He was the kind of person who simply kept things going.

I admired his efforts especially as he had suffered health problems in more recent years. A particular event stuck with me - and indeed, although he never knew it, caused me to use Martin as an example when trying to describe the essence of full bore target rifle shooting to visitors to Bisley who would comment on the difficulties of dealing with wind and weather. Martin may have been surprised that I remembered something which happened back in 1976 but in that year he won both the Corporation and Monday Aggregate. No mean achievement but remarkable for the manner in which it was done.

At that time he shared a rifle with his brother Chris and owing to a small early morning misunderstanding on where the sights had been set, Martin went off to shoot at 1000yds with a 900 yards setting. Perhaps unsurprisingly he missed with both his sighters but realised the error, carried on, scored 50, scored highly in the extra tie shots used at the time and came out on top!
I thus use a phrase which characterised him in that competition and which might be a motto for many a full-bore target shooter. 'Never give up'.
He didn?t then and he didn't in later years when afflicted with Guillain-Barre syndrome which left him seriously ill and even after many years with some difficulties in mobility. However he would not miss a trip to Bisley and the Imperial meeting even if he was not shooting. In any type of weather he would be keen to make his way across the range to support Dursley Club or Gloucestershire County teams and to enjoy the company of those he knew at Bisley.

He will be sadly missed. He was a real help to us all and one of those people who make it a pleasure to be part of the target shooting sport. He took pleasure from a long awaited Gloucestershire success in the county Short Range Championship Junior event in 2012 - a first victory ever - and he also could be pleased in seeing how individual young shooters he helped got established in the sport.

His well-attended funeral service at Dursley on 15th March caught the sense of how he helped people in spite of difficulties. He will indeed be missed by many in the sport as well as his family.

John Deane

Click here to download the Prize List.

Click here to download the Full Results List.

This first refers to P&GR where the Advancing Target Medals LBR has been inadvertently missed off the prize list and only the LBP results are shown.

The second is an error in the placing of the teams who took part in the National. The correct results are as follows:

1st - England - with a final score of 2072.268v
2nd Scotland - with a final score of 2049.228v
3rd Wales - with a final score of 2048.223v
4th Ireland - with a final score of 2036.224v

Unfortunately we cannot change the CD but we will ensure the Prize book for 2012, which will be printed later in the year, contains the correct information. The NRA website does show the correct results.

Our sincere apologies to those teams and competitors, to whom these errors affect.

There are three draws for you to consider.

1. The Imperial Meeting Competitor Index Number 1 draw. Open to all entries received by Monday 1 April 2013.

2. Early Entry Prize Draw, open to all entries over £50 received by 1 May 2013.

· First Prize 100% refund of entry fee
· Second Prize 50% refund of entry fee
· Third Prize 25% refund of entry fee

3. Finally, in order to encourage competitors to enter online, there will be an additional Early Entry Online Draw for all entries over £100 received by Monday 1 April 2013. One prize of £100 will be awarded to one online entry drawn at random after this closing date

Click here to enter online or go to Your NRA Home - Login.

A Conference to discuss the text of a proposed United Nations Conventional Arms Trade Treaty will begin on 18th March. The Treaty is intended to control the legitimate trade in military arms of all sorts from warships to small arms. The draft Treaty originally contained exemptions for sporting arms and antiques, but these do not appear in the latest draft. While the Treaty should not affect the possesion or movement of firearms in Britain or the EU, it could make it far more difficult for hunters or target shooters to take their personal firearms outside the EU. The additional bureaucracy would also make more expensive the international trade in sporting firearms, already tightly controlled, thus putting up the cost of our sport.

In order to support moves to re-instate exceptions in favour of the legitimate shooter and collector and the civilian gun trade, please send an email as soon as possible and definitley by the 26th March to the Arms Trade Treaty Desk Officer at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. The address is: Richard.Hilder@fco.gov.uk

Your message should request that:

1) Civilian firearms should be excepted from the proposed Arms Trade Treaty.
2) All temporary exports and re-imports of firearms, where no change of ownership occurs should be excepted from the proposed Treaty.
3)Antique firearms, as defined in the UN Vienna Firearms Protocol, should be excepted from the Treaty.

No Need for Review of Firearms Licensing

Recent calls for a review of firearms licensing have been made by the coroner after ruling that three women were unlawfully killed in County Durham.

The killer, Michael Atherton, had legally owned weapons despite a history of domestic abuse.

The case highlights failings not in firearms licensing legislation but failings with implementation. This was recognised by Michael Banks, Durham's Deputy Chief Constable, who stated "If we were presented with the same facts today... (Michael Atherton's) licence would not be granted"...if there's any intelligence around domestic violence in the family setting or intemperate behaviour then there is a presumption that a firearms licence or shotgun certificate will not be granted".

Local police firearms officers work hard and generally deliver a highly professional service with rigorous scrutiny for firearm applications and renewals.

UK firearms legislation is recognised as some of the most restricted in the world; and the UK system is widely held across Europe to be an exemplar for responsible and safe firearms ownership.

The granting of a firearm certificate is wholly at the discretion of the police who need to be confident that the applicant is responsible and poses no risk to the public.

Applicants are obliged to justify good reason to own a rifle; provide independent character referees; be checked for criminal records; give consent for police to question their GP for evidence of alcoholism, drug abuse or personality disorders; and provide evidence of specialist secure storage for their rifle.

Shooting is a legal and major participation sport in the UK, and today over 700,000 certificates are granted covering 1.8m rifles and shotguns.

The incidence of legally held firearms being used in criminal activity is very rare, hence the keen media interest in such stories. The comparative statistics for knife crime are astonishing - in the year to June 2012 there were 29,613 recorded offences involving knives and other sharp objects. This supports the National Rifle Association's long held view that it is the person not the weapon that causes harm and that the current firearm legislation, properly implemented, continues to deliver safety and protection to the public.

Andrew Mercer
Secretary General, National Rifle Association

For info Section 27 Firearms Act 1968

A firearm certificate shall be granted where the chief officer of police is satisfied;
(a)that the applicant is fit to be entrusted with a firearm to which section 1 of this Act applies and is not a person prohibited by this Act from possessing such a firearm;
(b)that he has a good reason for having in his possession, or for purchasing or acquiring, the firearm or ammunition in respect of which the application is made; and
(c)that in all the circumstances the applicant can be permitted to have the firearm or ammunition in his possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace.

The competition will be open to team from any country, state or district Rifle Association in the world.

The Queensland Rifle Association is seeking a sponsor for this event.

The event will be under the control of the QRA.

The prize money for the winning team is AU $10,000.00.

Proposed entry fee per team is AU $250 (this may be amended during the detailed planning process).

Teams:
8 firers, 2 wind judges, manager and captain; maximum of 12 and minimum of 10 members per team.

ICFRA Team Rules will apply. 10 Shot Matches over 300yds, 600yds, 900yds and 1000yds.

Contact: cathandkims@optusnet.com.au with your interest by 02 August 2013

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 3 March 2013 plus the League summary is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

Download results (Excel)

Download League results to date

Sadly we have to report the sad loss of Friedel Hanna who died in Basingstoke Hospital on 26 February 2013.

Friedel was the widow of Bill, who was a mainstay of Hampshire, Manydown, ATRC and Irish teams for a long time and captain of both Hampshire and Manydown.

Friedel had been frail for a little while and had planned to move to a local nursing home, but sadly her health failed and she was admitted to hospital on Saturday.

Friedel's funeral will be this Friday 8th March 9.30am at Basingstoke Crematorium (RG25 2BA) and afterwards at the Fox Pub North Waltham.

Please advise Charles Brooks (charles.brooks@penningtons.co.uk) if you propose to attend so that he can update the family on approximate numbers.

This tour is expected to take place over the Whitsun Bank Holiday in May 2014 lasting around 6 days with matches against both Guernsey and Jersey.

I shall be following the traditional model for this tour which is designed to broaden the experience of those TR shooters who wish to take their shooting to the next level by gaining some touring experience whilst still remembering to have some fun along the way. The team will be 14 strong. So if you:

1. have not yet represented GB at TR either at home or abroad,
2. have attained, or are close to attaining, County Level status at target rifle, and would like to broaden your experience

then I am interested in hearing from you. I would be keen to invite applications from both young shooters who want take their shooting to the next level and from more experienced shooters who feel that they might want to reinvigorate their shooting career.

I would plan to organise training days and fundraising events, including at least one corporate day, the first of which could be late September, to keep tour costs down in these financially stringent times. Team members would be expected to attend both corporate days and training days.

I would ask that applications be submitted to me either in writing or by e-mail along with a shooting CV by Final Saturday of the 2013 Imperial Meeting. I envisage that the team would be announced by 1 September.

It would be my objective to lead a successful and enjoyable tour combining competition at a senior level with a relaxed social content in the company of our many friends in the Channel Islands.

John Webster
The Old Bakehouse
Chapel Hill
Wootton by Woodstock
Oxon OX20 1DX
jwebster@altimapartners.com

GB Team to Canada 2014

GB Under 25 Team to USA for the World Championships 2015

Nominations for Captains of the above Teams must be made by three full members of the NRA whose membership is fully paid up at the date the nomination is made.

Nominations, which must be in writing (email is acceptable), should be sent to the Secretary General, to be received at the NRA Office not later than 5pm on Friday 22nd March 2013

(Email nominations to Georgina.Thatcher@nra.org.uk)

Download forms

To view the calendar and download an Entry Form and Match Conditions Click here

Download results

Herts & Essex Shooting Association
HESA Clubhouse
Seabrooks Farm
Church Lane
Great Leighs
Essex CM3 1PG

A SPORTING GUN
An exhibition of classic and historic sporting guns and rifles

On display:
The Civilian Pistol, will include the sort of arms held by individuals for target shooting, personal and house defence, and when on safari.
An example is the WebleyWG revolver.

The Sporting Gun, will include muzzle-loaders, breechloaders, rifles and shotguns. On display will be different systems and actions of breechloaders; from Britain and the Empire as well as examples from the rest of the world such as the Germanic Jaeger rifle.

Early breechloaders, will include the Westley Richards Monkey-Tail and the Lancaster, along with a French straight-rifling muzzle-loading gun.

For exhibition details, contact: chris@smith8mm.fsnet.co.uk 07703 218639.

Since there will be Section 7 pistols on display, identification is required.

FIELD FIRING MATCH

An open shooting competition for any small-bore rifle, shot on pre-war military training targets (a mixture of precision, snaps and timed shooting)

Details:
Course of fire:
10 shots prone, rapid fire within 2 mins at a Tin Hat target
10 shots kneeling, rapid fire within 2 mins at a Landscape target.
5 shots standing shot over a Fire trench parapet, deliberate fire within 3 mins at a Fig.4A target
5 shots standing shot over a Fire trench parapet, Snap (5 second) exposures at a 1931 Snap target.

Classes:

Vintage: Any pre-1919 design with open sights, e.g. Martini-Henry/Metford/Enfield and late conversions of M-H

Classic: Rifles designed up to 1919 with aperture rear-sights and post front sights

Veteran: e.g.: BSA 12/15, Enfield No.7s, 8s and 9s up to 1946. Open or aperture rear-sights with post front sight

Post Veteran: Any single shot rifle, or if shot single loading rifle

Open: self-loading rifles with optic sights

Optic: Any rifle fitted with optic sights orusing bi-pod support

Self-loading/Semi-Auto: Any semi-auto with iron sights

Sporting: Any magazine loading rifle

To take part in the Field Firing Match, contactkim@455.org.uk
www.rifleman.org.uk

He and Joan met during the war and were married in 1946. They lived in Nottingham before moving to various locations as his job dictated in Kent, Birmingham and retiring to Church Stretton, Shropshire before moving to Farndon, Nottinghamshire some fourteen years ago. They had no children but Ray was very orientated and took great interest in the development and progress of three generations of nieces and nephews.

Rays hobby and love was his rifle target shooting and he represented the GB Rifle Association on numerous occasions - some of them as Team Captain. This took him all over the world including Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as well as shooting annually at Bisley, where he narrowly missed winning the Queens Prize on two occasions. He also captained a touring team which was aptly named The Bramley Seedlings.

In 1981, at the Scottish Open Meeting, he took the Friday aggregate, the City of Glasgow and the Grand Aggregate.

In 1983 he almost cleared the deck at the Scottish meeting making a clean sweep of both major open prizes. He shot as if the wind (at best difficult and at worst unreadable) was only blowing on other peoples targets

Ray was very fond of wildlife and he and Joan were much travelled throughout the world, having safaried in Africa and sailed on a passenger carrying cargo boat around the Arctic Circle. They also loved holidaying each year in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Ray died on 22nd December 2012 at the age of 92.

Cath came to shooting quite late in life in the 1970s, as a Clay shooter with Mays Green Sporting Clay Club in Surrey. Always an organiser, she soon found herself acting as both Secretary and Treasurer of the Club & a key member in keeping the Club running.

During this time she actively supported Hatchford Park School for handicapped children in Hatchford, Surrey, by organising fundraising and sponsored shoots. In the mid 1980s, she took up pistol shooting and joined Ham & Petersham Rifle & Pistol Club and then later Wembley Rifle & Pistol Club.

In the late 1980s she joined Enever Rifle & Pistol Club (based at Bisley NSC), initially as a Pistol Shooter and then after 1997 as a Gallery Rifle shooter. Once again her organisational skills found her taking up the joint roles of Secretary and Treasurer for the Club.

She held these roles for over 25 years and although passing on the Secretary role in 2010, she still acted as Treasurer and continued to organise both the Clubs finances and also the desk taking shoot fees and selling ammo, a job she did pretty much unbroken since joining the Club.

Although reducing her shooting in later years, she carried on shooting into her 80th year & the last shoot she attended was just a month or so back in December 2012.

She will be sadly missed by both the Club and her family.

Cath leaves behind her husband Ernie to whom she was married for 57 years & a son, Roy.

Caths funeral will be at Chichester Crematorium on Wednesday 20th February 2013 at 11.45am.

Family flowers only please.

See http://www.iwestsussex.co.uk/profile/80907/Chichester/Chichester-Crematorium/ Chichester Crematorium

Westhampnett Road
Chichester
West Sussex PO19 7UH

Charitable donations instead of flowers will be going to St Wilfrids Hospice, who provided palliative care at home for Cath during her last days with such compassion, professionalism and care. http://www.stwh.co.uk/

Donations in Caths name (made out to St Wilfrid?s Hospice) can be sent (or made by phone) to:

Reynolds Funeral Services http://www.reynoldsfuneralservices.co.uk/

27-31 High Street
Bognor Regis
West Sussex
PO21 1RR,
Tel.: 01243 864 745
Fax.: 01243 840 890

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 2 Feb 2013 plus the League summary is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

Download League results to date

To view information on the Imperial Schools Meeting click here

IN a story 'Massacre guns on sale in UK' we stated that lethal assault rifles like the AR15 weapon used in America's Sandy Hook school massacre are being legally sold in Britain.

A Welsh-based firm describes the Ruger SR22 semi-automatic as a 'clone of the AR15'. We would like to clarify that these replica guns are scaled down versions of the originals, requiring .22 ammunition rather than the more powerful .223 calibre.

Any one wishing to re-organise their bookings are asked to either use the online booking service or email the range office on range.office@nra.org.uk.

The next update will be at noon.

To view the calendar and details for entry click here

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 6 Jan 2013 plus the League summary is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

Download League results to date

.........

Dear Mr Millard

I read your article published in the Sun today with some concern.

At best the article is misleading - I assume this is due to a lack of accuracy of the facts you have researched.

Please note the following:-

(1) The weapons you refer to in the article as 'lethal assault rifles' are small calibre (.22) rifles - these are typically used for target shooting and the control of small vermin (rabbits and rats) and accurate at distances to a maximum of 100 metres or so.
(2) The rifle allegedly used in the awful shooting at Newtown was a substantially more powerful weapon (.223); can be used to control large animals such as deer; and is effective over long distances up to 600m.
(3) Imitation of form does not confer function - the Ruger SR-22 may look like an assault rifle but is definitely not an assault rifle. Military assault rifles are typically fully automatic i.e. they fire continuously when the trigger is pulled.
(4) Small calibre rifles such as .22 can indeed be used to lethal effect, as can kitchen knives found in every home and the average family car. The incidence of crimes involving legally held rifles is a tiny fraction of those involving the use of knives and motor vehicles.
(5) Firearms licensing in the UK is completely different to that in the USA ? owning firearms in the USA is a right but wholly a privilege in the UK. We have some of the most demanding and restrictive legislation relating to firearm ownership anywhere in the world.
(6) Criminals will not apply for a Firearm certificate to gain ownership of a rifle for illegal use - they will not want their ownership recorded by the police and will use smuggled and other illicit firearms.

The National Rifle Association in the UK is a registered charity charged with promoting the sport of target shooting. New entrants to the sport undergo a strict and comprehensive probationer training course, and their conduct is carefully controlled. Each month Sport England estimate approx. 120,000 people participate in the sport of shooting.

Our reactions to the events at Newtown are those of any sane and decent person - shock, horror, and profound sadness.

I know News International, as a responsible publisher, is determined to present articles honestly, accurately and fairly; and I look forward to seeing your reporting of the facts supplied above to correct the impressions resulting from your original article.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Yours

Andrew Mercer
Chief Executive, National Rifle Association.

Click here to view Results.

His funeral is at 11.15 at Sherwood Forest Crematorium, Newark Road, New Ollerton, Newark, NG22 0BY (01623 860500) on Wednesday 9th January.

Donations to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) via Helen Dexter (niece) 10 Montague St. Bulwell Nottingham NG6 8EU.

The NRA would like to call members attention to the attached consultation document.

We would like to encourage those who shoot in Scotland to respond to these proposals.

Download a copy of the Consultation Document

Donations to the Stroke Association would be welcomed in lieu of floral tributes.

Anyone who wishes to attend will be welcome.

David, a Life Member of the Association, was a tireless supporter of target shooting throughout a long career. Whether as Captain of Scotland, Captain of Great Britain, Chairman of the North London Rifle Club, Managing Director of NSC or simply instructing newcomers, he gave unstintingly his time, energy and wisdom. Our condolences at this sudden and tragic loss go to his family.

An obituary will be published in the Journal early next year.

www.facebook.com/NRAUK

The NRA Young Marksman Club will run further days in 2013, if you would like to be kept informed of when these are taking place please email richard.blackmore@nra.org.uk .

Ian was a regular visitor to Bisley Imperial meetings, both as an individual competitor and as a member of visiting teams from the USA.

He will be best remembered for almost singlehandedly establishing the US Under 25 Team program, the ?Young Eagles? as it was his vision, energy, and financial support that enabled the Young Eagles to become World U25 Champions in 2011 and have a vibrant sustainable program, from having no team at all in 1999.

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 1 Dec 2012 plus the League summary is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

Download League results to date

Venue: Clays and fun targets on Melville Range followed by lunch and prize presentations (Optional) in the Old Sergeants Mess SC, Menu below

Shooting from: 8.30am

Lunch at 1pm

Cost: £20 for the shoot (includes club guns and .22 ammo) and £26 for lunch per person

Mulled wine and mince pies on the range

Starter

Game soup with fresh homemade bread

Duck pate with fresh bread roll and rocket garnish

Avocado, Mozzarella and Tomato salad

Seafood Medley

Main

Roast turkey dinner with all the usual trimmings

OSM?s famous lamb shank

Beef Wellington

Butternut Squash Roast

All the above served with fresh vegetables and roast potatoes

Dessert

White chocolate mousse

Xmas pudding

Homemade apple pie

Email Heather.Webb@nra.org.uk to to reserve your place for Christmas lunch by 5pm December 5th.

New Chief Executive Takes Up Post

The NRA Council are delighted to announce that today 19 November 2012 Andrew Mercer has taken up the new post of Chief Executive of the NRA following the restructuring of the NRA. Andrew takes over from Derrick Mabbott who has been Acting Chief Executive since August 2011 during which time he has carried out the restructuring agreed by the Trustees who are very grateful to Derrick for doing this unenviable, difficult but very necessary task. Derrick remains for a short time in a part time role to effect a hand over before returning to his career in the insurance industry.

Andrew joins us from the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust where he was Project and Commercial Director on this complex restoration and economic regeneration project. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of the East of England Agricultural Society responsible for the modernisation of this large but highly traditional charity.

In both roles he has managed multiple interest groups and grown commercial trading whilst upgrading the charitable aspects of both organisations. He also brings operations and marketing experience from more conventional corporate backgrounds.

Please join me in welcoming Andrew to the NRA.

Robin Pizer
NRA Chairman
19 November 2012

Andrew's first shot on Century

It is much regret that the NRA has learnt of the death of AM (Tony) Loughnan a former president of the NRA of New Zealand and of ICFRA.
He captained the New Zealand team in the Palma match in 2011. The debt owed to him in his defence of Ranges and Rifle Shooting in New Zealand is enormous.

Click here to download the Stage results.

Click here to download the Overall results.

Click here to download the unofficial Team results.

The National Rifle Association is seeking up to 4 unpaid charity trustees.

For further details click here

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 4 Nov 2012 is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

The results from the F Class European Championships held at Bisley on 5 and 6 November are available to download below:

Download F Open Results

Download FTR Results

Download Team Results

Please note that these are Excel spreadsheets with each individual prize list as a separate work sheet (see tabs at the bottom)

The results for the Autumn Action Weekend 2012 are now available:

Download Prize Lists

Download Results

Teams

1st 35-44 team - 2851 . 215v

2nd 55-64 team - 2827 . 232v

3rd 25-34 team - 2821 . 212v

4th Over 65's - 2820 . 194v

5th 45-54 team - 2817 . 227v

6th Under 25's - 2811 . 220v

7th Under 25's (development team) 2710 . 168v

Highest placed individual in each team

45-54 A Whicher - 296 . 27v

55-64 J Pugsley - 293 . 33v

35-44 J Underwood - 293 . 31v

U25's D Nuthall - 291 . 28v

25-34 D Blake - 290 . 27v

Over 65's M Gregory - 289 . 24v

U25's (DT) H Pugsley - 284 . 84v

The full results for Teams and Individuals are available to download below

Download Ages Teams results

Download Ages Individual results

The results of the 2012 NRA Percussion Revolver Championships are available for download below:

Download results

The results of the 2012 Trafalgar meeting are available for download below:

Download results

Click here to download full details of the position.

The results of the South-East Practical Rifle Championships held on 13 October are available for download below:

Download results

The results of the 2012 European Long Range Championships are now available.

To download the results click here

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Range Office

Nominations are invited for Captains of the following teams:

• Great Britain Kolapore Match 2013
• Great Britain Under 25 Team 2013
• Great Britain Rifle Team to Canada 2014
• NRA Team to the Channel Islands 2014

Nominations in writing, signed by three proposers all of whom must be full annual or life members of the NRA, must be received by the secretary general not later than 5pm Friday 26th October

Nominations to be sent to Libby Gendall

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 6 Oct 2012 plus the League summary is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

Download League results to date

Short Siberia Ranges will be closed for essential maintenance from 16 - 19 October 2012 inclusive.

There will be targets available on Century Range at 200yds.
Contact the Range Office for further information.

Range Office 01483 797777 ext 152 or email range.office@nra.org.uk

British Shooting Sports Council report for July to September is available to download here

It is with great sadness that we have to record the death of Eric McGibbon on Wednesday 3 October after a fight against lung cancer.

Eric was a Vice-President of the NRA, and a long-time member of the Surrey Rifle Association and will also be familiar to many shooters for his work as an armourer and as one of the custodians of the NRA Museum.

His funeral will take place on Thursday 18 October at 3.00pm in the East Chapel, Croydon Crematorium.

Flowers are welcome but Eric would have preferred that a donation is made to St Christopher's Hospice, 51-59 Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 6DZ or online at www.stchristophers.org.uk

This is a cremation service only; a Memorial Service will be held at Bisley during the 2013 Imperial Meeting.

Brigadier Robert Ockenden, CBE (Late 2RTR) passed away peacefully on 23rd September aged 79, and is survived by his wife Pat and two children, Paul and Jessica. There will be a funeral service at 11.00am on Thursday 4th October in the Charing Parish Church, Family flowers only, please. Donations to Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent.

Bob was Chief Executive of the NRA from 1988 to 1990, the first in that newly defined office and head of the, then, new organisational structure that is almost identical to the one we have now.

At the meeting of NRA General Council on Friday 7 September 2012, elections were held for some positions on the NRA Council.

Results and vacancies can now be downloaded

The results for the Surrey Open Meeting are available to download below:

Download results

We expect Bay A to be busy this Saturday (22nd Sept) in the morning, so we suggest you wait for the afternoon if possible.

Bay A will not be available at all for casual shooters on Sunday 23rd Sept.

At this event, funds will be raised to help support the Disabled Police Officers Association. A raffle is being organised with prizes from great companies like MidwayUK and donations from the NRA.
Please note all entry fees from the team events will be donated to this worthy cause.

Please support generously by entering.

To enter, click here

The results for the City Rifle Club Open held on 7 Sep 2012 are now available

Download results

I have great pleasure in announcing that I have finalised my due diligence and agreed terms with the new, permanent Chief Executive for the NRA. Andrew Mercer joins us from the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust, where he is Project and Commercial Director on this complex restoration and economic regeneration project.

Derrick Mabbott
Acting Chief Executive

Further information here

For further information click here

Many members may have seen a consultation exercise being run by the Royal Mail. They are proposing to end the carriage of all types of firearms, parts and ammunition through the Inland Letter Postal Scheme, the Inland Parcel Postal Scheme and the equivalent schemes for overseas letters and parcels. This could have significant implications for RFDs and for their customers.

For more information click here and Annex D can be downloaded here

Help to simplify firearms licensing

The Home Office is proposing new licensing forms and two alternative design formats have been proposed.
The NRA is supporting BASC in its workings with the Home Office and the police and your views are important in determining which format is adopted.

Follow this link to see two proposed options and have your say.

http://www.basc.org.uk/en/departments/firearms/simplify-firearms-licensing.cfm

Disability Target Shooting Great Britain, the National Governing body for disability shooting for the physically disabled, has today launched its new web site [DTSGB.org.uk]

For more information click here

http://www.dtsgb.org.uk

The results for the County of Lancaster Open Meeting are now available

Download results

The results for the Jersey Open Competition 2012 are now available.

Download results

To visit the Jersey Rifle Association web site click here

To visit the ShootingResults.org web site click here

The results for the 2012 Gallery Rifle and Pistol National Championships are now available:

Download Prize lists

Download results

Sorry for any inconvenience caused

Download results

For safety reasons and pending possible compliance work on the range, please note that the use of 7.62/308 calibre and greater have been suspended. This is expected to remain in place for some months. Further information will be distributed as we get it.

Breaking News from Camp Perry - Based on preliminary score tabulations, David Luckman of Great Britain is the 2012 NRA National Long Range Champion. Luckman finished with a 1246-74X.

Download Results

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/08/david-luckman-wins-2012-nra-long-range-championship

The results for the Cornwall Rifle Club Annual Open Meeting 2012 are now available:

Download results

The minutes of the NRA BGM held on 18th July 2012 are now available to download.

The minutes of the NRA AGM held on 30th June 2012 are now available to download.

The NRA is delighted to see Peter Wilson from Dorset win the Gold Medal in the double trap clay shoot and congratulates him on a very fine performance.

It is Britain's first Olympic Medal for shooting for 12 years. Members can see more information about many facets of shooting on the British Shooting website.

The NRA plays a leading role in British Shooting to encourage the public to take up all legal forms of the very safe and enjoyable sport of shooting.

Your contact details will be forwarded to the holder of these tickets if you send a request to: sarah.daly@britishshooting.org.uk

SH001 - 28-Jul 10m Air Rifle Women Qualifying+Finals /10m Air P Men Qualifying+Finals £40 each

SH003 - 29-Jul Skeet Women Qualifying+Finals / 10m Air Pistol Women Qualifying £30 each

Olympic Tickets Despatched
British Shooting despatched Olympic Tickets to purchasers on 29th June 2012, if they have not been received please contact: sarah.daly@britishshooting.org.uk

Download file

It was a mad dash from Bisley to home to Hickstead last night but it all went off smoothly. But you are interested in Saturday's events on the Stickledown Hill. We start with the St George's Vase final. The day was good, sunshine and high cloud now that we had all but finished. A head wind moving fitfully either side of the posts faced the finalists. If there is such a thing as a favourite it was probably Jim Corbett who had won the first two stages and entered on 75.15. He took two 5s as sighters and finished with 75.13: David Luckman also entered on 75.15 and made the same maximum again. The vase was his.

The Mackinnon was closer than a new record score by England might suggest. Scotland led them by one point after 900yds, and for just a while with the last two English shooters appearing to struggle in the same fitful breezes at 1000yds was the unthinkable about to happen? No, was the answer. Scotland finished on 1170 just pipping Wales by 7 centrals, but England held it together to give John Warburton his first win of the day - with a record match score.

Queen's final was a tense affair. The same breezes and a field that contained ten maximum 150s going forward was soon reduced to a host of shooters around the same scores of one or two off as the 1000yd shoot commenced. Six then finished on 297, a tie looking a possibility as three had 37 centrals, then overtaken by Richard Birtwistle on 38 and David Armstrong on an impressive 43. They had reckoned without the true Yorkshire grit of John Warburton of Huddersfield who resolutely remained on two off, adding 74 to his 75 at 900. The Prize was his for a very popular victory. No wonder that he lives at Queen?s Lodge.

That brings it all to a conclusion for 2012. It has been a meeting of rain and unrest in many forms. The ammunition has been excellent. The entry seems to have been down noticeably and we need to see the analysis of where and why. Cost must be an ingredient that will need addressing and the old debate of ammunition as issued or self-supply must inevitably resurface. But what we must not forget is that a lot of people were charged with learning the ropes very quickly and did so. There may have been glitches but we survived. Thanks to all of them that worked so hard. Deeper reflections must come later. Thank you to all those that have been in contact with me from various parts and best wishes my to sister Susan and family out in Australia, the latest additions to the diary addicts! Goodnight.

I do hope that you all enjoy the coverage.

The final report of the Queen's Prize will be constructed and posted on Sunday, once I have had time to recover from a Saturday evening engagement at the Dressage at Hickstead Olympic Celebration Ball. It takes place in a marquee on a greenfield site. Remeniscent of the last week or so really. I wonder what Sussex clay based mud awaits?

What a difference a day makes. For the most part it has been much warmer but in time for the Queen's II shoot the wind swung from the west to the North East, dropping the temperature substantially and, as we shall see, causing a problem for the participants. Start at the beginning, as Julie Andrewa intoned.

First off was the Kolapore, widely regarded as the blue riband match of the meeting. The GB VIII under the Chief Executive Nick Tremlett and his board of management Langlands, Richards W and Ensor, set about the targets as if there were to be no tomorrow. They went clean at 300 yards, and lost but one point at 500. Could they challenge the old record set by Anton Aspin?s team a few years ago? Yes they could, going clean again at 600 for a total of 1199.201. Not many teams in the world could live easily with that, not even a valiant 1187 by Jersey or 1183 by Guernsey. Canada finished on 1160. Paul Kent missed out on a perfect 150 by just one central bullseye during his 600 yard shoot. Seven maximums and one 149 - in which coach and shooter are entitled to argue totally academically as to which might have contributed most to the vanished point.

We now move to Queen@s II. It has to be noted that throughout the day the wind was a tad playful, veering either side of the post towards the shooters. This of course tests concentration and the prmium apllied to quick shot release once you have decided on sight correction. Could we see the sort of high qualifying score that makes stout shooters blanche? But add another ingredient. The batch of ammunition for the Queen's Prize is a different batch from that used for the general shoots in the Grand. Some shooters had gone from blisteringly tight groups in the St Georges to rather more spread groups in Queen's I the next day. Perhaps it is a matter of what fits your gun best, or perhaps it is not quite the same. One of those debatable matters, methinks. Anyway it was the same for all and the tigers proved that it was worth a maximum 150.

288 started (where were the 12 missing?), and they all had to cope with a distinct wind change at 500, where the temperature plummeted and the wind swung from 11 to 1 o'clock. I know: I saw it and I got very cold after the sun had been warming the bones minutes earlier. Suffice it to say that there were ten 150s noted on the board and, surprisingly, the qualifying score was 147.14, perhaps one point lower than expected. Gaz Morris of Old Uppinghamians was top gun on 150.25, pushing Jim Corbett of Australia into second on 150.23. Corbett is a man on fire after his wins in Georges I and II with a maximum 150.30, but Morris has now annexed Queen's I and II. Do we sense a battle royal ahead tomorrow? Third place was taken by Ash McCullough with 150.22. It is close at the top, and at the bottom. There, five scores of 147.14 had to shoot for the one remaining place in the Queen's Hundred. Among the tied five was John Jackman, to add eminence gris to the affair. The tie went to the younger Sam Hunter, one of the Epsomian group, with 24.4. We wish them all luck tomorrow.

And that is it for tonight. I am grateful for messages of support from Canada and the USA. I wish Jim Thompson and all his crew the best of good fortune in a few weeks' time, and my old friends Skip and Pete sunny days. We of course will be into the Olympic Games shortly, when Londoners will be beset by the Zil lanes and bewildered athletes asking the way to the Olympic Village. I shall be remaining outside London so far as I know. She who must be obeyed has tickets for the Dressage competition and we are puzzling out the way to get there before the day's competition has ended

Today the story is the Grand Aggregate. Last night we had three contenders equal on points and divided by central bullseyes, James Corbett on 625.95, David Luckman on 625.92 and Ian Shaw on 625.80 with James Watson on 624.90. In theory any of the four, and others close by, could have snatched the prize if something happened to their rivals. So, when the day broke there was a blustering wind tearing at the flags on Century. This dropped a bit for the 0955 detail of the Prince of Wales at 600 yards on which all four names were squadded by an entirely happy coincidence. In fact they had been following each other around for the whole Meeting. I am assured by Bill Richards the squadding guru that this is unprecedented in his time but that is how it was.

Each of them had to score 75 to protect their points' position. Each had to maximise their count of centrals. And that is what they did in an awsome foursome display. Corbett made 75.12 having converted two ordinary bullseye sighters. After all in a tiresome wind a five is a five. Watson made 75.10. Shaw and Luckman 75.7. It was status quo and a thoroughly nice guy from Benalla, Australia was the winner after 15 visits to Bisley. Excellently, Joanne his wife was here to see it. The PoW itself was won by Steve Thomas of the Central Bankers.

So to Georges II where a whopping 149.18 finishing with a 75.11 at 600 yards was required to make the cut for the final on Saturday. That says something about the quality of the field. Guess who won the stage. James Corbett Esq with 150.30, a perfect perfect shoot.

The National match was won by England, unable to contemplate a third successive Scottish victory. The Scots were second and Wales third, knocking Ireland into fourth place. A potted results list follows, but all the many aggregates and other related results are on the website. The weather has been kind today, except for rain on my detail of the PoW. C?est la vie.

Grand Aggregate: 1. J Corbett (Australia) 700.107; 2. D Luckman (Sedgemoor) 700.99; 3. I Shaw (Old Epsomians) 700.87; 4. J Watson UVRC) 699.100.

Prince of Wales (600yds): 1. S Thomas (Central Bankers) 75.14; 2. R Knapstein (BDMP Germany) 75.13; 3. A Walker (Old Framlinghamians) 75.13.

National Match (300, 500 & 600yds): 1. England 2072.268; 2. Scotland 2049.228; 3. Wales 2048.223; 4. Ireland 2036.224.

AG Bell (300, 500 & 600yds): 1. UK Cadet Rifle Team 1206.117; 2. Royal Canadian Army Cadets 1195.110. Rifle Clubs

1. Old Marlburian RC 413.44; 2. Lloyds TSB RC 412.48; 3. Hailsham 412.45.

This will be brief. If we thought we had seen the end of the rain we were wrong. It arrived shortly before 1600 and continued with varying degrees of force until after 1900. The final details of the Queen's Prize stage 1 and the Conan Doyle got wet. In fact the light at long range through the fine driving rain was very poor: shooting from memory became a possibility.

There were changes at the top of the Grand Aggregate leader board. James Corbett from Benalla, Australia heads Ian Shaw of Scotland by 15 central bullseyes with both of them having 625 points to their credit. James Watson has fallen to third with David Luckman fourth, just one point behind. With just one event to go everything turns on today's Prince of Wales 15 shot shoot at 600 yards.

The first stage of HM the Queen's Prize was won outright by Gaz Morris of Uppingham Veterans with a maximum score of 105.19 ex 105.21, only two of his shots missing the central bullseye. John Warburton of Huddersfield was second on 105.17 and Henry Day of LMRA third on 105.16. The qualifying score to reach the second stage was a weather affected 101.13.

HM The Queen's Prize (1st stage, 300, 500, 600yds): 1. G Morris (UVRC) 105.19; 2. J Warburton (Huddersfield RC) 105.17; H Day (LMRA) 105.16. Cut for second stage: 101.13.

Conan Doyle (900yds): 1. J Paton (Canada) 50.10; 2. G Cann (Exonia & Tiverton) 50.9; 3. P Patel 50.9.

Grand Aggregate (after 10 ex 11 events): 1. J Corbett (Australia) 625.95; 2. I Shaw (Old Epsomians) 625.80; 3. J Watson (UVRC) 624.90; 4. D Luckman 624.89.

County Championship Short Range (500 & 600yds): 1. London 795.108; 2. Hampshire 793.109; 3. Surrey 792.109.

Short Range Aggregate: 1. (on count back) G Morris (UVRC) 210.37; 2. N Ball (Stock Exchange RC) 210.37; 3. D Luckman (Sedgemoor) 210.34.

Inter Services Short Range (500 & 600yds): 1. Territorial Army 1176.133; 2. Regular Army 1175.140; 3. RAF 1169.142.

I have, quite rightly, been pulled up short by a fellow correspondent for incorrectly labelling Nick Mace who is from Guernsey as hailing from the other island. I have to wear metaphorical sackcloth and ashes over that. My apologies to Nick, Guernsey and Jersey for getting it wrong, all in the haste of the moment.

While I am here at his early hour, the Queens I day has dawned windy with high clouds and patches of sun. There was some rain overnight simply to maintain the underfoot status quo. More later.

St Georges First Stage (300yds): 1. J Corbett (AUS) 75.15; 2=. N Mace (Guernsey) & J Watson (UVRC) 75.14. Cut for 2nd Stage 73.9.

Grand Aggregate (after 8 ex 11 events): 1. J Watson 472.71; 2. D Luckman (Sedgemoor) 472.69; 3. I Shaw Old Epsomians) 472.64; 4. P Kent (Old Epsomians) 471.64; 5. C Belk 471.55.

Times Challenge Cup (300yds): Tie shoot result: 1. A Coetzee (RSA) 25.5; 2. N Ball (Stock Exchange RC) 25.4; 3. F Purdy (Athelings) 24.4; 4. L Watson (Jersey RC) 24.2.

The Belgian: 1. Manydown 689.86; 2. Jersey Royals 685.75; 3. Jersey Wonders 683.89

County Championship Long Range (900 & 1000yds): 1. Surrey 596.74; 2. Northants, Leics & Rutland 581.66; 3. Hampshire 581.60.

Daily Mail Challenge Cup (500yds): tie result, 1. P Patel (Old Epsomians) 25.4; 2. M Button (Wandsworth).

Duke of Cambridge (900yds): tie result, 1. J Haward (Exonia & Tiverton) 25.1; 2. A Sturrock (ATSC) 24.2; 3. M Schwarz (Bedfordians) 24.1.

Inter Services Long Range (900 & 1000yds): 1. Regular Army 1159.121; 2. British Combat Rifle Team 1147.115; 3. Territorial Army 1144.108.

What a difference a day makes. Not a spot of rain today but plenty of cloud and the occasional glimpse of blue patches and the sun. There is also a stiff buster from the South West, to lapse into tall ships terms. But the temperature has gone up substantially and in the sheltered spots the increase in humidity is noticeable. If it were not for the wind it could well be a return to mozzie valley. Today is one of those days that, if you are not engaged in afternoon teamwork, drags on interminably while others are out playing at county shoots and the like. As I sit here now the county addicts are popping away down on Century, the county matches having been reversed this year to do the long range in daylight, and the short range in the gloaming - is that a sort of Scottish twilight? No doubt someone will correct me if I have got it wrong.

I start in the middle of the day with the four way tie-shoot for the Times Challenge Cup. Only three were present within five minutes of the start and Nigel Ball (the sailor) hove to just as CRO Tony Clayton uttered the magic words "Two minutes to message one", having already delayed by five minutes. Our Nigel had not seen the Tie posting. It seems to have been posted, and the tieshoot was to take place, at a time before the protest period had elapsed (at 1300hrs). Let us not dwell on the technicalities: suffice it to say that with the forebearance and good grace of the participants, and a commonsense approach by the CRO, we then had a rattling good tieshoot.

Alexander Coetzee of South Africa was first finished with a perfect 25.5. Ball and Lulu Watson of Jersey were out of the contest unable to match him. It all rested with 18 year old Francesca Purdy of the Athelings and Greshams who had followed her inner sighting shot with four centrals. She just needed one more to force the tie to a sudden death shot for shot finale. The tension was palpable: afterwards she candidly told me that her heart was pounding and everything was racing. From the outside that was certainly not obvious. She fired and it was an inner. Equally candidly she said that from the moment it went she had made an error. Ant Ringer, her register keeper and three times Queen?s Prize winner, told her this: "To be put under stress in reaching the point of a tie shoot is a privilege well earned. Enjoy the moment". That was one of the finest comments I have heard and one that Francesca I think appreciated. Congratulations to Alexander Coetzee for an awsome and clinical display.

All of which makes the rest seem a little mundane. The St Georges first stage was won by another welcome visitor James Corbett from Benalla, Australia, with 75.15. No arguments or tieshoots there, then. Nick Mace of Guernsey and James Watson of Uppingham Veterans have a share of second place on identical 75.14s. Said Watson is clinging by his fingernails to first place in the Grand Aggregate, his exertions having gained him a two central lead over David Luckman of Sedgemoor, with Ian Shaw of Old Epsomians, also on 472 ex 475, third a massive five centrals behind. It is all rather tight. Finally, Surrey won the County Long Range Championship with 586.74 ahead of Northants Leicester and Rutland (one county) and Hampshire. There is a summary below, and the full results will be on the website shortly, if not now.

The announcement of the appointment of the first NRA Target Shotgun representative is available to download below

Download election announcement

So where do we start? In the gunroom perhaps where elder statesmen are discussing the way of the world. One of them lets all and sundry know that in in 30 or so years of shooting the meeting this is only the second time that he has had the 8.30am detail in that maker and breaker, the Corporation. Another asks him whether he knows what that means. He expresses ignorance. You will be among the first people today to get wet, is the reply.

This leads neatly to the weather: we expected rain all day but it turned out much better than that. The main bulk of it arrived after 9 o?clock and it was not generally that heavy, more or less petering out during the afternoon, although there were spells worse than others. It was manageable and, let's face it, if you cannot manage it by now you have led a sheltered life. The winds were more interesting blowing steadily from the left and increasing during the day until at 1000 yards there were mutters of 16 minutes or so later on.

Despite all this the Corporation produced 13 scores of 50, the best two of which had 7 centrals by J Dunbar (ATRC) and P Thompson (NLRC) who will tie shoot in due course. James Watson (UVRC) was third with the only 50.5. The Times (300yds) resulted in a four way tie between Nigel Ball (Stock Exchange) FWA Coetzee (RSA), Lulu Watson (Jersey) and 18 year old Francesca Purdey (Athelings & Greshams) all on a perfect 50.10.

Finally the Wimbledon (600yds) saw the first outright winner of any of the Grand matches in the form of Nigel Cole-Hawkins with the one and only 50.10. Susie Luckman and Martin Schwarz chased him home with the best of the 50.9s. All of this meant some name changes at the top of the Grand Aggregate where the name at the top of the leader board is now James Watson of Uppingham Veterans with 397.57. He is followed by David Luckman on equal score exactly, seperated only on countback, all a little miniscule at this stage with four more events to come. They are chased by Ian Shaw on 397.53 and Paul Kent on 396.54. He is followed by three more 396s and eight 395s. It is very, very tight.

The tie for the Daily Telegraph Challenge Cup was shot after the Wimbledon had finished and it must have been in a murky light. The result was a win for Ross McQuillan (Ulster) who finished with 25.2, after Hamish Pollock had scored successive centrals with the first four of his five shots only to fall into the inner on his fifth. This is being posted a little later than intended, and all the detailed results should be on the website.

Daily Telegraph Cup (tie shoot result): 1. R McQuillan (Ulster) 25.2; 2. H Pollock (NLRC) 24.4.

Howcroft Newspaper Aggregate: 1. P Patel (Old Epsomians) 200.34; 2. G Cann (Exonia & Tiverton) 200.32; 3. T Rylands (Manchester) 200.30.

Times Challenge Cup (300yds): Tie for first place: N Ball (Stock Exchange RC), F Coetzee (RSA), L Watson (Jersey RC) & F Purdey (Athelings) all 50.10.

Wimbledon (600yds): 1. N Cole-Hawkins (NLRC) 50.10; 2. S Luckman (Old Epsomians) 50.9; 3. M Schwarz (Bedfordians) 50.9.

Corporation (1000yds): tie for 1st place: J Dunbar (ATRC) & P Thompson (NLRC) both 50.7; 3. J Watson UVRC) 50.6.

Monday Agg: 1. T Steele (Ulster) 150.20; 2. Watson 149.20; 3. C Belk (OCRA) 149.17

Grand Agg (after 7 of 11 events): on countback 1. J Watson (UVRC) 397.57; 2. D Luckman (Sedgemoor) 397.57; 3. I Shaw (Old Epsomians) 387.52.

Bastille Day always brings a tingle to the nape of the neck. This time it can only have been the sensation of water running down into your clothing. I have a bone to pick with aforesaid D Harvey who rashly assured the other correspondent that all would be sunshine. He cannot have failed to notice the monsoon that hit the ranges at 1100hrs. It was odd. One minute the wind was from the South West: the next from the North East. I saw it turn as I finished my Lovell 1000hrs detail, moving from four left down to an inaccurate one and a half when the flags were telling half-truths.

The heavens opened just before the next detail was due to start and Stickledown wisely delayed the shoot. They were not so lucky on Century where the Donegall shoot had just progressed and then was forced to halt. Rain got everywhere with many strange shots arriving in far flung places on the targets. I also saw the 60 or so cards returned by shooters on that detail on Century who decided that enough was enough and a return to the clubhouse was preferable.

In a nutshell the Donegall, the Lovell and the Daily Telegraph are yet to be resolved. In the Telegraph, the entry point to the Grand Aggregate, Ross McQuillan and Hamish Pollock both scored 75.15 with Ant Ringer third one central away. There is a five way tie for the Donegall all on 50.10. In the Lovell they are not quite so perfect producing a four way tie on 50.8. The Friday aggregate went to Paul Sykes of Bedfordians counting out Jack Alexander of Dungannon, both on 150.21. Nick Mace of Guernsey pipped David Calvert of RAFTRC by one clear point for the Tucker Aggregate, and Susie Luckman counted out Pollock for the Saturday Agg. Full details will be posted on the NRA website, but an extraction is set out below to fill in a few of the tie details.

Angus McLeod has won the Century tie shoot with a perfect 25.5 ahead of Ed Jeens and then David Armstrong. I am told that, after rain tonight, tomorrow is supposed to be an altogether better day. Seeing is believing but the first part of that forecast is happening now, a bit off and on. We live in hope and a swamp.

Daily Telegraph Cup (500yds): tie to be shot between R McQuillan (Ulster) & H Pollock (OGRE) on 75.15; 3. A Ringer (UVRC) 75.14.

Donegall (300yds): tie to be shot between R Benest (Jersey), J Corbett (Australia), N Mace (Guernsey), S Luckman (O Epsomians) & C Rowley (NLRC) all on 50.10.

Lovell (1000yds): tie to be shot between D Allen (Huddersfield), J Barry (Stock Exchange), J Webber (Exonia & Tiverton) & S Negus (Australia) all on 50.8.

Friday Agg: 1. P Sykes (Bedfordians) 150.21; 2. J Alexander (Dungannon 150.21; 3. J Watson (UVRC) 150.20.

Tucker Agg: 1. Mace 250.32; 2. D Calvert (RAFTRC) 249.36; 3. G Cann (Exonia & Tiverton) 249.31.

Saturday Agg: 1. S Luckman 175.30; 2. Pollock 175.28; 3. Ringer 175.27.

Century Tie: 1. A McLeod 25.5; 2. E Jeens 25.4; 3. D Armstrong

Friday 13th, unlucky for some, dawns with the same misleading light as yesterday. High puffs of cloud in a blue sky as I look out of the tin box window belaying the forecast of rain and showers moving in this afternoon. Even as I tap away at 0820 the clouds of grey are gathering. Today is an odds and bits day for all those able to start their shooting before the weekend. It starts with the Astor for county club teams, and fills in the rest of the day with the Century at 500 and 600 yards shot in reverse order (which catches out many as they fumble for their sight settings), and the Admiral Hutton at 900 yards.

My memories of shooting the Astor final are of early starts, rain and a shoot that is over very quickly. Well, the rain held off to allow Surrey Rifle Association (ably represented by an Old Epsomian team) to take the trophy by two points from Huddersfield. Paul Kent and David Rose scored maximum 105s for Surrey, and Dave Dyson did likewise for Huddersfield.

Precisely as the 1400 hours detail of the Century started so did the rain, turning from drizzle to a short burst of moderate and back again. This was not the first detail of the Century, but it was the one I got - and got wet in. Rain persisted for a while but backed away by around 1700 hours. The light by then was murky. That did not stop 30 competitors from scoring 100, the top three bing Angus McLeod, Ed Jeens and David Armstrong on 100.17, who will shoot a tie. Over on Stickledown Hill the Hutton produced 75 maximum 50s, but only one with ten centrals from Maj RHG Riley of ATSC. The wind did seem to be reasonably steady throughout the day but dropping off as the evening wore on.

News now from last night when the Veterans were banging away until gone 1900 hours. Greshamians won the A team match with a 250 maximum team score, Epsomians the second also with 250 and the third with 246. I am taking a guess that Epsomians also took the aggregate but that needs confirmation and the cards were in the main office and unavailable at 1930 hours. You will also note the demise of OGRE (Old Greshams Rifle Establishment) and the substitution of Greshamians. I just pass these things on.

The rain has now restarted more heavily. The forecast is for more rain tonight and tomorrow. Now, a little earlier my other contributer dropped in to tell me that he (or she, for it is none other than T Rex) had bumped into one Dominic Harvey while blundering through the Surrey pavilions. Harvey made it known that his arrival brings with it the sun and a cessation of the rain. You heard it first here, but any wishing to challenge this later should visit the Surrey to do so in person.

The full results will be posted on the NRA website. Goodnight.

The Full Results List (By Match) for the HM Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012 IHAM events held at Bisley on 7th/8th July are now available to download below

Download results

It is late. What a vile day. It all seemed rather nice this morning with not a cloud in the sky at 0700 and the Ashburton finale of the Schools' endeavours to come, and the prestigious match rifle Woomera Trophy to be decided. Something about not counting chickens before they are hatched comes to mind. Suffice it to say that the Ashburton was won by Wellington College from Berkshire by a useful margin of 17 points with a fine score of 787.73, from Royal Grammar School Guildford and Epsom College in second and third places. The Cadet Pairs and the Cadet Fours went to Dollar Academy.

Up over on the hill the Match Rifle Woomera Match saw a steady progression in favour of GB over the three ranges until they ran out victors by a margin of 31 points. Angus McLeod of GB was top scorer on the day with 223 ex 225 to add to his other illustrious performances of the past few days.

And that is where the bontemps ended as the rain set in to bedevil the remains of the day. The Schools Veterans started in rain and finished in rain near to 1930hrs with nary any relief inbetween. I do not have te results because to have found them would have interrrupted a perfectly good dinner to celebrate the annual rejoinder of past pupils. You could never have expected that. Anyway they are not available as yet. What I hear is that a certain A team has scored 250 ex 250 to win, to confound the expectations of a certain other A team close to my heart with 249. We shall wait with bated breath for the final results.

Has it just stopped raining? (1309hrs)

My apologies for being a bit abitrary with postingd over the last 48 hours. However this was because other matters meant that I was away from Bisley for the last two days. What I missed was a an outstanding finish to the Hopton Match Rifle Aggregate by Scotland's Angus McLeod who chose the Albert Match to post a maximum 225 in some wet and windy conditions that caused his rivals no end of problem.

What really mattered was that from being a few points off the lead he turned it all around into a stunning six point winning margin to take his second Hopton victory, making 1002 points in the process. Congratulations to him and to Mike Baillie-Hamilton and Rob Lygoe for their second and third places.

And so to today, which finishes in a much calmer fashion with another silver sunset. What an extraordinary day of contrasting weather. No rain at first, and bright sunshine with high scudding clouds. Some of them were a very dark grey and black hinting at what was to come. The 150th anniversary of the Elcho Match was always going to be hard fought. Part of the battle was against gale-force winds, hail and thunderous downpour. Doug Watts had to stop the match for ten minutes when the targets were invisible.

The conclusion was a fourth successive victory for Scotland by a mere two points. Their top scorer was Angus McLeod. The miniature shields were presented by the Lord Elcho to a very happy band of Scots. I am waiting for the skirl of the pipes.

Tomorrow is Black Thursday, the schools will contest the Ashburton and the past pupils will bring their usual disorganisation to the Veterans. Rain is almost certainly on the menu. More in due course but it may not be until Friday morning.

The NRA hosted this important international event on Fri 6 July, with 8-man teams from Great Britain, Canada and The Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (SOAF) competing for The Llewellin Challenge Cup. The event has been dominated in recent years by the SOAF, and 2012 proved to be no exception, with SOAF beating in GB into second place and Canada third.

The match is shot in six stages, each with an HPS of 50 points. With very tight scoring rings, the match includes standing snaps at 100yds, sitting rapid at 200yds and a 500-100yds run down using multiple firing positions. The HPS is 300, and scores of over 275 are very rare. It was, therefore, with stunned disbelief that the NRA Chairman and other spectators witnessed a quite remarkable shoot by Lt Salim Al Hinai (SOAF) of 297 - 48, 50, 50, 50, 50, 49. Highly experienced Service shooters present, commented that this incredible achievement would never be beaten.

Lt Hinai was singled out during prize giving and congratulated by Dr Robin Pizer in front of all competitors and range staff to a tremendous reception. History in the making!

The Whitehead - Service Pistol

The Territorial Army made their own mark in the history books by winning the coveted Whitehead Cup for the first time. Dominated by the RAF since 2001, with only the Army disrupting the RAF in 2004, the TA have been close on several occasions, but always falling short of the boys in blue.

However, in his last year as captain of the TA pistol team, WO2 Stuart Smart led the team to a 26 point victory over the RAF - a fitting tribute after so many years of dedicated service.
border=0>

To download a copy of the agenda please click here

A quick visit to the Stickledown Hill this morning to see how Match Rifle folk are faring: sloshing through the puddles and the rainstorm on the way over shows just how much water has fallen overnight and through the last week. And to think that it all started concurrent with the announcement of a hosepipe ban.

Despite the occasional showers yesterday and today the shooters have been spared the worst of the downpours but all you have to do to get soaked through from the nether regions upwards is to lie down. The first of the Hopton matches on Saturday, the Whitehead (1000 & 1100yds), went to Alan Blain of Timboon, one of the visiting Australian match rifle team here for the Woomera Match next Thursday. His maximum 150 with 20 of his shots inside the central eclipsed his rivals by a clear two points, Bob Lygoe and Derek Lowe each making 148 and separated by a single central.

Scotland's Martin Brown took the Halford (1100 & 1200yds) by a margin of one point ahead of defending Champion Angus McLeod of the Army with Carys Dee of Wales next best with 146.21 and 146.20 respectively. McLeod also grabbed the day's aggregate. Chris Hockley of Wales and Nick Tremlett of Windsor will shoot a deciding tie for the Cottesloe next Tuesday, each on 100.19, but Ireland's Peter Campbell can take home the Wimbledon silverware, his 100.8 knocking Carys Dee's 99.15 into second place after his card arrived at stats late. Ray Ruddick of Australia was third. And so to the Armourers: Jim Mcallister (NRC Scotland) pegged that back with 98.15 ahead of the ever-present McLeod and Tremlett. All that left us with the Hopton positions after five of the seven events. The position is that Mike Baillie-Hamilton leads by a single point from McLeod and Eric Hobbs. Two to go and all to play for: deathly hush in the close and all that. Enough: the full results will appear on the website in due course - if they are not there already. Oh, by the way, it has stopped raining and it was rather a nice watery-bright evening.

We believe that the problem is caused by the way the surface of the stop butt was smoothed over. The new de-leading process involves scooping the sand into a large rotating cage. In the same way that a spin-drier works, the sand is flung out of the cage, light debris such as gravel and small stones lodge against the edge of the cage, while the heavy bullets remain in or near the centre of the cage. This is very effective at removing the lead and stones, but leaves heaps of sand at the impact points, which have to be smoothed by a mechanical excavator. It is thought that the sand surface has been overly compacted, then soaked in heavy rain to form a hard crust. Bullets penetrate the crust, which contains the characteristic sand splash that would normally indicate that a shot had been fired.

NRA staff are urgently investigating possible solutions, which may be as simple as raking over the surface by hand. In the meantime, competitors are requested to appreciate that the adverse effect on marking is not the fault of the markers, and are requested not to be reticent in passing Message 4. The problem does not manifest itself on Century for several reasons including the greater speed of the bullets on impact, the smaller area that the marker has to watch for an impact and the shorter distance from the markers gallery to the stop butt we will keep you informed as and when there are updates.

The results for the various Imperial matches are available to download below:

Download results for Pistol and Gallery Rifle events

Download results for Services events

We are back again. We, that is to say I and my associate T Rex, will be drifting around from now until final Saturday picking up the info and the stories as we lurch from hither to yon. T Rex was somewhat concerned to see in a recent edition of the NRA Journal that there was some question of his or her extinction. Suffice it to say that, like all good actors, he or she is merely resting between engagements. Reappearance when it comes will be magnifcent and merciless.

Enough of such stuff. Our world-wide followers simply want to know what the weather is like and if they will be able to rest in the smug knowledge that it is better where they sit. First, greetings to far flung parts, to Canada and Australia, the USA and New Zealand, to the West Indies and South Africa and to all those other places that share the love of this sport.

Second, we have had one of the wettest June months on record: those with a tan are simply suffering from creeping rust. With the rain have come winds, sometimes on the gale side of severe. The week prior to this posting has been generally wet with persistent rain of the sort that penetrates everything. Oh joy, it has started raining again.

The forecast is that not a lot will change over the next week but there could be an improvement as we go through the month: "The best of the weather is expected during the second half of the month, especially in southern regions. The July forecast suggests that the weather won't be as bad as it was in June".

Match Rifle events kick off in earnest tomorrow with the Hopton Aggregate the target. Who will topple Maj. Angus McLeod? Will Nick Tremlett return for another victory, or will it be another familiar name or a relative stranger to grace the podium? Is there, among the schools, one with the guile and skills to oust the ever-present Epsom contingent? Will the shield go East, North or West? And what can we expect for Grand Aggregate or Queen's Prize? Time will tell. I will not show myself up by failing to guess correctly. The diary will have some intermittent postings between now and next Friday as matches click into gear. From then on it should be a daily event with the late evening as the target. One does have to allow oneself time to wash and eat. To all shooters, good fortune. To all the organizers - the same.

click here to download.

The results for the inaugural Military Adaptive Match held at Bisley on 4 July are available to download below

Download Match results

The results from the Scottish Open held at Blair Atholl from 22nd to 24th June are available to download below:

Download Results

Click to download

To download the Agenda, please click here

As most members will know, the AGM has been officially adjourned until Saturday 30th June at 8.30 pm in order that as many members as possible will be able to attend. Nevertheless, the Chairman gave those members who attended on 15th the opportunity to ask questions and make their views known at the meeting. Since it was not a formal meeting, minutes were not taken but these notes describe the topics discussed.

Accounts
The delay in the accounts was as a result of the need to change the auditors after the previous auditors stepped down. The time to get up to speed and the fact that there have been changes in the accounts staff and therefore some loss of knowledge around the systems in place meant that it took longer than previously expected to produce the accounts for sign off.

Communication
Many members made comments that the NRA does not keep the members informed as well as they might and this actually creates more rumours and problems. The Association was encouraged to be more open about its current situation (including maintenance, accounts and recruitment). This may need to encompass social media (particularly Facebook and Twitter) as well as through the more traditional website and by email. Comments were also made with regards to the Journal, which is generally seen as inferior to its predecessor and some members felt the NRA's recent tone in communications was not appropriate. The Chairman accepted these comments and promised that the Association would work harder to improve communications.

NRA Vouchers
Several members asked questions with regards to vouchers and their expiry dates. The Chairman explained that this had been raised with the Trustees and for a number of reasons, there has been a need to change how the NRA issues vouchers and for what purposes. It has become clear that vouchers cannot be given out as payment in kind because tax and National Insurance must be paid by the NRA and by the recipient. Further, vouchers have generally been issued with an expiry date and those dates need to be enforced to ensure that they can be accounted for. As part of these changes however, voucher expiry dates will be standardised on a 12 month expiration date from the date of issue.

Imperial Meeting
Whilst it was noted that there has been some loss of institutional knowledge with the departure of a number of members of staff, the NRA is confident that the meeting will run as usual. Entries for the meeting currently stand at around 1100 and are in line with previous years. The recent wet weather has prevented some areas of the ranges from being mown, but the NRA is confident that this will be resolved in time for the meeting. The urgency to check out firing points and ensure they are in good condition has been stressed and recognised by staff.

Ablutions
A number of comments were made regarding the state of ablutions. It was reported that the number of staff employed to clean the ablutions had been increased and extra staff would be working on this during the Imperial meeting.

New Chief Executive
Members were told that the Trustees were at an advanced stage in the selection process for a permanent Chief Executive. It was confirmed that the recent sign-off by Derrick Mabbott as Chief Executive (not acting) was made in error.

Coaching Courses
The Chairman highlighted a significant increase in the number of training courses being run, especially for training RCOs given the availability of a subsidy from Sport England.

Robin Pizer
Chairman

The Jarvis
The Col H Jones
The NRA Long Range
The Intercounties Aggregate

John Webster has worked in the Financial services industry for over 20 years, most recently as the Chief Executive of an investment management firm in London. In this role he was responsible for overseeing the running of the company and has a wide range of experience in skills required to run a company successfully. He is also an accomplished and respected Target Rifle shot and recently demonstrated his leadership skills as captain of the GB Palma team to Australia where they retained the Palma Match Trophy, as well as the Australia Match and one of the team members won the individual World Championships. Many members will already know John and we welcome him to the Council where his considerable skills will be a great asset to the Association.

Whilst the official meeting was adjourned, the Chairman offered members who had turned up the chance to ask questions. A number of topics were discussed and although there will be no official minutes from the meeting, we hope to publish a summary to keep members informed.

Robin Pizer
Chairman

The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 have been corrected to take into account some typographical errors that have been discovered since they were originally posted to this site on 14 June 2012. The NRA auditors, Saffery Champness, are aware of these corrections which they agree were purely typographical and deem not to be material, as such have allowed the changes to be made without further examination.

This effects pages 21, 23, 24 and 26

Download Accounts

The CLRA St George's Open Meeting results are available to download below

Download results

In response to questions raised and advice received, the Council wishes to make the following statement about this year's AGM.

The AGM will be convened, as per the notice in the Journal, at 1730 on Friday 15 June. The Annual Report and Accounts should, barring any unforeseen problems, be released by email on the morning of that day and will be available on paper at Bisley. At the AGM, the members will have the option of considering the Report during the meeting or of adjourning that consideration to a later date. The Council recommends the latter option and is proposing 27 June as this is the last day during June when the Chairman would be available to chair the meeting. The Pavilion has therefore been provisionally booked for that date.

The Council would like to apologise for the delay in releasing papers for this year's AGM. The combination of new auditors and an almost all new finance team has led to unanticipated delays in the production process and hence this lack of clarity over the AGM arrangements.

Derrick Mabbott

Acting Chief Executive

This is to notify Members that the NRA AGM on 15th will be adjourned until 27th June at 5.30 in the Bisley Pavilion.
The entire agenda will be covered then.

For further information please click here

To download the Agenda for the rescheduled AGM please click here

The results for the 2012 Phoenix event held at Bisley are available to download below

Download Prize Lists

Download Results

Download results for Spring Meeting here

Download results for JRA v/s NRA here

We welcome all NRA and affiliated members and guests to the Artists Rifles Clubhouse during HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Imperial Meeting 2012.

If you would like dinner we suggest you book a table in advance to avoid disappointment.

We welcome membership enquiries from present and former British and Allied Armed Forces and Police personnel. We also consider members? friends and exceptional individuals who will enhance the club and value its heritage and ethos.

Email: katie@artistsrifles.com
Tel: 01483 797 505

We are sad to announce the death of Maurice Ayling who passed away on 21st May.

His funeral will be at 12:00 on Wednesday 30th May at Chichester Crematorium. His family would like to know if you plan to attend.

Results are available by clicking here

For further details, download vacancy description

Lea Valley Shooting Association in Hertford North are organising a charity clay shooting day in aid of guide dogs.

If they fill all 50 places, they will make £3.5k for guide dogs in one day.

The event will be held in Hertford North at the Lea Valley Shooting Club - all are welcome.
There will be 10 teams of 5, also individuals can take part in a day's fun competition.
Lawfully held shotguns are welcome.
For those who don't have one, guns will be provided (S11-6 exemption held).

Contact Sean Dilley on 07977411797 (sean.dilley@gmail.com)

Please join over 700 shooters and anglers to vote NO in a web poll against proposals to give protectionists the power to ban shooting and angling in every estuary, river and lake in Northern Ireland.

click here to visit the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force web site.

There is a web poll running on the NI Marine Task Force website which gives visitors the option to vote in support of its work on the Marine Bill. In light of the threats to country sports identified in the Bill please visit the site and vote NO. This will send an important message not only to the task force but to civil servants and political representatives in NI that a Marine Bill has to consider people's needs as well as those of wildlife.

The RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and others have reacted to our vote NO campaign by starting a vote YES campaign. We are losing ground. The web poll will only allow one vote from your internet provider?s address. Ulster Wildlife Trust is encouraging voters to bypass this and register multiple votes via other computers, mobile phones and other internet accessible devices.

Next week, BASC and Countryside Alliance are scheduled to give evidence to the NI Environment Committee about our concerns and this web poll will be referred to so it is crucial that the vote remains firmly in our favour.

We expect to be called to evidence on Thursday so please email as many people as you can to ask them to visit the Marine Task Force website and vote NO before then. Please also post threads on shooting or angling forums you are members of, if they haven?t had this topic covered.

BASC's website has been updated today, but it will be your support by spreading the word on email and on forums that will make the difference in keeping the NO vote ahead.

The Marine Task Force consists of RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts and others. Put simply they want legal powers to be put in place in NI to ban shooting and angling in every estuary, river and lake in Northern Ireland. Their web poll was meant to show widespread support for the content of a draft Marine Bill that they heavily influenced. Two weeks ago support was running at 97% until BASC and Countryside Alliance started to campaign for a NO vote. Support collapsed and the marine force partners were in shock. They called a meeting with BASC and Countryside Alliance. They wanted us to drop our campaign for a NO vote on their web poll. We asked them to support our amendments to the draft Marine Bill. They refused. So we said we weren?t dropping our joint campaign. Then the vote YES campaign started.

The web poll will only allow one vote from your internet provider?s address. Ulster Wildlife Trust is encouraging voters to bypass this and register multiple votes via other computers, mobile phones and other internet accessible devices.

The world has changed. The UK protectionist organisations do not have the government support they used to have. But we have to make our voice heard. Looking at the big picture this may appear to be a small battle, but if we win it, it will motivate further battles and more wins.

Please do please email as many people as you can to ask them to visit the Marine Task Force website and vote NO.

Please also post threads on shooting or angling forums you are members of, if they haven?t had this topic covered.

Regards,

Conor.

Dr Conor O'Gorman
Policy Development Manager
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation
BASC, Marford Mil

The eagerly anticipated Imperial Meeting Early Entry Draw results are as follows:

First: PETER HOBSON (RNTRC) - receives 100% refund of entry fees

Second: MATTHEW CHARLTON (Old Guildfordians RC) - receives 50% refund of entry fees

Third: MJ LIDGITT (Durham University) - receives 25% refund of entry fees

Congratulations to you all!

Brian Thomas

Between 22/04/2012 18.00pm - 26/04/2012 07.00, two antique guns were stolen from a workshop in Chelmsford. This was by suspect unknown entering through a side window. These two guns in the photos are pretty much the same as the stolen ones.
There are some slight differences and unique markings; as detailed below.

1. 1865 muzzle loading match rifle. It has RIGBY written down the barrel but on the breach plug it says Whitworths.
The number E706 is on the breach plug.
The sights on the front and back have been removed.

Specific uniqness about this gun is that there is engraving on the lock plate.
This is of Sheaves (corn heads) and a curled up dog with a crown on. (like a coat of arms) - this was specific to the owner in the 1800's.
All put together ist is 4 and half foot tall.

2. 1827-1826 muzzle loading shot gun make: Springfield 5ft tall.
It is missing its lock which the owner was repairing and it would take an extremely skilled person to replace it.
The barrel is held on by 3 spring bands

Guns worth £10,500 as a pair.

If any person has any information or see them for sale please call ESSEX POLICE reference "0265 of 26.04.12" and ask for PC 71297 Harrison. if a person is on the scene at the time, please ask for local police to attend asap!

Photo of a pair of similar guns

http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/Calendar/events.asp?site=NRA&id=2880

For Entry forms, Covering letters, Marker forms and Nominal roll forms click here

The British Shooting Sports Council
QUARTERLY REPORT, JANUARY-MARCH 2012

To download, click here

Peter Griggs from the Ibis was close behind and his score included a fine 50.4 at 1100.

The under-19 competition was won by Oliver Lyon from Wellington College (a current Atheling), who scored a fine 50.10 at 300.

Download Results

Download FO Results

Download FTR Results

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 7 April 2012 plus the League summary is available to download below.

Download results (pdf)

We are selling places on these courses at a reduced Sport England sponsored price of £45 instead of the normal price of £125.

Please contact Maureen Peach on 01483.797777 ext.149 for further details.

Click here to download the Prize List.

Click here to download the Full Results List.

Click here to download the Mini McQueen Results.

TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT ARE NOW SOLD OUT

There are a limited number of tickets available to members of the NSRA, NRA or the BICTSF Home Associations.
If you would like to apply, please complete the form and e mail to sarah.daly@britishshooting.org.uk in excel format.
Stamped addressed envelope to be sent to your NGB (BICTSF/NSRA/NRA) for the tickets to be posted back to you.
The good news is, there is no charge for the tickets!

Applicants must be a member of the NSRA, NRA or the BICTSF Home Associations.

Download the Application Form here

Sedbergh School is recruiting a Shooting Coach to start in September 2012

For more details click here

BUTT ZERO R.O.T

On Saturday 31st March

Butt Zero will be available to hire by the hour, Slots are available for morning and afternoon.

Please speak to the Range Office to book your place.
01483 797777 Ext. 152

Click here for details of the position.

Click here for details of the position.

The results for the Spring Target Shotgun Festival held on 18 January 2012 are available to download below

Download results for each stage

Download overall results

Download results (pdf)

Download results (Excel)

Download League results to date

The 2012 edition of the Bisley Bible is available for download on the website by clicking the links below.

The 2013 Edition is being printed and will be available to buy shortly before 29 March.

Main Bisley Bible - Download

Imperial Competitions - Download

Daily Programme - Download

Index - Download

The Gallery Rifle and Pistol Handbook 2012 has been completed and is available for download as below:

Download Gallery Rifle and Pistol Handbook

Download Phoenix Meeting Booklet

Hard copies of the booklet are currently being printed and will be available from the NRA in approximately two weeks.

Download Results

The NRA Council met yesterday, 9th February, and wish to express their complete support for Nigel Penn in his preparations for the 2013 West Indies Tour and Australia Match.

We will extend every support to him and look forward to his and his team's success. We would like the entire shooting community to join together in supporting him to win in the West Indies and retain the Australia Match.

Derrick Mabbott

Acting Chief Executive

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 5 February 2012 are available to download below.

Download results for 5 Feb.

From 2010, the NRA has made the rules and regulations of the Association available for download on the website. A handy printed version is still available for purchase from the NRA.
Links for the various sections are listed below:

Main Bisley Bible - Download
Imperial Competitions - Download
Daily Programme - Download
Index - Download

Previously I have described to you that we had made a number of staff redundant and were putting a number of other staff at risk of redundancy. We have continued that process with a number of staff given notice of redundancy in January. I will not list those staff here as it is a private matter for them and in any event, the process is not wholly complete at this time. Clearly this is a difficult time for the organisation and in particular those individuals.

By the time this process is complete, we will have reduced the staff establishment from 62 in June 2011 to 50. This is a very substantial change in organisation and has been weighted towards non-customer-facing roles so as to minimise the impact on our delivery to Members and other customers.

In order to further minimise that impact on our ability to deliver to our customers, and to eliminate inconsistencies between staff, I am changing staff terms and conditions. Previously some staff were on a 35 hour week, whilst others were on a 40 hour week. Once we introduce new staff contracts, all staff will be on a standard 40 hour week. This will be without any increase in pay. I will also be introducing a rota for managers (including myself) such that there is always a manager on duty during shooting hours at the weekend. This will be to address any issues from customers at the weekend.

I hope that you will therefore understand that the Trustees and the staff are serious in our efforts to restore the position of the NRA. These are very substantial and painful changes and we are determined that they will be successful.

It is not, however, enough. Eliminating our financial deficit is our first objective, but we must generate a sufficient surplus to finance our strategic objectives both at Bisley and in the wider national landscape. Rebuilding our facilities at Bisley and supporting the development of facilities elsewhere costs money and 'break-even' hardly meets this need.

Consequently we have approved a series of price increases which average 10% for 2012, although almost 5% of this simply reflects current inflation levels. Full details are on the website. Clearly these will not be welcomed, and indeed we are implementing them with great reluctance. It is difficult to see how we can avoid this. We have taken cuts in the wage bill as far as we can, we are going through the rest of our cost base as aggressively as possible, but need to be mindful of continuing to deliver to you. We are looking to increase non-shooting revenues wherever possible but recessionary pressures constrain that. Equally many of those opportunities would conflict with the shooting calendar. That leaves us with the unpalatable but necessary step of increasing our prices.

We will continue to keep you posted with the changes we are initiating, and I very much hope that we will be able to start giving you good news soon.

Derrick Mabbott
Acting Chief Executive

The BSSC team of Colin Greenwood (Gun Trade Association), Ken Hocking (Muzzle Loaders Association), Matt Perring (BASC) and Secretary David Penn entered into discussions with HSE in 2011 as part of the latter's ongoing review of explosives controls.

Under the Explosives Act 1875, an individual was allowed to possess, for private use, 30 pounds of black powder (now 15 kilos), this being the weight of the contents of a standard powder barrel. This was later modified to allow possession without having to register the premises of either 15 kilos of black powder or 10 kilos of black and 5 kilos of smokeless powder, proportions that hardly reflected today's predominant use of smokeless for reloading.

BSSC was able to negotiate a considerable improvement for the reloader without in any way disadvantaging the muzzle-loader or re-enactor. The 2012 exemption allows possession without registering the premises of 15 kilos of 'shooter's powder' comprising any proportion of black and smokeless powders from 15 kilos of black to 15 kilos of smokeless.

Existing controls relating to acquisition and transportation of black powder remain unchanged.

Points to note
MSER Certificate of Exemption No 1 of 2012 exempts any person who stores shooter's powders within the quantity permitted in the certificate from the requirement of regulation 10(1) of MSER in relation to that storage.

The exemption certificate does not replace the existing provisions of regulation 10(2)(b) of MSER, it is an alternative and is subject to certain conditions. Where the exemption is used, it is in substitution for the provisions provided in regulation 10(2)(b), not in addition to them.

Persons storing shooter's powders under the exemption can store up to a total of 15kg of black powder, smokeless powder or a mixture of both. They can also store up to 15kg of percussion caps, small arms ammunition or a mixture of both.

The exemption only permits the combination and quantities of explosives specified in the exemption certificate. It does not permit the storage of any other explosives at the site, including those articles in Schedule 1 of COER.

If a person requires explosives other than in the quantities and combination specified in the exemption, they cannot use the exemption and must comply with the provisions of regulation 10 of MSER.

All shooter's powder (whether stored under the exemption or not) should be stored safely and securely in accordance with the guidance in the MSER Approved Code of Practice.

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 7 January 2012 are available to download below

Download results for 7 Jan.

Clearly this matter has generated a good deal of emotion, and I have to say some inaccurate statements about Council's decisions as well as the proper decision-making procedures. Nevertheless, Council is not deaf to the representations that have been made and has taken advice from members of General Council and past captains of GB teams.

As a consequence, Council will take the time to review the matter at their next meeting on 27 January.

In the circumstances the Council believes that any proposed change to their decision on 16 December should only be made after discussion at a full meeting of the Council with all of its members present. Two members of the Council are abroad until 24 January, therefore an earlier meeting is not possible.

We will communicate our decision as soon as possible after that date.

Derrick Mabbott
Acting Chief Executive and Secretary General

29 July SH003 Skeet W Q+F, 10m Air Pistol W Q

1 Aug SH007 25m Pistol W Q+F

Please e-mail Sarah Daly for information and a booking form

Download Results

Please click here to download the Eulogy from his funeral.

Download shooting charges

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 4 December are available to download below

Download results for 4 Dec.

Download results for league to date.

Urban Contact Match
Reflexive Fire Match
McQueen 100x Standing Snaps
McQueen 200x Prone Snaps

Entry forms for the event being held on Saturday 7 January are now available by clicking below.

(Sorry, Sold Out)

Clearly, any damage sustained will be down to the driver and we will accept no responsibility in this instance.

We have set up a special e-mail address which you can access by clicking on this link Security , which we would like you to use to give us your feedback. Alternatively you can write to us at Security Trial, NRA, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0PB.

When you sign up, you will receive an email in response. Please note that your vote will not count until you respond to that email.

Please click on the link below to sign the petition.

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/360

Download the latest NRA Newsletter here

Download details

All these dates and further details can also be found on the Marksmans Calendar.

Please contact the Training Department by clicking here , for further details or to book your course.

The National Clay Shooting Centre will be closed 24 to 27 December inclusive and will also be closed on New Years Day.

Download Results

The current CSR league results can be downloaded below:

Download League Results

Friday 11 November
Saturday 12 November (am only)
Sunday 13 November

Download F Open Results

Download FTR Results

Download Team Results

Please note that these are Excel spreadsheets with each individual prize list as a separate work sheet (see tabs at the bottom)

Download Results

Download Results

Download Prize List

Full results are available to download below.

Download Results

For further details, download the advert here and the Job Description here

Chris's many friends will be sad to learn that he slipped away on 16th October, after a protracted battle with prostate cancer. He was just 59.

His Funeral will take place at Mountsett Crematorium, Dipton, Stanley, Co.Durham (DH9 9JP) at 12.30pm on Thursday 27th October.

There will be a 'wake' to follow, to which all are invited.

Congratulations to Richard Jeens, of Great Britain, who has won the 2011 World Long Range Individual Championship at the Belmont Shooting Complex, Brisbane, Australia with a score of 725-49 and to David Luckman , also of Great Britain, who (after a shoot out with Andre Du Toit of South Africa) received the Bronze Medal.

The original field contained 374 competitors from 7 countries.

The latest information is available here.

October 5 - The Board of British Shooting has today announced the appointment of John Harris as its first independent chairman.

Click here for details

The results for the Civilian Service Rifle match held at Bisley on 8 October are available to download below

Download results for 8 October

Results from the 2011 City / Hertfordshire / RNTRC Open are available by clicking below

Download Results for The Arkhill

Download Results for The Barker

Download Results for The Cornish

Download Results for The Freemantle

Download Results for The City Open

Download Results for The RNTRC Open

Download Results for The Saturday Aggregate

Download Results for The Sunday Aggregate

Download Results for The City Closed

Download Results for The Hertfordshire Open

Download Results for The Bee Challenge Cup

If there are any outstanding queries regarding the stats please feel free to direct them to Adam McCullough at city@targetrifle.org

Download Results

A report, photos and results can be found by clicking the link below.

http://www.mlagb.com/bisley2011/index.htm

Entry forms for the event being held on Saturday 8 October are now available by clicking below.

Download Entry Form

It will be a short, unaccompanied tour to shoot the DCRA Meeting only. This is so that we do not exclude potential applicants by time away from family or work and it should help considerably in keeping the costs down. The expected dates are 13 - 26 Aug 2013.

The closing date for applications is the end of the Imperial Meeting 2012 however early applications would be appreciated, with the final team announced Sep 2012. I am looking to take a strong team for a successful and enjoyable tour with a good mix of new and old caps.

Those who relish this challenge, please apply to me by e-mail by clicking here with the following information: name, e-mail address and telephone number. I will then send you an application form.

Chris Fitzpatrick

The results for the Gallery Rifle National Championships 2011 are available to download below:

Download Full Results

Download Prize List

Download Janes Wicked Wheel Results

London 2012 Ceremonies has begun the search to recruit volunteer performers to participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Performing in front of a live audience of 70,000 and a broadcast audience of more than one billion people this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of one of the largest events ever staged in the UK.

Artistic Directors, Danny Boyle and Kim Gavin are searching for 10,000 volunteer performers to fill roles as dancers, percussionists and general all-round performers in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies respectively. To be eligible you must be aged 18 years or older on 1 March 2012 and able to meet the commitments for rehearsals. Performing opportunities for Under 18s will be facilitated through a separate process, with details to be announced at a later date.

To find out how to apply to audition for this once in a lifetime opportunity and for full details on the commitments involved - please follow the link below.

http://www.london2012.com/ceremoniescasting

Download Results for the 2011 Open AJ Le Gresley Bowl

Download Results for the 2011 Open Ann Street Aggregate

Download Results for the 2011 Open Crill Aggregate

Download Results for the 2011 Open Grand Aggregate - final result

Download Results for the 2011 Open Grand Aggregate - Over 60s

Download Results for the 2011 Open Grand Aggregate - Over 65s

Download Results for the 2011 Open Jersey VIII Stage 3

Download Results for the 2011 Open Junior Grand Agg.pdf

Download Results for the 2011 Open Mallett long range agg

Download Results for the 2011 Open Townsend Aggregate

Download Results for the 2011 Open Upton

Download Results for the 2011 Team match details with full scores

Download Results for the 2011 Team match

A fuller list is on our website

In the afternoon, John Warburton won the Governor General's Prize with a perfect score of 300 ex 300 - he has previously been second on two occassions!

Full results available below
http://www.dcra.ca/results/2011/CFRC/index.htm

Download Suggestions

Download Results

Download Final Results

Download details

2012 - Saturday 7 July to Saturday 21 July (Queen's Final)

2013 - Saturday 6 July to Saturday 20 July (Queen's Final)

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

And with that I progress to my usual closing nonsense. As the guillotine of time descends to sever the ballistical flight path of success, we follow the chair of fame to the watering holes of iniquity while the cannons of Adanac salute the passing Ignipotens on the path of tradition. So we say farewell to the pilgrimage, to meet again one year hence in the year of Olympicus to do it all again. Au Revoir.

The first task on arriving home was to mow the lawn, which had grown to a considerable height and lushness thanks to the weather. And that is my first reflection. I cannot recall a Bisley Meeting when the rain persisted and fell on so many days. I can remember Bisley Meetings with a day or two of heavy rain, and I can remember parched brown landscapes with an ineffective shower. But it is beyond my recollection to remember so many days of rain of all sorts: torrents, showers, mizzle and the rest. No doubt someone with nothing better to do and no life to lead can correct me.

All credit then to the shooters for their good humour and perseverance, and for their high scoring. Glyn Barnett's effort in setting his new Grand record of just three off for the eleven matches in the murk and wet is all the more remarkable. All credit also to the markers who, from my perspective, did an altogether first rate job with sodden targets in filthy cold conditions.

My second observation is the wind. For the last few years a new pattern has emerged. Back in the old days, by which I mean the '70s through to the turn of the last century, we had come to expect a Meeting with gentle zephyrs from the left on warm days, and that was standard. Now the left wind is of a more unpredictable nature, sometimes brisk and cold and altogether more trying. Suddenly it changes into a playful head-on monster lashing its tail and making the occasional furious onslaught as on this last Queen's Final day. Having said that, the first days of the Meeting were not overly difficult, if you ignored the rain, and there was some high scoring.

Third, the ammunition was again good. There were a number of ties with 50.10s, but they were manageable. I am not going to do my elementary statistics in this summary: that must wait for the edited version of this diary in the next Journal - if I am asked to do so. Suffice it to say that I think that there are as yet insufficient ground for target size tinkering. That is my view: others may disagree.

Fourth, thinking of Ed Compton's success, something borrowed (jacket and sweatshirt and possibly socks) something blue (the hat), something old (the rifle) something new (the winner) and so on. The greatest grin on the Common (surpassing Tremmers) got bigger.

So what impression does the Meeting leave in general. Many people asked why the entry was down, as the Chairman indicated at the Umbrella Tent meeting. To me it is simple. The UK is still in an uncertain economic state and employment loss has had an effect, as had the need for the self-employed to hold tight to their customer base by responding to offers of work. Add to that the escalating cost of our sport, and you have the answer.

The solution to the NRA's latest problems does not lie, in my humble opinion, in loading the participants further. It lies in an imaginative response to the use of facilities, continuing work already done. Possibly it lies in reconsidering the structure of the Bisley Meeting itself. Do we do too little in too long a time? How can we reduce the cost of each shot? Is there room for competitors that wish to do so to mark, with the option of buying out (as in past times) with Stickledown excepted? I shall not mention self-supplied ammo ? oops, sorry. Keep the playing field as level as possible. There must be more ideas than these rather obvious few. If you have some I would suggest that you write or email the NRA accordingly. I am not sure what name to suggest.

Download Results

30 year old Ed Compton of the Sussex Rifle Association has won the Queen's Prize on an afternoon of tempestuous head on winds that wrought havoc with the field on the Stickledown Hill. With the wind at the start of the shoot veering in from one and two oclock and then switching either side of the flags for most of the afternoon, many competitors were to visit far-flung parts of the target. David Luckman led after 900 yards with Compton and Rupert Riley sitting on his shoulder. Luckman and Riley had carried through 150s from stage II and Compton 149. Compton was squadded 2 & 2 in the centre of the range, Luckman on range 1 moving up the hill to 3, and Riley on 4 moving all the way down to range 0 at 1000 yards.

Luckman fell away at 1000, but both Compton and Riley were level pegging at 3 off for most of the 1000 yard shoot. In the end they were level on 297 points but Compton had 35 centrals to Riley's 30. In third place was Parag Patel two point behind but with 41 centrals and in fourth Jim Corbett of Australia. Yesterday afternoon Compton had been finishing fitting a kitchen for a customer in Woking. Today he the pipes were playing for him.

Compton had only shot in the St Georges and the Queen's Prize this meeting. Today he borrowed Glyn Barnett's shooting jacket in which Barnett had twice won the Prize. The jacket is now GM3.

HM The Queen's Prize (900 & 1000yds): 1. E Compton (Sussex) 297.35; 2. R Riley (ATSC) 297.30; 3. P Patel (Old Epsomians) 295.41; 4. J Corbett (AUS) 295.39.

St Georges Vase (900yds): 1. Patel 150.22/23.1; 2. J Rankin (Surrey) 150.22/22.1; 3. D Dyson (Huddersfield) 150.21.

St Georges Vase: 1. P Patel (Old Epsomians) 150.22/23.1; 2. J Rankin (Surrey RA) 150.22/22.1; 3. D Dyson (Huddersfield) 150.21.

Donaldson Memorial (1000yds): 1. S Shouler (Langar) 75.12/25.3; 2. D Richardson (Jersey) 75.12/24.2; 3. D Calvert (RAFTRC) 75.11.

Mackinnon (900 & 1000yds): 1. 1156.126 (G Barnett 98.7); 2. Ireland 1141.116 (D Calvert 99.8); 3. Jersey 1132.100 (D Richardson 97.15).

Well, the end is fast approaching and, believe it or not, we had no rain today. Indeed the Thursday night was quite cold and the skies this morning were blue and clear, and cold. That was mainly due to a shift in the wind direction to give us a nasty little fish tail from the North East. At 0830 the air was not warm enough for a distinct mirage but it quickly appeared.as the Kolapore and other events moved on. However, the overcast moved in towards mid-day for the Queen's second stage in the afternoon and the later Donaldson Memorial Final.

In the Kolapore Great Britain did what was expected of them, as did Messrs Luckman and Barnett with 150 apiece. Jersey produced another fine effort to take second place seven points behind with Canada third 14 points down. At the cheaper end of the range the Junior Kolapore produced a fine tussle between the Dutch and the Normans. The Dutch led the Windies by one with the Normans trailing by three more at 300. After 500 the Normans pulled back two points on the Dutch and to within one of the Windies. At 600 the Normans reversed the lead to win by a single point from the Dutch while the Windies struggled. That last Norman shot from Maeve Ginestet was really important.

So to the afternoon and the second stage of the Queen's Prize. It resulted in a tie between two Davids, Luckman of Sedgmoor and Nuthall of Old Epsomians, both with 150.24. The cut was 157.20, four for one place. The tie shoots went to Nuthall and to Steve Thomas of Central Bankers. who goes into the final at 100th. I am not sure of the result of the Donaldson Memorial but I am told it went to a tie with two competitors on 75.12. We will just have to remain on tenterhooks until the website publishes the result or I find out first.

That is it for this evening. Food calls. Tomorrow we have St Georges final, Mackinnon and Queen's III. Will we have conditions that might lead to a new record to beat Philip Bennison and Jim Paton? Who knows? Next thrilling instalment tomorrow.

It has been a long day, with Prince of Wales, National Match and Georges II, starting at 8.00am and finishing at around 7.00pm for those that had to tie shoot. First the prince of Wales, the last shoot in the Grand, of which you have had a prior notification. The PoW was not won by anyone, there being ten folks tied on 75.14. They tie shoot tomorrow. Glyn Barnett is the new Grand title holder with his new record score. David Luckman maintained station in second place with Alexander Coetzee of South Africa third and Jim Corbett of Australia fourth.

And so to the first of the major team match sessions. The national Match saw the Scots overturn England for the second year in succession in a thrilling match in which England led after 300 yards by 4 points, the Scots over took by 1 point at 500 yards, and then increased their lead to three points at 600 yards. Congratulations to Lindsey Peden and his team. Ireland were third six points behind and Wales fourth.

I do not have the precise details of the St Georges second stage to hand because I was involved and the cards had not yet been crunched by stats. However, I do know that Jim Corbett of Australia produced a terrific 150.30 to win the silver cross, and that the cut was 149.17 ex 150 to go through to the final on Saturday. Some seven or so were tie-shooting for one place. That was high scoring on a murky evening, thankfully rain free in the large part throughout the day. 148.15 was simply not enough.

As is usual the end of the Grand produces a host of aggregates and concurrent competitions all of which are on the results section of the website. There are too many to list here. Tomorrow brings the Kolapore and Qyueen's II. More then.

A quick visit t0 the diary this morning to post two bits of news.

First, Glyn Barnett of Old Greshams Rifle Establishment has just won the Grand Aggregate after scoring 75.10 in the Prince of Wales. No one can catch him. This is his second Gold Cross and his score of 702.92 is a new record for the eleven match course of fire beating Parag Patel's old record of 700.

Second, it appears that a block of Queen's I cards failed to get computed yesterday and there may be changes to the 300 to shoot the second stage and the cut off score.

Finally, apologies to Daniel Richardson for renaming him David and thereby creating an identity crisis. More later.

HM Queen?s Prize (Stage 1, 300,500 & 600yds): 1. Four way tie for the Bronze Badge: E. Jeens, A Haley, T Greengage & C Watson all 105.19. Cut for 2nd stage: 103.12.

Conan Doyle (900yds): Four way tie for first place: J Paton (CAN), D Coleman (NLRC), P Patel (Old Epsomians) & ARH Jones (SCRA) all 50.10. There were 152 scores of 150.

County Long Range (900 & 1000yds): 1. Surrey 594.89(J Underwood 199.17); 2. Hertfordshire 591.72 (P Daw 100.17); 3. Norfolk 588.74 (A Ringer 100.17).

Short Range Aggregate: 1. J Webster (Uppingham Veterans) 210.31; 2. J Deane (Dursley) 210.30; 3. D Richardson (Jersey) 210.29.

An early lightening of the skies with a light overcast, and some blue patches, was there to greet us but we need some good sun to warm us up and dry us out. Under foot everything is squelchy. On the menu today are Queen's I and the Conan Doyle (900yds). Whether we get rain later on remains to be seen but the forecast last night suggested showers moving through from about 1300hrs. On a different note, I am much obliged to Eddie Stigant in South Africa for the information that FWA Coetzee is in fact an Alexander, which name I shall be happy to use given the chance in the remaining shoots. I hope that the daily reports bring back a few memories for him and other RSA visitors here.

The rain arrived fitfully at about 1300hrs, as the forecast had said it would. It was light and sporadic for the first few details of the 600yds section of QI, but at 1745 it has now turned into a steady and more penetrating shower that continues as I type, although the volume of noise on the tin roof is diminishing but not stopping. QI has been a relatively easy shoot in terms of wind, and I expect a relatively high cut in the mid or upper 103s. There are details yet to shoot and the great secret will not be revealed until later. It is a late running day.

I can fill in the Counties long range result while we wait. Surrey posted 594.89 to average a fraction over 99.13 for their six firers over 900 and 1000 yards. Hertfordshire were second on 591.72, and Norfolk third with 588.74, all despite the torrential rain at 900 and a stygian blackness at 1000. John Webster, captain of the GB Palma team took the Short Range Aggregate with a clean 210.31, just one central ahead of John Deane of Dursely and two ahead of David Richardson of Jersey RC.

You will have to wait on tenterhooks for the rest. I will attempt to post it later tonight with a summary set of results.

Tuesday is an odd day, with just one match counting towards the Grand and a hectic afternoon and evening of county, overseas and inter services matches. It started promisingly enough with light overcast even allowing the odd glimpse of sun for the first stage of the St Georges, fifteen shots at 300 yards. But all the time the blacker clouds were building during the late morning to release their contents with explosive force at the start and middle of the counties' short range and then during the 900 yard phase of counties' long.

The St Georges looked like a chance for 75 but the gentle breeze did switch from left to right at moments, so catching out those in the aim. Jim Corbett from Benalla, Australia produced a perfect 75.15, chased home by R Scott of West Atholl and G Ogden of Yorkshire on 75.14. One other shooter managed 70.14, sadly with an inevitable central on the next door target.

Counties' short emerged from the rainstorm with London just edging out Surrey by one point with Ed Jeens of London and his coach managing 100 with all 20 shots in the central ring. The shooters trecked from Century to Stickledown and as they started the match so another rainstorm hit. I am afraid that I missed the results and it most likely will not be posted with all the other long range matches until tomorrow. In between the counties' affairs we had the Times tie shoot for their challenge cup. Guy Larcombe and Jeremy Tuck were the contestants, with Tuck taking the prize by 24.3 to 23.1, Larcombe unfortunately collecting a magpie high left for his second counting shot.

There is no change at the top in the Grand with all three of the leaders making maximum 75s in the St Georges. Barnett leads by 2 points from Luckman and Coetzee who are separated by 4 centrals. As I finish putting this together the latest shower finishes its tattoo on the roof. I dare not look at the forecast for tomorrow.

St Georges (1st stage, 300yds): 1. J Corbett (AUS) 75.15; 2. R Scott (West Atholl) 75.14; 3. G Ogden (Yorkshire RC) 75.14. Cut for 2nd stage: 73.9.

Grand Aggregate (after 8 ex 11 events): 1. G Barnett (OGRE) 472.59; 2. D Luckman (Sedgmoor) 470.67; 3. F Coetzee (RSA) 470.63; 4. T Steele (Ulster) 469.56.

Stock Exchange Aggregate: 1. W Richards (Gunroom Lizards) 174.22; 2. Steele 174.21; P Bain (Explorers) 174.18.

The Belgian: 1. Jersey Royals 687.78; 2. Manydown Green 682.76; 3. Dorking & District 682.67.

Times Challenge Cup: Tie shoot result: 1. J Tuck (RNTRC) 24.3; 2. G Larcombe (Old Epsomians) 23.1.

County Championship (Short Range 300 & 600yds): 1. London 792.118 (E Jeens 100.20); 2. Surrey 791.113 (P Patel 100.18); 3. Norfolk 791.106 (G Barnett & A Ringer 100.18). Apologies for the lateness of this report: it was ready yesterday early evening but the website gremlin had struck again and thrice I lost the whole upload. Fortunately I keep the scribblings in another programme so it is the punctuation and such things that have to be edited, which may sometimes explain the odd question mark that appears in place of apostrophes etc. This is the fourth attempt.

Gallery Rifle & Pistol Shooting Discipline Representative
Mr Neil Francis

Northern Region Representative
Mr Guy Trembath

It is now a bit after 1130 and I have just escaped from a refuelling stop at Sainsburys. Whatever forecast you look at you get the impression that more rain will be with us at some point during the day. The wind remains brisk and West or North-Westerly which makes it pretty cold for the back end of July. Two to three minutes left seems to be the order of the day in the Times at 300 yards. I have not yet had contact with anyone from over the hill for their assessment. I hope to add to today?s diary as we go along so a mid afternoon posting might appear, or not, as the case may be.

Some of you might have had difficulties in accessing the NRA website yesterday. There was a glitch of some sort and I am assured by those that mend such things that it should be working now. More later. Unfortunately I was unable to post the above because of the glitch, but this has now been cured. Generally speaking the day has turned out overcast, breezy but rain free, until the last details of the Corporation and Wimbledon. Precisely at 5.15pm the black clouds let loose their contents and down on Century as I waited the CRO Tony Clayton had the very good sense and pity to delay the start. The torrents continued for about 15 minutes after which we shot in stygian gloom and occasional spits and spots of rain. The rain returned just after shooting finished at around 6.30pm.

The prime beneficiary today has been Glyn Barnett who, with seven of the eleven events completed, has jumped up the Grand Agg list from fifth to first and holds a healthy two point lead over David Luckman. Parag Patel has also made great strides, from 34th to eighth. FW Coetzee of RSA and Simon Shouler lie third and fourth. The Corporation (1000yds) went to Parag with 50.9 in the breezes but the Times (300yds) produced 50.10s from Guy Larcombe of Old Epsomians and Jeremy Tuck of RNTRC. They shoot it out tomorrow. There is a six way tie in the Wimbledon (600yds) that will involve H Sanders, A Smith, Sandy Walker, Peter Griggs, Paul kent and M Frost. You can find their full details on the results lists.

Returning to the Times, there were 117 scores of 50, down on last year from memory, the lowest being a highly skilled 50.1 from Charlie Clifford Evans of OGRE, who spoiled her bid for the golden washer award by scoring a V bull with her eighth shot. Tony Clayton has also told me of a shooter who, after the delay to the final Wimbledon detail because of the rain had been announced, came over to him to say thet "Those are the kindest words I have heard in all my time of coming to Bisley". It warms the cockles of your heart, and something has to, so cold has it been.

More tomorrow.

Corporation (1000yds): 1. P Patel (Old Epsomians) 50.9; 2. T Green (LMRA) 50.7; 3. J Haward (Devon RA) 50.6.

Wimbledon (600yds): 1. Six way tie to be resolved for 1st place

Times Challenge Cup (300yds): Tie to be shot between G Larcombe (Old Epsomians) and J Tuck (RNTRC) 50.10; 3. P Bromley (Old Sedberghians) 50.9.

Monday Aggregate: 1. A Walker (Old Framlinghamians) 150.21; 2. Green 150.18; 3. G Barnett (OGRE) 149.18.

Grand Aggregate (after 7 ex 11 comps): 1. Barnett 397.47; 2. D Luckman (Sedgmoor) 395.54; 3. F Coetzee (RSA) 395.50.

Donegal (300yds): Tie shoot result: 1. Patel 25.5; 2. J Pugsley 25.3.

I am going to lay it out a bit differently tonight, to include a summary list of main matches that have been concluded today. You can of course see the full results for each match on the NRA website.

But first the weather, just to prove that we have nothing else to talk about. Metcheck, in my humble view, may have understated the days wind and rain. Those expecting a gentle early start at 900 yards walked into a blustery Westerly wind that swung and blasted in equal measure. A corrected plot on the 0830 detail revealed a spread form 7 to 11 minutes left. Those that felt that it was their turn to go dry were also sadly disappointed. Heavy rain squalls moved through frequently with one downpour just after lunch being of a torrential nature for a good few minutes. The forecast for the next few days does not look much better.

Despite all this there was some high scoring with David Luckman and Peter Bromley contriving to drop only one point on the day. In fact they have dropped only that single point in the four events of the Grand Aggregate thus far, and are being harried by Jim Corbett, FW Coetzee, Glyn Barnett, Toby Raincock, and Ian Davison all only two off. It is a tight board with the top 81 covered by 5 points.

What else has caught the eye? George Cotton of Horsham recovered from missing his tie-shoot yesterday to win the Alexandra outright with 50.9. Jeremy Tuck (Royal Navy TRC) and Paul Kent (Old Epsomians) were inseperable with the best and entirely matching 50.8s in joint second place. Over on the hill Miss S P Ward of the Welsh RA snatched the Duke of Cambridge with the only 50.10, ahead of Paul Kent and FW Coetzee of South Africa.

Tomorrow we have the Times, The Wimbledon and the Corporation. The latter could destroy many a hope if the weather goes on like this. Food calls. Here are the very basic listings.

Grand Aggregate (after four events): 1. D Luckman (Sedgmoor RPC) 249.36; 2. P Bromley (Old Sedberghians) 249.26; 3. J Corbett (AUS) 248.34; 4. F Coetzee (RSA).

Alexandra Cup (600yds): 1. G Cotton (Horsham) 50.9; 2=: J Tuck (RNTRC) & P Kent (O Epsomians) 50.8.

Saturday Aggregate: 1. D Luckman (Sedgmoor) 174.24; 2. N Mace (Guernsey) 174.19; 3. J Warburton (Huddersfield) 174.19.

Daily Mail (500yds): 1. Corbett 75.14; 2. J Warburton (Huddersfield) 75.12; 3. A Ogilvie (NLRC) 75.12.

Duke of Cambridge (900yds): 1. S Ward (Welsh RA) 50.10; 2. P Kent (Old Epsomians) 50.9; 3. Coetzee 50.8.

Sunday Aggregate: 1. Luckman 174.24; 2. Bromley 174.15; 3. J Messer (NLRC) 173.27.

The NSWRA have started a petition to help save the range. The NRA are in full support of this and ask all our members to visit the link below and sign the petition.

For UK supporters please enter ten zeros (0000000000) in both telephone numbers as it won't accept UK numbers.

http://www.nswra.org.au/pages/Anzac-Range.html

No, they (Metcheck) did not get it wrong. The early details escaped but just about everyone got heavily wetted at some point today. Even as I type the last details of the Daily Telegraph are popping their way to a close in some brilliant evening sunshine. All around shooters are laying out kit to dry in the warmth.

The winds have been blustery throughout the day, with settled patches interrupted by sudden blasts and calms. The rain came in squalls, after an initial steady penetrating session around 1030. It was discomfort for all. Tomorrow's forecast is better, suggesting broken sunshine and occasional showers, increasing to rain in the evening.

Now to the shooting. First, a couple of corrections to my posting of yesterday. In the Astor a series of glitches by the stats computer mean that the winners were Old Guildfordians on 622.82, the Jersey RC on 622.80 and third Windsor on 622.79, all a lot tighter than reported. The second glitch was that Parag Patel and George Cotton will tie shoot for the Century both on 100.14. It should be happening any moment now if I heard right on the range. In fact it has just happened with parag the winner with a sigle bullseye (not even a central) to nil. If you can pick up the thread it means no Cotton.

The first of today's matches to complete was the 300yds Donegal, with John Pugsley of Exonia & Tiverton and Patel again tied with the only two 50.10s. Rich Steward of Old Epsomians was the best of ten 50.9s. The Lovell at 1000yds has resulted in a four way tie for first place between Ian Mollan of RAFTRC, the ever young Chris Belk of OCRA, Jon Cload of Cheltenham College (where he is I/c shooting, an A Barnes of Bedfordians all on 50.6. Wherever I use an initial instead of a first name it is only due to ignorance on my part.

So to the first counting match in the Grand Aggregate, The Daily Telegraph with 15 shots at 500yds. We have an outright winner in the form of DJ Tracey of LMRA with the only score of 75.15 from the last detail of the day. He outlasted Jon Webster of Uppingham Veterans on 75.14 and Tony Jones of SCRA on 75.13. By definition they now lead the Grand, a totally useless piece of information for you.

The Saturday Aggregate was taken by David Luckman with 174.24 five centrals ahead of Nick Mace of Guernsey and John Warburton of Huddersfield. The Tucker aggregate also went to Luckman on 248.30 with Warburton second on 246.30 and Chris Haley of Welsh RA third with 245.25.

That's it for this evening. The sun is still there but threatening black clouds are scudding through. I too got wet and had to abandon the Donegal with a malfunctioning rear iris and unable to see the target, subsequently to be discovered as the filter ring having been moved between holes - dumbell, and compounded by a shot on the next door target in the Telegraph. Not very clever really: probably through wondering where the next story was coming from. Clearly I need not have worried. Goodnight.

Bastille Day passed off remarkably well, as you already will have seen. The weather was good, if breezy and there was sun. So this morning's tentative peek out of the window seemed to get the message more of the same. Some high cloud came and went and reappeared, but generally it was another fine and breezy day. The winds did not seem easy, from the left swinging back and forth from around 7oclock towards 90clock, with more than enough change in strength and direction to send you to the magpie and outer at 900 in the warm-up Admiral Hutton.

Century range kicked off with the Astor Tankard, with the gentlefolk of Windsor Rifle Club on 623.79 engaged in a very tight contest with Old Guildfordians on 622.82 and Jersey RC with 622.80. I should also just record one of yesterday's results in the English Counties King George V Cup (I do not think it is on the NRA results page). Surrey again marched on through but not without a fright from Lancashire. The finish was 1. Surrey 1174.147; 2. Lancashire 1171.119; 3. Hampshire 1166.136.

The results of the Schools' Veterans appeared as well, after the usual chasing around for missing cards after the Black Thursday happenings. The A Team shield went to Uppingham Veterans after a stellar performance in which their team of five dropped but one point. But B, C and Aggregate went to the Marlburians in the final year of skipper Donald Anderson?s reign.

Back to today. A trip to the boards shows the Friday Aggregate was won by Sedgemoor's David Luckman with 149.18 from A Daw of Watford & District with Keith Pugh of the City of Newcastle third. The Hutton went to Peter Mathenge of Kenya with a 50.7 with John Warburton (Huddersfield) and Simon Belither (Uppingham Veterans) next on 50.7. Finally it was Old Epsomian surgeon Parag Patel who took the Century with 100.14, counting out George Cotton (Horsham) also on 100.14 with David Luckman third on 100.13.

I was somewhat delayed by mine host at the Shed prior to penning this report, and to him be thanks. I also tripped over a small luminescent green object that purports to be the way forward, an electric car called a G WIZ. It is just big enough to give the pilot and passenger a sense of living, inside the cab, and it can be plugged into the mains to recharge. This specimen was driven by J Hallahan Esq so quietly that I almost sat down on the bonnet by mistake as it snuck up behind me. Were you to leave it in the kitchen you might think that it was a new fashioned microwave. It looked fun.

So to the weather. Metcheck has it thus. It will rain tomorrow morning, and in the afternoon, and on every day up to Thursday of next week. It may vary from morning to afternoon, but it looks wet. Not quite what we wanted. Indeed, I hear the familiar tinkling on the roof as I type. Let us hope that they have got it forgivably wrong.

No less than Ashburton Shield day, masquerading as Black Thursday and the invasion of the veterans or, somewhat fortuitously, Bastille Day. The hairs on the old neck are prickling, as must have those of Bernard Rene all those 222 years ago. My scribbling colleague T Rex has just pointed out that 222 is as nothing compared with 60 million and a large meteorite.

The sun is, at 0742, crawling into a bright blue sky with some high dribbles of cloud gathering. The forecast by my ever dependable metcheck.com suggests that it will be partly cloudy all day with a breeze from the north-west. And as I look out of the window to accompaniment of the first poppings from Century, that is exactly how it is.

You obviously require me to hazard a guess at the front runners and I would nominate the usual suspects. Never discount Epsom: consider Wellington, The Oratory, Cheltenham, Sedbergh, and resurgent Sutton Valence and Ampleforth. I assume they are all in the start list that I have yet to see, but results across the early competitions suggest that good performances can be expected.

More later.....

This is later: Epsom have just won the Ashburton in thrilling fashion, dashing Cheltenham's hopes along the way. Epsom had to make 256 at 500 yards (last distance) to win meaning an average of 32 from their last four shooter - not an easy prospect in a devilish head on fishtail breeze. They did so with the last pair giving them the comfort of a final two point victory margin.

So it was Epsom 762.40, Cheltenham 760.46 and Wellington 752.41. I am signing off now for the rest of the Veterans' activities and will switch on again at some point tomorrow.

England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are slugging it out for the Elcho Shield over bowls of strawberries and cream even as I finger the keyboard, with Scotland rumoured to have the pre-prandial advantage. A trip from the command centre beckons on an overcast and breezy afternoon before they finish playing, but after one of those inevitable meetings that litter the way to one?s enjoyment.

Slightly later, and the Scots have made it three wins in a row over the auld enemie. This time the margin is but three points, but the first time since 1930, 31 32 that they have performed this feat. The Scotttish policy of building for the future to seamlessly replace the old guard has paid dividends, and the more credit to them.

Enough of the action on the ranges. We await to see what will happen over the next ten days. All the results are on the web-site.

The results of the Phoenix meeting are now available to download

Download Prize Lists

Download Full Results

Full results will be available later today.

http://www.yorkshire-ra.org.uk

So to meteorology: do I detect a change in the weather patterns over the last few years? Bisley used to be the height of summer and replete with balmy zephyrs and luxuriant sunshine, nothing too extreme to spoil the fun. Yes I know: you have all had your fair share of monsoons in the Corp and 'dead-flat-calm-except-when-I-shot the Times' details. The fact that 50.10s remain the limited exception rather than the rule seems to have been realised in the cessation of the 5 extra tie shots requirement when scoring a perfect ten shot highest possible score. This has been re-written in the rules - Bisley Bible 510/511).. Cue for a thirty shooter tie-shoot to test the systems?

But in these times although the rain might seem less - except for the boating lake Friday a few years ago - the winds have stirred things up nicely. The calm period has moved down wind to late August or September. Perhaps I am imagining it, but to any overseas visitor reading this while packing for the trip, make sure your sights can rotate to the left and right of centre.

So the 142nd Bisley Meeting approaches: I refuse point blank to nominate winners. Last year two DCs snagged the honours, messrs Calvert and Luckman. This year look to the runes for inspiration. I have not got a clue, and if I simply listed the usual suspects you will all cry 'boring'. Boring is for politicians and death watch beetle.

Which set me thinking about the scale of this meeting. How many other sports have as many as 1100 competitors in the entry list when they set out to determine the winner over a week of competition? Certain marathon runs do, of course, but that is a one day outing. The numbers drop to just over two hundred in cycling's Tour de France. I am not sure of the numbers in the qualifying stages of the Wimbledon tennis - before they ever get to the final 64 men and women at Wimbledon.

It seems to me that as a national championship contest the Bisley meeting is on a participative scale that takes some beating. Long may that continue.

Enough for now, this far ahead of the Meeting. I hope to be able to report again at the weekend when the Match Rifle is under way. T Rex has been spotted in the undergrowth sharpening his quill, and may from time to time feed in the odd bit of gossip.

First, a warm welcome to all those travelling to the Surrey Heathland from within and without the UK. As I tap away at the keyboard the Canadians (or some of them) have arrived in the form of a formidable advance guard including Scott Murray and Alain Marion. Good to see you both this early. And a warm welcome too to their next tranche, and the Kenyans (already on site) and anyone else from overseas who may arrive later. A warm welcome too for the followers in far flung parts who pore over these scribblings for signs of brilliance by their loved ones. It is always good to hear from you. What great expectations can little Pip have for this year? It is tempting to suggest that the greatest excitement up and down the country in the last few weeks will have been the sight of debits from your bank account that indicate a successful outcome to your plunge into the ballot for Olympic tickets - or not.. Alternatively the excitement may have come from watching the website link collapse as you wait for access to the subsequent losers draw - and all for a random allocation of a ticket to view a sport you have never even heard of. What a soap opera it has been.

However, I must not be too critical because I actually know someone who has got two tickets - she who must be obeyed applied for tickets on the first two days of the Dressage (ballet on horseback if you had any doubts) on the basis that they were a) cheap and b) likely to be less attractive than finals day. Wrong-ish on both counts even though one of them carried senior citizen rates. The odd thing is that you have no idea whatsoever where you will be sitting or of the way or cost of getting there. This is obviously the next most exciting thing about the process.

I also worked out that if you had a ticket costing, say, £450 for the mens' 100m dash final it means that the price is slightly more than £45 per second for the privilege. That is more than my plumber charges. Yet again I digress, but linger to note that shooting sold out in the first round of the ballot.

Back here on the Surrey heath all eyes will be on the performance of the chosen few who will be journeying on in September to the far off land of Australasia, there to scale the Palma tree and try to make it three in a row for GB. I suspect that they will not find it an easy task. Neither the hosts nor the USA will be lying down to have their tummies rubbed by the Brits. It is likely to be a fierce contest. We should not forget either the Veterans or the Under 25s, nor all those making the long trek to shoot as individuals in the run up to the team matches. The very best of good fortune to John Webster and his squad and all those others, and may it be a good hard contest.

We are in the third year of the reign of RUAG and by common consent the consistent performance of their product has contributed to happier faces than have been seen for many a year. However, that does not mean that the scoring has eclipsed everything seen before. Far from it: a decent little dollop of wind in the past two years has seen to that. What it does probably mean is that the playing field is more level - and that has to be a good thing. I have no doubt that there are others with differing and constructive points of view.

These results include the Scotland v USA FTR International Match, teams of six shooting 2+15 to count at 900, 1000 and 1100 yards - Scotland won the match with 1072.30 and USA scored 1050.34. The highest score was Paul Crosbie (Captain of the Scotland team) who scored 191.4. The team match was shot on Monday 4 July which is USA Independence Day.

Download Results

Download Results

The top prize is £250, with other prizes on offer, including prizes based on the Sunday, Monday and Wednesday Aggregates.

Each entry is just £2.50, with multiple entries encouraged by free entries:
Buy 2, get 1 free: £ 5.00 for 3 entries
Buy 3, get 2 free: £ 7.50 for 5 entries
Buy 4, get 4 free: £10.00 for 8 entries.

Download further details and an entry form here

Download Results

We have just received notice from the Army Rifle Association that, unfortunately, there will be no Beating of Retreat during this year's Imperial Meeting.

Download Results

The complete list of individual scores can be found by clicking on the link below

http://www.claytonchallenge.co.uk/cc11.html

Download Results

Download details

Download Accounts

Download R Jarvis Individual Match

Download Lt Col H Jones Match

Download Long Range Match

Download Team Aggregate

Download Results

The CLRA St George's Open Meeting results are available to download below

Download results

Download Results

http://www.flickr.com/photos/762_photo/sets/72157624289205476/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/762_photo/sets/72157626820466136/show/

Download Results

Download Results

Download Results

To allow this to occur, the previously notified Annual General Meeting due to take place at 5.30pm 10 June 2011, will be opened and immediately adjourned until 29 June 2011.

For further information please click here

To download the Agenda for the rescheduled AGM please click here

As of Monday 9 May 2011 all range hire must be paid in advance of shooting, in the Range Office. Payment for multi-day events can either be paid in advance of the first day or at the point of signing in at the Range Office on each day of shooting.

Failure to pay for range use in advance will result in forfeiture of the booking that will remain subject to NSC cancellation charge policy in place at the time. An administration fee will also be payable.

Official NRA teams using the NRA teams training grant will not be required to pay in advance of shooting and the normal invoicing process will apply. Each official team will be given a unique account number (e.g. GBC011) to which all invoices will be posted.

A small number of NRA affiliated clubs, associations and schools will be able to pay in arrears but only after a written agreement has been entered into, stipulating payment terms. This arrangement will be by prior agreement only, based on usage and payment history. Please contact Matthew Ensor to apply.

May we remind all customers that we no longer accept personal cheques as a form of payment for range hire. Cash and credit/debit card payments are the preferred form of payment.

We understand this change in policy will require some adaptation on our customers' part. We thank you all for your understanding and co-operation.

Download Results

Download summary

Download election results

Sunday 8th May AM @ 300 yds, PM @ 600 yds

Sunday 15th May AM @ 1000 yds, PM @ 600 yds

Please check target numbers with Range Office on the day.

Download Introductory document and proposed Agenda

The current Northern Regional Representative has resigned resulting in a vacancy for this position. We are asking therefore for any members interested in this post to put themselves forward as soon as possible.

Only persons who are Registered Individual Members of the Association and who have fully paid - up their subscriptions for 2011 by 31st March are eligible to be Candidates for election to the General Council and to be Proposers for such Candidates.

Eligibility for voting will be determined as at 30th April 2011 and nominations must be returned to the Secretary General by 5p.m. on this date.

Nomination forms for Candidates and Proposers and an explanation of the procedures for nominations are available from the Secretary General?s office.

Email: elaine.buttle@nra.org.uk
Tel: 01483 7797777 ext 126

Download Results

The tour will be approximately four weeks in duration in April/May 2013. We expect to visit Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica and Guyana, and we will participate in the West Indies Regional Championships. Details are to be finalised.

The team will be 16/18 strong comprising both experienced shooters and some new caps.

Shooters of county standard and above are invited to apply by emailing or writing to me at the address below before the end of the Imperial Meeting 2011. The Team will be announced in October. Spouses will be welcome to join the team for at least part of the tour.

Nigel W Penn
18 The Terrace, Little Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5ET
Email Nigel Penn
01223 842899

Download Results

All entries for the normal Early Entry Draw must be received by 1 May so enter now for your chance to win 100%, 50% or 25% of your entry fee back!

Download results for April 9

Download results

Click here for the results of the 2011 Spring Action Weekend.

Click here for the 2011 Spring Action Weekend Prize List.

view job

Download details

Download results

I have, for 2011, been asked by the NRA to take the scheme back as "Chief Uncle", or whatever you care to call me, and organise things.

My records are complete up to and including 2009 when Bruce Roth so efficiently and willingly took things off my hands, but because in 2010 I was committed to "uncling" a group of competitors from France for him, there was no need for him to send me the spreadsheet of what everyone else was doing. I should be most grateful if you were to preempt my inevitable email, due to go round in early April, to indicate your willingness or otherwise to be involved (again) this summer. There has to be a very good chance that I may inadvertently fail to contact someone from 2009 and 2010 who expects to be contacted and I would hate this to be the case.

Equally if you are an experienced TR, MR or F Class shooter who would be willing to act as a shooting mentor to a less experienced shooter please contact me as below.

Finally and in accordance with NRA policy regarding the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults, I will be requesting all concerned to agree to conform to the undertaking which I will be sending to them later on.

An article resuming all this will appear in the Summer Journal. In essence, there will be no administrative changes from 2010 apart from minor adjustments.

Having said which, very close attention is being paid to the survey which so many of you completed and there will be more about this in due course.

Tim (TJ) Elliott (former NRA Chief National Coach) Click here to email me

Thank you to all clubs, associations, school, NRA official teams and individual members who have supported and used the online booking system. If you have any comments on areas of improvement please get in touch with Matthew Ensor

Entry form now available to download below

Download Entry Form

Download Overall results

Download results by Stage

Download results for the NSC Blue Team Snooker event

Download results for March 6

In our strategy which we published last year, we highlighted a series of areas that we would focus on in order to deliver the quality of organisation we feel we should have. I am writing to you now to update you on an element of that strategy.

The areas of focus for the strategy were:

• 'Catch up' at Bisley
  
• Commercial Revenues at Bisley
  
• Regional development outside Bisley
  
• Engagement with Government
  
• 'Customer Centricity'
  

We asked for feedback on that strategy and those priorities and one area which came up strongly in that feedback was a more proactive approach to lobbying government on firearms legislation. Events in Cumbria and Tyneside last year made that still more pressing. Hitherto, the NRA had agreed to line up with the BSSC as the lead agency on engaging with government. We decided to change that stance as a result of your feedback and also in recognition that the target shooting community have skills and views which are distinctive and deserve to be heard. This is not to say that we seek to 'break ranks' with the BSSC, but we do wish to ensure that your interests are fully represented.

Thus far, that has lead us to produce the papers that you saw in December: 'Facts about Firearms' and 'Proposals for Firearms Legislation'. These were sent to every MP and were favourably mentioned in the Parliamentary debate on 19 December and by Keith Vaz, the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee in interviews around that time.

We have continued to progress this work, and on 22 February, the Secretary General of the NRA, Glynn Alger, represented the target shooting community as part of a BSSC delegation which met James Brokenshire MP, the Home Office minister with responsibility for firearms legislation. Glynn, together with some of the NRA trustees has worked up a series of proposals and recommendations which he presented to the Minister and discussed with him.

These covered:
1. Options for improving firearms licensing at lower cost
2. Ages and conditions around youth shooting
3. Reintroduction of Olympic pistol shooting in the UK as a sport
4. The proposal to reclassify shotguns as Section 1 Firearms
5. Consolidation of Firearms legislation.

These topic areas will come as no surprise to those who have read the materials we sent out in December. In this most recent paper, we demonstrated a willingness and capability to enter constructive dialogue on how firearms legislation can be improved.

I am delighted to tell you that the Minister has invited us to continue this process and make more detailed proposals. Clearly, this does not amount to an undertaking by the Minister to adopt our ideas. Equally, I do not wish to inhibit those discussions so I do not intend to share the substance of our proposals at this point. However, I hope that you will see this as the NRA taking a lead role in engaging with government and will join with me in wishing our team every success in pursuing this vital work. In particular I would like to thank Glynn for his leadership in putting the NRA at the forefront of this process.

Over the next few weeks I hope that a number of initiatives which have been underway for some time will reach a point whereby I can share them with you. They are all exciting and important activities which again demonstrate our commitment to deliver on the strategy that we outlined last year.

Robin Pizer

I have also been elected to represent the NRA on the Disabled Project Working Group, part of British Shooting, formerly known as the Great Britain Target Shooting Federation.

It is for this reason that I ask for your help and for you to spare a few minutes of your time to answer a few simple questions that will hopefully help the long term vision of the NRA, British Shooting and to help with shooting concerns for those with disabilities.

Disabilities come in many forms and can be overcome in many different and inventive ways. The following questions will give an indication to those in the Disabled Project Working Group an understanding of, not only the number of NRA members with disabilities, but also the variety of disabilities and concerns that NRA members have.

I would also ask you to participate in the questionnaire if you know of someone who would like to participate in shooting sports but they have not been able to do so for some reason.

I would ask you to be frank and brief with your answers. Please provide only answers with disability concerns in mind. Thank you.

Download Questionnaire in pdf format

Download Questionnaire in Word format

E-mail your responses to NRA Disability Rep or print off a copy and post it to the NRA.

Bisley Live will be a unique and highly focussed event catering exclusively for the target, hunting and game shooting fraternity and will include shotgun, air rifles and .22" firearms. The event will comprise a tented village, utilising the 300 yard firing point on Century and wrap around to include both the NCSC and the Bisley Shooting Ground. Manufacturers and retailers will showcase the very latest guns, ammunition, clothing and accessories. Working with Surrey police, we envisage that, with limited restrictions, the visitor who wishes to try before they buy will be able to test fire selected guns.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be shooting competitions and displays, gun and deer dog demonstrations by the renowned trainer Howard Kirby, fashion shows, talks on all matters shooting related and other attractions that will be advertised in due course. There will also be extensive catering facilities available as well as the opportunity for corporate entertainment.

We welcome not just the experienced shooter, but also their families and novices where there will be plenty of opportunity to "have a go".

Bisley Live will take place from 30 September to 2 October inclusive. More information will become available on the website www.bisleylive.com

The event will generate a substantial profit for the NSC and NRA and we hope will be a fun event, which will be well supported by the membership. There will be a number of restrictions placed on members at Bisley over the weekend, which we hope to be able to keep to a minimum. Full details of these restrictions will be available nearer the time.

http://www.bisleylive.com

Download Results from 5 Feb 2011

The form is now down to almost the same size it was before but it is still a work in progress and there will definitely be more changes before Defence Training Estates are satisfied.

Examples of the three pages required to book your ranges are available to download below. You should ignore the extra pages that might be sent from the range booking office or equivalent. Do not fill in the attached examples or send them to the range booking office. Please wait until you are sent the normal request from the booking office.

Clubs in the SE Region may find that the existing procedures may be retained for some time.

Chris Webb
Regional Manager

Download example of DTE Range Booking Form

Download an explanation from the Treasurer of the price rises for 2011

The Target Shotgun Festival has unique and challenging competition stages that are engaged with solid slug, SG/buckshot and birdshot ammunition. These targets are arranged to test any competitor skills in a friendly and safe manner.

Download Entry Form

Download results for Jan 9

Download results for Feb 5

Do you know what DMR is?

From mid-January 2011 the NSC is changing its waste contractor and with it the whole policy of waste management. We currently spend £50,000 a year getting rid of our waste, most of it going to landfill. This isn't good for either the bank balance or the environment and it has to change. There can't be many of you who, at home, don't have at least two receptacles for waste and will be used to separating your rubbish. We here at NSC will have two bins where there is now one. There will be bins for Dry Mixed Recyclable, and for landfill (waste food etc). We will have a centrally located bin for your old laptops, televisions etc, as well as strategically placed bottle banks and bins for your old batteries, fluorescent tubes etc.

The NSC old fashioned steel bins will disappear and we will be asking you to 'go the extra mile' (well few yards actually) to find the right bin to put it in. With your help we can save over 30% of that 50k! The new scheme will save the Association a considerable sum of money. There are penalties of course if we get it wrong but with your help we can move forward into a greener future which can't be a bad thing. We will be asking you to use clear bags for your DMR and black ones for the landfill. The clear ones can be emptied (preferably) into the DMR bin and used again. We will have a container sized bin for all your large rubbish which is currently being dumped anywhere.

The new waste company Biffa have worked hard in preparing a scheme to suit our needs and which, barring the inevitable teething problems, is of financial benefit and, most importantly, is more environmentally friendly.

If you have any questions please email me John Gardener and I'll be pleased to help.

Happy New Year to you all from the staff of NSC, we look forward to seeing you next year and hope that you have a successful season.

John Gardener
Clerk of Works

For further details please click on the links below.

Dry Mixed Recycling

Allowed and excluded materials

For further details please click on the link below.

GBTSF Director

Please click below for further details.

NRA Treasurer

Read the NRA and BSSC Submissions.

The National Clay Shooting Centre will be open as normal.

As you may be aware there is a debate scheduled to take place in Parliament on Firearms legislation on Monday 20th December 2010. The debate of course is driven by the sad events that unfolded this summer in Cumbria and Northumbria.

On your behalf, the NRA has been engaged from the outset on the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC) to ensure that all of the major shooting bodies were speaking with a single voice. We advocated that the government should not make a knee-jerk response to events. It seems on this occasion by working together our opinions were heard by a Government that has steadfastly stated it will not be rushed into legislation which might have unforeseen consequences, to the detriment of lawful shooting.

We have been most concerned to ensure a unified stance by the Target Shooting National Governing Bodies (NGBs) on BSSC. To that end, the NRA has acted as the lead body on behalf of the Target Shooting bodies on BSSC. In that capacity, we have been involved in all the negotiations regarding a joint approach and we have met with Members of Parliament and Ministers to represent your views and ensure they are listened to.

When the Home Affairs Committee (HAC) announced they were looking at Firearms Licensing and legislation, the NRA joined with the other bodies to ensure members were adequately briefed to put their individual views to the Committee on the issues raised, while at the same time making our own submission. We have also given evidence to the Home Affairs Committee and worked with the other NGBs and BSSC to host an introduction to shooting for the HAC at Bisley.

Latterly, the NRA has acted as the lead agency in dealing with ACPO in relation to Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting's report on Firearms Licensing. Our concern was that this report made recommendations that might have unfortunate consequences for Target Shooting Clubs. Both we and BSSC are now confident that we can work with ACPO to get the correct outcomes for clubs going forward.

Finally, one of the things that was clear from our engagement with MPs was their need for an introduction to the legal issues and the basic technicalities of shooting. To that end, in concert with the other Target Shooting NGBs, we wrote a short paper explaining how the possession and use of firearms is managed in terms of legislation and Governance. We also produced a position statement that gave a view from a Target Shooting perspective on issues such as young people in shooting, the potential requirement for medical vetting etc. which complements the BSSC submissions to both the Commons debate and in response to the ACPO report from Adrian Whiting. We also made the case for the reintroduction of target pistol. Both of these documents were e-mailed directly to every MP this week in advance of the parliamentary debate on Monday.

You can find the "Facts about Firearms", "Governing Bodies Proposals", plus the submissions from BSSC by clicking below.

BSSC Response to ACC

House of Commons Debate

Facts about Firearms

Proposals for Firearms Legislation

Glynn Alger

NRA Team to Channel Islands 2011

Please note that the Marksman's Calendar is no longer be provided as a printed insert in the Journal. However it is available in the same format by visiting the NRA website and clicking on the Calendar sub menu. For those members without internet access and who cannot get a friend or club member to print a copy for them, please contact Karen and she will be happy to post a copy to you.

Whilst contact e-mail addresses are hidden on the website-based calendar (to prevent spammers electronically harvesting your address), they will be visible on the downloadable printed version. Please provide such contact details as you are happy to have made public.

If you have booked your targets using our online booking system please could you send details of any dates for the Marksman's Calendar to Karen as well. Whilst it is possible to find out the dates from the online target booking system, it would be a very long and laborious job for her to pick out the relevant events from thousands of bookings!

Download Results from 5 Feb 2011

Download the January 2011 entry form.

The Civilian Service Rifle League Results from December are available to download below

Download Results from 5 Dec

Ron, together with three other new non-executive Directors, joined the NSC Board earlier this year.

Download Results

14/09/2010 http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6607

26/10/2010 http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6805

02/11/2010 http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6846

16/11/2010 http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6999

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=7001

Keith Vaz (Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee) indicates that the Report should be available by Christmas.

GB Palma Team 2011

We are conscious that the NRA has been unresponsive in the past and we want to change that. The short survey below will help us identify the changes that would make the Meeting a more attractive event. Please give us a minute - just 60 seconds - of your time to let us know your views. If you want to take longer, there is lots of space to write your comments.

To encourage participation all submissions received by midnight on 6 December will go into a draw to win £20 of NRA vouchers.

Thank you for helping us take the first steps to a better Meeting.

Yours
Iain Robertson
Chairman Shooting Committee, National Rifle Association

Click on the link below to start the survey

http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=adygtofpmklwedmjisim

To implement the plan two Regional Development Managers are required, one to work in the South East and another in the West Midlands. This is a part-time, paid post which will require around 15 hours per week.

This key role will help to build communication structures and implement the Whole Sport Plan in the regions. The job holder will be tasked with building and maintaining relationships with the key stakeholders required to help deliver the Sustain and Excel programmes within the Plan. This will not only include the structures within the various target shooting disciplines but also Sport England, County Sport Partnerships, Local Authorities and other regional organisations.

This is an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic, energetic, self-motivated organiser and communicator to be the liaison officer, ambassador, and champion of the sport within the region.

Interested parties should e-mail Phyllis Farnan NRA Director of Training by clicking here for a full job description and more details of the post.

Download F Open Results

Download FTR Results

Here is the latest Newsletter from Heather Webb in the Membership Office.

Download Newsletter

Download results

http://www.flickr.com/photos/762_photo/sets/72157625151365641/

Full results are available to download below.

Download Results

Download team details

26 and 27 February 2011

Newark Showground, Newark, Notts NG24 2NY

http://www.theshootingshow.co.uk

Download Results

Download list

Congratulations to them all!

Download Results

The Civilian Service Rifle League Results are available to download below

Download Results from 7 Dec

Download document

We would welcome your feedback on the above document and below you will find a questionnaire in both PDF and Word format. Please either print off, fill in and return to the NRA by post or fill in the Word document and attach it to an e-mail by clicking here

Download questionnaire (PDF version)

Download questionnaire (Word version)

In the Pairs match, New Zealand won gold with Scotland's Angus McLeod and Ian Shaw taking the silver and England's Parag Patel and Jon Underwood finishing third.

Full results are available below.

http://results.cwgdelhi2010.org/en/Comp.mvc/DetailedScheduleByDate?sportCode=SH&expandAll=False

Download Results from HP event

The Civilian Service Rifle League Results from October are available to download below

Download Results from 9 Oct

Despite being a clay shooter Aaron is to be seen shooting rifles regularly with Concord Rifle Club and also as an NRA individual member and of course shoots at the NCSC Clay Range. We look forward to seeing Aaron's progress especially at the 2012 Olympics.

In order to reduce the inconvenience to clubs and members, this will not be implemented until 1 November 2010.

Shooters may be interested to catch up on the results of the Shooting events at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi

For the official shooting results

View Results

The results for the CLRA Open Meeting 2010 are now available

Download results

Download individual competition scores

Download overall results

10 shots @ 200 yards
Tightest Group Competition

Sponsored by: Midway UK
Organised by: The Single Shot Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Club Of Great Britain

Do you have 10 rounds left over and not sure what to do with them?
Come and pit your skills against the wind and your fellow shooter
Join us at 200 yards to see just how small a group you can shoot.

Multiple entries allowed

Classes

• Scoped/ironsights .40 cal and under
• Scoped/iron sights .40 cal and over
• Nitro/blackpowder

Rifles can be rested from prone or sitting
All you have to do is turn up and shoot

See you on the Range

Enquiries to:
Nick Steadman
Mob: 07719 816729

Email: Nick Steadman

Mark Haszlakiewicz is retiring from the unpaid voluntary position of director of the Great Britain Target Shooting Federation (GBTSF). The NRA Council need to appoint a Council representative to the board of GBTSF. So there is an opportunity to co-opt someone to the NRA Council who has a particular interest in the work of GBTSF.

This note is to explain that exciting role and to encourage applications to the Council from those that believe they could contribute in this very important area.

GBTSF is the legal entity owned jointly by the NRA and the NSRA whose current sole purpose is to manage the whole sport funding plan to deliver against a sport modernisation program under the auspices of Sport England (for which the grant of £750,000 over four years has been made). There are currently four directors - the chief executives of the two organisations and one other member of each. GBTSF has a full time National Deveopment Manager based in the Lord Roberts Centre at Bisley Camp. It expects to appoint two part time Regional Development Managers soon who are unlikely to be based at Bisley.

Our new Council representative will thus have the opportunity to become deeply involved in, and influence, the future strategic and practical direction of how we nurture and safeguard the future of all target shooting sports (smallbore, fullbore and clay) throughout England. For these reasons it would make sense if our new representative had experience of shooting in England as a whole and his or her experience was not limited to Bisley.

I would urge you to think carefully about a suitable person and ask those who believe that they have the time and interest to contact Mark Haszlakiewicz or Glynn Alger as soon as possible who will be very happy to give you more details.

The appointment as Director of GBTSF will be subject to the approval of the NRA Council. The co-option to the NRA Council will be subject to the approval of the NRA General Council following a recommendation from the NRA Council.

Robin Pizer
Chairman of Council

Download Entry Form

Following the success of the 2010 version we will shortly be launching a new and improved Bisley Online Booking service for 2011 range reservations.
We expect to launch for clubs, associations and schools in mid-September.
Please check the NRA website for more details around that time, and we will contact all club secretaries directly in.

We have a limited quantity of the superb 2010 .308 155gr RWS/RUAG ammunition for pre-sale to members and affiliated clubs to meet their 2010 and 2011 shooting requirements. Ammunition reserved and paid for by 30th September 2010 will be stored by the NSC at Bisley until needed during 2011.

This excellent offer will allow you to purchase your 2011 requirement at 2010 prices and save at least 2p per round on the VAT increase alone!
Why not guarantee your ammo costs now at just 83p per round?!

Minimum purchase quantities of 100 rounds apply.
Minimum daily provision is per box of twenty (we are unable to take any ammunition back into storage) and we will require at least 7 days written notice of your intent to use any reserved amounts in excess of 200 rounds.

Please contact the Armoury at armoury@nra.org.uk to place your order or for more information.

Anyone wishing to make use of this offer but is unable to come to Bisley can pay by invoice.
Please bear in mind all invoices will need to be paid by 30th September.

This fun and challenging competition is open to owners of Section One Shotgun?s either in semi-auto or pump action. The entry form is available for download now.

Download Entry Form

After being "swamped" with evidence from the shooting community, the Home Affairs Select Committee on firearms control is prompted to extend the deadline for submissions.

The Committee on firearms control experienced such a large volume of emails from members of the shooting community, submitting evidence to the current inquiry, that its computers crashed last week.

On the day of the deadline, last Friday 27 August, such was the volume of submissions from shooters seeking to put the case for legitimate shooting sports to MPs on the committee, that the office is still attempting to clear the backlog.

The clerk of the committee, Elizabeth Flood, has asked those who are unsure whether their submission got through to resend them.

She told Shooting Times magazine: "We don't normally receive so many emails from individuals. We were, for want of a better word, swamped. Unless people received an email notice from us apologising and acknowledging receipt of their submission, they should resend it but please put a note to say you have sent it twice so we avoid duplication."

The clerk confirmed that by the end of July the Committee had already received more than 300 submissions, the most since the 2008 HASC inquiry into domestic violence.

Evidence for the firearms control committee looks set to break that record with hundreds more coming in on the day of the deadline itself.

The average number of submissions to a Select Committee inquiry is about 40.

As a result of the huge volume of emailed evidence, Elizabeth Flood explained that the deadline would be extended: "The 27th was an administrative deadline. People are welcome to submit evidence throughout the inquiry, which will go on into October. It is wise to get it in as early as you can, however. We will collate the evidence as it comes in and present it to MPs who will begin to look at it when they return to Parliament after the party conferences end around October 11."

BASC's Simon Clarke said: "The overwhelming level of responses sent in to the Home Affairs Select Committee matches our experience of replies copied to BASC and we believe it is a reflection of the seriousness with which everyone who shoots is treating this inquiry. Given the apparent failure in the email systems used to collect responses, it is right that the Committee will consider evidence sent in after the initial deadline. Anyone who has not yet taken the time to send in a response should do so quickly and a guide to submitting evidence can be found on the BASC website."

Visit the BASC website by clicking below:

http://www.basc.org.uk

Download Results

Download Prize List

Download Results

Britain strikes Gold in Munich

Britains mens 300m rifle prone team took the Gold and World Team title last week at the 50th ISSF World Shooting Championships in Munich.
Their score of 1792 x 1800 pushed the British record up by eight points, and is the first World ISSF team rifle title for Britain in more than 25 years.

Scores:

Tony Lincoln 599
Harry Creevy 597
Simon Aldhouse 596

Download Results

Download Results

Agreed by the British Shooting Sports Council and supported by the National Rifle Association

The influential parliamentary Home Affairs Committee has announced that it will conduct an enquiry into Firearms Control. The Committee has called for written evidence from interested parties. Anyone can make a submission and the NRA encourages all those who shoot to do so.

To download further information please click here

Much to my consternation I have just discovered that if I write too much the mechanisms that manage this website cut me off in my prime. This accounts for some fractured postings, in particular this one. Apologies.

So it remains for me to thank all those who made this meeting enjoyable, from front counter to bean counter, from admin to range staff and the excellent markers, from ground crew to stats. While the duck?s legs may have been paddling like fury underneath, the outward look was of reasonable calm.

As to the future. We had another batch of superlative ammunition for RWSRUAG. Is it enough to tip the balance towards tighter rings? Personally I think the jury is still out and that we are a long way from that drastic measure. Shrink the central bull? Possibly, but one more year might be sensible to confirm what we suspect is coming closer. I still worry about the effect of any reduction on the number of people that will wish to grapple with an overall tighter target. A national meeting with 1000 competitors may be a viable undertaking. The prospect of an impossible possible and ever escalating costs may well knock a large hole in the flagship fund raiser. It would be interesting to see the income and expenditure account for the July TR Meeting as a stand alone set of figures.

My thought is this. Let us have one more year in this five year ammunition contract as we are. Canvass TR entrants on the possibilities and their preference. Then reflect and come up with reasoned proposals on whether the time is right for a change. The tigers can have their international competitions on the tighter target if they wish and as the Australia match shows it brings out top performance. The number of people in the ties is manageable, and tie shoots do add interest. The one between Parag Patel and David Luckman for the Silver Medal that went to the ninth additional single shot after each had scored 25.5 was a cracker.

And so as the Vulcan of time speeds over the sands of Century, and the misfire of fate burnishes the tin badge of history, we say au revoir to the 150th Aniversary Meeting. No doubt many of us will be there next year as the Algerrhythmn of accuracy meets the pedant of percussion with its cartridge of perfection, and we wish ourselves a happy return.

Toodle pip.

I left you after the conclusion of the Queen's Prize and have been remiss in not bringing you up to date with the Australia Match. Sunday dawned fair with sun and some overcast, but altogether a very agreeable day. There was a gentle breeze from the left with just enough movement to catch the sleeping coach in the Australia Match.

At 300 yards the Australians gave notice of what appeared to be a resurgence, pipping GB by one point with the Channel Islands snapping at the two pairs of heels. At 600 something of a minor calamity hit Australia, losing 17 more points to go 20 off while GB lost six for 10 off. CI moved up into second place losing just 9 at 16 off. Lunch followed.

By 900 the breezes were fooling around enough to warrant a stop by GB. Others were not so prompt and lost a few more points. When all had steadied a bit GB had carded 8 scores of 50 and two 49s, for a total12 off. Australia lost 22 to go to 42 off with CI just ahead on 36 off. At 1000 an initial flurry with the wind was followed by an almost dead flat calm. Teams had to hit it then and GB took the chance. Six scores of 50, a 48, two 47s and a 42 with a shot on the other team target was the outcome, for a total of 1872 with 207 centrals. In passing we note that Tom Rylands who was called from the reserve list to shoot on the previous evening made a new record top individual score with 200.26. Henceforth he shall be known as 'supersub'. In fact all the scores are new records because this was the first time the smaller ICFRA target has been used in this match. Perhaps they should be known as the new benchmark scores, at least for a year

Australia bit back to depose CI by just one point, in the process putting in a protest at some of the marking values given by the butts and equally having it thrown out after the officials had travelled down to the butts after shooting finished to examine the target. They presumably found holes where the holes had been found, not that a perfect score of 50 would have tipped any balances anyway. So it was Australia on 1943.179 in second with CI on 1942.181 third. Canada took fourth spot on 1928.166 followed by Germany and the Malaysia, Holland and Japan alliance.

Down at the Under 25 match it was very different. Australia led GB by 5 at 300 after going clean on their target, led by 5 again at 600, dropped 3 points behind at 900 and finished early with a fine recovery at 1000 to set GB's last man down to make a 50. Nothing else would do. A 49 was useless because of the central count on which GB were too far behind. Tom Hunter shot. Sandy Walker coached the wind. In a gripping finish Tom fired straight and Sandy saw them all into the bullseye. Cue much whoopin and hollerin.

To the Australian Under 25s I would just say this. You made that match what it was. You impressed many during the Meeting with your good humour and by wearing your 'baggies' with pride. It may be little consolation but you were superlative ambassadors and we will welcome you back as individuals or team members in the future.

All the detailed scores are on the website.

I think I neglected to mention a late result last night, that A Wilson of the Australian team had won the Donaldson Memorial final at 1000 yards with 75.12, followed by Peter Griggs of Ibis on 75.11 and Stuart Young of 101 RC on 75.10.

And so to the final Saturday. First off was the final of the St George?s in which all the usual suspects featured. There were 17 scores of 150 at the end of the show, topped out by none other than John Warburton of Huddersfield on 26 centrals. David 'yet again' Luckman followed on 25 with David Calvert third on 24. There were 149s down to 61st.

England then turned on the power in the Mackinnon to make a new record score of 1173.140 with Australia second on 1154.104. Guess who ? Luckman D and Barnett G made 100s. Ireland were third on 1147.104.

Then it was the turn of the 100 finalists in the Queen's Prize. This was always going to be a contest in which the prize would be lost rather than won, so tight was the field. To make it that much more intriguing the new squadding system that swapped the shooters at the extremities of the range and gently shuffled those in the middle after the 900 yards shoot, was on test, and the winds were going to treat people relatively calmly at 900 and blow about at 1000.

The leaders at the break were Underwood and Barnett each clean, with a gaggle on 2 off. At 1000 it all changed with both Luckman and Barnett dropping away as the wind played tricks. Calvert Jim Corbett of Benalla, Australia, and Jim Bullock of Langar came to the fore with Paul Kent starting a charge. It was a mixed up set of kids, with Ian Robertson of the RAF chasing hard. Matters were slightly confused by the fact that Ross McQuillan showed as leading on two off when Calvert dropped to three. The fact was that Ross was already three off even though in finality he lost his last into the inner to finish on four off, but with one more central than Calvert. Corbett, who is here in a private capacity had a hatful of centrals more than anyone else, but could not match Calvert's score, finishing in the silver badge position after a tremendous fight.

The man from the RAF had it. With three second places already in his history book he was greeted with a tremendous roar from the RAF scoreboard team of "About time too", as he mounted the scaffold to collect his gold badge. In the far distance a wartime Lancaster bomber seemed to salute him as it circled above the crowds at Farnborough.

Time is short tonight after an exhausting week, from the steamy heat to the never ending pursuit of deadlines mixed in with the shooting. Tomorrow we have the Australia Match for international teams of 10 at 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yards. I have a feeling that Australia are smarting after a less successful week than they would have liked. It could prove to be a tense affair.

Most, if not all, prizelists are now on the NRA website. Just the one result remains to be decided tomorrow.

Download Earwig

A very cool and overcast start with not a great deal of breeze. What woke most people up was the discovery that, for the first time in the Meeting, it was from the right. Rust had to be brushed off the opposite threads of the sight knob. There were two prime cuts on the plate today. They were the Kolapore and associated side shows, and Queen's II. The Donaldon Memorial final, which is still going on, represents the cheese course.

The Kolapore started with the Jersey team chasing GB for all they were worth, level pegging at 300 yards on 399 each with just 3 centrals to GB's favour. Australia were two points behind with Guernsey and Canada one and two more points away. At 500 GB went clean for 400, with Jersey losing three and Australia just one, to draw level with the Islanders. At 600 GB contained the loss to three more for a total of 1196, while Jersey lost five but the Australians six. So it it finished as GB 1196.195, Jersey 1191.175 and Australia 1190.171 ahead of Guernsey, Canada, Germany and Kenya in that order. GB had five scores of 150 with, inevitably, David Luckman on 150.27 as top gun.

Queen's II seemed to rattle through. There were 15 scores of 150 with that other inevitability Jon Underwood winner of the Silver Medal on 150.26. Yet again Lucky struck the rich vein with 150.22, behind Nick Mace of Guernsey with one more central. The cut was 148.18, with seven of them tie-shooting for two places. I am delighted to say that 'Papa Bear' was one of the two successful applicants for the job. To those that may not immediately recognise the soubriquet, that is my favourite Canadian gendarme Serge Bissonnette, who shot one of the quickest 25.5s I have witnessed. No plotting or scribing there, then. A cadet, Omar Ahmed of 2452 Shawland ATC took the other place after a further 3 shot tie.

The cut was one point higher than last year and, while in the mood for useless statistics, just one point covers the top 69 contestants. Another cadet, Tom Tatchell of the Welsh RA gained his first finals' badge using the Deputy Chief Range Officer's borrowed rifle. Chris Belk of Cambridge, OCRA and Uppingham Veterans, also made the cut to record that he has now qualified for the final in each of the last seven decades, and on the 50th anniversary of his first Bronze Cross victory. Of such joyous trivia are golden memories and landmarks built and remembered.

So we progress to the final curtain, as Frank might have sung. Tomorrow has the St George's final, the Mackinnon and the Queen's Prize final to enthral us. I have given up trying to call the winner of the last of those, but if I had to bet on anyone doing the double of Grand and Queen's I know where I would put my money. Just as it is said to be bad luck to mention the name of Shakespeare's Scottish play so will I keep a respectful silence on that other name. Thus far the weather has been relatively kind and the afternoon here has been a fine end to a British summer's day, sunny with passing cloud and a very gentle set of breezes that have fluctuated from the front and right in the main.

I have been online to metcheck.com and they seem to suggest that tomorrow will remain mostly dry with a variable wind moving from Southerly early on through Westerly during the afternoon. Rain is expected by 1600 with cloud overcast increasing during the afternoon. But then you might have found a differing forecast. We shall see.

Goodnight fans worldwide, or at least as far as Odiham.

11.30. There was an all together fresher feel in the air last night, and this morning dawned bright and sunny with some occasional high cloud at first. As the first two details of the Prince of Wales got under way those of us early and waiting for the third at 0950 could only feel perturbed by the black clouds to the North and West. With the wind jerking around from 7 to 5 o?clock we felt optimistic that it would all pass to the North and that the earlier weather warnings for torrential showers had to apply elsewhere.

Wrong.

I managed to finish in the dry, thanks to some quick shooting by all three of us and some converted sighters, before the rain began. The slowcoaches got well and truly caught by the start of the deluge. By 1030 it was of the stair rods variety and at 1050 CRO Tony Clayton put his foot down with a determined squelch and delayed the start of the fourth detail to prevent the dissolution of the targets.

All of this chat has a purpose: messrs Luckman, Barnett and Underwood were all squadded in the deayed detail that would determine the outcome of the Grand Aggregate. I am now going down there to try to find out what is happening.

Later: for David Luckman this will seem to something of an epic day. None of his rivals were going to let him go quietly with both Underwood and Barnett posting 75s in that same detail. It was David?s to lose, in effect. But he did not and his 75.12 held them all off to give him 698.106 and the title, to go with his 2007 success. Barnett was second on equal points but a hatful of centrals adrift, 698.78. Underwood was third staying ahead of Gaz Morris on centrals with Sgt S Hier fifth, a brilliant week in the Grand for him. The top 50 go down to Adam McCullough on 687.90. The top 200 bottom out with S Carson on 680.61.

Of course there was the result of the Prince of Wales to go with all this Grand stuff. Miss D O'Kelly of the Irish RC mde 75.14. No one else could match it. Gaz Morris was the best of two 75.13s and P Slater of Old Epsomians was third.

Then we come to the National Match, and a real shock horror for the system, depending on your affiliation of course. In one of the tensest encounters that I have witnessed Scotland turned up the wick and took the fight to the auld enemie. Lindsay Peden's team led by one point after 300yds. They then surrendered the lead and England had it by one point after 500yds. Quite what the quietly spoken Scot said to his team before the 600 shoot I do not know, but it obviously had the effect of that slow march onto the Murrayfield pitch all those years ago when the Scots destroyed England's hopes of a grand slam. It was a great team shoot, done quickly and with clinical efficiency. It left England playing catch up and they just leaked a couple of points too many leaving Scotland the winners by one point and one central bullseye. Congratulations Scotland: commiserations to Paul Stevens and his English team and congratulations to David Luckman and his coach Anton Aspin for a pluperfect 105.21, every one a central.

Then we lurched into St Georges II in the new programme. The three hundred became 100 and produced one of the best tie shoots I have seen in some years. First the filtration process, being 15 shots at 600 to add to your Georges I score. There were a hatful of 150s and a further bigger hatful of 149s. Parag Patel and David Luckman tied on 150.26 and shot a tie. Mike Barlow of Fife & Kinross was third on 150.25. The cut, which is subject to forensic checking, and was when I left the stats office an hour or so ago, seems to be all 149s in and all 148s out, but there were some missing cards. I leave it to tho

Another glorious day with bright sun, blue skies and the occasional puffs of high white cloud. It was not quite as sticky as earlier in the week but hot enough all the same. The good old brisk breeze, accelerating to a strong wind, continued to blow from the left all day, sometimes seeming to dip sharply but often not as much of a change as it might seem.

The primary item on the agenda was the first stage of the Queen?s Prize, where hopes are always high and often dashed. Sgt S Hier of the ATSC rattled in a maximum 105 with 19 of the 21 shots in the central. I confess that I do not this shooter and I have not been able to find out anything about him or her. My profuse apologies. I do know David Luckman of Sedgemoor who was second and Jim Corbett of Benalla, Australia who was third. Indeed I had the pleasure of watching him and Ian Jones of Jersey in a clinical tie shoot for the Daily Telegraph that Jim won by 25.4 to 25.3.

The cut for the second stage came at 102.6, slightly lower than the scoring thus far in the Meeting might have suggested, broght on no doubt by the afternoon wind that destroyed many ambitions.

The Conan Doyle resulted in yet another tie with five people on 50.9. They are Tom Rylands of Manchester, J Branch of GB U19, Miss H French of RAF Air Command, Zulkeflee Hamsan of Malaysia and David Rose of Epsomians. There were 41 maximum 50s with the last one registered by Hanna Pugsley of Wellington College.

And so to the Grand, with just the Prince of Wales to come. We have a new leader in David Luckman on 623.94, ahead of Glynn Barnett on 623.66. Third is Jon Underwood on 622.86 while Gaz Morris has dropped to fourth on 622.77 dropping five points on the day. Paul Sykes of Bedfordians climbs up to fifth. Four points cover the top 14, but realistically the battle is between Luckman, Barnett, Underwood and Sykes. Barnett has to gain a point on Luckman: his centrals count demands it. Luckman has to match Barnett but not let the others slip past.

It is all on the PoW. Stand by for some gripping action. My apologies that this is a little later than normal. Submissions to the papers and the Umbrella Tent meeting intervened as did an odd desire to eat. Back with you tomorrow to wind up all this excitement. All the results are on the website.

Download Earwig

Download Results

An early day for anyone not involved in County shoots, with just the St Georges first stage today counting towards the Grand. The signs at 0630 were mixed, with a highish overcast and not a whisper through the leafy oak tree canopy above the caravan site. It was making up its mind whether it would join the Northern forecast and dump rain or stay Southern and clear up.

It chose the latter with a burning sun trying to penetrate the cloud as the day progressed. The result was a dead flat calm for at least the first detail of the Georges and a stifling, oppressive, muggy, dead heat. Periods of sun did nothing to remove the sticky feel to the day. The result was a high scoring Georges where you had to score 74 and at least 8 centrals to remain in the top 300 and go through to the next round. There were 146 scores of 75, the lowest being 75.5, but why should that worry you if you get it.

Kip Morton of the RAF and Dr Isao Matsumoto of London University will shoot again for the Bronze Cross. The cut was 74.8 ending 4V5V5V. Last year it was 73.12, or thereabouts.

In the Grand there has been a little shuffling behind Gaz Morris who remains two points clear with three shoots to go. Jon Underwood has been displaced by David Luckman on centrals with only one between them. Glynn Barnett is fourth and Bill the bearded wizard Richards leaps from eighth to fifth. Five points cover the first 16. It looks like going down to the wire again on Thursday in the ever unpredictable Prince of Wales, unless we have interventionist weather tomorrow.

The County matches are labouring on this afternoon and evening and you can see the aeroplanes fizzing about over at Farnborough. We were treated to the magnificent sight of the last remaining Avro Vulcan delta wing cold war bomber of Falklands fame lumbering over yesterday with its four Rolls Royce Olympus engines thundering away. It made all us little boys that never grew up feel weak at the knees.

A little later: in County short range Surrey were the winners by one point from London. The Long Range trickles on as I type. As usual all the detail is in the small print of the lists on the website. Here endeth the day?s scribbling.

It has been a very hot day despite the breeze that continues to blow, all the time edging round to blow from the South West, which in lay terms means from over your left shoulder. Just keep taking plenty of fluids. Everything is a sticky soaking mess as you peel off your shooting jacket.

Monday means the Times at 300, the Corporation at 1000 and the Wimbledon at 600. We start furthest away whey the first detail in the Corp is understood to have produced its fair share of 50s with A Sims of the Australian team just potting Nick Tremlett of Widsor on the tie shoot after both had made 50.10. The tie went 24.4 to 24.3 in favour of Sims with Ant Ringer second with the only 50.9.

The Times produced a rare surprise in the form of an outright win - OK, after the mandatory five tie shots - from the three 50.10s when Chris Claridge of ATSC knocked out Mick Silver and Andy Luckman by being the only one of the three able to hold the bullseye for all extra five shots.

So to the final act of the day, the Wimbledon. It too had its fair share of fluctuating winds, at one minute straight across from the left and in the next spluttering and unable to make up its mind how far to turn down range. Two relative unknowns top the list. Alex Gill of ATSC and Cadet Purdy of the Athelings both on 50.8 will shoot a tie. George Cann of Exonia was third, the best of five 50.7s.

The aggregates are now starting to flow thick and fast. The Monday went to Gaz Morris of Uppingham Vets (that is Veterans and not animal doctors). The Stock Exchange was won by B Picton of the Australian U25s, and the Young Riflemen?s to Cdt A Dowle of the Athelings. The Howcroft Newspaper went to David Calvert of the RAFTRC. The Belgian team match belongs to Gifford Grant Wandsworth Red. The cut for the Donaldson Memorial final at long range was 142.9 with none other than AndyLuckman holding that honour carrying a 44.0 in the Corporation. Brilliance will always shine through.

All the details of first, second and third places will be on the website results pages. Tomorrow we have the St Georges 1st stage, 15 at 300yds, followed by County Short and Long Range in which car headlights have to be turned onto the Stickledown targets as the evening light wears away. Just kidding, I think.

Finally, there are changes at the top of the Grand. Gaz Morris on 397.47 now leads by two clear points from Jon Underwood on 395.58. David Luckmn is just one central behind at third, and Glyn Barnett is a further 17 centrals off in fourth with Ant Ringer leading five on 394. The top 15 are covered by four points. The top 50 cut is at 389.50, the spot occupied by Kitty Jack and the top 200 cuts on 384.42.

More tomorrow.

The signs this morning at 0600 hrs were not all that encouraging. Light rain tinkled briefly on the roof and it was breezy and overcast. However as the day wore on the clouds disappeared and the afternoon was sunny and, if had not been for the brisk wind, would have been very warm. As it is we are now in a glorious British summer evening with a roasting setting silver sun slithering down over the Stickledown butts.

On the menu today were the Alexandra (10 at 600yds), the Duke of Cambridge (10 at 900yds) and the Daily Mail (15 at 500yds). 175 more points to be had in the Grand. All the competitions had a left hand wind to deal with, edging towrds 'over the left shoulder' at times on Stickledown. Early on it blew at 3 to 5 minutes on Century, and later from about 4 to 8 minutes at long range. It changed in strength and direction gradually declining towards evening. Early light was clear but the midday sun brightened up considerably and the evening light behind the Stickledown targets was positively awkward.

The Alexandra is another tie, with five domestics and one Guernseyman on 50.9 to shoot off. They are R Jackson of Welwyn Phoenix, Dr John Deane of Dursley, Simon Cane of O Guildfordians, O Collas of Guernsey, Dick Ellis of Wandsworth and Philip Dawes of Bedfordians. There were 97 scores of 50. The Daily Mail has also gone the same wy, this time with three scores of 75.13 from Jonathan Kent of O Epsomians, Andrew Le Cheminant of Jersey, and N Watson of Sheffield, two Xs and an O. There were 61 scores of 75.

On the hill the DoC has also produced a four way tie, with Charlie Clifford Evans of OGRE, A Walker of Framlinghamians, Jim Corbett of Australia and Stuart Young of 101RC all making 50.9 among 82 scores of 50.

A number of aggregates and team matches have come to fruition, among them the Steward, won by O Epsomians B team. The Sunday aggregate went to David Luckman of Sedgemoor (a clean 175.25) by one central from Jumbo Lewis of ATSC with Tim Green of LMRA third. The weekend aggregate went to Jonathan Kent of Epsomians (348.48) with Lewis second by 4 centrals and Luckman third.

But what you all really want to know is who leads the Grand. Here Lewis remains clean on the first four shoots with 250.34. John Pugsley is second one point behind, equal on centrals. Jonathan Kent is third by a further central, and uncle Paul Kent fourth by a point. Julie Ouston is fifth. The top fifty go down to 5 off, Simon Glen being the marker at 245.29. The top 200 marker is Mrs A Tracey on eight off at 242.23.

The full and ultra detailed lists are available on the website, or will be shortly. The Coriander and Chilli sausages are nearing consumption. The Canada team reception is an hour or so away. It is goodnight from me.

Download Earwig

Bright sun and no real wind at 0600: overcast and breezy by 0830. A stiff South South Westerly at that, after lunch swinging nicely up the range over on Stickledown where the Lovell at 1000yds was going on. It varied in both direction and strength offering plenty of scope to cop a bird or worse. My corrected plot ran from 4 to 10 left. Down on Century it moved in a lesser degree early on in the Donegall but became more interesting for the Telegraph.

The Donegall at 300yds on Century produced a good harvest crop of 116 scores of 50, but only five were maximum 50.10. They were David Luckman of Sedgemoor, James Robertson of Australia, Gary Childs of Exonia, John Tapster of Old Johnians and Ray Smeltzer of Canada. Each shot five extra tie shots and Luckman and Robertson will go shoulder to shoulder later, each carelessly - it is just envy - dropping one into the ordinary bullseye as the others fell away. In the pack there were three scores of 49.9.

In the F Class ranks Davids Pickering and Lloyd each made 90 and David Kent made 89.

The Lovell proved altogether more problematical. Sweeping breezes poured across from the left early on, from around the left shoulder but veering around to have a more Westerly bite from near on 1 oclock. Quite exciting and exasperating for the shooter. Six souls managed a 50, led by Jonathan Kent of Old Epsomians on 50.6 from S Witoroski of PPRA, who must forgive me for not knowing either his first name or his Club, and Marek Kirkillo Stacewicz of Bedfordians, both on 50.5. I would be delighted to be enlightened, particularly as it is getting late and typing both names is taxing before the brain has been fed.

I pause while a low flying Aston Martin of James Bond vintage driven by James Dallas goes past the command centre.

The Daily Telegraph, the first port of call in the eleven matches of the Grand Aggregate, has resulted in a tie between Jim Corbett of Australia and Ian Jones of Jersey both on 75.13. The match had a nasty fluctuating breeze seeping from the left over the shotgun layout and havering about which way to turn when it got to Century. It caught out many but there were 36 scores of 75, the last being none other than Glynn Barnett with 75.6, recently returned from Dubai or somesuch. No loss of skill there then.

And so to the Aggregates. The Tucker went to Les Wicker of Hailsham on 247.32 to add to his Friday win, a huge three points ahead of Rick Shouler of Langar. The Saturday Agg went to Jonathan Kent on 174.23 from Jumbo Lewis of ATRC on 173.20. All the lists should be available soon on the NRA website.

And finally?.. In case it has escaped your attention, issue 1 of the 2010 celebratory edition of the Earwig has been posted in pdf format on the news section of the NRA home page. We are working hard on issue No. 2 for publication in a day or so. I end with a tale from the Stats Office. A young shooter appeared at their door. He explained that he had had a rifle problem or something in the Donegall earlier that morning. He had mended it and please could he have another go. Full marks for trying and enthusiasm.

Good night. I can hear the sound of a band at the BCRC.

2130 hrs: I am mightily obliged to that fons et origo Jim Thompson for the information that Stan Witorowski is from the Prairie Provinces Rifle Association. My apologies to Stan and his colleagues for not working that one out.

Download Results

Well, we got to the end of yesterday in fine late evening sunshine with some high scudding clouds, but with the winds still zipping in from the left (Southerly) to blow the Veterans cobwebs away. Around midnight we got a sudden severe downpour and for all I know there may have been more later, but I missed it if so, sleeping soundly after the annual past pupils dinner and AGM.

This morning is bright and breezy and I can hear the early birds popping away in the Astor, club teams of six over a Queen's I course of fire. Metcheck.com suggests that the weather will stay bright and breezy for today with a little rain (showers) but will turn cloudier tomorrow. Even as I type light rain tinkles on the roof and it has clouded over darkly.

Some late results from yesterday:
Schools
Cadet Pair: 1. Dollar Academy 188.12; 2. Lancing 183.10; 3. RGS Guildford 181.7.
Cadet Four: 1. Dollar Academy 368.21; 2. Greshams 358.24; 3. Elizabeth College 352.17.
Spencer Mellish: 1. L Jarvis-Bicknell (Marlborough) 48.3; 2. E Graves (Fettes> 47.4; 3. H Schwar (Bedford) 47.3.
Reserve: 1. O Swann (The Oratory) 43.2/21.2; 2. J Allum (Wellington) 43.2/21.0; 3. H Awin (Epsom) 43.1.
Cadet Grand Agg: 1. M Barber (Elizabeth) 272.29; 2. A Dowle (Epsom) 270.28; 3. D Rowell (Exeter) 270.25.

The schools veterans' results will be later still. Unusually the cards are not yet with stats. More later on today.

Later: 2000hrs
The weather forecast was a little wrong it seems. The morning was not very nice at all with some nasty slanting rain borne in on the stiff winds. Call it showers if you will but it was penetrating if you got caught in it. There were tales of corrected values of 7 to 9 left at 600 yards in the Century match (600 & 500) and quite a bit more n the Admiral Hutton at 900. The winds remained all day and are scheduled for tomorrow, but all the informed folk say that the forecasts they have accessed point to the temperatures warming up.

Let us look at the matches. The Astor County Championship, which is really for clubs that have qualified to represent their county, resulted in a win for the Old Guildfordians pushing the City of Newcastle team into second place by not very much for the second year running. Guildfordans also took the schools veterans A and C team prizes and a second for the B teams last night so they are quietlysatisfied with the early haul.

The warm up Hutton saw a three way tie for first place between Peter Holden of OGRE, James Watson of Uppingham Veterans and Geoff Dyson of the visiting Australians all on 50.8. There were 19 scores of 50. I will have to check on the Geoff. The back to front Century was won outright by Alex Williams of Uppingham Veterans. His 99.13 pipped Martin Millar of Comber and my Sussex colleague Les Wicker by just one central bullseye. I will have to check the Alex.

Wicker took the Friday aggregate with a fine 149.19, given the conditions, chased by our old maestro Nick Tremlett on 148.19, equally adept at Match Rifle or TR. Parag Patel of Epsomians was third with 147.18.

F Class Century fell to David Kent on 169. F Class Hutton shows L Oliver on 77 as the winner.

Tomorrow it all gets a touch more serious. the Donegall at 300 and the Lovell at 1000 are the two warm up matches. The Grand starts with the Telegraph at 500 yards.

Thanks to Dave Rumbold and Jim Thompson from Canada and to Skip Epp from USA for their good wishes. And

Some reasonable amounts of rain overnight, judging by the drumming on the roof of the van. At 8am there are medium height clouds scudding across from the general South bringingsome sharp showers to greet the early shooters in the schools Ashburton Shield. Lots of air traffic going into Farnborough: I am told it is the air show there next week. Stickledown Hill can be a fine viewing point as some of the more exotic aircraft do their down the runway approaches.

The sun is now struggling to break through and there are some patches of blue appearing.

Later: the Ashburton is finished and has resulted in a thrilling win for Epsom under some very difficult conditions. Rain, strong gusting winds and late in the shoot an emerging sun, saw quite a number of wide shots appearing. Epsom, under Clare Huxter in just her second year in charge, started strongly at 300 and consolidated at 600 yards. The Match is shot in the order 300, 600 and 500. They faltered just a bit at 500 but held on by the skin of their teeth to make 763.42 to Greshams 762.40. Points win prizes. Cheltenham were third on 753.39.

The full lists with Cadet Pair and Four results will go up later. Just treat this as a sort of stop press.

The Veterans matches now beckon to be followed by a variety of dinners, AGMs and reunions that put paid to the evening. Oh, and the airplanes are practicing ever stronger. Perhaps that is what inspired the RAF winners of The Opening Shot match for teams of four at long range to call their team Reaper.

Ashburton Shield (300, 500 & 600yds)(br) 1. Epsom 763.42; 2. Greshams 762.51; 3. Cheltenham 753.39.(br) Opening Shot (900 & 1000yds)(br) 1. RAFTRC Reaper 578.58 (N Moxon 146.19); 2. Hertfordshire 578.58 (J Sweet 146.19); 3. ATSC Magenta 576.51 (B Taylor 147.18).

Download Earwig

I am a little late tonight, for which apologies. It was not just thinking about the nature of the day, and the prickling sensations around the nape of the neck.

I have now moved into the command centre for the duration and had to fit in a visit to the local Sainsburys for provisions. In any event the main match of the day ran late thanks to a torrential rainstorm at around 3.30pm. The wet stuff hammered on the roof like machine gun fire for about thirty minutes and, quite wisely, the match rifle folk stopped for a breather between 1100 and 1200 yards.

It was the Elcho Match, redolent of sensible breaks for lunch and cream teas, and laced with needle adversity. Scotland edged into an early lead at 1000 yards, pulling out eight points over England. They added another 10 at 1100 yards before the heavens opened. After the refreshing rain England attempted a fight back but failed: they lost one further point to the Celts who ran out winners by 19 points on a total of 1734.174.

Observers do not agree that this was near to a record score. What they do say is that Scotland did achieve a record for the match in that not one single magpie appeared on their board. It was a matter for some very good humoured celebrations, aided by the realisation that they had retained, and not regained, the Shield. The detailed breakdown of all the scores can be found in the results section of the website.

I have also to draw your attention to a small venture in recognition of the 150th anniversary. Back in the 1860s there was published at Wimbledon Common a newspaper called the Earwig. This was an early attempt to provide the contestants with a topical organ of wit and erudition. For 2010 it has been resurrected and has been enclosed in every squadding envelope. We intend to post it as a pdf download on the website in the next few days, and we are going to publish one or two more editions as the Meeting progresses. More information will follow.

Tomorrow is what the late Harry Eaton christened Black Thursday, the day of the Ashburton and the Schools? Veterans. The weather is forecast as being on the change, back to high pressure and more clement climes after some sporadic showers. We shall see. It is a fractious day at the best of times so I just might not make it to the keyboard. But do not worry: in the words of Schwarzeneger ?Oilbebak?.

Rain overnight in Sussex and I suppose it may have happened at Bisley too given that I am on remote access at the moment: not a great deal of it though, laying the dust is I think the expression. As a result it has been a very humid day with gentle breezes.

Overnight McLeod of McLeod lay in pole position as the Albert approached. Fifteen at 1000, 1100 and 1200 without the wasteful sighters. The squadding as always was reshuffled to bring the leaders together on the same detail: ultra sophisticated these Match Rifle folk.

I do not have all the grisly details but suffice it to say that Angus was not about to let it all drift away from him. With Stuart Collings falling back McLeod put in 220.28 to rack up a final total of 987.106, too good for any of the chasing pack. Indeed Jim McAllister would have had to make 224 to beat him, a tall proposition on any basis. Nick Tremlett moved up to third with Mike Barlow fourth and Collings fifth. So we ended with three Scots in the top five and, so someone told me, a total of 12 Scots and Welsh in the top twenty.

Congratulations to Angus, a relative newcomer to Match Rifle if you look at the pedigree of some of the names behind him. The victory and the title will be all the sweeter.

Albert (1000, 1100 & 1200yds)
1. G James (Welsh RA) 222.23; 2. J Peck (NLRC) 221.25; 3. Barlow 220.30.
Hopton Agg
1. A McLeod 987.106; 2. J McAllister 983.109; 3. N Tremlett 982.116; 4. M Barlow 982.95; 5. S Collings 978.79.

However, I had a very restful day yesterday culminating in a champagne tea with she who must be obeyed on the sun-kissed terrace of a rather nice hotel not far from home. I have to say that, notwithstanding the excellence of BCRC's teas at Bisley, the sandwiches (crusts orff) and the scones and cakes were superb. Had to do a penguin jump-up-and-down act to squeeze in dinner.

I digress. Sunday saw a couple of fine shoots from Rob Lygoe to take both the Cottesloe and the Wimbledon (20 at 1000 and 1100yds respectively). George Barnard of Leics and N'Hants annexed the Armourers and after five of the seven events had been completed the top five in the Hopton (as represented by the Weekend Agg) contained some familiar names, with only four points in it.

Cottesloe (1000yds)
1. R Lygoe (Dursley) 100.15; 2. Tremlett 99.15;3. 3 Major AR McLeod ATSC 99.13.
Wimbledon (1100yds)
1. Lygoe (Dursley) 99.10; 2. N Brasier (LMRA) 98.9; 3. McAllister (NLRC) 97.10.
Armourers
1. Mr GV Barnard Leics & Northants RC 97.9v; 2 Mr DA Friend Sussex RC 95.8v; 3. Mr JS Collings Windsor RC 95.7v
Martin Parr (Sunday) Agg
1 Mr MJ Barlow Fife & Kinross FBRC 290.25v; 2 Mr RJ Lygoe Dursley 289.31v; 3 Major AR McLeod ATSC 288.29v
Weekend Agg
1 Mr JS Collings Windsor RC 573.44v; 2 Mr MJ Barlow Fife & Kinross FBRC 572.48v; 3 Mr JA McAllister NLRC 570.59v; 4 Major AR McLeod ATSC 570.57v; 5 Mr CN Tremlett Windsor RC 569.64v

Monday 12 July
A day of mixed weather, with some spits of rain, good fresh breezes and sun. Enough to test skills and patience. Angus Mcleod shattered the field with some fine shooting in the Edge (20 shots at 1100 & 1200 yards), posting a highly respectable 197, three points clear of John Pugsley with Nick Tremlett third on 193.
That leaves us with one shoot to go to decide the Hopton, the feared Albert, bereft of sighting shots. McLeod has vaulted into the lead from fourth last night, just one point ahead of Stuart Collings (the Australians have sent him back) with Jim McAllister third three points adrift. Tremlett and Barlow lurk one more point away in fourth and fifth. As usual one can say it is all up for grabs on the last shoot. Will we see a Collings return to the premier fold? Will Angus be on a McLeod? Will Jim nurdle his way through? Will Tremmers make it four in a row? We shall see.

Edge (1100 & 1200yds)
1. McLeod 197.21; 2. J Pugsley (Exonia & Tiverton) 194.24; 3. Tremlett 193.25.
Hopton Agg (latest)
1. McLeod 767.78; 2. Collings 766.59; 3. McAllister 763.79; 4. Tremlett 762.89; 5. Barlow 762.65.

Well blow me down, and I am not sure I expect you to believe me, I have just seen the results for today, and Calvert has won the Saturday Agg. The full results of the Whitehead, the Halford and the Agg are already posted on the results section of the website, but here is the top three parade (without any attempt to get the spacings right):

Whitehead 1 Mr AJ Burgess West Wales ML 2 Mr GV Barnard Leics & Northants RC 3 Mr AL James Welsh RA	1000x 75.10v 74.8v 75.9v	1100x 74.9v 75.8v 74.6	Total 149.19 149.16 149.15
Halford 1 Wg Cdr DP Calvert RAFTRC 2 Mr JA McAllister NLRC 3 Mr JS Collings Windsor RC	1000x 71.5v 68.4v 68.3v	1100x 73.4v 71.6v 71.3	Total 144.9 139.10 139.6
Saturday Agg 1 Wg Cdr DP Calvert RAFTRC 2 Mr JMB Baillie-Hamilton West Atholl RC 3 Mr AL James Welsh RA	Whitehead 74.8v 71.5 75.6v 73.10v 75.9v 74.6v	Halford 71.5v 73.4v 71.8v 67.3v 71.9v 66.3v	Total 289.22v 286.27v 286.27

After such technical detail let us switch back to the real interest that permeates the British psyche - the weather. It is hot, very, very hot. It has been hot and rain-free for the best part of three or four weeks down here in the South of the country. Some five or so weeks ago, around 20 May, we had a major fire in the danger area behind the butts. You can read about the narrow escape for the camp area in the latest NRA Journal, but for our overseas readers (please do not hesitate to make yourselves known to guv.bastille@btinternet.com or to karen@nra.org.uk ) it was a major incident that the Fire Brigade and NRA staff managed with great competence.

There seems to be a cycle and we get such a blaze every seven years or so. Remembering a little of the natural history that was dinned into me by struggling tutors all those years ago, it is a natural process. Hopefully it will have made any repeat during the next fortnight much less likely, but everywhere is tinder dry, so BBQ addicts keep it under control. I digress.

The forecast is more of the same heat tomorrow (Sunday) accompanied by the erratic breezes that have teased their way around the ranges over the past weeks. They are not easy conditions. That is altogether a good thing, in my view. It tests the skills of our top shooters and provides the real individual battles against the elements that are so much part of the enjoyment of our sport. Mind you, I can already hear the shrieks of "lottery" from the sorely disappointed.

Rain is expected on Monday and again on Wednesday, but the heat and humidity are likely to last until the start of next week when the temperatures will drop, Westerly winds, clouds and possible showers will last until Wednesday and then brighter weather will follow. At least, that is my reading of the Metcheck.com charts - and I could be so, so wrong.

It is reassuring to be back with you again and I expect to woffle on each

Saturday 10 July
Incredibly it is that time again. I really only woke up to the fact yesterday when someone mentioned the word diary. This year the Annual Bisley Meeting is special. It is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the United kingdom National Rifle Association. I collected my squadding cards this morning: the envelope contained several reminders of the fact, including a natty 150th anniversary pin badge.

It made me think. I first came to Bisley as a cadet with my school team in 1962 to shoot in the Ashburton. I ended up sharpening the chalk as someone else possessed of a lesser twitch than I made the cadet pair into a twosome. My first full Grand Aggregate, after the usual lapse to find gainful employment, was somewhere around 1971. So at a conservative estimate I have known the place for over 40 years. There are many others who comfortably surpass this mundane total.

But the point is that the sport has had, for so many of us, a permanence in our lives. We make the annual trek like some of the African animals: I leave lemmings out of the comparison. Why do we do it? The answer is that we enjoy both the occasional successes, whether measured by medals or by our own personal targets, and we make friends in passing. Long may it continue.

I have to jerk myself back to the present. The next fortnight promises all of the events we have come to expect and more. I noticed a variety of entertainments - talks and courses and a mighty display of whizz-bangs and pyrotechnics from the fireworks brigade.

We of course welcome all our overseas guests and their entourages. The Canadians as usual, the Australians in whose honour we have an Australia Match, the Kenyans, and all our regular attendees from the Channel Islands and mainland Europe. I am sure that there is a full list somewhere on the NRA website - or there should be.

We kick off with the Match Rifle where Milord Tremlett is the cheerful chappie to beat. My outside punt would be Nick Brasier or David Calvert - assuming that they are both shooting the full course.

Download results

Download AGM Minutes

The tour is expected to depart for Guernsey on Wednesday 25th May 2011, returning from Jersey on the following Wednesday (1st June).

Please see the attached document for further details.

Full results are available by clicking the link below:

http://www.grc.org.gg/results/2010/InterInsular_2010.pdf

At the moment the tragic incident in Cumbria appears to have dropped off the media radar. This is likely to change with a series of reports on licensing and the renewal process in Cumbria, to be followed by an enquiry into the police response to the incident. The first of these reports are expected within the next two weeks.

Clubs must be aware that with the upturn in interest relating to Cumbria they are likely to be contacted by the media. The current advice that clubs or individuals should refer the media to BSSC or the NRA is still appropriate. In this way we ensure a consistent approach.

Police, Clubs and Firearms Certificates

The NRA is receiving a number of reports from individuals and clubs that police forces are tending to be more vigorous in their attention to FAC renewals and club inspections. We have had some reports that indicate some forces are taking a very robust approach to any perceived failings on the part of the individual or the club concerned.

The NRA would advise all FAC holders to ensure that they carefully check their FAC?s against legal requirements and Home Office Guidance to ensure they meet the required conditions in relation to:

• Secure storage of firearms and ammunition

• Numbers of firearms and amounts of ammunition held

• That firearms have been used sufficiently to meet police renewal requirements

• Good reason for each firearm held

If you are unsure regarding any requirements or conditions, it is likely that within your club you will have a member who will have good knowledge of what is required.
If you are still unsure contact the NRA or any other shooting body you are a member of for assistance and guidance.

If following contact with the police you find you have any problems with your application or renewal you should contact the NRA or other shooting body for assistance.

If the matter is serious, in that your FAC has been revoked and firearms removed it is imperative that you make early contact with the NRA or other shooting body that you are a member of. This will result in the body concerned making interventions with the police on your behalf.

In some cases there maybe a requirement for legal advice or representation. If you are an individual member of a shooting organisation it is usual as part of your insurance that legal cover may be included. If you are a member of a club that has chosen to take out legal cover, usually as an add-on to the club insurance, you will have access to legal advice.

I would encourage clubs as a contingency to consider additional legal cover for members if they have not invested in it to date. This can easily be arranged with any of the shooting organisations insurers as an addition to their current insurance.

The National Rifle Association will seek to give you further guidance and advice as the post incident response to Cumbria unfolds.

Glynn Alger

Secretary General

Phone: 01483 797777 x123
Email: SecGen@nra.org.uk

Download Results

Download R Jarvis Individual Match

Download Lt Col H Jones Match

Download Long Range Match

Download Team Aggregate

It was agreed that BASC would represent our interests in any television reports, leaving BSSC and other shooting bodies to handle radio and local and national press enquiries. All the press statements from this point forward were made in accord with the joint agreement between the member bodies representing the sport. This was essential to ensure the sport spoke with a single voice.

At this point the NRA also made a decision to contact all of its clubs in the Cumbria region to offer them support in dealing with the media. The Secretary General of the Association was on stand-by to attend Cumbria to support the clubs locally should that need have arisen.

The strategic message that was essential to the agreed approach was that the authorities should not respond in a 'knee jerk' manner to the sad events as they were revealed in Cumbria and that the national shooting bodies should be consulted early for their views enabling any changes to legislation or guidance to be considered, appropriate and effective going forward.

This was the message that was given to the media and politicians both publically and privately.

The NRA has quietly had discussions with both media and political contacts, who have confirmed that the approach was correct and appropriate. The views of the shooting bodies have since been reflected in comments by representatives from all the major political parties and, most importantly, the coalition government.

As a result of the joint efforts of all of the national shooting bodies, working in co-operation, the media are at this point in time treating the events in Cumbria as the tragedy it is and not allocating blame to the shooting community.

All of the member organisations attended a BSSC meeting on Thursday 10 June 2010 where it was reiterated that all organisations would continue to act together in the wider interest of the sport. The NRA will at times make comment on this incident as issues develop but any statements will accord with the policy and views of agreed via the British Shooting Sport Council.

Glynn Alger
Secretary General

Download results

Importantly the Home Secretary gave an undertaking that it was not the intention of the Government to act without taking the appropriate advice from all concerned.

The NRA acting jointly with the other shooting bodies will be involved in any discussions.

Glynn Alger
Secretary General
http://www.nra.org.uk/common/files/news/10/StatementToHouse.pdf

Statement by James Gray MP for N Wilts

Home Secretary's statement to the House (BBC Recording)

Home Secretary's statement to the House (Transcript)

Times Leader June 5th

Telegraph June 4th

Evening Standard June 3rd

Download Prize list

Download results

NRA : 1139.93
GRC : 1133.98

The NRA also won both individual competitions

Guernsey Tankard - Jonny Borland 100.15 (24.2 tie shoot win against Geroge Cotton also NRA with 100.15)

Monday 31st May. Crabbe Range

Jersey Match. NRA win.

NRA 1189.159
JRA 1184.150

This was a record score.

However we will continue to monitor the situation during the day.

updated: Monday 17:00

Photos of the fires

Download results

Download results

Download results

More details can be found below

http://www.grc.org.gg

Download results

Ordinary Members

The following have been elected unopposed:

JH Carmichael
ARK Clayton
M Maksimovic
Mrs KD Robertson
WDC Wilcox

Regional Members

The following have been elected unopposed:

MJ Black - Northern
Dr JD Warburton - Yorkshire & Humberside
DD Watt - Eastern
DG Young - North Western

Shooting Discipline Members

The following have been elected unopposed:

PH Hobson - F Class
Flt Lt IW Robertson - TR
DE Spittles - Muzzle Loading

Download results

Full results available for download on the Open Prize Meeting page of the Ibis website below

http://www.IbisRifleClub.co.uk

Download results

http://results.sius.com/Events.aspx?Championship=CommonwealthShootingFederationChampionships20100415DelhiIndia

Download Results

Download results

300m Pairs
1 Wales - R Oxford 582.15, G Morris 579.20 Total 1161.35
2 N Ireland - D Calvert 592.21, G Alexander 558.11 Total 1150.32
3 Australia 1148.22

300m Badge Individual
1 D Calvert (NI) 592.21
2 D Wright (AUS) 589.16
3 R Oxford (WAL) 582.15.

70 pence per round!

We ask that there be a minimum purchase of 1000 rounds, and the offer is valid until the end of May 2010. We regret we will not be able to offer storage for ammunition bought at this special price. Payment on pickup at the Range Office.

Please contact Fred James or call us on 01483 797777 ext 134 to discuss your requirements, including any special arrangements you may need to return your once-fired cases to us.

Matthew Ensor
Assistant Director - Operations
NSC Ltd

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope this will be rectified as soon as possible.

Download results

As part of a restructure, we are now looking to recruit a dynamic and passionate person who is willing to go the extra mile to ensure our customers receive the service they expect. Working as part of a small team in charge of safe daily operation of our globally renowned shooting ranges, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

· A commitment to, and experience in, delivering excellent service to a wide variety of customers and stakeholders;
· The ability to prioritise and work effectively in a fast-paced and service orientated environment;
· The desire to work effectively as part of a small team, in a shift pattern that includes weekend work;
· Experience in managing conflict, working flexibly and to deadlines.

For more information, including a detailed Job Description, please contact Matthew Ensor.

If you wish to apply, please submit a CV and covering letter to Matthew Ensor on the email address above no later than midday on Friday 23 April 2010.

Download results

This summer, LOCOG Sport will be publishing opportunities to identify suppliers of Shooting Equipment to be used in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Games related opportunities will be published on the CompeteFor system through the London 2012 website below

CompeteFor is a free service that enables businesses to compete for contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 Games and other major public and private sector buying organisations. Any business can register on CompeteFor. It's easy, free of charge, and only needs to be done once to access thousands of contract opportunities.

First you will need to register the basic details of your business to create a user account. This will allow you to view opportunities and gain access to relevant business news and events.

To apply for contracts advertised on CompeteFor, you must complete and publish a full business profile. Once published, your business profile will be used to match your business with contract opportunities you can then apply for.

If further information is required email Sports.Tenders@london2012.com

http://www.london2012.com/business

Download results

Download news

The full NRA Guide to Policy and Procedures is now available to download.

For further information about Child Protection

Download snooker scores

Download results

Download results

Download results

In October 2009 there was an incident at Bisley when a Montana 1999 action made in stainless steel suffered a breech explosion and catastrophic failure of the front receiver ring. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt. The NRA has carried out a technical investigation on the rifle, including obtaining a metallurgical analysis.

As a consequence of this incident and pending full consideration of the information generated by the NRA's investigation, the use of stainless steel Montana 1999 actions on Bisley ranges is prohibited until further notice.

The NRA will pass its concerns to the manufacturer and is in communication with the Birmingham Proof House. The prohibition will be reconsidered in the light of any advice received from these two sources. Owners of Montana firearms with such actions are invited to supply contact details to the Secretary General so that the NRA can pass on any advice with minimum delay.

It is emphasised that this prohibition applies only to stainless steel Montana 1999 actions. Montana actions made in 4140 CrMo steel are not included in this prohibition.

Glynn Alger
Secretary General

Range Office Manager - National Shooting Centre, Bisley
We are currently looking for a talented and dedicated Range Office Manager to help us take our range operations and customer service proposition forward. You will manage a customer-facing team, work closely with the Assistant Director - Operations and other internal departments, and serve customers during our busier periods. We expect hard work and commitment and in return promise a fantastic rural environment in which to work, great benefits, and the opportunity to play a key role in helping us deliver on our strategic goals. This role will require regular weekend work. A police check will be performed on any shortlisted applicants, prior to the interview stage which is likely to take place in the first week of March 2010.

Download further details

Clerk of Works
This position requires a skilled tradesman who will be responsible for the day to day maintenance of the Estate and management of the Estate team.

Administration Assistant - Shooting Division
This is a full time position with some flexibility as occasional weekend working is required.

Closing date for these roles is Wednesday 24 February 2010. If you are interested in any of the above vacancies please forward your CV together with a covering letter either by post to: Libby Gendall, PA to the Managing Director National Shooting Centre, Bisley GU24 0PB or e-mail to Libby Gendall

We continue to ask for cases to be returned as soon as possible, and normally within 24 hours. However we understand that those who do not shoot at Bisley, or who are administering large competitions, may find this a little difficult. We will arrange details of how and when to return once-fired cases on a case-by-case basis in these events. We do ask that you buy at least 500 rounds for us to consider any special arrangements.

We continue to ask that once-fired cases are returned in good condition and, wherever possible, in their original packaging.

If you would like to discuss this further please give Fred James a call from Wednesdays to Sundays on 01483 797777 ext 134, or send an email by clicking here.

Clubs are asked to contact the NRA to register their interest.

Please click below for further details.

Download further details

Please click below for further details.

Download further details

Please be aware that you will need to produce a valid 2010 Shooter's Certification Card in order to shoot at Bisley.

There can be no exceptions.

It is not permitted for a shooter without a card to be supervised by someone who has a card, unless the person without a card is a novice shooter or undergoing the certification assessment.

If you require further information to acquire cards for your club, please follow this link.

Download results

All NSC ranges are now closed and reopen on Tuesday 5 January 2010.

The NRA and NSC would like to wish a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you all!

NRA Trustees
20th December 2009

Alwyn McLean has accepted my invitation to serve as Vice-Captain, and David Calvert has accepted the post of Chief Coach.

The SA Championships are provisionally scheduled for 27 March to 4 April 2012. A tour will be designed around these dates, probably departing about a week before and returning about three days after the event.

I now invite members to apply for places on the team. The South Africans are formidable opponents at any time; doubly so on their own ground. Accordingly, my selection will be strongly influenced by demonstrated ability under conditions of high temperature and bright light. Experience at Bloemfontein will be a significant factor, particularly in selecting coaches. Notwithstanding these criteria, I will look favourably on applications from rising talents, and intend to select at least two new caps. I am happy for team members to be accompanied by shooting partners who participate fully with the team and provide support on and off the range.

Please send applications to me by clicking here or by post via the NRA giving your full name, age and NRA membership number, contact details, and a brief outline of your recent team activity at or above County/Service level. Additional detail is not required at this stage. A selection questionnaire will be sent to applicants making the long list. Applications will be accepted up to First Tuesday of the 2010 Imperial Meeting; however I intend to select a core team immediately after the 2010 SA Championships and thus would appreciate submissions by 1 March if possible. The remaining places will be filled in autumn 2010 using performance at the 2010 Imperial Meeting as a final discriminator.

Iain Robertson

Please note that the Marksman's Calendar will no longer be provided as a printed insert in the Journal. However it is available in the same format by visiting the NRA website and clicking on the Calendar sub menu. For those members without internet access and who cannot get a friend or club member to print a copy for them, please contact Karen and she will be happy to post a copy to you.

Whilst contact e-mail addresses are hidden on the website-based calendar (to prevent spammers electronically harvesting your address), they will be visible on the downloadable printed version. Please provide such contact details as you are happy to have made public.

If you have booked your targets using our online booking system please could you send details of any dates for the Marksman's Calendar to Karen as well. Whilst it is possible to find out the dates from the online target booking system, it would be a very long and laborious job for her to pick out the relevant events from nearly 3,000 bookings!

Download letter to Club Secretaries regarding planned Range closures by the DTE

Download results

Being the Trustees for Bisley, we thought that the most essential issue for the sport was that, as well as a successful 2012 in medal terms, the sport ought to get some solid legacy out of the Games. To this end the NRA employed a professional development team to ensure that we could make a credible bid in all our interests for the event to come to the National Shooting Centre. The aim was to create the conditions at Bisley to host World Championships going forward, plus offer a home to Team GB and the Paralympic Team. More importantly we looked to be able to promote the sport from a world class shooting centre for the benefit of all.

During the course of this whole debate we have been in discussion with Sport England to get more investment into the sport. They saw the Olympic facilities forming part of a modern multi-discipline facility as the 'National Centre of Excellence', with them willing to make further investment in similar facilities nationally as 'Regional Centres of Excellence'.

To avoid any doubt, our bid for the Olympic shooting venue, despite what has been said publicly, was the least expensive, met all the security and safety conditions, plus providing a full legacy.

After exerting pressure through meetings, the press and friends in Parliament we have got the Olympic authorities to the table to talk legacy for shooting. If we do get legacy out of the Olympics it will be due largely to the investment that the NRA has made in the wider interest of the sport.

In the longer term we have developed a valuable relationship with friends in the House, who are willing to work with us in the future.

No flowers please, but donations, if desired, to the Royal Signals Association (Paul Bysouth, 9 Croft Road, Crowborough TN6 1DL).

We have now plotted all requests received prior to 1 November, and are in the process of confirming your bookings. If you have a booking that has not been confirmed by the end of next week, don't worry. We'll shortly be contacting you to ask if an alternative suggestion is acceptable, as we have been unable to accommodate your original request.

If this is the case you will see these agreed changes then appear in place of your original bookings, retaining their original, unique BID number.

All e-mail or paper bookings received prior to 1 November have also been plotted alongside those received online. You will receive, through the post, a printout of your bookings before Christmas.

We will continue to do our utmost to plot all the bookings received after 1 November quickly, but you may need to wait until early January 2010 to receive your confirmations. This will obviously not be the case for any bookings for January itself. We'll do our best to get those confirmations back to you before Christmas.

Thanks again for all your support using this new system.

The Range Office

Download results

Download results

Day includes:
Drive the Top Gear track
Slalom on the main runway
Clay Shooting
Go-Karting
Top speed down the main runway
Bacon butty breakfast and Hog Roast lunch

Click below for more details
http://www.nra.org.uk/common/files/news/09/gbnztrackday.pdf

Download Newsletter

Bisley will be hosting a major exhibition that will be based on Stickledown at 1000 yards and the Bisley Pavilion Hotel and there will be limited access to Bisley during this period.

Whilst we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, we hope all our customers will understand the reasoning behind this decision.

We also understand that we must change our charging structures for the day, to ensure you only pay for what you use. Therefore all range hire bookings made for Sunday morning will be charged the lower afternoon rate.

For example, Century and Stickledown targets will now be charged at the following rates:

AM - £18.00 (reduced from £22.20)
PM - £18.00
All Day - £36.00 (reduced from £40.20)

Marker fees will remain unchanged, as the markers themselves will remain in the butts to allow further shooting between 12:00pm and 12:30pm, if required.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Range Office.

Download results

GRAAWResults09.pdf

Download results

Download results

Download stage results

Download match results

Download snooker results

Download here

Download information

Download Results

Download Results

Download Results

Download Results

All Chairmen/Presidents, Club Secretaries, Masters-in-Charge or appropriate nominated individuals should receive an email over the next 24 hours giving them more details on the new service.

If your organisation has yet to provide online contact details, your nominated representative will shortly receive a letter through the post giving them all the relevant information.

We are not yet able to accept individual bookings on this system, but hope to be able to accept them from early 2010.

Please click here to access your NRA member login page

Download the Bisley Online Booking Service User Guide.

Once you have logged in then you can also access the FAQ section located at the top of each page.

Following very successful trials, your Range Office will be launching a NEW online booking system on 1 September 2009.

Priority bookings for all Clubs, Associations, Schools and Official Teams will run from 1 to 30 September 2009. Paper booking forms will be made available to those who request them, and will be sent out on 14 September. Entries will be made onto the range allocation sheets on a first-come, first-served basis so it is in your interest to book online!

All you need is a login on the NRA/NSC website, available here (click on Users - Register as User if you don't have one). Watch out for an email on 1 September with more details.

Please send an email to the Range Office with your name, club and affiliation number if you require a paper booking form to be sent to you on 14 September.

a. There is no MOD policy that states civil clubs must wear body armour when using an ISBR.

b. Civilian shooting clubs can only fire from a standard firing point, from a static firing position against a static target exposed on a target line - this includes on IBSRs and Field Firing Areas (FFAs).

c. DTE only permits them to use and ISBR when a Gallery Range or Electric Target Range is unavailable and there is no fire with movement or moving from cover to cover on the Firing Point in a 'tactical manner'.

Download Results

Download details and sponsorship form

Matt has joined us to consolidate our Range Office and Armoury functions, and to introduce a new, computerised system to the Armoury. His knowledge of Bisley as a TR shooter, and his working background in project management, system development and change management, will help us deliver a more efficient, customer-centric and robust service proposition into the future.

I'm sure he will be in touch with members in due course, but on behalf of everyone at the NSC, I'd like to welcome Matt to the organisation.

In the meantime if you wish to get in touch with Matt please contact him by e-mail by clicking here

Jeremy Staples
Managing Director

Download team list

Download here

Download Results

Apologies for the delay in posting these results.

However, the CPSA Board will continue to work with the NRA and NSRA on joint working initiatives to benefit target shooting sports and will work with these National Governing Bodies, as it has done in the past, to present a common voice for the future of all Target shooting sports.

download here

Grey and overcast again this morning, but that is of little relevance to most of us waking to face the last knockings of packing up at the end of what will have been two weeks holiday for some. Save for yesterday the weather has been pretty dire. I doubt if anyone has escaped at least one wetting. It is the one thoroughly disappointing issue and genuinely and utterly out of the organisers' control. What happened to that fine July, we wonder?

Apart from that, three things have struck me. First we have had what is, for Target Rifle shooters based on their experience of ten and more years, some quite exceptional ammunition. I spoke last night with a couple of pretty happy representatives from RWS RUAG. They were having a whale of a time loosely tracking Tremlett in his chair as he lurched around the Camp. The Bisley experience has been an eye-opener to them. Their product has been something of an eye-opener to many of us who have born with fortitude the 155 grain predecessor for too long. Good-bye figures of merit: welcome back consistent customer satisfying high performance. Long may it continue without any sense of complacency creeping in.

Second, and perhaps as a direct result, shooters have been seen with smiles on their faces and there has been a satisfied air permeating just about everything. Targets on the ranges have been accomplished: there are now other targeted improvements off the ranges to meet in the fabric of the place. Get that right and we will have nothing to moan about in the gunroom or loos.

Third, there was an 'under new management' note in the welcome envelope. The new team did exceptionally well with a refreshing lightness of touch. They are to be congratulated, from bottom to top. There were one or two glitches, but all were solved quietly and confidently. There are too many names to mention: someone deserving would surely be missed out. So a big thank you to them all for what I personally found to be one of the most enjoyable Meetings for a long time. It is something that can now be built on for the future.

Next year is the 150th anniversary year of the NRA of GB. We look forward to a fitting event for that milestone. So save up your pennies, euros, dollars or whatever and make sure you get here. My thanks to those who have emailed from afar and for all the messages about this daily diary. I cannot always mention everything and apologies for any duff information that creeps in along the way in the haste to paint the daily picture.

That is all the assessment you are going to get from me. All the lists should now have been posted in the usual place and I have to sort out the grot that has accumulated in the command-centre before trecking homeward. The words that I think the late great cricket commentator Brian Johnston used for his auto-biography were 'Its been a lot of fun'. It has. No doubt if I have got the quote wrong, someone will correct me!

Toodle pip.

A sunny start to the day with some high cloud and a forecast that suggests that the South East stands the best chance of no showers. Yes please. Today's postings are going to be a bit bitty, whenever time allows.

It is 0945 and back to the command centre for a cup of Messrs Twinings English Breakfast brew to post the first result, the St Georges. A moderate breeze from the left that looked fairly steady clearly needed watching carefully given the patterns of the winds during the Meeting. The top three all returned 150s: the best of them was James Anderson (NRA) with 24 centrals over the second and third stages. D Richardson and Andrew Le Cheminant gave Jersey second and third places with 23 and 19 centrals respectively.

Tea finished: back to the Mackinnon. More later.

1300: the Mackinnon is finished with a win for England. At the start of the shoot there was very little wind at all but the currents soon stirred back into the earlier patterns. England shot quickly to finish 900yds 15 points off with the Scots 6 points behind and the Irish 4 more away. At 1000 there was for a time some greater movement in both strength and direction, causing England to pause while others carried on ? into fours and threes on the targets. It paid off: their lead at the finish was 23 points over Scotland with Ireland third and Canada fourth.

England 1163.125; 2. Scotland 1140.111; 3. Ireland 1134.10; 4. Canada 1122.84; 5. Guernsey 1118.90; 6. Wales 1116.100; 7. Jersey 1110.96.

Queen's III

It is now 7pm and a silver sun is starting its tracks down to the Western horizon. It has been warm and humid when the sun has been out and cooler in the breeze when it has not. We have a winner of the Queen's Prize in the incredibly grinning form of Nick Tremlett who, as alert readers of this diary will have noticed, also won the Hopton Match Rifle Aggregate less than two weeks ago. Nick, who was 50 last April is a veterinary surgeon from Wokingham, I think dealing with unwell small animals.

He scored 298 and 44 centrals although I failed to make a note in the process of departing the firing point. So apologies for that if it is wrong - anyway, he won. John Warburton was second one point behind and David Lucman third, another point adrift. The 900 yards' section passed in a gentle wind that needed watching closely, but at 1000 it kicked up viciously. Brackets on ranges 0 and 1 were 4 - 6 minutes: on range 4, target 49, I visited all parts of the theatre from 6 - 14.

I hope the full lists will be up soon, if they are not already, (they are). Then I too can find out what went on. I hope to post some reflections and an update either tomorrow or early next week when the dust has settled.

Another long day as the events move to their various heads. High overcast and early spots of blue sky gave way to spots of rain during the Kolapore and threatening clouds after lunch which, as we shall see, had some effect on the second stage of the Queen?s Prize. The Kolapore kicked off the day and Robin Pizer's GB confidently posted a fine 398 ex 400 at 300 yards. Somewhat to their and everyone else's consternation Guernsey did exactly the same. A clear warning had been sounded.

500 yards and Guernsey refused to back off: 397 for GB, and 394 for the Islanders. Jersey and Canada were fighting their own battle. At the final distance it became a bit more difficult with light rain and a frisky wind. GB pulled away for a final 10 points margin and a total of 1193 to Guernsey's 1183. Jersey were three points behind and Canada nine more adrift.

Georges' II produced 11 scores of 150, mercifully free of rain, of which the best with 24 centrals was Sarah Jane Binder of the Huddersfield Rifle Club ? cue Yorkshire rejoicing. Dr John Deene of Dursley was second counting out Andrew LeCheminat of Jersey both on 150.23.

And so to Queen's II.. At about 2.20pm the thunderclouds spoke and spat forth lightning and then torrential rain for about ten minutes. CRO Tony Clayton understandably delayed the proceedings until the skies were clearing and at 3pm the show got on the road in what became some warm and humid sunny weather. We steamed. The wind had veered around to come more from 10 o'clockish, but at that stage readable. With the excellent ammunition a high qualifying score was expected.

500 yards passed in the same vein with the wind backing round a bit to 9 o'clock. Again, with the standard of shooting and the ammunition we were looking perhaps at 148s in and out. Then 600 where scores did not stand up to expectation, mainly because of a wind that bobbed and weaved, changing in strength and angle. The cut dropped from a potential 148 to the top three 146s each with 21 centrals. Three of them for one place.

Ant Ringer took the Silver Medal with 150.23, followed by Matt Button on 150.22 and J Hinde of OGRE as the best of the 150.21s. And that has set the seal on all but the last day. On a personal note this has been one of the most enjoyable Meetings for some time, despite the wet, cold and windy weather. People have always been smiling. They have no reason to grumble about the ammunition: the loos have become their target, an infinitely more manageable subject.

Tomorrow the Georges' final, the Mackinnon and the Queen's final. I shall be there, this time carrying a rifle and not the usual notepad and camera. The last time was ?? ? Well, some 20 or so years ago, I think. Please let it be a fine day. I have a damp mat to dry out.

The first piece of news is that it remains windy but with only a few showers after the rain in the early hours. In fact you could consider yourself unlucky if you got wet to any degree out on the ranges. In the middle and latter parts of the day the sun actually appeared and it is moderately warm. Surprise is in order.

The real news is that the Grand is now decided. Overnight it was Jon Underwood who led Glyn Barnett by the matter of three slender centrals ? if anything circular can ever be described as slender. Underwood was squadded in the third detail of the Prince of Wales at around 10am, and Barnett in the last detail at 11.50. The conditions for each of those details were not dissimilar, with a moderate breeze from the left appearing to vary in strength and angle. In fact it persisted from start until end of shooting today. It is a moot point as to whether any one detail was significantly more affected than another.

Such advantage as Underwood might have would lie more in the standard he could set for Barnett to hunt down, than in anything else. Jon did not disappoint: to be certain of a second Grand he needed 75.13. Assuming Glyn made a 75.15, a 75.12 by Jon would mean a tie shoot. You could hatch and perm a number of possibilities.

Before you enter this mathematical maze I will make it easy for you. Jon produced a stunning 75.11 in all the pressure - but did it leave the door ajar for Glyn? So 75.14 from Glyn meant a tie and 75.15 meant victory ? at 600 yards in the Prince of Wales. Pressure - not half. Some of us watching from behind the point mused on who we might put money on to manage a perfect possible, if anyone could. We concluded that it would be the Accident and Emergency consultant.

Glyn cut his V, 5 sighters to go for broke. First on score 5. He could still tie. Two Vs followed but disaster struck on the fourth to count - an inner. For Underwood it was over. For Glyn the battle was for the Silver Cross for which 72 was essential. He finished with 72.7. Bruce Horwood was third one point behind Glyn, Peter Bromley was fourth and Andrew Wilde fifth. The top 200 cut was at 677.76, a place held by a fine performance from Cadet P Slater. If this was in Cadet Slater?s first two or three years of shooting, then that is a fine performance - as it is for any other Cadet in the 200.

And so to the National Match: England piled on the agony at 300 and 500 yards, their team of 20 dropping only 4 points at each range. Ireland were 23 off at that stage, and Scotland and Wales were neck and neck behind Scotland. England again added to their lead in 600 yards' more testing conditions to finish winners by 27 points over Ireland with Wales relegating the Scots to fourth.

Tomorrow is the Kolapore and the second stages of both the Georges and the Queen's. We hope for good weather: it is due.

Let us start with the weather. A very brisk and fickle wind from the left (South West or thereabouts), requiring as much as two and sometimes a tad more minutes at 300 yards, was there to trouble the scorers. Add some nasty puffs and hollows and subtle changes in angle and you have the picture. Multiply it up through 500, 600 and 900 yards and it is no surprise that it had an impact on scores in the Queen's. It persisted through the day, only steadying at around 5.30pm.

Jon Underwood was the top of the tree in the Queen's with a 105.17, leading home David Young of 101 Rifle Club and Bruce Horwood of Jersey both on 104.14. There were only nine 105s, indicative of the challenging conditions. Once again the ammunition behaved impeccably: it has become a real challenge between shooters, the elements and skill. For those of you who like to know these things the qualifying score to go forward as part of the top 300 was 101.7 ending at 600 yards with 34.4. This is lower than last year but just look at the conditions. I had to work hard for my 35.4 at 600 but those shots that failed to find the centre at previous ranges were down to my own failures, and that is how it should be.

The Conan Doyle produced yet another tie between Ant Ringer (Uppingham Vets), Dot Hume (NLRC and aka Mrs Dallas) and Gary Alexander (Dungannon) all with 50.9. Despite the winds there were 43 scores of 50.

There were changes at the top of the Grand. Peter Jory (Guernsey) had a mare of a Queen's and dropped 6 points to reside in 4th place. Jon Underwood leaps to the top on 625.80 thanks to his Queen's and a 50 in the Conan Doyle, with Glyn Barnett just 3 centrals behind with another 105 today and 49 in the Doyle. Bruce Horwood of Jersey is third on 621.78 and Nigel Ball dropped three points in the Queens and 2 in the Doyle to drop to 5th.

It looks like a straight fight between Underwood and Barnett, to be decided on the Prince of Wales tomorrow. And so it should be: saving the excitement until last. There are many more prize lists out tonight and you can find them in the usual place. I am sorry but I do not have the F Class Grand list. Everything finished very late tonight which explains why this is being posted approaching 11pm.

Back tomorrow.

Awakened at about 5am to the sound of a rainy tattoo on the roof of the command centre. Turned over and went back to sleep to be awakened again by the distant tattoo of the St Georges getting under way at 8am. A fleeting glimpse of the sun earlier had given way to overcast and a brisk breeze from 7 o'clock and intermittent showers, and it continued like that all morning.

There were plenty of 75s in the St Georges nonetheless, 128 to be precise, which seems to confirm that this ammunition is every bit as good as envisaged. Just to recap, there were 163 50s in the Times which was shot in slightly more challenging conditions. Six are tied for top spot in the Georges: Andrew Le Cheminant (Jersey), R Shaw (Sheffield), Richard Vary (NLRC), Parag Patel (O Epsomians), A Hunter (HAC) and Glyn Barnet who is no stranger in the last year to shoulder to shoulder decisions. (Perhaps we can remind you of the final score last year: Barnett 3 - Nigel Ball the sailor 1). The cut for the second stage was 73.12.

That being the only Grand shoot, the order after eight events looks like this. Peter Jory still leads by two points on 473.55, still with just two points dropped. Barnett is next on 471.63 followed by Adam McCullough on 470.66, Ball 470.64 and Jon Underwood 470.56. Andrew Wilde heads a list of four on 469, two on 468, five on 467 and then ten on 466. Just nine points cover the first 50.

By my calculation there are 230 points at stake in the remaining three events. That seems like plenty of scope for recovery, but to look at it that way is to bank on the leaders chucking points overboard. They are not looking to drop any points at all, nor are they likely to be that generous the way they are shooting: you would be kidding yourself. But we have seen dramas before, particularly in the last event the Prince of Wales. Fickle fate and deceitful winds can destroy hopes. Defending champion Ball could yet find himself up against Dr Barnett once again.

Back in the realms of the relatively mundane Norfolk snatched a one point victory over Surrey in the County Short Range Championship with London third. The Territorial Army did likewise over their permanent colleagues.

It started raining as I started to type this, and as I end so does the rain. The Queen's Prize first stage kicks the day off tomorrow, with the Conan Doyle as the long range treat. And then that leaves us with the Grand finish on Thursday. Time is moving on apace.

A very brief start to the diary today to correct the result of the Daily Mail match. What with cards arriving late and a mix up by two competitors over the card to be used to mark a score, there is an altogether new look about this result. Into first place leaps Jim Paton of Canada with 75.12. Nick Mace of Guernsey is second on 75.11 and Kitty Jack of Wellington College is third on 75.10. Hopefully confusion will now cease to reign (or rain). More will be added later.

A clear cold night gave way to a clear breezy morning with blue sky and sun for a short while. High cloud, mostly of a grey colour, started to sail in from the West and by 0930 had liberally spattered the blue.

First an apology for the error in the Daily Mail result as posted last night. Another batch of scorecards has been delivered to stats after going walkies in a range officer's bag. They have now been input and Jim Paton of Canada will have to tie shoot with Mike Jenvey for the Cup. The cumulative effect of the omissions will also impact on other lists, so check the official listings on the website.

I realise that I may also have wrongly fore named one or two people. I shall have to do better. I am indebted to Jeremy Langley for this latter alert. As many of you may know Jeremy is recuperating after illness and is unable to shoot the Meeting this year. He is working out his boredom by reading the diary minutely and passing on his observations, for which many thanks. Clearly I will have to continue writing with carefully constructed inaccuracies to assist with his rehabilitation.

Mind you, what cure for boredom this copy is I am not sure. I am sure all of you at home and overseas who know the much toured Langley will wish to join in wishing him a speedy recovery. Those of you with his email address can send direct. Others can pass on insults via myself if you wish (guv.bastille@btinternet.com).

I have also had an email from Simon Patinson via the NRA offices, confirming that he did indeed lead Cranleigh to an Ashburton victory in 1968 before going on to Uppingham where he masterminded their wins in 1969, '76, '78, '81, '82, '95. He also shot in the 1957 Uppingham winning team. Some record, and best wishes to him from all the old lags at Bisley and the younger ones as well.

Todays bill of fare contained the Times (300yds), the Corporation (1000yds) and the Wimbledon (600yds). Once completed they would bring the total of Grand shoots up to seven. Running alongside them would be a number of Aggregates and the Donaldson Memorial qualification. The Times was the first settled thanks to the new rule requiring those with scores of a perfect 50.10 to shoot an extra five tie shots on the spot. Early details threw up Steve Spinney of Canada, Angus McLeod of the Army and Henry Day of CURA, of whom the first two were still tied with 25.4 on their tie shots. Sitting waiting in the stats box as the last detail's cards came in there was a real sense of tension as the last cards were sorted, and at the last minute Andrew Wildes' 50.10/25.5 appeared. So he had the win on the new system. There were 163 scores of 50.

The Wimbledon also produced a large haul of possibles, 99 to be precise. The new system could not apply here because the four at the top were tied on a less than perfect 50.9. Mike Black of Newcastle, Miss E Lamont of East of Scotland, John Jackman of Old Johnians and Miss S Ward of Welsh RA will shoot it out later. Over to the hill and the Corporation, where the wind seemed strong but was for the most part steady (at least it was at 5.15pm). Cornwall's R Jobson took the prize with 50.9, followed by Robin Hatcher (Bedfordians) and David Young (101 RC) on 50.8. All of which meant that the Grand tonight is led by Peter Jory of Guernsey on 398.43 having dropped a miserly two points. Glyn Barnett follows two points behind and Adam McCullough one more point down the list at the head of seven 395s. The first 50 are covered by nine points and the top 200 by 15.

Qualifiers for the final of the first of the staged competitions, the Donaldson Memorial (base

Now is the time when the lists start to flood in. To give myself time to attend another function, I will confine myself to the day's major events. All the various other lists can be found at the usual place. But first a little feedback from and earlier comment I made about the attitude of some schools to the quest for progress information during the Ashburton.

It comes from my media colleague Bruce Parker who also tries to get coverage of the event on radio, as I do in the two top daily newspapers. He emailed me this comment, fully in support of what I wrote in the diary. "I was furious that I did a live broadcast between the 500 and 600 yards ranges of the Ashburton which gave out the wrong information because XXXXXXX were keeping their scores to themselves. Do they realise the work we put in trying to publicise a sport which needs all the publicity it can get? I feel very sore that our professional integrity is put at risk at the whim of some schoolmaster (I was one once) who doesn?t understand the bigger picture".

I only need to add that I agree entirely. Perhaps those who adopted the concealment policy might just reflect on their stance. I am more than happy to discuss it with them face to face.

Enough of that. Today dawned overcast and with a chilly wind, again from the left, or South West. It quickly grew in strength. The early Duke of Cambridge (900yds) participants found it ranging from 4 to 6 minutes at the bottom of the hill, and 10 to 12 at the top, or so they said. Down on Century for the Alexandra (600yds) a fellow Lizard remarked that he was using more wind than the Stickledown butt zero firers, and he may well have been correct. Fortunately the rain held off until a few minutes ago (7.30pm) and then it was just a short shower.

The Alexandra has a four way tie with Andrew Wilde (LMRA), Glynn Barnett (OGRE), David Allen (Huddersfield) and Peter Bromley (Sedberghians) glued together on 50.9 among 45 scores of 50. The Daily Mail (15 at 500yds) produced an outright winner in Mike Jenvey (RAFTRC) on 75.12, followed by Nick Mace of Guernsey on 75.11 and Kitty Jack (Wellington College coach and BCRC Hon Sec) on 75.10, with 16 scores of 75.

The Cambridge has another tie of a refined two. A Williams of Uppingham Veterans an O class, and Angus McLeod of ATSC, both with 50.9. Another Uppinghamian James Watson was third on the best 50.8.

Today's aggregate went to Philip Jory of Guernsey and the Weekend aggregate to Richard Vary of NLRC. Pardon me for not going down the list but somewhere my steak is being threatened with a singe. I took care to leave enough room after a very enjoyable cream tea with my daughter and her boyfriend at BCRC.

And now to the most important bit, the Grand Aggregate after four events. Guess who is in the lead. Well, there are really three of them, all on an amazing 249 ex 250 despite the combined efforts of wind and rain over the past three days. Glynn Barnett is the best with 33 centrals, followed by Philip Jory on 31 and Mr Dependable Jon Underwood on 29. Nigel Ball lies fourth as the only 248 with Adam McCullough, M Shaw, and A Coetzee (RSA) on 247. The top 200 concludes with CC Mallett Jnr on 239.22, who gets tonight's lucky dog prize. To explain, this is a term used in NASCAR motor racing that allows the top back marker to leapfrog up to the front, though I am not sure where the ten points necessary will come from, or whether the comparison is really apposite.

Other aggregate lists and the Grand list can be found on the NRA website as usual. There is a long way to go.

And first the weather news: come on, this is Great Britain and you know we turn to that subject when short of any other ideas. At 6.30am it was sunny, but it did not feel that warm after a cold night. By the time of the first shots in the Donegall (300yds) the wind was blowing hard from the left. Up on Stickledown the Lovell at 1000 yards was proving more than a handful for some. I cite as evidence a bracket of 4 to around 8 left down on range zero in the lee of the trees and scrub, and further up the hill calls of 12 to 14 have been reported to me. One common wail was that it was very difficult to see the changes in strength.

In the Donegall 50s were relatively hard to come by solely due to the strength and buffeting of the wind, that is to say for a 300 yards shoot in this meeting. No less than 14 scores of 50.7 will have to shoot again to decide the winner, including the father and son pairing of George and Paul Cann. The Lovell was an altogether different affair, producing just one outstanding 50.10 from Sam Hunter of the Old Epsomians. Chris Haley (OCRA) and David Calvert (RAFTRC) were second and third with 50.6 and there were just 7 scores of 50.

The Grand Aggregate opener, the Daily Telegraph at 500 yards resulted in 68 scores of 75 despite the wind conditions. B Page of British Columbia RA put in a 75.14 to win outright, closely followed by J Sweet of Wandsworth on 75.13 and Nigel Ball (the sailor at the Stock Exchange) with 75.12. It is early days as yet, but I have not heard one moan about the ammunition. In fact nothing but non-cautious pleasure pervades, despite the difficulties of making comparisons in the rotten weather.

A final note tonight: I am indebted to Frank Harris, one time Queen's Prize winner and for many years master i/c shooting at Malvern for responding to my "unless someone knows better" plea about dual school Ashburton winning masters. He emailed me to suggest that Simon Pattinson may well have steered Cranleigh to a victory before his several wins at Uppingham. Any other suggestions?

Goodnight.

Second, it is sometimes very difficult to extract information about a school's progress. I had a robust conversation with one leading school that said "it is our shooting master's policy to withhold that information" when I asked how the school had done after 300 yards. I responded that if that was the case it would have to be my press policy not to disclose their names to the papers should they win! In the event a wiser former pupil over-hearing the conversation went and got me the information.

I quite understand the wish of the master to keep his team's mind on the job in hand, but you owe the spectators something. Just put your board at the back of your tent out of direct view of your firers, and feed the forecast board promptly so the interested spectator can see what is going on. We moan about lack of interest from the outside world, so at least do your bit to encourage the interest when it is offered.

Enough said. I have been told of an interesting snippet by Bruce Parker. Max Barber, shooting in the Ashburton for Elizabeth College, Guernsey (and scoring a possible at 300), is the third generation of his family to shoot for Elizabeth in that competition. His father Gresham, who flew over for the Ashburton on Thursday, shot for the Guernsey school in the 1960s and his grandfather, also Max, in the 1930s. We both wonder how many other Ashburton third generations there are

Last night's Veterans' matches were two third an Old Guildfordians benefit. They took the first teams' match by 7 centrals from Uppingham, both scoring 249 ex 250. They took the second teams match with a score of 248 by the rather greater margin of two points from the Old Marlburians (who selected a B team that out shot their A team). But the third teams was an Epsomian tour de force with three of their residual teams taking the first three places.

Today dawned overcast with just an occasional flash of sunshine through grey clouds. The forecast was not good and it had rained during the night. The day has continued grey with occasional showers, presumably from the edges of the worse weather heading northwards from the West. It is now 3.30pm and an embarrassed and watery sun is peeking through the murk. As seems to be traditional the early morning activists in the Astor probably got a bit of the wet stuff and the pattern pottered on through the first details of the Century match.

Guildfordians went on this morning to win the Astor by four centrals from last year's winners City of Newcastle, who then were relegated (under the label of Durham) into second place in the Opening Shot by the Army, this time by the greater margin of 13 centrals. Not quite their day, then. The results of the Century (500 & 600yds) will be available later, as will the Admiral Hutton (900yds) where I am headed for a 6pm detail (there is also another detail after that). Seeing the target numbers will be part of the challenge. I might just add a postscript a bit later. Full results should be in all the usual places later on.

10.15pm: the theory about the late details is that the wind has died or is dying as the sun gently drifts down the horizon, its warm glow making it a very pleasant experience. Cobblers: it is wet and windy and cold. For a while it looked as though we might have found a detail length hole in the wet but at about the sixth shot the grey mist of driven fine rain poured in from the left, almost obliterating the targets. Thos

Greshams' Convincing Ashburton Victory

0900: the day has started well enough in weather terms, although there is enough high cloud variant off-white to grey to cause you to wish to keep your waterproofs close to hand. Today is the schools' climax day, the Ashburton Shield and the Veterans thereafter. I am starting this early and after the Ashburton results are known I will be shutting up shop until tomorrow when the pre-grand Century and Hutton matches start the wake-up process.

As I nurse a cup of Twinings English Breakfast it is hard to escape the feeling that all the schools will be out to dislocate Epsom's grip on the Ashburton in the wake of James Postle's rule, and as an unwelcome greeting to their new master in charge, Claire Huxter. Do not count on a major upset. They remain a well drilled and eager squad. Their challengers this year - I suggest Sedbergh or the Oratory School Reading. We shall see.

4.30pm: I was wrong. Out of left field hastened Greshams School from Norfolk. They last won the Shield in 1968. They proved equal to today's challenge and more, posting an excellent 794.59 with Harriet Bennett making top score with 103.13, in some testing winds that varied during the day from 9 o'clock back to almost 6 o'clock. Ever one for little notable points I am indebted to James Postle (ex Epsom) for pointing out that this was an interesting achievement for shooting master Freddie Grounds who last produced an Ashburton winning team when at Uppingham in 2001. This may be a unique achievement - two wins at separate schools. Can someone tell me different?

It is a rushed day. The Veterans' matches call to chaos sounds strident through the camp and I must away to the twilight shift. More tomorrow when time allows.

It turned out to be a blowy day with the odd spot of rain early in the proceedings. The old foes were in leisurely contest with England posting an eight point lead after 1000 yards. Congratulations should be offered immediately to Roseanne Furniss for becoming the frst lady to be selected as a shooting member of the England team, or so the sages behind the firing point were quick to tell me. And this within a short while of her 1st class honours on graduating from Cambridge.

At 1100 yards the Scots sharpened their claymores and whittled away six points to make it a neck and neck affair as the winds continued to accelerate from the South-West, from left to right on Stickledown hill. The northern progress stepped up several notches at 1200 yards with the Scots recording a resounding 20 points victory overall with the Irish in third place.

The Schools meeting is now underway with the Ashburton Shield tomorrow. Early signs are that Epsom, Sedbergh and Oratory School will be the ones to beat.

Your scribe is now ensconced in the mobile command centre, faced with the never-ending choice of doing the washing up now or leaving it until tomorrow. There is only one solution. Tomorrow is Black Thursday.

Download details

Tremlett Leads to Albert's Closing Call

Bastille Day, and a general feeling of unease at the nape. Even as I tap this into the system the small animal vet from Windsor should be upon the firing point for the opening rounds of the Albert after jumping up the overnight queue thanks to a notable victory in the Edge yesterday. How does he do it, one asks. With supreme confidence and panache, one surmises.

Nick Tremlett carries a slender (in Match Rifle long distance terms) lead of two points, into the sighter-free environment of the Albert, poised like a ferret mesmerising a rabbit. If he carries it off he will have done so in style to notch his fifth title and third in a row. Steady, we are nowhere near the finish yet. Hold back and wait until around 3pm this afternoon for the end of the final act and the curtain call.

In the meantime just relish his fight back, snatching the Edge from Mike Barlow (Fife & Kinross) and Jim McAllister by one and three points respectively. He leads Tim Kidner by one in the Hopton with Ed Hobbs, Nick Brasier and Gareth james two, three and four more points behind.

If the Bisley firing point weather is anything like it is down here in RH20 then they have just had a monumental soaking. Fear not though, the sun has just appeared. Sunshine and showers the forecasters said and, barring the order of the precipitation and the rays, they seem to have more or less got it right. Watch this space for an up-date around early afternoon tea time. Oh, it has just started showering again.

6.15pm Tremmers Hat Trick

Well, despite the showers and the wind everyone's favourite veterinarian has done it again. Forget the beam of last year, this grin must be infinite. Nick Tremlett has made it three Hoptons in a row and five in total. He did it in style with a winning Albert performance, just a smidge ahead of Andy Gent (Dorking & Dist) after they finished on level points, eight centrals being the margin.

Tim Kidner's thrust at glory slipped away as four more points boosted Tremlett's winning Hopton margin to six overall. There was a notable performance from Angus McLeod (ASTC) who climbed onto the Hopton podium in third place, a reward for consistent shooting.

Tomorrow the Elcho, the match in which time stands almost still, dotted with strawberries and cream, breeks and pipes. And the schools are getting warmed up which means the approach of Black Thursday and the Veterans. Work is on the horizon.

Hopton Aggregate
1. N Tremlett (Windsor) 998.122; 2. T Kidner (West Atholl) 992.116; 3. A McLeod (ATSC) 989.104.
Albert (1000, 1100 & 1200yds)
1. Tremlett 215.26; 2. A Gent (Dorking & Dist) 215.18; G Barnard (Northants) 214.24.

Full results in the usual place, to be preferred over any mistakes in my summary.

Download AGM Minutes

So I was almost right with the weather, then. Saturday greeted the start of the Hopton with persistent early morning drizzle and sharper showers to be followed in the afternoon with altogether more penetrating rain from time to time. Last year's winner Nick Tremlett remarked that it was almost impossible to see the targets through the scope on occasions but he felt at least that the wind was pretty steady.

Julian Peck snatched the opening Whitehead (1000 & 1100yds) by a single central after a tie shoot with West Atholl's master, Tim Kidner, after both had made 150.27. Ulster's Ross McQuillan was third, just two centrals away. Some pretty high scoring, with the top 23 covered by just two points.

Kidner got his revenge in the Halford (1100 & 1200yds), this time by a clear point with 149.15 to Jim McAllister's 148.22 - points wins prizes. Gareth James of the Welsh RA was third. This time the top 22 were covered by two points.

All of which gave Kidner the Saturday Agg by two points from James with Baillie-Hamilton in third slot, four centrals behind. Only these top three were within two points of each other.

Sunday dawned with a promise of better weather. High clouds and longer spells of sun with blue sky as the day wore on were on the weather agenda, plus of course a stiffish breeze from around 8 and 9 o'clock.

The 'o'clock' reminds me about our favourite landmark, the Clock Tower. I have to say that the rotting skeleton of a month ago has been transformed. It gleams new in white with black trim and a yellow top, the newly refurbished clock faces being immaculate and legible. It is now a fine skyline marker, and a fitting centre piece for the garden of remembrance. We are quick to criticise but we should also be quick to thank all those who have contributed to the restoration, particularly to thank those who have organised and done such excellent work. If you wish to swell the funds to meet the costs of the work I am sure that the NRA/NSC will welcome your contribution.

Back to the shooting. A hundred was needed to finish in the top three in the 1000 yards Cottesloe. Mike Baillie-Hamilton and David Calvert (RAFTRC) provided the best, each with 17 centrals and will tie shoot later on. Calvert's club colleague John Knight missed joining them by just one central. Hobbs and Kidner then tied for the Wimbledon at 1100 yards, each with 98 and 12. As both were immediately available at the start of the lunch break they tie shot there and then, Kidner dropping his last shot out for 23.1 while Hobbs made no mistake for 25.3.

And finally the Armourers to complete the weekend. In another close run finish Jim McAllister's 97.11 proved just too good for Hobbs and Tom Smith (English VIII), all of which made for some close running at the top of the leader board. The Martin Farr Sunday Aggregate went to Hobbs on 295.77 just in front of Tremlett who's steady shooting had brought him back into the top three just ahead of Knight.

The weekend aggregate and the Hopton standing after five events saw Kidner by a whisker on 589.77 ahead of Hobbs on 589.69 with Tremlett hovering just behind on 587.73. All is to play for - as they say.

I leave you with this gem, overheard around the stats carabox. 1st bystander:"There seem to be some little quirks in the stats system". 2nd bystander: "There are some bigger quirks on the firing point". You can find the full results by going to the NRA home page (www.nra.org.uk) and clicking on Competitions, than Imperial and then MR individual. There should be a direct link from the ho

We would like to invite you to a half hour presentation on the Bisley Olympic Development plans given by Mr Chris Liddle of HLM Architects.

Do please come along and see the presentation and we will address any questions about the proposed plans afterwards.

Glynn Alger
Secretary General

As you are aware the National Rifle Association have been working hard with members of Parliament to get the London Organising Committee of the Games and the Olympic Delivery Authority to reconsider Bisley as a possible venue for the 2012 shooting.

It had become apparent during the original assessment of Bisley that a potentially less than honest appraisal of the National Shooting Centre had been carried out with intention of making it difficult for the Olympic Board to choose shootings preferred venue.

It has got to the stage where we have wide ranging support for this work from the Lords as a result of large numbers of you writing to your MPs and in particular Lord Corbett.

As a result of this pressure and despite efforts by the Olympic authorities to derail the process, Lord Corbett has asked the ODA to attend a presentation of 'The Bisley Bid' in front of members of the Lords and Commons and then to explain the rationale for their rejection of Bisley as a venue.

The support of the Lords and MPs shows what can be achieved if we all work together in concert towards common goals.

Glynn Alger
Secretary General

Lord Corbett's Letter

So greetings once again from the denizen of the mobile command centre. What can we look forward to at the 140th annual prize meeting of the National Rifle Association? To satisfy the insatiable curiosity of anyone involved in this sport let us take a shot at the weather. Last year was testing in terms of wind in the early parts of the meeting, and thereafter settled down a bit to be not totally unpleasant. Indifferent is the word that springs to mind in retrospect.

After the recent sun-baked spell the latest look forward (at 6 July) on metcheck.com (and other sources) the forecast up to 11 July points to a spell of disturbed weather this week with more settled hot weather at the end of that run. Depending upon whom you believe it is then set fairer for the rest of the month. So bring shades and sunbloc along with your water-proofs as advised by forecaster Justin Kase.

On the organisation front I signed off last year with one or two comments about aspects of the Bisley Meeting that had disturbed myself and others. I am more than happy to report two significant developments.

First there has been recognition that the Chairman's Prize conditions of a free entry to the final for the qualifiers should be restored. The unfortunate change introduced last year has been reversed. I personally hope that all qualifying Os and Ts will join with me (should I be so lucky) in showing their appreciation of this move by taking up their places in the final alongside the Queen's Consolation and Howard Wilkinson shooters on the Friday and Saturday at the end of the meeting (double check the programme please).

In particular we hope that O and T class overseas visitors will take advantage. The badges, should you be so skilled to win one, are well worth having. When all is said and done this is an additional cost to the Meeting so it is up to Os and Ts to show their appreciation by participation. As the referee says when the rolling maul gets halted - "Use it or lose it".

Second, for TR we have some different ammunition. This is perhaps the single greatest change since the move to the RG 155 grain bullet in what seems like the dim and distant past. I am not going to attempt to rehearse the selection and trials process here. Suffice it to say that RUAG is new to us, has been selected on its showings in tests, and has given rise to a distinct air of expectation - particularly in view of the cost implications to every participant in the TR section.

The first true trial of the RUAG in team competition was at the NRA Inter Counties Meeting in June. Weather conditions were not straight-forward with tricky winds at times. The head-on fishtail at long range on the Sunday did not make it any easier. Surrey produced 1179.140 at short range and followed it with a staggering 1183.154 ex 1200 at long (15 shots for each of eight shooters at of 900 and 1000 yards).

Overall some 61% of all their shots during the weekend went into the central bullseye. No doubt someone without much of an alternative life can tell me whether that is better or worse than normal. This seems to show that RUAG delivered on the day.

The second test took place this last we

Download Results

For further details on the first stage of this plan please click the link below

Click here

.30 carbine
.32 S&W Long
.38 special
.357 magnum
9 mm
.41
.44 special
.44 magnum
.44-40
.45 ACP
.45 Colt

Please bear in mind that the muzzle velocity must not exceed 2150 ft/sec and the muzzle energy must not exceed 1496 ft. lbs.

The sub committee will be conducting a complete review of the way in which GRCF is defined in respect of types of firearm and calibres over the winter. It will publish the results of that review and the new definitions and rules in advance of the 2010 Gallery Rifle shooting season.

If anyone feels that other calibres should be added to this list you should get in touch via Gallery Rifle

Download response

Download details

http://sircspss.hwb.shu.ac.uk/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll?I.Project=CCPR5

Download report

Books can be purchased from the NRA Office, Range Office or via Front Counter during the Imperial Meeting.

All those who have already sent in an order form will have books reserved for them for purchase during the Imperial Meeting - if you cannot collect your books by the end of the Meeting please contact Reception to arrange an alternative collection time.

Download R Jarvis Individual Match

Download Lt Col H Jones Match

Download Long Range Match

Download Team Aggregate

Download results

As most of you know, over the years Martin has played a key role in the organisation and running of the Imperial meeting. In spite of his decision to resign as Shooting Director, we tried to retain his considerable experience and expertise to assist with this and possibly also next year's Imperial meeting. Our solicitors drew up a contract to engage Martin's services for the 2009 Imperial meeting. Unfortunately, whilst Martin initially indicated some interest in such an arrangement he ultimately decided not to accept this offer.

In the meantime, however, I am pleased to report that the team that has been assembled to manage this year's meeting have been making excellent progress and whilst they are, inevitably, on a learning curve, they are confident that this year's meeting will be a successful one.

The circumstances leading to Martin Farnan's decision to resign are such that we cannot exclude the possibility that we have not heard the end of the matter. We have received clear advice from the NRA's solicitors that we ought not to comment on the circumstances surrounding Martin's decision to resign for the time being so as to avoid any risk that we might prejudice the position of the NRA or indeed the NSC. We intend to adhere to the professional advice obtained and therefore are unable to comment further on this issue.

Robin Pizer
Chairman, NRA

I'm very sorry this is a round robin email, but I'm writing to ask you a HUGE favour again, if I could bother you for 2 mins. I had a phone call this morning from a lady to do with Great Britons, a British Airways initiative I have applied for. They have a competition running to give away free flights around the place as far as I can gather, with the idea of promoting themselves in the lead up to 2012.

Anyway, my application has been short listed to one of eight. After public voting they will be judged I think, and I have inside information that my case is looking strong. BUT I need public votes. Please could you go to http://www.greatbritons.ba.com/ and vote for me. And if you don't mind, please spread the word for everyone you know to do the same. I think there is a week of judging so I and British Shooting needs as much good publicity as possible.

There is not a great deal of time left in which to back Georginas application. We wholeheartedly support her efforts in this venture and would ask you to also be kind enough to do the same.

Please click on the link below to vote for Georgina

http://www.greatbritons.ba.com/

Research shows that poor quality facilities can be a significant barrier to increasing participation in sport at a grassroots level. All too often the planning system is viewed as an obstacle as opposed to a means of securing the best possible outcome, and when approached incorrectly can result in frustration, financial loss and damaged relationships.

Making a planning application provides practical advice that will help clubs across the country prepare their case and application in order to maximise their chances of success.

Step-by-step guidance is provided on the five stages of applying for, and securing, planning permission:

Reviewing the options
Preparing the application
Submitting the application
The decision
Implementing the decision

The handbook has been drawn up with help from the Planning Officers Society and a working group that included The FA, the RFU, the ECB and British Tennis.

Planning Minister Iain Wright MP welcomed the guide, saying:

Small sports clubs can find it difficult to get planning permission for improving their facilities, from getting floodlighting for tennis courts to changing the surface of a football pitch. That's why we asked Sport England to produce guidance for sports clubs on how to improve the quality of their planning applications.

This practical and informative guide takes clubs through the whole process, giving them the best chance of getting the new facilities they need.

Charles Johnston, Sport England's Property Director, said:

If community sports clubs want to attract and retain participants, they need to be able to offer high quality facilities to all their customers. That's why it's vital that we do all we can to help them navigate the planning system.

Andrew Scoular, the RFU's Community Rugby Director, said:

It's fair to say that not everyone running a sports club would consider themselves an expert in the complexities of planning applications. So this user-friendly guide will make a big difference to our clubs, many of which have exciting plans to transform the facilities available to their players.
http://www.sportengland.org

Download results

Download prize list

Download results

Download results

It is my intention to select a strong and diversely balanced team from all of the four home countries from applicants who have not toured with a GB team and who now wish to further develop their shooting careers. The provisional tour dates are 19 to 26 May 2010 which will include both individual and team matches in Guernsey and Jersey.

If you would like to apply for a place in this team please forward to me your shooting curriculum vitae and full contact details by 28 August 2009. To encourage younger shooters to apply I intend to keep individual costs as low as possible via fund raising activities and I will announce the team in September 2009 to enable a good lead time for these activities.

If I don't know you please seek me out and introduce yourself to me during the 2009 Imperial Meeting. I can normally be found via the NLRC and am widely known as CJ.

Please send your application to me either by e-mail at Colin Johnston or by post to Sunwayes, 56 Guildford Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1LX.

Colin Johnston

Download results

Download results

Download results

Download results

Download results

Short Range

Long Range

Aggregate

Download here

All entries for the normal Early Entry Draw must be received by 1 May so enter now for your chance to win 100%, 50% or 25% of your entry fee back!

Download results

Download prize list

Click here

Competition Details

Entry Form

Results list available

Results list available

Click here

Click here

Shooters are reminded that they must carry their certification card with them at all times when shooting on an MoD range (including Bisley). When an RCO signs on in the range office at Bisley, he is signing that all the firers are certified and carrying their cards. This will be checked by NSC staff randomly throughout the year.

It is a disciplinary offence to shoot without being certified except under the exclusions as outlined in the MoD agreeent. Further information is available at http://mod.nra.org.uk

This course is designed to give guidance and advice to experienced shooters who are responsible for probationary training and assessment within their own clubs. The course will cover gallery rifle, 'scoped rifle and iron sighted/historic rifle disciplines but will exclude muzzle loading firearms. It will not include standard target rifle since this is already covered by our existing Club Instructor (TR specific) course.

A pilot course will be run on 4 - 5 April 2009 at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley. Places on this pilot course will be limited to 20 and only 2 applications per club can be accepted.

Please note this course is only open to shooters who already have experience of handling and firing: gallery rifle / scoped rifle / iron sighted rifles. Applicants must have certificates of competence for the appropriate categories of firearm.

On successful completion of the course candidates will receive an NRA Club Instructor certificate and badge.

The pilot course will take place on Saturday evening (classroom work) and all day Sunday at the National Shooting Centre. Range work will take place on Short Siberia and Cheylesmore ranges. The cost will be £85 per person. Overnight accommodation if required can be booked with the NSC accommodation office.

Please contact training@nra.org.uk to receive an application form for this course or to request further information.

Download press release

Sport England's 'Satisfaction with the quality of the sporting experience' Survey

Sport England has commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct this important research study, which is the first of its kind in the UK. The survey will establish what is important to people when they take part in sport and how satisfied they are with the quality of their sporting experience. The purpose is not to try and sell anything, it is purely a research study.

The survey will go live in March 2009 and will be conducted online using a short questionnaire. At this stage Ipsos MORI simply wants to invite you to register for it. This process will take no more than two minutes.

Simply click on the link below and enter some details so that they are able to contact you directly in the future. All of your personal details will be kept in the strictest confidence and used only for the purpose of this study.

If you have any questions please visit the Sport England website or e-mail a member of the Ipsos MORI team at SportEnglandSurvey@ipsos-mori.com

We would encourage you to take the opportunity to participate in this important study and to have your say. If selected, you could be one of 1,000 people who take part in the survey for our sport. The results will help shape the future of our sport as they will support improved planning and investment decisions website.

http://surveys.globalepanel.com/wix/p286573946.aspx?type=2&Sport=Shooting

Download overall stage results

Download overall match results

Download results

Download results

Click here to view scores.

Download results

Arthur's funeral will be on Thursday 26 February at 12.30 pm at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium, Benhall Mill Road, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 5JJ

Only family flowers but donations to Cancer Research can be sent to the Paul Bysouth Funeral Directors. 9 Croft Road, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 1DL

Robin Pizer Click here to read Robin's CV.

All NSC ranges are also closed for this period.

We reopen on Saturday 14 February 2009.

The NRA Safe Shooting System (SSS)

The NRA SSS is designed to ensure, as far as we can, that all those shooting on our ranges:

(a) can handle their firearm safely and competently,
(b) can fire a group of sufficiently small diameter to ensure that their shots do not hit the range floor or escape over the top of the stop butt,
(c) know the elevations on their sights to be used at all distances at which they will be shooting.

All too often, however, individuals cannot comply with either (a) or (b), and most certainly do not demonstrate (c)! Indeed not too long ago the statement was made over the radio "I'm a Palma shot - I don't need to check my zero" - followed by five consecutive misses!

To comply with sub-para (a) above Certificates of Safety & Competence assessments have been introduced, as follows:

Certificates of Safety and Competence
You are reminded that, as from 1 January 2009, all fullbore/centre fire shooters on Bisley ranges (and all MoD ranges) must have in their possession a valid Safety & Competence card, signed by their Club Chairman (or the NRA Secretary General for those members of the NRA who have been assessed by the NRA) for the firearms with which you will be shooting.

The use of MoD ranges by clubs firing only NSRA-approved .22 rimfire ammunition in single shot practices governed by the NSRA is not considered to pose a risk of any rounds escaping the Range Danger Area, and the 'Safe and Competent' certification system does not therefore currently apply except where self-loading firearms are used, in which case certification will be required.

If you have booked a target for individual shooting you will be required to produce this card in the Range Office before you may sign in. If you are not able to produce your card you will, unfortunately, not be allowed to shoot. In this event no refund will be made.

If you are signing in as the RCO for a group booking you will find that the certificate at the top of the signing-in form has been amended to include a statement by you, the RCO, that every member of the group for you will be responsible either has his/her own card or will be coached, on a one-to-one basis, by the holder of such a card. The responsibility rests with the RCO to confirm that every member of his/her group complies with one or the other of these two conditions.

Rifle Zeroing at the beginning of the season
In accordance with sub-para (c) above it is obligatory that all shooters using military ranges or Bisley ranges must know the correct wind zero for their sights. They must also know the correct elevation setting for all distances at which they may be firing. For these reasons all firers will, as from 1 January 2009, be required to check their wind zero and elevation settings on the Zero Range at the beginning of the shooting season, after a layoff of some months and after rebarrelling etc. This must be done before going to shoot at longer distances (and certainly before shooting on Stickledown).

Bracketing
It used to be (and may still be) a well known practice that, if a firer missed with a couple of shots and was unsure of his elevation, he would raise his sights by five minutes and fire again, then if still a miss lower his sights by ten minutes and fire again and so on until he eventually hit the target. This practice is potentially highly dangerous, and must not be done!

This adjustment of the elevation

Download results

Full details are available by downloading the DTE document.

Download results

In order to prevent any further confusion and to clarify the situation, I would like to confirm the correct pricing and to explain the rationale behind the increase.

Historically, storage has been charged at the rate of £30 for up to 2 pistols, invoiced at the beginning of each year. Although no price increases have been applied for at least five years, in the current financial climate, we are unable to fund the increases we incur, without raising your storage charge.

In line with the rate of inflation, we are therefore increasing the annual charge by 3%. We have also been advised professionally that we are required to apply VAT at 15% to the total fee. Working on the basis of £30 plus 3% increase and adding VAT, gives us a total figure of £35.54 which we round down to £35.50.

This fee, £35.50, covers the first two pistols. Any subsequent pistols would be stored at the rate of £15 each, inclusive of VAT. The fee for Storage Boxes is correct, but they are, of course, currently optional.

We apologise for the incorrect pricing detail shown on our latest Range Hire Charges, unfortunately the error was missed before the information went to print and the correct price of £35.50 does, of course, include up to two pistols and is not per pistol as shown.

I hope this clarifies the situation for you and I wish you all good shooting in 2009.

J.E. Staples
Managing Director
National Shooting Centre

download here

Download results

Download results

We will be able to share more details with you early in the New Year.

Download Sport England Press Release

Details of the tour are limited at present but it is expected to take place in October 2011 and for three weeks duration. I?m pleased to announce Peter Chance has accepted the office of Adjutant.

I would appreciate those of you that are eligible, 60 years young and interested in applying for this tour contacting me by email or at the address below in writing with your personal details. I have every intention of making this a happy and first class team of competitive shooters capable of winning the Veterans' World Championship 2011.

Eric Stuart-Bamford
6 Langdale Close, Woking, GU21 4RS.

E-mail: Eric Stuart-Bamford

Please contact LouLou Brister to apply or for further details.

Loulou Brister

Southdown House
Tedfold Stud
Rowner Road
Billingshurst
West Sussex
RH14 9HU

E-mail: Loulou Brister

Having been involved with the Under 25 movement over the last few years I have seen the talent that youth shooting in Great Britain has to offer, and have every confidence that I will be able to take a team to Australia that are more than capable of retaining the crown of Under 25 World Champions.

I plan to select a squad of around 20 after the 2009 Imperial Meeting, and then select the final touring team after the 2010 Imperial.

I welcome applications from anyone who will be Under 25 on 12 October 2011 who wishes to be considered for the tour. If you would like to apply, please forward me your shooting CV along with details of any coaching experience that you may have had and full contact details. The deadline is the end of the Imperial Meeting 2009 and you can send your application to me either by e-mail James Lothian or by post to 67 Rosebushes, Epsom Downs, Surrey, KT17 3NT.

James Lothian

Bisley ranges will be closed on Monday 22 December and will reopen on Tuesday 6 January 2009.

The NRA Council has six fixed meetings a year. Currently, they are held at Bisley. Its meetings are generally on Thursday mornings commencing at 08:30 and routinely last until lunchtime. In addition, there may be occasional ad hoc meetings and Trustees commonly become involved in aspects of the NRA's organisation to which their particular skills are suited. It is fair to say that preparation for and attendance at the six Trustee meetings a year would be seen as a bare minimum contribution by a Trustee and many of the current Trustees give much more of their time than that.

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, please would you let Glynn Alger know and send him a brief CV for consideration by the Council.

Outline of skills which may be expected to be present on the Council

Life skills and expertise
Target shooting, both technical and participation
Finance
Governance
Human Resources
Information technology
Legal
Business management
Change management
Insurance/Risk Management
Marketing
Media/PR/Publishing
Web Management
Policy formulation
Project management
Property management
Property development
Strategic/business planning
Training and staff development
Health and safety
Charities
Sports administration/management
Government/Public Service
Military
Member services/Customer Care

Teamwork skills
Ability to exercise judgment
Open minded as to solutions
Balances tact with candour
Working collectively

Nolan Report qualities (desired attributes)
Selflessness
Openness
Integrity
Honesty
Objectivity
Leadership
Accountability

It falls to me as Vice-Chairman of the General Council to seek possible candidates for nomination, via our Secretary General, to the chairmanship not less than 14 days prior to the scheduled General Council meeting on Saturday 21 February 2009.

Since February 2008, the NRA Trustees' and General Council's direction and business have once again gathered momentum following the relinquishing of the chair by John Jackman in September 2007. If we are to maintain this, then ideally the post of Chairman should be filled as soon as possible and the next General Council meeting presents us with the first convenient date to do so. Given that our previous strategy of seeking external candidates led to a process taking about six months in length, it is evident that our first attempt to fill the position must be from within our membership if we are to achieve this goal.

We intend to be proactive in our search for candidates and would like to request and secure all possible assistance in this matter. It is likely that a number of possible candidates within our membership would put themselves forward if they were personally approached. It is essential that names are identified as soon as possible so that personal approaches may be made.

Given that we have less than three months to seek firm nominations, I would ask all members to focus minds on this issue and if you have a suitable name, would you please approach him or her in the first instance or request that I do so. I may be contacted via telephone 01204 493757, by e-mail Richard Horrocks or by mail via the Secretary General.

Prof Richard Horrocks
Vice-Chairman General Council

The focal point of the tour will be the Australian Match Rifle Championships followed by the match for the Woomera Trophy, to be shot in Brisbane in April 2010. It is hoped to include an additional MR event before the championships.

At this stage I am unable to be specific about precise dates of the tour, the size of the team or the cost.

If you wish to be considered for the team please write to me no later than 16 February 2009 (please note amended closing date). Please indicate whether your main interest is as coach or shooter, and state, in no more than 50 words what attributes you could bring to the team in addition to your shooting ability.

Loulou Brister

Southdown House
Tedfold Stud
Rowner Road
Billingshurst
West Sussex
RH14 9HU

E-mail: Loulou Brister

Full results are available below.

Download full results

Download results

Download results

At this morning's Council meeting, with both regret and sadness, I informed the Trustees that when my term of office expires at the end of the General Council meeting in February 2009, I shall not be seeking re-election as Chairman of the Association.  Those who have got to know me since I was elected will know that I have not reached this decision lightly but only after much consideration and analysis. Ultimately, I believe it is right for both the Association and me.  You will want to know why I have made it.  Many factors have influenced me but the most critical is that I have found myself unable fully to discharge my responsibilities within the time frame that I undertook to make myself available to the Association.  As I look forward, if anything, I see the time commitment increasing rather than decreasing.  Whether my lack of a target shooting background is relevant is probably a moot point.  What I do know is that the Association cannot afford to have at its helm someone who has lingering doubts about his ability to give it everything it needs.  The process leading to the election of my successor is underway and, in the meantime, I shall continue to serve the Association to the best of my ability.  At the General Council meeting on February 23 this year, I said that it was an honour and a privilege to be elected as your Chairman.  That was and remains the case.  I am very sorry that I have felt it necessary to draw my Chairmanship to an earlier conclusion than I hoped would be the case when I embarked on it.

Download results

The course of fire on Sunday was reduced to one shoot at 1000 yards due to fog.

The individual prizes were awarded to the highest scorers in the match as follows:
1 Adam McCullough (Ireland) 595.23
2 Henryk Golaszewski (Wales) 594.31
3 Bill Rowland (England) 592.23

Download full results

Download

Please note that the closing date for applications has been extended to 17 November.

Download individual match results

Download TBT match results

http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/

For short range targets (ie those at 300x to 600x) it may be possible to "turn up and shoot" although advanced booking is advisable. For long range targets (900x to 1200x) at least twenty-four hours notice is required.

List of Weekend Dates for 2008.
Midweek targets will continue to be available on request subject to the range plot on the day.

Date		AM		PM
27 Sept		300		300
28 Sept		600		500
4 Oct		500		600
5 Oct		900		600
11 Oct		500		600
12 Oct		none		500
18 Oct		900		600
19 Oct		600		600
25 Oct		900		600
26 Oct		300		600
1 Nov		600		1000
2 Nov		500		1000
8 Nov		900		600
9 Nov Updated: 18-Sep-08 (Original posting: 18-Sep-08)
.22 shooting on MoD ranges A recent review by the MoD of the safe use of their Ranges highlighted the fact that they had formal auditable systems in place to manage the risk arising from their own activity while affiliated civilian clubs shooting under the auspices of their National Bodies did not. The review concluded that any risk to the MoD lay in the use of fullbore firearms fired by civilians on MoD ranges. As a result the NRA were required by the MoD to formalise arrangements with their affiliated clubs and to require the Chairmen of those clubs to accept responsibility for their members' safe use of firearms when shooting on MoD Ranges. It was further required that any such system should be auditable both by the NRA and the MoD. Such a system is now in place. The use of MoD ranges by clubs affiliated to the NSRA and firing only NSRA-approved .22 rimfire ammunition in single shot practices governed by the NSRA was not considered to pose the same risk, and the existing controls were considered to be adequate. The "Safe and Competent" certification system adopted by the NRA does not therefore currently apply to NSRA members except where self-loading firearms are used on an MoD range in which case certification will be required. If any club affiliated to the NSRA has a problem with their local Range Warden please contact the Director of Shooting of the NSRA, on 01483 485517 and they will take the matter up on your behalf. Likewise if any club affiliated to the NRA has a problem please contact the Director of Shooting of the NRA, on 01483 797777 Updated: 24-Apr-13 (Original posting: 18-Sep-08)
Cornwall Open Meeting Results Results from the Cornwall Open Meeting are available by clicking the link below. Download results Updated: 16-Sep-08 (Original posting: 16-Sep-08)
Great Britain Palma Team 2011 The NRA would like to congratulate John Webster on his appointment as Captain of the Great Britain Palma Team to Australia in 2011. Updated: 08-Sep-08 (Original posting: 08-Sep-08)
GR National Championships Results Results for the Gallery Rifle National Championships 2008 held at Bisley on 23 and 24 August are now available by clicking on the links below. Prizelist Full Results Updated: 28-Aug-08 (Original posting: 28-Aug-08)
Guernsey Rifle Club Summer Meeting Results Results for the Guernsey Rifle Club Summer Prize Meeting held on 16 and 17 August are now available by clicking on the link below. Download results Updated: 21-Aug-08 (Original posting: 18-Aug-08)
HRA Results 3 August On what turned out to be a mostly overcast day 18 competitors took part in an 80 round XTC Match at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley. Starting on the 200 yard line at Short Siberia Layne Chisholm shot well in the off hand stage taking the high score honours in both strings of 10. The sitting honours went to both Mark Bradley and Bill Ellis who both scored a 99.03 in separate strings. The 300 yard rapids saw Ian Dixon get his first rapid fire clean with 100.02 and the overall 300 yard rapids high score of 196.05. That left it very close in the SR Class with Rowan Chaplin on 561, Mark Bradley on 557, Ian Dixon on 554 and John Morgan-Hosey on 552. The long line was shot well by all four mentioned but Mark Bradley shot an outstanding fourteen 10s or Xs in a row and finished with a 194.04 overtaking Rowan Chaplin to win the SR Class. Ian Dixon shot a personal best score of score of 742.11. On leaving the 200 yard line Layne Chisholm was 3 points clear of Bill Ellis but, after a few match rifle disasters at 300 yards for both Matt Lee and Bill Ellis, there would be no catching the leader who finished with an outstanding score of 770.18 a full 40 points clear on the second placed Matt Lee. Full results can be found by clicking the link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20080803.html Updated: 10-Aug-08 (Original posting: 10-Aug-08)
Civilian Service Rifle League Results for the Civilian Service Rifle League are now available by clicking on the link below. Download results Updated: 10-Aug-08 (Original posting: 10-Aug-08)
Imperial Meeting Civilian Service Rifle events Results for the Imperial Meeting Civilian Service Rifle events are now available by clicking on the link below. Download results Updated: 10-Aug-08 (Original posting: 10-Aug-08)
GB Team to NZ 2010 It is with great honour and some trepidation that I accept the nomination for captaincy of the Great Britain Rifle Team to New Zealand in 2009/2010. Martin Townsend and Jon Underwood have agreed to bring their experience as Chief Coach and Vice-Captain to the management team alsong with Nick Brasier as Adjutant. We will be looking to select the team after the Imperial Meeting this year from as broad a base as possible, hopefully representing all home countries and including young shooters and new caps. New Zealand can be one of the most diffi cult places in the world to shoot and GB has not won the New Zealand match for many years, (even the Palma team lost) so if you feel you have the will and ability to help change that please make yourself available by e-mail to: garykalexander@aol.com including a brief CV (and photo if I do not know you already). The tour will last for the fi rst three weeks of January and will visit both islands for regional shoots and sightseeing. Gary Alexander Updated: 31-Jul-08 (Original posting: 30-Jul-08)
BCRC Meeting Results The full results for all of the competitions shot over the British Commonwealth Meeting are available using the link below. Download results Updated: 30-Jul-08 (Original posting: 30-Jul-08)
Imperial Reflections Sunday 27 July The contrast between the first and second halves of the 2008 meeting could not have been greater. Howling headwinds in the period from Saturday to Monday caused a degree of chaos among the scores. Thereafter there were less powerful but rather more subtle breezes from behind the shooters switching back to less powerful and equally subtle headwinds from Wednesday onwards ? if I remember it right. The first part was a test for those that both read wind, grip tightest and ride their luck. The second part of the meeting was a real test for shooters with mirage reading experience. I am sure someone will disagree with me. A couple or so of years ago it was clearly and openly admitted that the ammunition was not up to scratch. Possibly as a result last year saw a vast improvement. As I recorded in the diary at the time I heard not one whinge. Sadly this year the comments have been frequent and strong. Before anyone steps in to say "yes - but it was the weather's fault", I have discounted anything before last Tuesday on the basis that in wild winds bullets blow side to side and up and down and I did not actually hear any moans before then. The nub of the remarks has been that there were far too many mysterious flyers and droppers. Of course there were some that managed OK. Someone has to win the Grand and there are always a hard core of maximums made. For some reason those lucky few escape what hits the rest. There needs to be a very careful look at any and all of the ammunition problems experienced during this meeting and it should be conducted by someone not involved with the procurement. We, the customers, should have that right. A commendation must go to those who dealt very promptly with two problems on site 6, the aggressive wasps and their nest in the ablutions, and the loose and equally dangerous manhole cover. Each was dealt with within an hour or so of being reported. I again enjoyed meeting all the old (and getting older) chums. If we had nothing to bring us to what my friend in the USA refers to as the holy ground, and nothing to gossip about, we would probably find ourselves pushing a supermarket trolley under the direction of her indoors. It is roasting hot here in Sussex today. Summer seems to have arrived judging by the fact that the bull-terrorist has picked up a flea or two, most likely from yet another encounter with our kamikaze hedgehog. We part on a semi musical note. And so, the time has come, To pull down, the final curtain. Of this, my friends, and shooters all, I have to say I'm nearly certain. I will have upset some And others pleased, Some colds were caught When ammo sneezed. But each dog will have its day, And if I'm damned for having my say, Then Os and Ts cannot gainsay, I said it my way. (With apologies to the late great Frank.) As the great cartridge of time blows its primer of destiny towards the central circle of infinity, and the adjustable foresight of sagacity jostles with the eagle eye of decrepitude, the tie shoot of eternity is decided between Barnett and Ball, lowering the targets of discombobulation into the pits of adjudication. And so we say farewell to Imperial 2008. See you next year. Updated: 27-Jul-08 (Original posting: 27-Jul-08)
Zainal of Malaysia Takes Queen's Prize Saturday 26 July Well it is all over now, the Prize Giving about to take place with a running time longer than the uncut version of Lawrence of Arabia. The Gurkha band is playing outside the prize tent, and beautifully too. It has been a blistering hot day, humid with a fickle wind up the ranges again, flicking left and right and sometimes veering to three oclock and strengthening considerably. First the St Georges, where Glyn Barnett headed the pair of 150s, by three central bullseyes from Andrew Tompson of Wellingburians. Sedgemoor's Andy Luckman upheld the family name with 149.21 ahead of six others. The Mackinnon had the English in a real pickle, finishing the 900 yards element no less than five points behind Scotland and two behind Ireland. Was this to be the upset that the Celtic fringe and others have been working for? Simon Belither, like the languid Thomas in the Kolapore must have roasted his charges in the interval: no sweet biscuits and bananas at half-time. Gird your loins and pull up your socks, there is a match to be won. If he did say that then clearly it worked with the English pulling back all five points and an uncomfortably small cushion of 9 central bullseyes to win by the skin of their teeth. That is how matches should be fought. Commiserations to the Scots but a notable English recovery. And so to the Queen's Prize Final. Nine scores of 150 were carried forward, the best with 24 centrals by Zainal Abidin Md Zain of Malaysia. The afternoon presented with a gentle headwind that seemed initially predominant from the left. However, it was moving a bit and required some careful attention. That is what it got, from a lot of competitors. The board was rather crowded at the top with Rob Sandlant of Australia leading on 224.31. Zainal, David Luckman, Andrew Le Cheminant and Chris Watson were one central behind with a block of others on 223. During the break the wind suddenly switched and increased dramatically to come from three oclock, but as the final rights started subsided back again to settle between two and three oclock. Gradually the board turned over the top runners. At one moment Zainal then Gray Robertson from Wurgabup, David Luckman, Mark Buchanan from Australia, David Richards of the Old Marlburians, and others cycled through as the wind started to snatch points away in the long trail home to the fifteenth shot. The forecast then settled. Zainal had finished on 294 with 36 centrals. Nine others joined him at that points total but behind on centrals. Only Jane Messer had yet to finish as her points dropped remained at three off through her final string until around her tenth, when the winds seemed to pitch a series of curve balls at her (an American expression I believe that indicates a nasty swirling deceiver). With her last two shots taken consecutively because her partner had finished (having converted his sighters), she went into the central for her fourteenth at five off and with two less centrals. It had to be a central or a bullseye with her last to take Her Majesty's Prize. She fired, flicked back a stray strand of hair and looked through her scope. It was almost the last shot to go down the range. It lodged at two oclock ? in the inner. The Prize was Zainal's after taking the second stage as well. An overjoyed Malaysian manager hugged his man. The 47 year old police sergeant wiped away the odd tear to a tremendous round of applause. It is now 6.15pm here and I have to pack up the command centre and head home. I will be back at the keyboard tomorrow with a few reflections and a final farewell for this year. All the details of Updated: 26-Jul-08 (Original posting: 26-Jul-08)
HM The Queen's Prize 2008 The winner of HM The Queen's Prize 2008 is Zainal Abidin Md Zain of Malaysia with a score of 294.36. In second place was Jane Messer on 294.34 counting out Paul Kent on 294.34. Full results will be available later today. Updated: 26-Jul-08 (Original posting: 26-Jul-08)
Kolapore, Georges II and Queens II Trilogy Friday 25 July It has been a very long hot day and a glass of the amber nectar is slipping down a treat. The weather forecast had us believe that it might deteriorate this afternoon but that was not the case. It has remained hot, humid and sunny throughout and we have one of those lovely Bisley evenings when it is enough to sit out in the rays of the waning sun and simply watch the world go by. Ah, such limited aspirations. Kolapore and Junior Kolapore in the morning: GB did not by any manner of means have it all their own way. They, Canada and Jersey were level pegging after 300 yards on 6 off, in the winds that have persisted for the last four days, from over the heels and away down the range towards the butts, switching and pitching. At 500 yards Jersey again matched the GB score of 391 but with less centrals while Canada conceded four points on 387. No doubt a stiff talking to was administered by the languid Steve Thomas to his GB team because they pulled themselves together in the tricky winds to post another 394 at 600 for 1179.154. Jersey faded with the result that they and Canada finished level on 1172, Canada taking the place on centrals. A good close fought battle. T Rex intervenes to tell me the story of the 14 year old Wellington College cadet, Andrew Brooker, who volunteered to help out the Scotland team in the Combined Services v Home Nations match. He turned up to help out the Scots in any capacity they required, only to find himself asked to take a plotter's seat when one of the plotters did not turn up. Shortly before kick off it was found that the Scots were one shooter short. Having his rifle with him he had no hesitation in volunteering. So that is how he gained his first representative honour ? and richly deserved too for his approach and attitude. I digress. We moved on to the second stage of the St Georges. Of the four 150s Glyn Barnett was the best by 2 centrals from Mike Black from Newcastle and Mike Fugeman of Windsor (17) with Zainal Abidin AM Zain of Malaysia fourth (16). The cut for the last place was 146.18 with the final two places going to J Green (ATRC) and Mrs Uhlig of BDMP Germany. And so to the second stage of the Queens Prize, hot dusty and windy. I do not have the final lists yet but the cut was 146.18 leaving six people to shoot for the 100th place. There were six or seven 150s of which the top three were Zainal of Malaysia with 24 centrals, Dr J Robertson of Wurgabup (Australia), and Reg Roberts of Horsham (21). You should be able to check if I have that correct as soon as the list is posted on the website link. As you may know Glyn Barnett and Nigel Ball have been having their own private tie shoot battle, four in all. This evening Nigel managed to redress the balance in one of the contests, by 25.5 to 25.4. It was so exciting that I have clean forgotten what prize was at stake. Ball fans should look away now: the overall tally is 3 to 1 in favour of Barnett. And with that, some interesting statistics. In the Match Rifle contest for the FW Jones event a Sussex team of four venerable gentlemen (Eric Adams, John Powell, David Friend and Alan Fitch) averaged a score of 70 each over the two distances. Their average age per person is one point better. You can rummage among the lists on the website to fill in the details and correct any errors. Tomorow sees the Mackinnon, the George's final, and the Queen's Prize final. And that is another day. Good night. Updated: 25-Jul-08 (Original posting: 25-Jul-08)
Carol's Anniversary Appearance and the Grand Thursday 24 July It was very remiss of me, late last night, not to have remembered one of the things that should be recorded. Every so often we reach a personal landmark that means a great deal to us. One such landmark was reached yesterday by Eur Ing Carol Painting of the Pumas Rifle Club, who celebrated her 50th consecutive appearance in the first stage of the Queen's Prize. She qualified for the second stage with 104: here's hoping that we see her in the final. Many congratulations, Carol. If anyone knows of any similar anniversaries do let me know. Later.... The story today is of course the final knockings of the Grand Aggregate. You will recall, dear reader, that Nick Mace of Guernsey held a two point lead over Nigel Ball (the sailor turned tax adviser) at the end of Wednesday's events. In fact the lead was worth just one point because of Ball's superior V count. If Nick was to lose a point he was OK: two points and he was not, if you see what I mean. David Calvert lurked just behind, and it was he that got the early 8.00am detail in the Prince of Wales, not that it made a great deal of difference as it turned out. The wind continued to drizzle in from behind the shooters flicking left and right as the mood took it and as the day warmed up swiftly it was all rather hard work. Calvert dropped one point to finish 690.73. Both Ball and Mace were squadded on the 11.50 detail, the last of the event and on which your scribe squatted as well. It was nasty in that it was very hot, the light was changing and the winds kept up their indecisive swinging bck and forth. You had to work hard. At one point I recorded a switch from 1 left to 3 right, and even then it resulted in a down wind wart, just out at 9 oclock. Ball carded 74.10: Mace unluckily hit 72.7. That was it. The top three each had 690 with Ball on 91, Mace on 80 and Calvert 73 centrals. A somewhat pink Ball was overjoyed and for once temporarily tongue tied. Mace took defeat with great good presence and grace. Jane Messer (687.76) headed Andrew Wilde (685.82) and David Luckman(685.74) to complete the first half-dozen. The top A's were Mr Baker (ATSC) and Lucy Mace, spouse of the runner up. In the afternoon England had a substantial win over the other home nations with Nick Brasier and David Calvert recording what I think were the only 105s on the range. It just shows how difficult that wind has been. There are a myriad of Aggregates and suchlike on the boards, far too many for me to deal with. But they are all on the website links, or should be. Georges II, Queens II, Kolapore tomorrow. I have an appointment in the coaching seat with mes amis, Normandy in the Junior K. Good night. Updated: 24-Jul-08 (Original posting: 24-Jul-08)
Three Way Tie for Queen's 1 Wednesday 23 July All the outstanding results from yesterday (Tuesday) should be on the website link so I will not go through those. We had a much more inviting menu to contemplate today that would lead us to the last shoot in the Grand Aggregate and who would shoot in the second stage of the Queen's Prize. But first the weather. Almost everyone today was awarded the DFC, that is to say the dead flat calm. At 8am nothing stirred under a grey and static sky. It became an oppressive overcast, leaden and humid with the sun breaking through in patches as the day wore on. Towards afternoon the sky became a little clearer with a gentle fishtail air current from behind the shooters. Like the little girl who when good was very, very good, when it was overcast and hot it was humid and horrid, depending of course on your tolerance levels. If ever there was a morning for making a possible at 900 yards in the Conan Doyle this was it and 97 were included in the list. For the fourth time in this meeting Messrs Glyn Barnett and Nigel Ball will shoot a tie shoot, three at 300 yards and now one at 900. Down on Century the 'Queens Prize got under way. This was a new lot of ammunition numbered 156 if my records are correct. It has been difficult to make any direct comparison with last year?s batches because of the very different conditions this year, but the St Georges cut was 72 in much more equable conditions than Monday and earlier. There were many reports of unexplained odd shots in Queens 1, although as will always happen the shooters on real form seem to pass these oddities by. Simply to point to one of the earlier competitions, the Century in far from difficult conditions, and to cite that result, is not enough. There were a number of batches, used in differing conditions and many different experiences. Perhaps we can return to the standard of the ammunition in later episodes. Three tied for the Queen's first stage: Toby Raincock of Old Epsomians, defending winner James Lewis of ATSC, and Tracy Fitzsimons of Manchester all on 105.16. The cut for a place in the second stage 300 was 102.7 finishing 33.3 at 600 yards. In the Grand Aggregate Nick Mace (618.73) still leads by two points but over Nigel Ball (616.81) with David Calvert dropping to third by 14 centrals. Then we have D Baker on 614 and Jane Messer and David Luckman on 612 with Barnett on 611. So, Nick needs 74 for a clear win or a 73 with at least 9 more centrals than Ball should Ball score a 75. As always it all boils down to that last crucial shoot, the Prince of Wales. Good night, or is it good morning. Updated: 24-Jul-08 (Original posting: 24-Jul-08)
General Council Election Results The full results of the General Council election are now available. Download Updated: 23-Jul-08 (Original posting: 23-Jul-08)
Ball and Barnett Locked for Georges I Tuesday 22 July This is going to be a short entry tonight. What a difference a day makes. It was double duvet cold again last night but we awoke to blue skies with very high puffs of cloud like grubby cotton wool. But the main change was the gentleness of the light breeze. It still headed up the range, it was warmer and it still switched from side to side. The St Georges first stage was the only item on the card, fifteen shots at the unforgiving 300 yards bullseye. The wind played cat and mouse with infinite subtlety, now agreeing with the mirage and now not: at times it seemed that when the two did agree the carry was in the opposite direction. Baffling. 31 firers managed 75 with Nigel Ball and Glyn Barnett tied to shoot again another day on 75.12. Ed Wood was third, counting out a very fine first ever possible by Tyro Louise Rylands, 19, a student from Bristol University and member of Manchester Rifle Club. She beat father Tom hands down. All this meant no change to the order at the top of the Grand. David Calvert has pulled back one point on Nick Mace who hold his lead but with a two point margin. Ball, Baker , Wilde and Messer follow (sounds like a firm of solicitors). Seven points cover the top ten with three matches to go and 230 points at stake. The test now is not perhaps of who can tune their skills and luck in outrageous winds, but rather of holding it all together as the pressure builds. It makes for an engaging finish. The results of the County short and Long Matches should be on the website soonish. I think it was a close run thing for London at Short range ahead of Somerset and Sussex, but I do not have the Long result as yet. Tomorrow is Conan Doyle (900yds) and Queen's I. Updated: 22-Jul-08 (Original posting: 22-Jul-08)
Shouler's Pluperfect Times Monday 21 July An early start and an early finish for your scribe today. First the weather. The day dawned cold and clear. In fact the cold was noticeable during the night, but dawn brought a few high clouds and then a relatively clear sky of summer blue. It also brought the next instalment of the battering head on fish-tail wind that has caused everyone so much trouble. The Times did not escape the icy North-West blast with shooters queuing up to tell of the corrected wind change that they should have had to escape the magpie that flew into their scorebook during their stay at 300 yards. The angle was fine on either side of the flag post, punctuated by some sudden surges and swings back and forth. Common yelps of large changes from left to right or back again were heard. Nevertheless it was down to Simon Shouler (Langar RC) to show everyone the way home with the only 50.10 on the range. A fine performance in very difficult conditions, with an unbreakable tie for second place between Adam Jory of Guernsey and Scotland's Sarah Rennie (recently returned from Australia). Both of them slipped their last shot into the ordinary bullseye: I do not mean to sound unkind but they could have been tie-shooting tomorrow night..... The wind persisted all day but seems to be a little calmer now (5.30pm). And so it should be as a glorious evening approaches. I shall finish the washing up and general cleansing and trek over to Stats for news of the Corporation (1000) and the Wimbledon (600) which are just finishing. As you would expect the Corporation may well have dashed many hopes, sprinkling magpies and worse. T Rex intervenes to tell me a tale of an early morning Times. First sighter 12 oclock hit scoring one. Much checking of ladder foresight position which had been checked three times prior to the start. Second sighter another hit in the same place, but on the next door target. Much bemusment, unscrewing and rescrewing of foresight. First on score bullseye and copious relief. Back in a short while with the rest of the summary. Later Lots of different goodies tonight as some of the aggregates kick in and early qualifying rounds are completed. The best way of imparting the news is to simply list them and add any comments starting with the two other main events today. Corporation: the other half of the Shouler duo, Richard (Langar RC) took this with the only 49 on the range, albeit a touch sparing in the V department (3). Matt Charlton (O Guildfordians) with 48.5 and Jon Cload (Surrey RA) 48.4 followed. The last X in tumbled to 46.2 and Tyros needed 42.2. Quite a demolition job by the elements, with the qualifying hit for the Donaldson Memorial final being 133.5. Wimbledon: great to see Tracy Fitzsimons (Manchester) heading this list with 50.8. Well deserved and the nearest next best were Richard Vary (NLRC) on 50.6 and Chris Watson (Uppingham Vets) on 50.5. Monday Agg: Richard Shouler 146.11, DW Baker (ATSC) 145.10 and Nick Mace (Guernsey) 144.16 of whom more follows. The results of the Howcroft Newspaper, Stock Exchange, Clementi Smith and Young Riflemens Aggregates should also be appearing on the NRA website links. And we keep the best until last. The Grand has thrown up some changes. Nick Mace leads by an enormous three points with 390.41 (49 Times, 49 Wim, 46 Corp today). David Calvert (RAFTRC 49, 48, 46) follows. Nigel Ball and DW Baker are on 38.46 and 386.35 respectively, Jane Messer on 385.34 and five Updated: 21-Jul-08 (Original posting: 21-Jul-08)
Early Lead for Armstrong in the Grand Sunday 20 July Awake to the sounds of the wind trying to blow all the leaves off the oak tree. Down on the firing points the target number pegs looked vulnerable to a North Westerly buster blowing straight up the range: a real eye-waterer. And it was shifting either side of the flag poles, and it was very cold. None of this boded well for the day and that was soon made apparent when the scores started to be compared in the gunrooms. Tales of woe and disbelief as magpies nested in many score diagrams. That was at 600 yards in the Alexandra where 45 was greeted with relief by many. Despite that there were some details that might just be said to have had it not easy, but a touch easier than others. That will always be the case, but not everyone at the top of the lists comes from the easier details. There are five scores of 50.7 tied for the Alexandra and they will shoot off in due course: Perron (Canada), McQuillan (Ulster), Charlton P (Stock Exchange), Shouler S (Langar) and MacMillan (E of Scotland). There were just 12 scores of 50 altogether. It is pointless comparing these with last year because the conditions are so different. Apropos of which T Rex tells me the story of the veteran shot in the Lovell (1000yds) yesterday who started with a mix of magpies and outers in the gale and eventually withdrew. It was because, he said, the last fiendish gust had lifted him clear of the ground while he was in the aim. Back on Stickledown, entertained by the passing flying from Farnborough again during the day, the Duke of Cambridge struggled on. Six minute changes were carded as the headwinds flicked left and right. There were peaks and troughs as the day progressed but none of it was easy. Eventually 12 scores of 50 were made with Paul Kent (O Epsomians) and John Pugsley (Exonia & Tiverton) tied to shoot another day on 50.8. Finally, the Daily Mail shows 20 scores of 75 with an outright winner in the form of Tim Clarke (Central Bankers) with 13 Vs followed by Keith Trowbridge (RAFTRC) and Nigel Ball (Stock Exchange) with 12 and 10 Vs respectively. It is not being unkind to anyone to record the fact that the wind did die down for the later details but then the light was not brilliant in the early evening either. Anyway I have no idea who was in which detail among the clever 20. T Rex has winkled out another anecdote. A very experienced and current TR top shot was shooting in the Match Rifle RG section at 1200 yards, when he managed to visit all parts of the target. In the space of seven shots he carded 5, V, 2, 1, 0, 4 and 3. He is going to take up painting by numbers next. I am not going to go into any great detail of the aggregates, but Ross McQuillan has the Sunday, David Calvert the Weekend and Nick Mace of Guernsey the Clementi-Smith. What may interest you more is the state of the Grand. There David Armstrong (246.29) is just 4 Vs ahead of Nick Mace. Sarah Jane Binder is third (245.30) with McQuillan fourth 4 Vs behind her, and Lucy Mace 5th one more V behind him. Six scores of 244 follow to complete the first eleven places. That is enough for tonight. The final Newspaper event, the Times, beckons at 8.30am. Updated: 20-Jul-08 (Original posting: 20-Jul-08)
A Windy Day In Paradise Saturday 19 July First, some results from yesterday in which three overseas shooters took the first three places in the Admiral Hutton (900yds). Top of the 49 scores of 50 was Canadian Jim Paton with a not quite pluperfect 50.9. His supporting cast consisted of James Corbett and Rob Sandlant from Australia each with 50.8, James finishing with seven centrals to four from Rob. The Century produced 34 scores of 100 in breezes that suggested that it should have been less likely: credit to the shooters. Pete Seebohn of OCRA (100.18), John Pugsley of Exonia & Tiverton (100.17)and Peter Bromley of Sedberghians took the honours. The Friday Agg had seven scores of 150 with Devon vet Pugsley the best (23v), followed by Steve Penrose (Stock Exchange) on 22 and James Watson (Uppingham) on 21. And now the weather today, Saturday. As 8.30 and the first details of the day approached it started to rain in quite a spiteful way, driving up the ranges from front left and into faces and barrels, born on a stiff (approaching ferocious) wind. It was not a nice welcome to the firing point for the early birds. The first detail got hammered by the stuff. Thereafter it stopped and the rest of the day has been sunny patches and a strong driving wind from 1 round to 3 oclock. It has played havoc with scores in all the competitions. The 10 shot Donegall produced 34 scores of 50 in the morning compared with 127 last year, a measure of the difference in conditions. Horror stories abound from the Lovell (1000yds). I was feeling quite smug with only one point lost after the first five shots. That turned into a further 9 lost in the next five including a visit to the right hand extremity for a hit value 1 as the wind turned from 9 left on my gun to a required 16. I had given it an extra two left because the strength had upped but it was the sudden turn in direction across the range that did for me and everyone else caught in the aim at the same moment. It was up and down and back and forth in split seconds. And so it was also down on Century for the opening of the Grand Aggregate, The Telegraph Challenge Cup. The owners of scores of 72 or more were looking a little smug. Mind you so much is scuttlebutt and hearsay, but that is what makes life interesting. The final details are popping away in the background as I type. Hopefully sometime after 7.30pm we may have a result. An evening sun and a blue sky, peppered with high clouds, some dark and threatening, might just signal the end of this changeable spell. The latest news from Metcheck.com forecasts more settled but cool weather for the first part of next week warming up after Monday with slight occasional rain returning on Friday. We shall see. May return later with some news of the latest results. Later..... We have discovered that there were indeed some maximum 75s in the Telegraph, which was won by David Armstrong of Old Guildfordians with 75.10. He was followed by Lindsey Peden of NLRC on 75.9 and David Calvert of RAFTRC (inspired no doubt by the restored Avro Vulcan in what might be its last flying display if further funds are not found to keep it airworthy) with 75.8. Over on the Stickledown hill where both Vulcan and B1 scorched the grass with their low passes towards Farnborough, the Lovell was passed into safe Australian hands with a 49.6 from Mark Buchanan. Peter Jory of Guernsey on 49.5 and C Heales of OGRE on 49.4 followed him home. Calvert (173.20) annexed the Saturday Aggregate by two points from Richard Benest of Jersey (171.19) and Nigel Ball the sailor (170.22). T Rex has put in Updated: 19-Jul-08 (Original posting: 19-Jul-08)
ITMA Postle and Epsom Thursday 17 July A first sprinkle of the wet stuff during the morning to welcome the massed ranks of the schools' cadet forces to the Ashburton. But it was just a sprinkle and not a lot more than that. Fortunately it held off for the day. So, what was on offer? First away was the Opening Shot match at 900 and 1000 yards for that motley selection of teams that called themselves counties or any other appropriate description. Central Bankers were first past the post, by ten centrals from Hertfordshire, both of them eight points ahead of Surrey. Down on Century the schools were doing battle. The real question was whether Epsom College could yet again snatch the Ashburton Shield. The day was overcast with a brisk breeze blowing from 11 to nine oclock to test the cadet coaches. Epsom kicked off with 265 ex 280 at 300 yards following it with 266 at 600 (the match being shot in the order 300, 600 and 500 yards for logistical purposes). Only Dollar Academy was anywhere near with 258 and 261 to be 12 points adrift at the lunch break. At 500 Epsom held on to score 259 while Dollar made one point more. It was simply not enough to make a real dent in the Epsom lead. The final scorings were Epsom 790.75, Dollar 779.50 and The Oratory 766.52. It was the last appearance of James Postle as master in charge of Epsom after 13 years in the driving seat. In that time Epsom have won the Ashburton on seven occasions and been second five times. On any assessment that is a pretty good record. So best wishes to him on his appointment as head master of Blundells Junior School and good fortune to his successor Clare Huxter at Epsom. Dollar collected the Cadet Pairs and there is the usual array of other schools results to be found elsewhere on the website. I have no idea who won the Veterans, but I do know it was a long evening for many of the participants who stayed on for dinners and for those long rambling exchanges that are called AGMs. Good night. Updated: 18-Jul-08 (Original posting: 18-Jul-08)
The Elcho - The Tremmers and Puggers Show If you wanted a match that would not be believed if it appeared on full size screen directed by Tarantino then this was it. Take a lazy summer's day with a warm brisk headwind, add some strawberries and cream, plus fours and lots of people with dangly bits hanging from their jacket and sweater shoulders, and you have it all. And then there was the shooting. Ireland had a one point lead over England after 1000 yards, with Wales leading Scotland fourteen and fifteen points adrift. As if to rub in their new-found supremacy, Ireland held the lead after 1100, matching England's score. The usual lengthy late lunch break intervened. Well, why let good food interrupt a needle international? History and tradition, dear boy. History and tradition. What it all boiled down to was this. Ireland finished well within the time allowed. England, as so often seems to be the case, hesitated - pardon me, they thought carefully about every which way of the wind. Well, I am not a Match Rifle shot and I favour the "get on with it" approach when there are media dead-lines to meet. It meant that, between them John Pugsley and Nick Tremlett had to score 144 ex 150 at 1200 yards if England were going to win. It took Puggers all of 8 minutes to make 74 of those points. It took Tremmers all of that to fire his first shot, or so it seemed to the impatient scribe. I have no doubt whatsoever that it was time well spent, but with five points dropped in the first ten shots fired it has to be said that the betting man would have slipped a fiver on England to fail at the final hurdle, but then betting is a mug's game except when you win. The squeaks and squeals from the blazer clad lasses at the England scoreboard were a delight as Trem crept towards his target. V followed V followed 5 until it was a final V on score with not a lot of time to spare. A very fine performance by both of the gentlemen and a one point victory over Ireland with less centrals - but then points win prizes. I am sorry that I have not commented on the Schools tonight. Between leaving home and writing this has come final sorting out of the command centre where the table on which I type this collapsed as I set up the communications technology, and Mr Sainsburys intervened for the essential task of provisioning. However, hopefully Sharon and her colleagues will have fetched all the results in for the bearded whiz to post on the other website buttons. Tomorrow is Black Thursday, with Schools' Ashburton and Veterans in equal measure. A tincture of something is called for. Back tomorrow. Elcho Shield (1000, 1100 & 1200yds): 1. England 1692.136 (J Pugsley 218.25); 2. Ireland 1691.140 (P Campbell 219.22); 3. Scotland 1683.129 (M Baillie-Hamilton 220.23); 4. Wales 1655.136 (L Brister 216.24). Updated: 18-Jul-08 (Original posting: 16-Jul-08)
Two in a Row Means Four in the Bag Tuesday 15 July It was that small animal vet again. Grinning like a Cheshire cat that he has just treated for a fur ball, Nick Tremlett from Windsor Rifle Club proved immovable in the seventh and final match of the Hopton Aggregate at Bisley to take the Match Rifle championship for the second year running. Although he lost one point from his overnight lead he had a comfortable margin of six points to take his fourth title, ahead of 2006 champion Mike Baillie Hamilton with Dr Paul Monaghan third. It has to be said that the Albert usually provides some sort of story, absence of sighters and all, but this time although Baillie Hamilton clawed one back to shove Tremmers into second in the last match, there was little else he could do about Mr Rocksolid. His margin last year was just one point and his total 17 points less, but it was pretty vile weather in 2007. An excellent display, Nick, and thanks too to all those that chased him to the end, particularly BH and Paul Monaghan. We should of course give an honourable mention to John Knight for his last match flourish. Hopton Aggregate: 1. N Tremlett (Windsor) 997.108; 2. M Baillie-Hamilton (West Atholl) 991.114; 3. P Monaghan (NLRC) 985.111. Albert (1000, 1100 & 1200yds): 1. Baillie-Hamilton 220.26; 2. Tremlett 219.29; 3. J Knight (RAFTRC) 218.26. Schools Snap: 1. The Oratory A 210; 2. The Oratory B 175; 3. Ampleforth 179. Marlborough Cup: 1. U/O P Inwood (Oratory) 47; 2.= Sgt B Pocock (St Johns) & Sgt C Brook (Sedbergh) 46. Marling: 1. Campbell College 205; 2. The Oratory A 188; 3. Ampleforth 179. Financial Times: 1. Sgt A Coupland (The Oratory) 49; 2. Sgt K Hohenberg (The Oratory) 44; 3. Sgt G Ogden (Sedbergh) 43. Updated: 18-Jul-08 (Original posting: 15-Jul-08)
Nick Tremlett wins the Hopton Nick Tremlett has won the Hopton for the fourth time in five years with a score of 997.108. In second place was Mike Baillie-Hamilton with 991.114 and in third was Dr Paul Monaghan with 985.111. Updated: 15-Jul-08 (Original posting: 15-Jul-08)
Opening Shot for 2008 Monday 14 July 2008 We are back again, the full team (that is to say my journalistic colleague T Rex, whoever he or she may be, and myself) assembled in the mobile command centre agog with expectation and bursting with enthusiasm, to bring you the daily synopsis to go with the prize lists. It is an auspicious day, my ancestral day, Bastille Day. The thought brings just a prickle to the hairs on the back of my neck. First, a short reminder that what you see is what you get from these potted accounts, and that the official prize lists are the fons et origo of the true finishing order. That is shorthand for me saying that I sometimes make mistakes in the rush to bring you your eagerly awaited snippets, so the official lists take precedence over my abstractions. The lists can be found by delving into a different part of the NRA website. Second, let me just point out that this early piece also serves as a dry run to identify and then iron out any bugs in the system. In the past my efforts have been punctuated by some strange symbols or absence of apostrophes or other such literary furniture. This is because in the translation of my carefully crafted pearls from MSWord into website language, not everything matches. We have tried to minimise the problem but as yet it remains a possible source of oddity. Bear with us. Greetings then to all readers, across the pond, on the African continent or down under. What have we got to look forward to this year, the 139th Bisley Meeting, aka the Imperial? Well, the first issue on everyone's lips must be the weather. This time last year the Match Rifle shooters did not have it that easy, but it was as nothing compared to the lakes of the following Friday. Quite a bit of the wet stuff has fallen in the past weeks here and the long term forecast is that it will continue a little unsettled with patchy sun and occasional showers (www.metcheck.com). Do not hold me to any degree of accuracy: I could well have put that observation on another target. Next up, ammunition. This is the first year of going it alone after the expiry of the long-standing arrangements with the MoD. The powers that be have decided to stick with RG for this year. So we wait to see if it is as good as last year. No doubt we will expect to see a full discussion on what we want in the future, what is available, what can be made available, relative costs and what represents the best option. It is a debate and a plan long overdue. It also brings an additional task for competitors in the form of a new special duty accompanied by a top of the sartorial range fluorescent green hi-viz jacket. Shooters collecting the duty will issue ammunition on each range at the RCO?s table. This news has already been circulated via email to NRA members and will be covered in your usual squadding envelopes. So do your job and get the blame for the unexplained low magpie or horizontal outer. So who is going to win what? Let us start with Match Rifle to which I paid a fleeting visit yesterday midday. Saturday had reserved its most blustery bits for 1200 yards but even so the scoring was admirable. Nick Tremlett is the defending champion in the Hopton Aggregate he but will face a stiff challenge from 2006 champion Mike Baillie Hamilton, who started well to take the Whitehead and third place in the Halford lying second overnight to Paul Monaghan in the Saturday Aggregate. Sunday up to the start of the Armourers belonged to Monaghan who led the Hopton on centrals (or V bulls) from Nick Tremlett who seems to have found the central a lot harder to find, although the old adage "points win prizes" does spring to mind. John Pugsley was Updated: 17-Jul-08 (Original posting: 14-Jul-08)
AGM Minutes 2008 The minutes for the 2008 AGM held at Bisley can now be downloaded using the link below: Download minutes Updated: 10-Jul-08 (Original posting: 10-Jul-08)
Inter Counties 2008 Results The results from the Inter Counties Meeting held at Bisley on 14 and 15 June 2008 are available below: Download R Jarvis Download Lt Col H Jones Download Long Range Match Download Short Range Match Download Teams Aggregate Updated: 19-Jun-08 (Original posting: 19-Jun-08)
HRA Results 7 June A bright sunny day with little wind in the morning on the 200 yard line at Short Siberia saw 16 competitors turn out. Three lane moves were required for this match with the 300 and 600 yard stages shot on Century. After the 300 yard rapids it was very close in the SR Class with Rowan Chaplin on 569.08 and Mark Bradley on 565.11, light changes at 600 yards and fishtailing wind opened the margin with Rowan maintaining his lead to take the SR Honours. On leaving the 200 yard line Bill Ellis was the clear leader in Match Rifle on 386.10, followed by John Morgan-Hosey on 378.05 and Layne Chisholm on 371.06. Those positions were maintained on the 300 yard line but the move to 600 yards saw a shuffle when the 6XCs came through in the quickly switching wind as Bill struggled to find centre with his .223 Rem. Full results are available by clicking the link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20080607.html Updated: 11-Jun-08 (Original posting: 11-Jun-08)
Scottish Open Championships Results Saturday started slightly behind time and part way through the first detail the fog came down. A four hour delay ensued with meetings every hour to check visibility. Eventually the fog cleared and shooting got underway with the first detail finishing their shoot. The afternoon saw the wind continue to blow up the range towards the firing point and scores were generally high. Due to the earlier delay only two of the shoots took place with the second part of the Medals match to be completed first thing on Sunday. The local Angus Council hosted a reception and people then went off in various directions for dinner. Sunday brought clear skies and the sun shone through. The wind blew across and down the range over the right shoulder with sizeable changes that brought up many inners. Shooting started on time and we caught up. However, the sun also had the effect of bringing out the sailors and windsurfers who either intentionally or not sailed into the danger area. It then took nearly two hours for sentries and the range warden to attract their attention waving their red flags. During this time much discussion took place but some fell asleep in the sun - they were easily identified later as the lobsters. The delay had the result of preventing the Lawrence Match from being shot. Instead, certain individual scores from the nominated teams were added up to at least give a result. Scotland won. Monday was fine again with very strong and changeable winds similar but stronger to Sunday. There were a few 75s at 900 and even fewer at 1000. The shooting was subjected to many stops due to vehicles passing through and there were some problems with the targetry due to damage from the strong wind blowing straight down the range. Shooting was completed and Andy Wilde won the Championship with a 75.3 to go with his 75.10 from 900. Results Grand Agg 1. Ian Shaw 443.62 2. Bruce Roth 442.56 3. Andy Wilde 442.54 Scottish Championships 1. Andy Wilde 150.13 2. Dick Horrocks 149.19 3. Angus McLeod 148.17 Caledonian Shield (Scottish only) 1. Angus McLeod 296.44 2. Ian Shaw 296.42 3. Tim Kidner 294.37 Lawrence Match Scotland 1748.192 England 1735.181 Darnley Plate (team of 4 concurrent) 1. Central Bankers 877.114 2. North London RC 876.103 3. East of Scotland 871.106 Download full results Updated: 14-Jun-08 (Original posting: 09-Jun-08)
Regional Workshop Consultation Report The Regional Workshop Consultation Report is available below. Download report Updated: 03-Jun-08 (Original posting: 03-Jun-08)
Phoenix Meeting Results 2008 The results and prizelists can now be found here. Updated: 27-May-08 (Original posting: 27-May-08)
NRA team to Channel Islands- Final Results Tale of the matches: GUERNSEY - Friday morning's shooting fogged off, despite sunny weather on the whole of the rest of the island. - Saturday morning cold and windy, needing up to 9 minutes right wind at 600 yards. - Saturday afternoon (team match) was cold, very wet and windy. Some fairly loose shooting at 300 yards allowed Guernsey to take a 3 point lead. Given the wind was fairly steady, if strong, the team members were reminded of the need to concentrate on getting away good shots above all else at 500 yards, and duly delivered. While one shooter fell victim to a misted up eagle eye for a 44, the other seven dropped only one point between them, beating Guernsey by 11 points at the range to take an 8 point lead in the match. By the end of 500 yards, teams were having to use each other's targets as they finished, because most of the target faces had blown through in the bad weather. At 600 yards, all of the target faces blew through by half way, so the range was abandoned with an 8 point win for the NRA, who had been shooting well at 600 up until that point. Individual results: PARKER TANKARD (2ss + 7 at 300, 500, 600 yards) 1. Peter Jory (GRC) 105.15 2. Glyn Barnett (NRA) 105.14 3. Matthew Charlton (NRA) 105.12 GUERNSEY CAN (2ss + 10 at 300, 500, 600 yards) 1. Glyn Barnett (NRA) 149.21, tie 25.5 2. Charles Dickenson (NRA) 149.21, tie 24.4 3. Tom Hunter (NRA) 149.19 JERSEY - Sunday morning long range bright, and breezy (tail wind) - Sunday afternoon bright and sunny, sometimes light fishtail, sometimes more pronounced right wind - Monday morning overcast, sometimes wet, with fog between details, mostly fresh left wind - Monday afternoon team match progressed from dull to bright, with a fishtail that was more often left than right, largely manageable at 300 and 500 but capable of putting people out at 600 with ease. Changed fairly quickly there especially in second half of shoot, so coaches needed to be on the ball to manage it. 300 yards saw some mixed shooting from the NRA team, with a couple of the newcomers perhaps betraying nerves. Jersey took a 3 point lead. At 500, the NRA team shot very well indeed, winning praise from their captain, but Jersey were on strong form and only dropped 3 to take a further point's advantage. Half way through 600 that pattern had continued but changed as the conditions became a bit trickier and Jersey started leaking a few points while the NRA' coaches showed caution and judicious use of time and of waiting firers' sighters to make up the deficit, with the last three firers (Stevens, Haley and Barnett) displaying nerves of steel to take advantage of the opportunity. The NRA team only dropped 5 during that difficult range, while Jersey dropped 11, leading to a hard-fought 2-point win for the NRA in a very enjoyable match. Guernsey Results Jersey Results Final Jersey Results http://www.nraci08.org.uk/ Updated: 03-Jun-08 (Original posting: 27-May-08)
NATSS Update The latest NATSS press release is available below. Download update Updated: 27-May-08 (Original posting: 27-May-08)
Bisley Bibles and Imperial Meeting receipts The 2008 NRA Rules of Shooting (Bisley Bible) is now available. Anyone who has ordered one should receive it during the next few days. Imperial Meeting receipts are also being sent out this week. We apologise for the delay in producing the 2008 Bisley Bible but this has been due to the recent Muzzle Energy problem. Updated: 27-May-08 (Original posting: 27-May-08)
Bullet Ball 2008 This year's Bullet Ball will be back to basics - great music, good food, plenty of drink and lots of dancing! Ticket price will be £40 to include glass of wine on arrival and a three course meal. A band will be playing R&B, soul and rock classics from the sixties to the present day as well as a disco playing all your favourites ("YMCA" anyone?!) This year all proceeds from the Ball will go to support the Under 25 members of next year's Home Countries teams competing in South Africa. Seventeen Under 25 shooters have been selected to represent England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales at South Africa's 80th Anniversary Championships. This tour will involve a heavy financial commitment from each member and the Under 25s will find it most difficult to raise funds so please help support them by buying a ticket (and maybe making a donation as well). And if you're a Facebook fan why not join the Bisley Bullet Ball group to get the latest news and updates on the Ball. This will be a Ball for everyone so buy your ticket online now. http://ball.nra.org.uk/ Updated: 27-May-08 (Original posting: 26-May-08)
Results from Highpower XTC Match 17 May On what was expected to be a very wet day 18 competitors turned out for an 80 round XTC match. Having to shoot the 200 yard stages on Short Siberia is not ideal for several reasons; the targets are very close together so cross lane firing has to be guarded against and the gravel firing point means that getting back into your natural alignment when going from standing to sitting takes a little longer. That said though there was some excellent shooting on the short line that continued throughout the day. 300 yard rapid fire on Century could not commence until after lunch and that coincided with a change in the weather with persistent rain for about two hours catching details 1 and 3 out in the open, detail 2 faired a little better in the butts as the rain had mostly cleared by late afternoon when they fired the 600 yard slow prone stage. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20080517.html Updated: 21-May-08 (Original posting: 21-May-08)
Good news for overseas competitors Migration Points Based System The shooting national governing bodies, together with CCPR and other sports NGBs, have had a major success in getting changes made to the Borders Agency's proposals for new immigration controls. Under the original proposals, visitors from outside the European Community who come to the UK to take part in amateur sporting events would have had to acquire special documentation for which a significant charge would have been made. In addition the relevant national governing body in the UK would need to be registered (again at a cost) with the Borders Agency and would have to sponsor and accept resposibility for each overseas visitor attending its events. These proposals would have had a potentially very serious effect on those attending the Imperial Meeting or the NSRA's Bisley Meeting and Junior International. Immediately the proposals were announced the NSRA, together with the NRA, CPSA and British Shooting, raised objections about the disproportionate effect of the proposals on organised sports teams from around the world, many of them involving juniors. Face-to-face meetings were held at Bisley between the Associations and representatives of the immigration service. It is pleasing to note that the latest details of the scheme published by the Borders Agency show that target shooters coming to the UK on limited-period visits for a shooting competiton will not be affected by the new system. To be caught under the latest proposals, a shooter will need to come to the UK for the duration of a sporting season, to join a British sports team for payment or to give coaching. This success is a result of co-operative efforts by the NSRA, NRA and CPSA under the banner of the NATSS initiative. Updated: 21-May-08 (Original posting: 21-May-08)
Lies, Damn Lies and the NRA Muzzle Energy There is a very current rumour going around that the NRA rather than protect the interest of shooters was the originator of the Muzzle Energy problem. This is of course a complete fallacy of a perverse mind. The history of this event was that in late October 2007 it was reported that shooting was being restricted at Altcar to 3800J. It was found by the NRA after investigation that this was a general intention, to be introduced by the MoD on all military ranges. Effectively most civilian shooting would have had to stop. After much negotiation with the military the Muzzle Energy limit was raised to 4500J keeping the majority of those using military ranges shooting. The NRA pointed out that this caused problems for some shooters who shot F Class, Match Rifle, Sporting Rifle and other disciplines. As a result the special zeroing conditions were brought into place, keeping 100% of shooters shooting. To meet general safety conditions on their ranges the MoD also required that every individual using their ranges was either certificated as safe and competent or they had recently undertaken a 'national standard' course, the NRA Probationary Course. This was not something invented by the NRA, this was designed to put similar safeguards in place for civilians using MoD ranges as those the military have to meet themselves. The NRA were duty bound to take on this challenge in short timescales to ensure all shooters could continue to shoot. The NRA recognises that the new conditions are onerous but they are necessary to meet military expectations to use their ranges. We also recognise that due to necessary haste we will not have got everything right first time but this will be an evolving process. The NRA did not invite this problem but has had to deal with it. In doing so the Association has had to negotiate, spend a great deal of effort writing and re-writing requirements to the specification of the military, construct course material specifically to be delivered at club level and increase its administrative and staff costs. At present estimates this is going to cost the NRA £150k in the first year, none of which has been passed onto the clubs or individuals. I only have this question to ask of those that came up with this idea. If we were responsible for the Muzzle Energy problem, would we really have wanted to take on all the work, frustration, criticism and cost, for no benefit to us? In the words of the senior military negotiator, "If shooters don't want to comply they don't shoot on a MoD range". Glynn Alger Secretary General Updated: 19-May-08 (Original posting: 19-May-08)
Civilian Use of MoD Ranges and Certification To download information about the new MoD requirements to allow civilians to shoot on MoD ranges please click on the link below. http://mod.nra.org.uk Updated: 12-May-08 (Original posting: 12-May-08)
NATSS Online Survey Results Following the online survey available through the NSRA, NRA and CPSA websites between December and February, Performance Matters has now compiled the results of the survey. The results are available in two downloadable documents. There is a Short Summary giving the headline figures and the Full Report giving a detailed analysis of the comments of well over 2,000 shooters who completed the survey. Performance Matters has now moved on to the next phase of the work in analysing the results of the nine Regional Forums held during March and April. Updated: 11-May-08 (Original posting: 11-May-08)
Early Entry Draw The Early Entry Draw results are as follows: 1 Katy Simpson of Dollar Academy (receives 100% refund of entry fees) 2 Nigel Penn of Bedfordians RC(receives 50% refund of entry fees) 3 Roy Pool of Bullet Lodge (receives 25% refund of entry fees) Congratulations to them all. Updated: 08-May-08 (Original posting: 08-May-08)
RCO (HME) Course at Bisley - Sunday 25 May Another RCO(HME) course  will be held  at Bisley on Sunday 25 May. This course is only open to qualified NRA RCOs, the cost is £30 per person.   Application forms  for the course are available from the NRA offices or e-mail Maureen Peach . The closing date for applications for this course is Friday 16 May.   Additional RCO (HME) courses will be offered in the autumn.  Details of these and all courses will be published in the NRA Journal and on the NRA website. Updated: 05-May-08 (Original posting: 05-May-08)
Purples Match Results Results from the Purples Match held on Sunday 27 April are now available by clicking the link below. Download results Updated: 05-May-08 (Original posting: 05-May-08)
F Class World Championships 2009 In July 2009 Bisley will host the F Class World Championships. Information and entry forms are now available by clicking on the link below. Download information and entry forms Updated: 01-May-08 (Original posting: 01-May-08)
Civilian Service Rifle League Results 2007/08 Results for the Civilian Service Rifle League Results 2007/08 are now available by clicking on the links below. The NRA would like to thank those who have contributed so much to the success of the Civilian SR shoots in the last nine months, particularly (but not limited to): *       Paul Hunter (Practical Rifle rep on General Council for overseeing the discipline), *       Mark Bradley (for organising the firers and running the firing points on a number of days), *       Nick St Aubyn (for his computer skills in programming the electric targets and running these targets on Stickledown, and for producing the results in record time) and *       Steve Beard (for producing all the consolidated results for the Civilian Service Rifle League), and *       all those who turned up to make the competitions a success Download information Download results Updated: 04-Jun-08 (Original posting: 29-Apr-08)
HRA Results for 20 April 2008 A full distance XTC match with 16 competitors was shot at Bisley on Sunday 20 April 2008. The weather started dull and overcast with very little wind but by the afternoon developed into sunny with the odd cloud and a steady right to left full valve 10 mph wind.  A match report, full results and photos can be found using the link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20080420.html Updated: 24-Apr-08 (Original posting: 24-Apr-08)
Muzzle Energy and MoD Agreement The NRA is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed a series of negotiations with the MoD and the resulting agreement will allow the continued use of MoD ranges by civilian shooters who are members of the NRA or of NRA affiliated clubs. Please download the Press Release below for full details. Download Press Release Updated: 15-Apr-08 (Original posting: 15-Apr-08)
Scottish Open Meeting Entry forms for the Scottish Open being held at Barry Buddon on Saturday 7 to Monday 9 June are now available by clicking below. Download Entry Form http://www.scottishrifleassociation.org.uk Updated: 15-Apr-08 (Original posting: 15-Apr-08)
Ibis Open Results One of the highlights of the Ibis Rifle Club calendar is the Open Meeting held in April each year. This year forty-eight competitors turned out on Saturday 12 April. The weather was kinder than predicted with one detail shooting through in the dry, while the other caught a couple of showers. The wind was tricky enough to keep the scores down. Andrew Wilde (Somerset) won the Short Range aggregate with Carol Painting (Pumas) taking the Long Range aggregate and the overall aggregate. The results are available below: Download results Updated: 15-Apr-08 (Original posting: 15-Apr-08)
HBSA Short Range Championship Results The results for the HBSA 1910 Short Range Open Championships held on 5 April are now available: Download results Updated: 14-Apr-08 (Original posting: 14-Apr-08)
GB Team win the Protea Match in South Africa The Great Britain Rifle Team won the Protea Match held in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The Match was shot on Friday afternoon in hot conditions, and Great Britain won the match (the first time in 10 years that S Africa have been defeated on their home turf by GB). The final scores were GB 1765 185v and South Africa 1759 160v. More details are available at the GB 2008 Team website. Updated: 07-Apr-08 (Original posting: 05-Apr-08)
The Scottish Open Meeting The Scottish Rifle Association is pleased to confirm that the Scottish Meeting is going to be held at Barry Ranges, near Carnoustie on Saturday to Monday 7 to 9 June 2008. The programme is currently at the printers and will be available shortly. A link to a copy of the programme will be posted here when available. The programme will include individual competitions at distances from 400 metres to 1,000 yards over the course of the three days and the Lawrence Trophy between Scotland and England will be held on the Sunday afternoon. Please contact Allan Mabon (mabooonscotland@ntlworld.com or Tel No: 0141 942 2390) if you have any queries. Link to Calendar event Updated: 27-Mar-08 (Original posting: 27-Mar-08)
Highpower Results from 15 March Highpower results for the 80 round prone rapid and slow fire match held on 15 Mar 2008 can be found using the link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20080315.html Updated: 19-Mar-08 (Original posting: 19-Mar-08)
Ibis Rifle Club F Class Open League The Ibis RC are running a league for F and FTR class shooters throughout 2008. NRA F class targets will be used. For more info e-mail Graham King Download Dates and Booking Form Updated: 17-Mar-08 (Original posting: 17-Mar-08)
Civilian Service Rifle Results 16 March The results for the Civilian SR Competition held on 16 March are now available: Download 7.62mm results Download 5.56mm results Download wildcat results Updated: 17-Mar-08 (Original posting: 17-Mar-08)
New to Bisley - Dolphin Lodge The National Shooting Centre is pleased to announce that Dolphin Lodge is now completed and available for hire. The Lodge consists of four large en-suite twin rooms: two of these rooms are suitable for wheelchair users and two can be converted to triple occupancy. The rooms also have a fully equipped kitchenette and television. All linen and towels are provided. The cost per room is £65 per night. Should you wish to book any of these rooms or require further information please contact Amanda Vaughan on extension 135. From this . . . . . . to this! Updated: 14-Mar-08 (Original posting: 14-Mar-08)
Bill Sharman It is with great regret that the Scottish Rifle Association announces the loss of Bill Sharman, Scotland's immediate past Captain. After a long and uncomplaining battle with prostate cancer, a battle he knew he ultimately could not win even though he gave it a really good try, Womble died in his sleep just over two weeks ago in the Dove House Hospice, Yorkshire. He is survived by his wife, Wink, who gave up work over a year ago in order to be able to make Bill as comfortable as was possible in the circumstances. Well-known in both MR and TR circles, Bill's sense of humour as well as his wind-reading expertise will be greatly missed. He Captained Scotland (TR) for the three years from March 2003 until the end of February 2006, in the process leading a Touring Team to Canada where matches were shot in British Columbia and Ottawa in 2005. Picking up a newly re-barrelled rifle on arrival at Chilliwack, Bill immediately used it to shoot several possibles, winning the Scottish Sword amongst a variety of other trophies, and showing the younger members of the Team how it should be done, in spite of the sweltering heat. Bill's career in shooting was long and distinguished but, if the shooting world is the poorer for his demise, so is the world at large as he was above all a great human being. Updated: 13-Mar-08 (Original posting: 13-Mar-08)
John Drury It is with much sadness, that we have to inform you that John Drury passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday morning 5 March. John's funeral will be held at 11 o'clock on Wednesday 19 March 2008 at Aldershot Crematorium, Guildford Road, Aldershot, Surrey, GU12 4BP. The service will be followed by a buffet lunch at the British Pistol Club clubhouse at Bisley. Those intending to attend either the funeral or the lunch are asked to advise Robin or Jessie on 01483 486293 or by email to britishpistolclub@ntlworld.com. Please advise them by Sunday 16 March. Family flowers only please. Anyone wishing to make charitable donations should send them to John's favourite Charity, Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7RQ. Alternatively they can be handed to family members or British Pistol Club committee members on the 19th March. Directions to Aldershot Crematorium Leave the M3 at junction 4 then take the 2nd exit at the roundabout onto the A331 (signposted Guildford, Farnham) After 5.5 miles branch left (signposted A323), then take the 4th exit at the roundabout onto the A323 After 0.6 mile, at the Prince of Wales public house, turn left onto Lower Farnham Road - B3208 (signposted Badshot Lea, Crematorium) After 0.25 mile continue forward at the mini-roundabout onto Lower Farnham Road - B3208 After 0.15 mile turn left onto Guildford Road (signposted Crematorium) Updated: 11-Mar-08 (Original posting: 11-Mar-08)
Winner of £100 Online Early Entry Draw The winner of the £100 Online Early Entry Draw is John Deane of Dursley RC. All entries for the normal Early Entry Draw must be received by 1 May so enter now for your chance to win 100%, 50% or 25% of your entry fee back! Updated: 10-Mar-08 (Original posting: 10-Mar-08)
Civilian Service Rifle Results 2 March The results for the Civilian SR Competition held on 2 March are now available: Download practice results Download match results Updated: 07-Mar-08 (Original posting: 07-Mar-08)
Results from Spring Target Shotgun Festival The results for the Target Shotgun Festival held at Bisley on 23 February are now available: Download overall stage results Download overall match results Download spreadsheet of results Updated: 07-Mar-08 (Original posting: 07-Mar-08)
Imperial Meeting Competitor Index Number 1 The winner of the draw for Competitor Index Number 1 for all entries received by noon Friday 29 February was Michael Gregory of the Royal Air Force Target Rifle Club. Updated: 29-Feb-08 (Original posting: 29-Feb-08)
Cancellation of National Match in Scotland The Scottish Rifle Association are very sorry to announce that they have decided that it will not be possible for them to host the National Match at Barry in June 2008.    The main reason for the cancellation is that rebuilding of the stop butt is about to start but completion cannot be guaranteed in time for the match.  It was felt that cancellation at this time would be fairer on all competitors than a cancellation nearer the time. It is hoped that the Scottish Meeting will go ahead as normal and further details will be available in the next couple of weeks. It is also hoped that Scotland can host the National Match at Barry in June 2009 and further information will be announced later this year. Updated: 29-Feb-08 (Original posting: 29-Feb-08)
Ena Goodacre Many members will be saddened to hear that Ena Goodacre died on 24 February aged 96.  Ena was a former Sussex County Captain and President. She toured Canada in the early 1970s and took a GB Ladies team to Australia for their bicentennial meeting in 1988. Her funeral will be held at Wadhurst Parish Church, Wadhurst, East Sussex, on Thursday 6 March at 3pm. Donations if wished may be sent c/o Waterhouse and Sons, Funeral Directors, High Street, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7ET (cheques made payable to Hospice in the Weald or Cancer Research UK). Updated: 29-Feb-08 (Original posting: 29-Feb-08)
Highpower Results from 24 February Highpower resultss of the match held on 24 February 2008 can be found by following the link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/results.html Updated: 26-Feb-08 (Original posting: 26-Feb-08)
The Cheylesmore Challenge On Sunday 24 February the NSC hosted a Gallery Rifle centre-fire competition, which attracted just enough entrants to fill a bay all day. The competitors shot a number of stages which, although non-standard, were interesting and challenging, hence the name of the competition. It was challenging enough for a number of 'procedural errors' to be made resulting in a surprising winner. Yours truly came from a very long way back in GR experience to take, by a very small margin, first place. We managed to construct some very interesting stages using the turning targets and by moving to different firing positions. It is of course, perfectly safe to move with a lever actioned rifle with rounds in the tube and action open, despite a round being presented in the breech. Load one - fire one, is a very interesting concept! Safety was the main concern (fun came a very close second) with each competitor being individually followed by a Range Officer and applying rules adopted by the UKPSA achieved this. As a tyro GR shooter I am indebted to all the competitors, as all got involved in officiating, running and suggesting stages. I am also grateful that they let me win in order to maintain my interest! I must pay particular thanks to Vanessa Duffy who did the scoring and to Rene, the new addition to the Duffy household who kept us all entertained between shoots. Keep your eye on the NRA website for the next event and come along. Any club wishing to run a similar event, please get in touch and I'll advise you of the ground rules, safety requirements, suggested stages etc. Thanks to Jeremy Staples, Glynn Alger and Martin Farnan for the help and support in preparation, and for allowing us to run the event. Gun rhymes with fun and that's what we had. John Gardener Updated: 26-Feb-08 (Original posting: 26-Feb-08)
NATSS Regional Forums Following the Bisley Forum, work is now proceeding on setting up nine Regional Forums. These forums will take place in March and April, starting with one covering the South West of England at the Southern Counties Shooting Ground, near Dorchester, on 4 March. The remainder of the programme provides for one forum in each of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five more in the regions of England. For each of the forums there will be provision for 25 to 35 people from within each of the NSRA, NRA and shotgun groups. Invitations to send a representative will go to all our County Associations as well as some clubs in the area. Some places are also available for representatives of other organisations which are based in the locality and individuals who indicated their interest when completing the recent NATSS online survey. We therefore have more people falling within these headings than places available. To reach the numbers required there needs to be a selection process, and apart from ensuring that those selected cover NRA-affiliated bodies in the region, there will be individuals who completed the survey and who are representing, potentially, no one but themselves. In the case of the latter the intention is particularly to select those who have offered interesting, challenging or thought-provoking comments in completing the survey, whether in favour or against the principal of merger or closer co-operation. It is important also to remember that the forums will not be presentations to an auditorium full of silent listeners. They are workshops with syndicates being given subjects to discuss: each syndicate will have to give an immediate oral report back to the rest of the forum on the conclusions reached. Invitations have already been sent out in respect of the first two forums, and more will be issued over the next couple of weeks. If you are not covered within the arrangements outlined above and wish to apply for an invitation, please e-mail John Perry or phone 01483 485534. In the event of an over demand, places will be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis. Updated: 24-Feb-08 (Original posting: 24-Feb-08)
Civilian Service Rifle Results 16 February The results for the Civilian SR Competition held on 16 February are now available: Download results Updated: 24-Feb-08 (Original posting: 24-Feb-08)
New NRA Chairman General Council have elected Bill Richards as the new Chairman of the NRA. He takes office immediately. Having just been elected as your new Chairman, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. You may have see from my cv and election statement that I do not come from a shooting background. I have, however, had a life long passion for sport and understand the importance which it has for so many of us in all manner of different ways whether competing for and winning medals or just enjoying the chance to participate at the humblest level. In addition I hope that the skills and experience that I have gained during my working life will prove of value to the NRA as we look ahead and grapple with the issues which face us. At the most recent General Council meeting which led to my election I said that it would be both an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead the NRA through the next phase of its existence. Indeed it is. I realise that I have much to learn but I am very excited about the prospect of making a contribution to the successful future of the NRA.  Although I live in Surrey and work in Central London, I shall endeavour to visit shooting communities away from Bisley in my search to understand the needs and aspirations of the wider membership. I am conscious of the fact that the NRA is here to serve the interests and meet the aspirations of its members while at the same time acting as the Governing body of a major sport at which the UK excels in international competition. Balancing these requirements, I am sure, needs tact and subtlety as from my knowledge of other sports they do not always converge! Finally, I'd like to thank my electors both for electing me and the warmth of the welcome that I have received so far. I look forward to meeting many more of you over the coming months as I attempt to familiarise myself with the intricacies of the sport of target shooting! Bill Richards Please click here to download Bill's CV and election statement. Updated: 29-Feb-08 (Original posting: 23-Feb-08)
Muzzle Energy Update - 19 February 2008 As you are all aware the negotiations with the MoD have gone well and the Muzzle Energy limits have been raised to 4500J which accommodates most of you when shooting on MoD ranges. We are presently trying to finalise a formal agreement between ourselves and the MoD so that we know categorically what is required by each party. As you are all aware the devil is in the detail. I am however conscious that you are all concerned about deadlines and making sure you are compliant with requirements in time for the next shooting season. To give you an element of comfort we have mutually agreed with the MoD that although the requirements for civilian shooters effectively kick-in as of 1 April 2008, we have until 1 January 2009 to complete arrangements. (The one exception to this rule is the need to introduce new procedures to allow those who wish to shoot over 4500J up to 7000J to do so, with immediate effect from 1 April 2008. Special training has already begun to equip RCOs to oversee the new zeroing procedure and the agreed procedures will be notified to you in the near future.) This allows you and us some flexibility to get things as nearly right as we possibly can, at the first attempt. As of 1 April 2008 there will be an incremental introduction of the new requirements and systems required by the MoD to keep you shooting. At the same time as unforeseen issues arise we can tailor requirements by further negotiations with the MoD, thus ensuring we are as near compliant as possible for 1 January 2009. Onwards and Upwards Glynn Alger Secretary General Updated: 22-Feb-08 (Original posting: 22-Feb-08)
Marlborough College Shooting Coach Marlborough College are looking for a Shooting Coach to assist the Master i/c Shooting in running smallbore and fullbore target rifle shooting at the College. Closing date for applications is Monday 3 March. Please click here to download further details. Updated: 15-Feb-08 (Original posting: 15-Feb-08)
RSS Feeds updated to include descriptions We have recently added descriptions to the RSS News feeds providing more information about the news items. Updated: 13-Feb-08 (Original posting: 13-Feb-08)
BingoLotto The National Rifle Association is delighted to announce it will be amongst the beneficiaries of BingoLotto - a new TV game which will raise money for sport and the voluntary sector. BingoLotto will be a weekly game broadcast on digital TV channels Virgin1 and Challenge. Tickets will be on sale from outlets around the country and will allow viewers to take part in the BingoLotto game from the comfort of their own homes, with a 1 in 9.5 chance of winning. The BingoLotto game has run in Sweden since 1991 where it has raised just under £1bn for charities and sports organisations. At least 20% from each ticket sold in the UK will be distributed to sport and recreation projects up and down the country. Profits from the show will be distributed to the governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation. The funding the National Rifle Association will receive will be spent on new and enhanced programmes of activity at the grassroots or on special projects, like infrastructure improvement and capacity building, for which funding is currently unavailable. The game will also provide valuable profile to a wide range of sports and activities by featuring them on the weekly show and on the BingoLotto website. The National Rifle Association will support the game by promoting it to our members; by providing examples and case studies of how the proceeds have been spent for the TV show; and by identifying current and future stars from fullbore shooting to appear on the show when required. The more tickets are sold each week, the more the National Rifle Association benefits. The game's motto is 'Real people. Real winners.' and it will offer life-enhancing, rather than life-changing prizes to winners. The prizes in the game are varied and range from tickets for the following week's game, through to cars and holidays, to a maximum cash prize of £100,000. BingoLotto is regulated by the Gambling Commission. Glynn Alger the Secretary General of the National Rifle Association believes the investment the organisation will receive can make a big difference to our members: "I hope Bingo Lotto is very successful, enabling the National Rifle Association to invest in our sport at the grassroots, broadening the appeal of Target Shooting nationally." National Rifle Association Bisley National Shooting Centre Brookwood Surrey GU24 0PB Tel: 01483 797777 Fax:01483 486138 Web: www.nra.org.uk For more details about the game, please visit www.bingolotto.tv For general media enquiries about the game, please contact Natasha Behrouz E: nbehrouz@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk T: 020 7630 1411 Francesca Tarrant E: ftarrant@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk T: 020 7630 1411 Updated: 12-Feb-08 (Original posting: 12-Feb-08)
Channel 4 looking for shooters aged 16 - 21 Do you have a love for shooting? Are you aged 16 to 21? Want the summer of a lifetime? Then Channel 4 wants you! If you have a passion for shooting or any other rural pursuits then Channel 4 want you to be part of a brand new TV experience. Set in a luxury beachfront apartment over the summer, you'll be given the chance to compete for an amazing grand prize. To apply, to nominate someone or to find out more e-mail Viv at E-mail: viviennem@monkeykingdom.com or call/text your details to 07972 682 905 Updated: 07-Feb-08 (Original posting: 07-Feb-08)
Civilian Service Rifle Results 27 January The results for the Civilian SR Competition held on 27 January are now available: Methuen Roupell ETR Updated: 05-Feb-08 (Original posting: 05-Feb-08)
Twilight Club A new Wednesday evening venture, the Twilight Club started on 16 January. Ten shooters turned up to shoot on Cheylesmore Range under floodlights. Thanks to some hard work by the camp electrician, (helped by the butch one) and Les Pullen the Pistol Range Warden, we now have two well-lit bays for use and tea/coffee facilities in the back room. On Wednesday 23 January fifteen competitors shot a competition with a Celtic flavour, followed by Haggis, neaps and tatties, accompanied by a wee dram, courtesy of the London and Middlesex Clubhouse. More themed evenings are planned. Though not intended as a weekly event, we hope to run some competition shoots with stages 'outside the box' ie not PP1 or 1500 etc. Two bays gives us the flexibility to allow room for practice shooting and the two hours or so planned for these evenings gives the 'working class' a chance for a bit of relaxation on the way home. Cheylesmore after dark. John Gardener in action! The next Twilight Club night will be held on Wednesday 6 February from 17.00 to 19.00. Two hours shooting for a mere ten quid. Tea and coffee will be available at only 10p per cup. There will be one bay for practice and one for a mini competition. If you want to shoot the 'mini competition' you will need forty rounds and your thinking cap. Contact John Gardener or call 01483 797777 ext 152 to book or for more information. Watch the NSC notice boards and NRA website for further dates and details. Updated: 29-Jan-08 (Original posting: 29-Jan-08)
Highpower Results from 19 January Highpower results and photos of the match held on 19 January 2008 can be found by following the link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20080119 Updated: 21-Jan-08 (Original posting: 21-Jan-08)
Epsom College Shooting Master/Mistress Epsom College are looking for a new shooting master/mistress. Closing date for applications is Monday 4 February. Please click here to download further details. Updated: 21-Jan-08 (Original posting: 21-Jan-08)
Civilian Service Rifle Newsletter January 2008 The Civilian Service Rifle Newsletter is available to download below. Download newsletter Updated: 17-Jan-08 (Original posting: 17-Jan-08)
Muzzle Energy Agreement with the MoD As you are aware the MoD, as a result of looking at Muzzle Energy rates for the new .338 sniper rifle, made a proposal in October 2008 to ban the use of all ammunition with a muzzle energy (ME) exceeding 3800J. The way the military assess the safety of ranges is to feed the relevant data into a computer which then fires millions of rounds on a virtual reality range, which then estimates how many rounds could leave the range. A decision is then made as to whether the appropriate safety criteria are met or not. Initial predictions led the military to limit the use of all ammunition whose ME exceeded 3800J. Effectively, they had banned the majority of civilian shooters from using MoD ranges. The NRA only became aware of the MoD concerns when we were informed that there were some difficulties at Altcar in the last week of October. The National Rifle Association immediately began to negotiate with the MoD as a matter of urgency, pointing out that the revised ME limit effectively banned all cadets and military snipers as well as most civilians. A series of meetings took place between the Association and the MoD with the aim of keeping civilians shooting on military ranges. Initially the authorities were intransigent about allowing civilian shooters to shoot ammunition that exceeded 3800J muzzle energy. They were insisting that a series of measures be put in place to ensure that whatever was fired there was no chance that a bullet would either miss the stop butt and leave the range in free flight or, even worse, ricochet off the range floor and leave the range danger area in a totally unpredictable direction. The Association argued against the muzzle energy reduction and the necessity to change on the basis that there was no proven problem based upon accident statistics. At this point one has to realise, as the NRA did, that the MoD are managed not by the military but by Civil Servants, who are 'risk averse'. They have been brought up in a culture of Service Level Agreements, Risk Assessments, Health and Safety and have an adversity to any chance of Civil Litigation. The view that strongly came across was that unless civilians were willing to meet the same or similar conditions as placed upon the military to use MoD ranges there would be a general restriction put in place which would effectively put an end to most fullbore shooting. The discussions between the NRA and the MoD were lengthy and complex, with them setting the problems and us having to offer solutions. As a result of our determination to meet their needs, they gradually became more comfortable with our proposals and accepted most, if not all, of our opinions on key issues. The most important matter was to get the MoD to reconsider raising the ME to a level that would allow most shooters to continue using MoD ranges. In early December, having re-examined the problem, the MoD agreed to an ME of 4500J, thus allowing most shooters to continue to use military ranges without the need for special safety procedures. In particular Black Powder and Muzzle Loaders were excluded through negotiation from the whole Muzzle Energy issue. However the MoD is still insistent upon general conditions being in place to guarantee the safety and competency of all people shooting on their ranges, the details of which will be released in the near future. To meet the MoD requirements (with little notice) we have had to create the procedures, and write or re-write course material, to ensure that by the beginning of the new season you will all be in a position to shoot as usual, albeit possibly with revised zeroing procedures. The National Updated: 14-Jan-08 (Original posting: 14-Jan-08)
Match Rifle Seminar A seminar on Match Rifle shooting will be held on 15 and 16 March. Anyone who is thinking of taking up the sport, or who would like to know more about it, is welcome to attend. Places are limited so early application is encouraged. Further details can be downloaded below. Download details Download programme Download application form Updated: 14-Jan-08 (Original posting: 14-Jan-08)
Letter in the Telegraph The following was a letter that appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 3rd January. Below is a response that has yet to be published by the paper: Future of rifle shooting Sir - Many people have pointed out the advantages of the Olympic shooting venue being at Bisley (Letters, December 29) but the future of the National Rifle Association itself might be in some doubt. This is because, under regulations about to be imposed by the MoD, the maximum muzzle energy of ammunition used by civilians on MoD ranges (including Bisley) will be almost halved. The reason given is that, as a result of imprecise fire, bullets from the more powerful cartridges could "escape" from the range area, and endanger the public. Target rifle shooting is a cerebral and elegant sport and, with official approval, has been practised by civilians on Army ranges, without accident, for at least 100 years. Competitions are at various distances ranging from 200 to 1,000 yards, but if the proposed regulations are imposed, only shooting at the shorter distances will be possible. The armed services, who are often guilty of "imprecise fire", will not be subject to the limit, so the danger to the public will not be in any way diminished. Could the insistence on Woolwich as a venue be due to an expectation that, by 2012, the Bisley ranges will be replaced by a housing estate? J. H. Chinnery, Colchester, Essex Response from the Secretary General Dear Sir, The National Rifle Association has been in discussions with LOCOG about the possibility of the Olympic Games shooting coming to Bisley since 2003. Plans were drawn up to accommodate clay, pistol and rifle shooting, with new ranges and stadia. However, when it became obvious that London would only get the Games if most of the events took place within easy reach of the Olympic Village, the Association did not vigorously object to the change of venue to Woolwich in the national interest. In the build up to the bid process the NRA undertook to provide expertise and resource in support of 2012, knowing the shooting was not coming to Bisley. Since then there have been questions about the suitability of the Woolwich site on safety, financial and legacy grounds. Obviously the Association is concerned about these criticisms and the effect they might have upon the shooting events. The NRA has always been willing to host the shooting events at Bisley so that they can be delivered safely, within budget and providing a legacy for both our Olympic team and new shooters to the sport going forward. If all the questions regarding Woolwich are resolved we will continue to stand by earlier undertakings to LOCOG and the BOA. As to the matters raised by Mr. Chinnery, who is not a member of the Association, these are unconnected with the issues relating to the Olympics. Clay, rifle and pistol shooting events represented in the Games have completely different safety conditions compared with full-bore shooting to which this gentleman refers. Most civilian full-bore shooting takes place on ranges authorised by the MoD. All that has happened recently is the military have insisted that civilians comply with the same conditions that are in place for themselves when shooting on MoD ranges. I accept Mr. Chinnery?s point that civilian shooting is one of the safest sports, undertaken in the UK (because of the necessary safety culture). However, shooters are being asked to comply with the same eve Updated: 11-Jan-08 (Original posting: 11-Jan-08)
Twilight Club - A Burns Bash Wednesday 23 January 17:30 - 19:30 The Twilight Club will meet on Wednesday 23 January to celebrate Burns Night. It will consist of a 50 round gallery rifle competition with a Celtic theme, followed by Haggis, neeps and tatties in the London & Middlesex Clubhouse. Practice targets will also be available for those who do not wish to shoot the competition. Open to all full NRA members, competition entries only £12.00 including the meal. A reduction of £1.00 will be made for competitors wearing kilts. Some serious fun is planned - book now with John Gardener in the Range Office to avoid disappointment Contact John Gardener or call 01483 797777 ext 152 for more information. Updated: 08-Jan-08 (Original posting: 08-Jan-08)
Brigadier Peter Prescott MC Brigadier Peter Prescott MC, who was the NRA Secretary/Chief Executive from 1981 - 1989, died on 31 October 2007. Members may wish to know that there will be a memorial service for him at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, at 1200 on Friday 25 January. Updated: 08-Jan-08 (Original posting: 08-Jan-08)
Queens Road Closure The NSC have been advised by Thames Water that contractors will be installing a new Rising Main in Queens Road from Monday 14 January 2008. This work is anticipated to take 13 weeks and Queens Road will be closed during this period from 7.30 - 5.30 Monday to Friday and, if necessary, on Saturday mornings. Traffic will be diverted and access to the NSC will be fully signed via the A322 Brookwood traffic lights and Connaught Road. Updated: 22-Jan-08 (Original posting: 02-Jan-08)
OBE for Mick Gault Congratulations to Mick Gault who has received an OBE for services to shooting in the New Year's Honours list. Updated: 29-Dec-07 (Original posting: 29-Dec-07)
Highpower Results Highpower results for the matches held on 24 November and 8 December 07 can be found by following the link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/results.html Updated: 23-Dec-07 (Original posting: 23-Dec-07)
Twilight Club Open to all members of the NRA, the first NSC Wednesday evening shoot will commence on 16 January 2008 at Cheylesmore Range. Shooting from 17:30 to 19:30, this inaugural shoot will offer light refreshments with a seasonal flavour. Restricted to gallery calibres, we will be offering both practice shooting and a mini competition based on the old Service Pistol competition known as the Whitehead. Succeeding weeks will feature 'something different'. Be prepared for some serious fun. A small fee will be charged to cover the prizes. To book one of the limited places, please contact John Gardener in the Range Office. Updated: 13-Dec-07 (Original posting: 13-Dec-07)
Civilian Service Rifle Results 9 Dec The results for the Civilian SR Competition held on 9 December are now available: Match 308 Match 311 Whitehead CGR Updated: 13-Dec-07 (Original posting: 13-Dec-07)
Competing in Gallery Rifle Gallery Rifle in the UK is now well established at all levels after ten years of development. There is a calendar of open meetings at the National Shooting Centre and around the country, all regulated under a common set of rules and a national classification system. There are national championships held each August at the NSC. Open Meetings It is very important to understand that everyone, from the novice to the experienced competitor, is always welcome. You do not have to reach a certain skill level before you are "good enough" to shoot at Bisley or anywhere else. All competitors are trying to improve on their personal best and that should be your primary goal. All that any Range Officer will ask of you is that you are safe and enjoy yourself. Also, a large number of the events on offer are classified so you are competing in classes against competitors of similar ability. (The NRA maintains a national GR classification system and all scores from open meetings are registered to give each competitor classifications in different events for different gun types.) There are four meetings at the NSC - the Spring (end of March) and Autumn Action Weekends (end of October), the National Championships (end of August) and the Phoenix Meeting (end of May) - and clubs around the country also hold open meetings. For those who want to take competition to a higher level, there are GR teams competing at national and international level. National and International Gallery Rifle All teams are selected on performance, consistency and commitment. A more detailed explanation is set out below. Anyone can take part at any level they wish provided they meet the relevant criteria. Here is a summary of the different aspects of competitive shooting in the UK so you can see what's open to you. European Teams At the Phoenix Meeting, teams of four compete against teams from other countries in 'short' event aggregates. The purpose of the match is partly to introduce competitors to a more challenging level of competition and partly to strengthen the links of friendship and rivalry we have with the other countries. GR Home Countries National Match There is a long tradition of competition between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in other shooting disciplines and the GR Match is based on the existing model. For the first time this year, we held a Home Countries match; England and Wales fielded teams. Eligibility for the national teams is based on the criteria laid down in the NRA Rules of Shooting Appendix 8, paragraph 3: (a) The test of nationality shall be either: (1) Country of birth, or: (2) Descent from parents or grandparents who were qualified by country of birth, or: (3) Country of residence for a continuous period of not less than five years immediately preceding the date of the match. (b) A person who has shot for one of the nationalities specified (England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales) in any match under the direction or control of the NRA shall not thereafter be eligible to shoot for another nationality in the GR Home Countries National Match. (c) A person who has established eligibility for a nationality under paragraph (b) of this rule and shot against that nationality, or against Great Britain, in any match under the direction or control of the NRA may not shoot in the GR Home Countries Natio Updated: 11-Dec-07 (Original posting: 11-Dec-07)
Civilian Service Rifle Results 17 Nov The results for the Civilian SR Competition held on 17 November are now available: Roupell ETR Match Short Range Match Updated: 13-Dec-07 (Original posting: 03-Dec-07)
Muzzle Energy Agreement with the MoD As you are aware the MoD, as a result of looking at Muzzle Energy rates for the new .338 sniper rifle, made a proposal in October 2008 to ban the use of all ammunition with a muzzle energy (ME) exceeding 3800J. The way the military assess the safety of ranges is to feed the relevant data into a computer which then fires millions of rounds on a virtual reality range, which then estimates how many rounds could leave the range. A decision is then made as to whether the appropriate safety criteria are met or not. Initial predictions led the military to limit the use of all ammunition whose ME exceeded 3800J. Effectively, they had banned the majority of civilian shooters from using MoD ranges. The NRA only became aware of the MoD concerns when we were informed that there were some difficulties at Altcar in the last week of October. The National Rifle Association immediately began to negotiate with the MoD as a matter of urgency, pointing out that the revised ME limit effectively banned all cadets and military snipers as well as most civilians. A series of meetings took place between the Association and the MoD with the aim of keeping civilians shooting on military ranges. Initially the authorities were intransigent about allowing civilian shooters to shoot ammunition that exceeded 3800J muzzle energy. They were insisting that a series of measures be put in place to ensure that whatever was fired there was no chance that a bullet would either miss the stop butt and leave the range in free flight or, even worse, ricochet off the range floor and leave the range danger area in a totally unpredictable direction. The Association argued against the muzzle energy reduction and the necessity to change on the basis that there was no proven problem based upon accident statistics. At this point one has to realise, as the NRA did, that the MoD are managed not by the military but by Civil Servants, who are 'risk averse'. They have been brought up in a culture of Service Level Agreements, Risk Assessments, Health and Safety and have an adversity to any chance of Civil Litigation. The view that strongly came across was that unless civilians were willing to meet the same or similar conditions as placed upon the military to use MoD ranges there would be a general restriction put in place which would effectively put an end to most fullbore shooting. The discussions between the NRA and the MoD were lengthy and complex, with them setting the problems and us having to offer solutions. As a result of our determination to meet their needs, they gradually became more comfortable with our proposals and accepted most, if not all, of our opinions on key issues. The most important matter was to get the MoD to reconsider raising the ME to a level that would allow most shooters to continue using MoD ranges. In early December, having re-examined the problem, the MoD agreed to an ME of 4500J, thus allowing most shooters to continue to use military ranges without the need for special safety procedures. In particular Black Powder and Muzzle Loaders were excluded through negotiation from the whole Muzzle Energy issue. However the MoD is still insistent upon general conditions being in place to guarantee the safety and competency of all people shooting on their ranges, the details of which will be released in the near future. To meet the MoD requirements (with little notice) we have had to create the procedures, and write or re-write course material, to ensure that by the beginning of the new season you will all be in a position to shoot as usual, albeit possibly with revised zeroing procedures. The National Rifle Updated: 14-Jan-08 (Original posting: 28-Nov-07)
Muzzle Energy Update 23 November The change in muzzle energy rates downwards has been a challenge for the NRA, in that only a few weeks ago we were being told that no one would be able to shoot on a MoD range or at Bisley using anything in excess of 3800J, which would have had an adverse effect on most of our sport. In the interim we have been negotiating hard with the MoD to get that level changed upwards and to agree conditions under which those that shoot disciplines where the ME exceeds the new limit can still do so. As previously stated we believe we are close to getting this agreement in outline. The Association has been under great pressure to release details of its discussions with the MoD. If we were to do this we would send many hares running because I have to remind you we do not have an agreement yet. At the same time if we were to leak details the MoD might well feel they were being put under inappropriate pressure, which would almost certainly blight the current negotiations. I appreciate many of you are worried about the future of your sport but you are going to have to wait until we have a final agreement. There have already been examples of how things can go wrong with unnecessary unofficial interference. At the stage we have a 'broad brush stroke' agreement, we will be involving our Shooting Committee, other bodies and experts to help us look at the detail of what needs to be done going forward to keep everyone shooting as before. Glynn Alger Secretary General Updated: 23-Nov-07 (Original posting: 23-Nov-07)
Muzzle Energy Update 20 November Another positive meeting has taken place involving the representatives from the MoD and the NRA who are responsible for negotiating a national agreement with the aim of continuing to allow civilians to shoot on MoD ranges. The MoD has been informing the NRA what their requirements are. The NRA has been responding, giving options to meet military needs. Often these proposals have been accepted but on occasions we have had to go back to the drawing board. Both parties have now agreed an outline proposal that will have to go through various technical and management committees that will be finalised on 10 January 2008. The Association is quietly confident that if we, our members and our clubs are prepared to meet the conditions set by the MoD, civilians will continue to shoot on military ranges. The details of the agreement and the actions required to meet military expectations will be released to all shooters during the next few weeks in time for the next shooting season. On a negative note we were made aware that the various threatening messages communicated to military representatives from individuals and those purporting to represent shooting organisations had not been well received and had the potential to adversely affect relationships to the detriment of civilian shooting. An example of cause and effect are the current restrictions at Altcar that are in place as a direct response to 'local heroes' doing their best for shooting. Further to this I was informed by the MoD representative that if people wished to verbally threaten their staff in future, those concerned will be banned from shooting on all MoD ranges (including Bisley). Glynn Alger Secretary General Updated: 20-Nov-07 (Original posting: 20-Nov-07)
Muzzle Energy Update 15 November A meeting was held today between the MoD representative and the NRA to discuss proposals which would allow us to continue shooting. It was a very positive meeting which discussed what would have to be put in place if using a firearm with a muzzle energy exceeding the MoD proposed limit of 3800 joules. The NRA has asked that this limit be raised to sufficiently encompass the many and varied calibres that our affiliated clubs and members use. These proposals will ensure the safe use of military ranges by civilians and should not be onerous or difficult to supervise. They will be presented to the appropriate safety group on 26 November 2007. Following this very positive and informative meeting we will keep you posted as things progress. Glynn Alger Secretary General Updated: 15-Nov-07 (Original posting: 15-Nov-07)
Muzzle Energy Update 14 November There has long been a relationship between the military and the NRA which dates back to the origins of the Association. However, over the last forty years that relationship has changed dramatically from one where the NRA was directly supported and subsidised by the MoD to one where the military are independent of the Association. This has been a necessary change by the MoD as relationships and defence imperatives have changed. The military are focusing more and more on their core business, defence, and less on ceremonial aspects of their former roles. The reason this has occurred is that the military have increasingly come under the control of central government who interfere not only at the policy level but sometimes operationally. In consequence the senior officers of our military have less control over decisions than previously. To be successful they have to deal with tight budgets and manage finite resources, while meeting the UK's defence requirements. Currently our relationship with the MoD is good in that they use Bisley to conduct their national competitions for regular, reserve and cadet forces. Even here, though, they have had to tighten their belts, cutting back next year on the length of their meeting on cost grounds. The Army regularly use Bisley for training as well, all of which they pay for. The ranges at Bisley are leased from the MoD on a long-term lease. UK wide we have agreements with the MoD, which allow civilian clubs, affiliated to the NRA access to military ranges. In terms of regulation the MoD has full authority to set the conditions for use of British military ranges (including Bisley, since we use the Pirbright military Range Danger Area) both in the UK and abroad. Basically they are in a position to decide what, how, when and whether any civilian will fire on a military range. As the acknowledged experts in the UK they also influence the conditions that are present on all other ranges - pretty well world-wide. This is because the Police and Home Office are comfortable with military authority and advice. Going forward it is likely that any conditions that feature on a military range on the basis of safety will soon be required elsewhere, including civilian-owned ranges. In terms of the current problems with the lowering of muzzle energy levels, because of difficulties with the new .338 sniper rifle, the military have conducted tests that show there is a potential, as far as they are concerned, for bullets with muzzle energies in excess of 3800 Joules to leave the range danger area. On the basis of safety they have set the new 3800 Joules standard. As previously notified we are currently discussing ways that civilians can continue to use MoD ranges using the firearms and ammunition as now. It is essential that we maintain our relationship with the MoD going forward to ensure civilians can continue to shoot on military ranges. A good relationship is essential. Unfortunately there are forces beyond our control, namely rogue shooters who are not willing to accept the authority of the NRA to deal with this issue in timely fashion without interference. I understand and accept that people are worried, but is it really a good plan to ring up the OIC at Altcar and give him a piece of ones mind, then threaten him with legal action, when he is the individual who will decide who shoots there, and under what conditions? I think not. Is it a good idea to put an allegation on the Prime Ministers website, blaming the Government for reducing the muzzle energy on MoD ranges, then to ask shooters to vote for the return to previous levels? The change in muzzle energy was nothi Updated: 15-Nov-07 (Original posting: 14-Nov-07)
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2007 Latest news (12 November) from the BBC Sport website is that the process for selecting the candidates for the 2007 award will be the same as for last year. You can see how it will work if you click on the link below and then click on Other Stories & Features in the left hand border column. Then go to the extreme bottom right and click on Sports Personality TV Show in red, and then click on Personality Voting Details in blue (extreme bottom right of page) for the official rules. In essence the BBC will be taking lists of top ten candidates from a number of newspapers and magazines. They will then distil this into a final list by taking the ten most featured names from those lists. Everyone that has an interest in sport can use the opportunity to influence the list of personalities on the crucial final shortlist. This year there are arguments why both David Luckman and the Palma team should be worthy candidates for individual and team recognition - indeed, as might the Veterans and Under 25s as well. But to reach the final ten for the vote on the night of 9 December any candidate from any sport has to feature on as many of the journalists lists as possible. The public has until 23 November to make their views known to the journalists. Then, if you feel so inclined, on the night of the show you can vote by phone (or text) for your favourite sports' person - whoever and whatever that sport and person may be. The TV show is on 9 December. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sports Updated: 13-Nov-07 (Original posting: 13-Nov-07)
Muzzle Energy and the MoD Muzzle Energy and the MoD Along with clubs and individuals the NRA found itself on the back foot when we were quietly told, in a phone call from one of our Regional Members of the General Council, in the last week in October 2007 that the MoD had agreed to change the muzzle energy rates for use of their ranges by civilians from 7000 joules to 3800 joules. This news caused great consternation as effectively it meant that Target Rifle, Match Rifle, F Class and other forms of long range shooting were effectively banned on all MoD ranges and Bisley (which uses the MoD Range Danger Area of Pirbright). Urgent discussions between the NRA and the MoD revealed that a final decision had not yet been reached, but that this was a proposal. However, to induce a bit more concern, Altcar decided to be ahead of the game and to introduce the new proposed provisions with immediate effect. This ensured that the knowledge of the proposed change was out in the general shooting community at the same time as the Association became aware, and panic ensued. At the same time as the NRA was trying to discover how serious the issue was, and what the MoD's intentions were, we were simultaneously under assault from shooters concerned at losing their sport. In early discussions we learnt that the reason for this proposed change of policy was that when looking at the introduction of the .338 sniper rifle the Army had discovered that if fire was not precise, rounds could escape from ranges. The muzzle energy of a .338 is 6000+ joules. The MoD then carried out a general examination to find a muzzle energy figure that would guarantee rounds would not escape from ranges. On this basis they proposed to introduce the 3800 joules limit that meant, in terms of Target Rifle, 144 grain bullets were OK but competition ammunition of 155 grain was probably out. Effectively if no accommodation could be reached most national and international long range competitions could not be shot in the UK on most ranges, including Bisley. A series of urgent meetings took place between the Association and the MoD, to either get the limits changed upwards or find other ways of satisfying the Defence Estates concerns. We were informed that the general limit of 3800 joules would remain however, if we could propose a package of measures designed to ensure that all rounds fired would be contained by the range stop-butt, then the MoD would consider allowing civilians to shoot ammunition that exceeded the 3800 joules figure. To give an example of the scope of this decision to reduce the muzzle energy limit one has only has to look at 'historics', the Brown Bess musket which, when fired using black powder, generates some of the highest muzzle energy figures, accepting that the ball at most travels a few hundred yards. Even though this form of measurement (muzzle energy) is an inexact science the MoD insist that this is the way in which they will judge what firearms and ammunition can be fired on their ranges. Discussions around a different method of measuring or arguments about whether the current 155 grain bullet is 'over or under the bar' will not be worth the effort, because we have tried. We have to realise that to the military there is no 'Defence Imperative' to allowing us to shoot on their ranges. In our discussions however they are willing to consider letting civilians shoot in excess of 3800 joules if we can put in place procedures that will ensure that all shots will hit the stop-butt. The NRA is determined to do everything it can to ensure all legitimate shooters can continue to take part in and enjoy their sport. To this end the Association has negotiated a mont Updated: 09-Nov-07 (Original posting: 09-Nov-07)
HRA National Championships Results The HRA held their annual National Championships over the Trafalgar Meeting weekend on 20 and 21 October 2007. The competition comprised of a day of Civilian Service Rifle style matches on the Saturday followed by a Highpower Match on the Sunday. John Morgan-Hosey was first overall in the CSR matches followed by Mark Bradley - the match was tied and first place decided on a count back of the 500 yards stages. The Highpower Service Rifle Match was won by John Morgan-Hosey with the Match Rifle Class won by Bill Ellis. Detailed results can be found on the HRA website by clicking on the link below. The next Highpower Match is on 24 November 2007 at Bisley. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk Updated: 01-Nov-07 (Original posting: 01-Nov-07)
Potential Serious Problems for Civilian Shooters Update 23 November The change in muzzle energy rates downwards has been a challenge for the NRA, in that only a few weeks ago we were being told that no one would be able to shoot on a MoD range or at Bisley using anything in excess of 3800J, which would have had an adverse effect on most of our sport. In the interim we have been negotiating hard with the MoD to get that level changed upwards and to agree conditions under which those that shoot disciplines where the ME exceeds the new limit can still do so. As previously stated we believe we are close to getting this agreement in outline. The Association has been under great pressure to release details of its discussions with the MoD. If we were to do this we would send many hares running because I have to remind you we do not have an agreement yet. At the same time if we were to leak details the MoD might well feel they were being put under inappropriate pressure, which would almost certainly blight the current negotiations. I appreciate many of you are worried about the future of your sport but you are going to have to wait until we have a final agreement. There have already been examples of how things can go wrong with unnecessary unofficial interference. At the stage we have a 'broad brush stroke' agreement, we will be involving our Shooting Committee, other bodies and experts to help us look at the detail of what needs to be done going forward to keep everyone shooting as before. Glynn Alger Secretary General ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Update 20 November Another positive meeting has taken place involving the representatives from the MoD and the NRA who are responsible for negotiating a national agreement with the aim of continuing to allow civilians to shoot on MoD ranges. The MoD has been informing the NRA what their requirements are. The NRA has been responding, giving options to meet military needs. Often these proposals have been accepted but on occasions we have had to go back to the drawing board. Both parties have now agreed an outline proposal that will have to go through various technical and management committees that will be finalised on 10 January 2008. The Association is quietly confident that if we, our members and our clubs are prepared to meet the conditions set by the MoD, civilians will continue to shoot on military ranges. The details of the agreement and the actions required to meet military expectations will be released to all shooters during the next few weeks in time for the next shooting season. On a negative note we were made aware that the various threatening messages communicated to military representatives from individuals and those purporting to represent shooting organisations had not been well received and had the potential to adversely affect relationships to the detriment of civilian shooting. An example of cause and effect are the current restrictions at Altcar that are in place as a direct response to 'local heroes' doing their best for shooting. Further to this I was informed by the MoD representative that Updated: 14-Jan-08 (Original posting: 31-Oct-07)
Results of Ages Match 2007 The Ages Match was held at Bisley over the weekend of 27 and 28 October 2007. The match was won by the 25 to 35 age group captained by Ross McQuillan. Position Team Saturday Sunday Total Top scorer Score 1 25 to 35 1779.238 3413.79 5192.317 Parag Patel 441.29 2 45 to 55 1761.197 3376.82 5137.279 Dave Dyson 438.22 3 35 to 45 1755.208 3344.80 5099.288 Jon Underwood 439.34 4 Under 25s 1753.191 3271.52 5024.243 Sandy Walker 439.24 5 55 to 65 1760.197 3253.61 5013.258 Jeremy Thompson 433.27 6 Under 25 Development 1725.163 3224.58 4949.221 Simon Hayton 433.22 7 Over 65s 1731.160 3179.54 4910.214 Jim Dunn 428.27 Download full results GA/KR Updated: 31-Oct-07 (Original posting: 31-Oct-07)
Autumn Action Weekend Results The results from the Gallery Rifle Autumn Action Weekend 2007 can be downloaded below. Download Results Download Prize List GA/JW Updated: 30-Oct-07 (Original posting: 30-Oct-07)
MoD Proposed Muzzle Energy Reduction A meeting was held on 25 October between the NRA and a representative from the MoD to discuss the MoD's proposal to lower the Muzzle Energy (ME) applied to MoD Rifle Gallery Ranges. The NRA on behalf of its members provided a substantial amount of information, including recommendations for an ME that would be suitable for the majority of civilian shooters. This information will be presented to the relevant military authorities at a meeting scheduled for Monday 29 October. It is possible that a decision will be made in the near future. However, until such time as a decision is forthcoming, the current ME for Rifle Gallery Ranges remains extant. Members and club officials will be kept informed of developments via the NRA website, as they occur. Glynn Alger Secretary General Updated: 26-Oct-07 (Original posting: 26-Oct-07)
Autumn Target Shotgun Festival 2007 The full results from the Autumn Target Shotgun Festival held at Bisley on 6 October 2007 can be downloaded by clicking the following link. Full Results GA/KR Updated: 08-Oct-07 (Original posting: 08-Oct-07)
Trafalgar Meeting Squadding is being done this weekend (6/7 October), but due to the possible postal strike next Monday/Tuesday, you may not receive your details as early as we would wish. We will post them as soon as possible. DKM/lg Updated: 05-Oct-07 (Original posting: 05-Oct-07)
NATSS Update The Steering Group of the National Association of Target Shooting Sports, (NATSS), met again on Thursday 27 September 2007 at The Lord Robert's Centre, Bisley. Following the meeting of the Steering Group, a buffet lunch was hosted by the NSRA for the members of staff of the three Governing Bodies, to meet informally prior to being given an update on the progress that has been made with regard to the potential consolidation of the three Governing Bodies. Roger Moreland, Managing Director of Performance Matters - the appointed Facilitators, described in outline the process that has been adopted together with an indication of the time-frame required to complete it. Terry Blaney, Chairman of the NATSS Steering Group provided members of staff with a description of the organisation that would be created as relates to its employees. The first of the major facilitated meetings has been arranged for Wednesday, 28 November 2007. Approximately 100 representatives, evenly drawn from the three Associations, will be invited to attend and contribute to the shaping of the future of target shooting sports in the UK. Regional Workshops will be organised to ensure that as many Members as possible of the three Associations are engaged in the process. Updated: 05-Oct-07 (Original posting: 05-Oct-07)
Ages Match 2007 The Ages Match will be held on 27 and 28 October 2007 at Bisley. If you would like to be considered for the team for your age group then please contact the relevant team captain by clicking on the link below. Under 25 Captain 25 - 35 Captain 35 - 45 Captain 45 - 55 Captain 55 - 65 Captain Over 65 Captain Courses of fire for this match are Saturday 27 October: 2 (convertible) sighters and 10 to count at 300, 500 and 600 yards in the afternoon. Sunday 28 October: 2 (convertible) sighters and 15 to count at 900 and 1000 yards in the morning (Palma targets). KR/GA Updated: 24-Sep-07 (Original posting: 24-Sep-07)
Results from Highpower Match 26 August Highpower results for 26 August can be found using the link below. The next Highpower Match at Bisley is on 22 Sep 07 and will be the 1st UK Mid Range Competition consisting of two sighters at each distance and 20 rounds to count at 300, 500 & 600 yards on MR63, MR65 and MR1 targets. On Sunday 23 Sep 07 is a standard XTC Match at Bisley. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20070826.html Updated: 18-Sep-07 (Original posting: 18-Sep-07)
New website feature - RSS feeds We are testing a new feature for the website - RSS feeds. This feature allows you to subscribe to receive news items and events as they appear on the website. News RSS feed Events RSS feed What's an RSS feed? Click here to read more. JW Updated: 25-Sep-07 (Original posting: 17-Sep-07)
Handloading advice Paul Monaghan's article on handloading safety, which was printed in the Spring 2007 NRA Journal, together with a list of useful websites can be downloaded by clicking on the following link. Download article GA/KR Updated: 14-Sep-07 (Original posting: 14-Sep-07)
Results from the Imperial Historic Arms Meeting The full results from the Imperial Historic Arms Meeting 2007 can be downloaded by clicking the following link . Full Results GA/KR Updated: 14-Sep-07 (Original posting: 14-Sep-07)
Great Britain success in Canada The Chairman and all of us back at home who have been watching the results as they come through congratulate David Luckman for his World Championship and Martin Townsend, Mick Barr and Ed Jeens for their excellent team wins in the Palma, Veterans and Under 25 World Championships. That the British Team also won the Commonwealth Match and the Canada Match, the latter with a record score, also demonstrates the considerable target rifle skills which have been developed and special congratulations to Martin for training and leading his team over the last two years to achieve such spectacular wins over strong opposition. John Jackman NRA Chairman Updated: 03-Sep-07 (Original posting: 03-Sep-07)
GR National Championships Results Results for the GR National Championships are now available: Prizelist Full Results Updated: 28-Aug-07 (Original posting: 28-Aug-07)
Great Britain sets new world record! Congratulations to the Great Britain teams who won both the World Championship Veterans Team Match and the Under 25 Team Match held in Ottawa on Sunday 26 August 2007. The Great Britain Palma Team also won the Commonwealth Match and the Canada Match (with a record score of 1199.183) during the Canadian Championships. (The first time a team of 8 has achieved such a score) Full results are available by clicking the link below. http://www.gbpalma.co.uk/ Updated: 30-Aug-07 (Original posting: 26-Aug-07)
NATSS The NATSS Steering Group met on 31 July at the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association's HQ, at the National Shooting Centre Bisley, to discuss the implementation of the Facilitator process and the funding for the NATSS Project. Facilitator and Funding The Steering Group is pleased to announce the appointment of "Performance Matters", a division of Leisure Partners Ltd, as the independent Facilitators to guide and coordinate the project. Their team of recognised sports and business professionals is led by Roger Moreland, a specialist in the leadership of strategy development and modernisation projects in multi-stakeholder sports environments. The negotiations for the funding of the project by UK Sport and CCPR have been successfully completed. NATSS Coordination Manager John Perry, currently the CPSA's Operations Manager, has been seconded to work exclusively on behalf of NATSS for the duration of the project. Based at the National Smallbore Rifle Association's offices and reporting to the respective Chairmen and the NATSS Steering Group, his role, due to begin in September, will be to provide the liaison between Performance Matters, the NATSS constituent bodies and other relevant parties. Updated: 21-Aug-07 (Original posting: 21-Aug-07)
NRA Open Day Saturday 8 September Saturday 8 September sees the latest in our hugely successful series of pre-ticketed Open Day events. Visitors will be able to try a wide range of shooting disciplines and activities all with one-to-one coaching. Online registration is now open via the link below however numbers are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. Age restrictions will apply to children under 14 years of age for some shooting activities and all children (under the age of 16) must be accompanied by an adult. All visitors wishing to shoot must pre purchase tickets (Registration is £8 for adults and £4 for 10-14 years of age, vouchers are sold in £10 books with a maximum purchase of £20 per person) via the internet or in advance by telephone. Everyone who is registered must also produce a form of ID in order to collect their tickets on the day. The vouchers purchased at the time of registration can then be redeemed at any of the activities. Click here to register and buy tickets. Click here to view prices. Click here to download low resolution flyer (476KB). Click here to download high resolution flyer (5.5MB). Updated: 04-Aug-07 (Original posting: 04-Aug-07)
OTF Swindle Result The results for the OTF swindle are now available after a few technical difficulties. Apologies for not having them available sooner. Those successful winners will have a cheque sent to them within the week. Click here to see the prize winners and full results. The competition raised £1900 for the Overseas Teams Fund. Thanks to those who entered. JW Updated: 31-Jul-07 (Original posting: 31-Jul-07)
Lewis's Queen's Saturday 28 July And so to final Saturday. The day dawned overcast and with just a gentle breeze for the St Georges final. In recent years this has become a graveyard for those that drop a single point in the final stage, and so it proved again. You must have a pair of 75s to be in the top places and the more centrals the better. There were five 150s as the breezes grew in strength from 8.30am onwards, but the best of them was that man again, Jon Underwood. His 24 centrals won him the vase against Parag Patel's 23 and his additional central at 900 yards was just enough to beat David Calvert on countback. The Mackinnon produced a slender win for England, who started their shoot in the middle of the range and found themselves moving to targets 1, 2 and 3 for 1000 yards. It is somewhat baffling why the match was squadded at the bottom of the hill when the whole of the middle of the range was available to even out any advantage bestowed by the alleged shelter on the left. Mind you, with the wind from the left the shelter prevents you from seeing what is coming, so perhaps the advantage is marginal. The Scots led by one point after 900, with England second and Wales third one point behind. Gun and sight problems for one Englishman provided a moment or two of concern with the Irish starting to claw back their six point gap in one of the closest matches for some time, all in ever increasing winds from the left. England held on to win by just five points from Ireland with Wales third after the Scots faded on the highest point of the butt. All of which presaged an enthralling Queen's Prize Final in the strongest winds for many years. After 900 yards, when Col Angus Bell from New South Wales had held the half way point lead, the lead changed hands many, many times as the shots were counted down. We had wondered if David Luckman could manage the double of Grand and Queen's for the first time since, I think, 1927 when Lt Col Blair of the Canadian Seaforth Highlanders had achieved the feat (the date comes on Eric McGibbon's advice unless I misheard him in the gales). We wondered too whether the Australian Colonel could hang on for an overseas win. We wondered if David Calvert might at long last win the Prize that has seen him second on three occasions. We had not reckoned with the charge of the Queen's Lodge Infantry in the form of James Lewis who had come through on 148, scoring 73 at 900 on butt 3 up the hill, and now down on butt 1. Bell, Calvert, Luckman Jeremy Langley and Parag Patel all yo-yoed up and down the top places as shots drifted on the wind. Nigel Ball suddenly hove to on the board finished on 291. Calvert finished on 290, and then Luckman on 292 with Lewis on 293. Bell still soldiered on agonisingly slowly when, with one shot to go he could either equal Lewis for a tie shoot if it was a five or, if it was a central, win. It was an inner. So James "Jumbo" Lewis, took the Prize with a score of 293 and 26 centrals. Luckman was second, within a whisker of an historic double and with centrals beyond Lewis's, and Bell third. Ball and Calvert followed. And that brings us to the end of another year. My thanks as always to those who have helped with the diary providing information and statistics, particularly Sharon Crabb and her team in Stats. You can find all the lists on that other link on the wesite. But as well as those that have made my life easier, special thanks to all the markers who have frolicked in the rain and given us some excellent service in some of the worst conditions I have ever seen at Bisley. Have a good rest of the season. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 28-Jul-07)
HM the Queen's Prize Winner 2007 The winner of HM the Queen's Prize for 2007 is James Lewis of the Army Target Rifle Club with a score of 293.26v. David Luckman was second and Lt Col Angus Bell from Australia was third. Full results are available by clicking on the Prizelists link on the Home Page. Updated: 30-Jul-07 (Original posting: 28-Jul-07)
Second Time Lucky Friday 27 July Kolapore, St Georges II and Queen's II, in that order. David Hossack and his team had a good morning in that it was not actually raining, but the wind was blowing strong from the left, and continued that way all day. A trio of 150s from Glyn Barnett, Toby Raincock and Paul Kent helped GB to 1190.165, a very creditable score in the circumstances. Guernsey were second 29 points behind with Canada third. New South Wales annexed the Junior K Trophy ahead of Germany. The second stage of the St Georges produced eight scores of 150, the top at first being Paul Kent on 23 centrals, with Barnett and Steve East of RAFTRC both on 22 centrals. The cut off score was 147.16 where seven had to shoot for six places. It then transpired that somehow there had been an error in Kent's card, unattributable to the shooter, giving him one central to many. Never mind: Paul won the three way tie shoot anyway for the Silver Cross. If you see this wrong in the papers tomorrow, blame my misunderstanding of what happened, but it adds a little twist to the tale. Queen's II also had the blasted winds from the left. Unperturbed David Luckman set about demolishing the opposition with a remarkable 150.23, adding this achievement to his Grand Aggregate. Only Lt Col Angus Bell from NSW Australia could get anywhere near, some 8 centrals behind. Lucky is certainly on fire this meeting and, as those of you with any form of memory will realise, he was one of my tips for greatness at the start. A special note here for John Marshall of Canada who, at 76 years young and on the 50th anniversary of his first visit to Bisley, made 146.17 to qualify for the final. Now, I do not know for sure if he is the oldest man or woman to do so but it some ways really does not matter. What it does show is that you can enjoy and succeed in this sport at almost any age. Congratulations. We have come to the time when umpteen aggregates are being decided. It is not my job to lead you through all of them: I would have fallen asleep long before we got half way there. They will all be on the list in due course: click on that other button. Tomorrow, I am told, the weather will be reasonable. It is raining again genty at the moment. To come is the final of the Georges, The Mackinnon and the final of the Queen's Prize. Can Lucky do the double, which was done once before by a Canadian of the name of Blair (apologies for lack of first name but the records are not available to me at this time of night)? It was back in the 1920s or thereabouts. There may have been another but I am not setting off the intruder alarms in a quest for total accuracy right now. Or will there be someone else from the 100 to take the Prize. We shall have to wait and see. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 27-Jul-07)
A Lucky's Day Thursday 26 July The morning was overcast and threatening, with a very stiff wind from over the left shoulder, gradually straightening across the range during the morning shoot, with gusts and holes, moving through 7 to 9 o'clock. In a nutshell, it was challenging. That is what faced the leading Grand candidates with the top group separated by very little and the scope for major points dumping if you got it wrong. Poor Ed Wood had one of those nightmares. His 70 ex 75 dropped him from the lead to an eventual ninth place. He was not the only one to slide down the lists. On the positive side others did pretty well to overcome the conditions and the pressure. Parag Patel went clean to charge up into third on 698.94, and Nigel ball made 74 to cement himself into second place just three centrals ahead of Parag. Andrew Wilde's 72 put him down a touch into fourth while Paul Kent's 74 thrust him up into fifth, ahead of Nick Brasier who managed 72. There was a lot of shuffling as the wind took its toll. However, I refer you back to my first skirmish this year with a little tipsterism, and the name of David Luckman. The boy done well, really well, to put in a 74 in the 8.55am detail. It did him no harm, turning a slim second overnight into a sound first place on 699.93. True he had a few less centrals than Nigel Ball, but as I have said before, points win prizes. He now becomes the second Luckman to win the Grand. What odds on being the first Luckman, or anyone, to do the double in the same year. We will just have to wait until Saturday to see if he is on the point. The Prince of Wales Prize, which caused all this reshuffling ended in a three way tie with Cdt LCpl L Watson of Cheltenham College, Peter Chance of Club 25 and Toby Raincock of O Epsomians all on 75.12. In the afternoon the National Match and Junior overseas were started in persistent rain that at 500 yards turned into another monsoon. The Scots were just one point behind the English as 600 yards started with the Irish only four points behind them. England at this point had a couple of clear target on their board, shots that never arrived or were found on the sodden paper. With the rain giving way to some much needed sunshine the match went the full distance. Despite almost running out of time because of a stop while the wind decided what to do, and considerable numbers of message four, England managed to paddle a few more points ahead for a final four point victory. Scotland was second and Ireland third. It was a close call. More team matches tomorrow with the Kolapore and Junior Kolapore, and St Georges II and Queens II, if I have remembered everything correctly. Have fun. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 26-Jul-07)
Balls Head Queen's I Wednesday 25 July It is already late and I have just returned from the Umbrella Tent meeting. You will of course be intrigued to know what the cut is for the second stage of the Queens. But before we look at that there is the usual general synopsis to delay your thirst for knowledge. The day started reasonably, with sunny patches among the high cloud. The stiffish breeze was from the West and South West, chopping and changing in strength and direction, with the cloud cover gradually thickening and dropping as the day went on (back to cumulo ominous again). The Queens and the Conan Doyle started in the clear but the winds were either difficult or steady depending upon whom you asked, the answer no doubt having something to do with the amount they scored. By early afternoon wafts of fine rain blew in on the wind, followed by heavier patches and then more consistent wet stuff. There is no doubt that the conditions were generally not very easy but no less than 26 scores of 105 resulted. At the top of the list were two Balls, Mike of Horsham and Sussex, and Barnacle Ball the sailor otherwise know as Nigel. (Well, he keeps calling me Dulally). Mike had an amazing 18 centrals in the muck and murk and Nigel 17. Nick Brasier was third with 16. I will come back to the cut in a minute. Over the hill the Conan Dyole at 900yds produced a three way tie between Reg (pronounced Ridge) Roberts also of Horsham and Sussex, Peter Chance (Club 25) and the evergreen John Payne, yet again of Sussex. I am proud of my Sussex compatriots. At which point T Rex wishes to interject a little story. Two venerable international shots were awaiting their turn to zap the Conan Doyle. They agreed that the wind looked to be between 6 and 8 minutes. One observed that he would probably crank on seven and a half and leave it. They met up again later. The Scot offered that his plan had brought him 50.6. The Englishman offered that with a bit of twiddling of the knobs his shots totalled 47.5, but in the filthy blown rain he had confused target 25 with target 28, real score 42.4. At the top of the Grand Ed Wood still leads having knocked in 103 today. However David Luckman with 105 jumps up into second place and Andrew Wilde leaps up to third. The separations are one and three centrals respectively. Nick Brasier, Nigel Ball and Glyn Barnett follow in close order one point behind. There is nothing in it. Only the Prince of Wales awaits. I am not sure that I can stand the suspense. As always the devil is in the detail which you can find in the lists. I almost forgot: the cut was 102.5. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 25-Jul-07)
Haley's Shooting Star Tuesday 24 July Yesterday I heard the sound of wood being hammered and broken up. I made the assumption that someone must have been starting the construction of an Ark, but later found that it was an attempt to make improvised duckboards. This morning the few clouds were high and the sky was blue. The sun was bright and a cooling breeze was blowing strongly for the first stage of the St Georges. Tuesday is one of those funny days where your morning consists of just one shoot at 300 yards and then you either have a long relaxing afternoon doing not a lot, or you find yourself doing an afternoon short range shoot followed by the late evening shift on Counties long range. That is the shoot where all car owners are asked to park facing down the range so that headlights can be turned on if it gets too dark. In fact it has been a glorious day but here is too much water in the ground for any real drying out to have started. Overnight the construction team have been in to do some work on butt 13 to repair some slippage in the sand bank and the pumps have emptied butt 17 marker pits of water. Stickledown butts have also had some attention during the day, I hear, and a full day of shooting on the original squaddings has happened. We owe thanks to all those who have worked so hard in foul conditions, and especially to the markers who have worked in the mud and wet for us. The St Georges first stage was won by Dr Chris Haley of Oxford and Cambridge RA with the only 75.14, followed by Steve East (RAFTRC) and Nigel Ball (the ex sailor) on 75.13 and 7 scores of 75.1. There were 69 scores of 75 in some breezy conditions. Between county short and long we had the tie shoot for the Times Challenge Trophy. Despite being warned for taking too long over one of his shots, Mike Perez, captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Rifle team, emerged top of a low scoring tie affair. The last man of the four contestants to finish, Perez scored 23 points from his five shots with three of them in the smaller central bullseye, to the 23 and two centrals made by George Gilpin of the NRA with Ken Cooke of Australia and Cliff Mallett of Jersey each one point behind. The County matches followed, short range being won by Norfolk with a vast (relatively) margin of 9 points. At long range, as the soft evening light transmogrified into stygian gloom, it was London that came good. I am afraid that I missed the details of the other podium places (a ludicrous expression in the complete absence of a podium of any sort). All of which means that, with eight matches gone, the Grand now has a slightly different look. Ed Wood, 26, a teacher from Norfolk (and an OGRE to boot) leads Jon Underwood (O Guildfordians and thoroughly good egg) by the princely margin of 2 central bullseyes. Lurking in third place is O Epsomian Paul Kent, a further 4 centrals adrift. The younger Luckie, David Luckman, has a meaningful look about him one point behind those three and six centrals ahead of Chris Haley, while five more are one point behind those two. It is probably easier to dial up the website lists than to work that lot out. It is boiling up nicely. However it feels colder tonight and the Metcheck.com forecast fills one with foreboding. Yet more rain, less heavy than before, is threatened from 9.00am tomorrow, moving in from the Southwest and lasting into the evening. Think positive: hosepipe bans may be avoided. We can also hope that it misses us. Next bulletin tomorrow. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 25-Jul-07)
It Is Times for Ties Monday 23 July The forecast rain held off until after lunch and then it turned from light and irritating to heavier and penetrating as the afternoon turned into evening. It is 7.30 and still raining. The Times at 300 yards started the day, in a virtual dead flat calm at the right hand end of the range with just the hint of a drift from the Eastern right rear - from whence came the rain later. The light was a perfect dull shooters light: there were 198 maximum 50s, the most stylish being the 50.1 from Ian Robertson. It is a four way tie between Mike Perez of Trinidad, Colin Mallett, George Gilpin and Ken Cooke of NSW. The Wimbledon (600yds) has produced an eleven way tie: Nick Brasier, T Rowntree, A Bullen, Steve Thomas, W Squires, H Sanders, Jeremy Langley, Peter Bromley, John Pugsley, Nick Mace amd M Buchanan. All had 50.9 - Brasier visiting the ordinary bullseye with his last. There were 159 maximum 50s. The Corporation was easy at the start of the day and miserable at the end, or so all the late details will tell you. There were 40 maximum 50s but only one 50.9 from A Bullen of Blackfriars, an O class shooter. Former winner Dave Dyson was the best 50.8. James Watson of Uppingham Veterans took the Monday Aggregate as the best 150 with 19 centrals, followed by Adam Jory of Guernsey and Tim Kidner of West Atholl with 17 and 15 respectively. And so to the Grand tonight. With seven of the eleven events completed we have the studious Gaz Morris (another Uppingham Vet) leading by one point on 398.49, having shed both his points today in Times and Corporation. Nick Brasier leads six 397s: Jon Underwood, E Wood, David Luckman, Paul Kent and Tim Kidner. In turn they are followed by six scores of 396. The rain is still tinkling on the command centre roof. It is time to squelch my way over to a BBQ. We must be a tad cracked. Later: it is now midnight or thereabouts. I have been trying for some time to upload to the website but to no avail. Rumour has it that the NRA servers are situated within a building that is in danger of being flooded down Gloucestershire way and have been turned off. Hence I have wasted some time being prompt and efficient. One sign of progress: the rain seems to have stopped. Give us some sun. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 24-Jul-07)
Two Perfect Possibles Sunday 22 July It is 6.25pm as I start to write, and the sun is streaming into the command centre, illuminating the bubbles as they rise to the top of a cool glass of beer. God is in his heaven etc., etc. In the early hours of this morning I thought that I was woken by the machine gun rattle of another torrential hour or so of rain. I must have been because someone had thoughtfully closed the roof vents, but not before the frying pan had half filled with water. The result had filled one set of target pits with the wet stuff but with a dint of juggling the organisers have done well to provide a full day of sport. The predicted overcast developed into patchy high clouds with occasional dark and threatening cumulo ominous. Fortunately there was no more rain and as the afternoon wore on the sun took over until we now have a Bisley evening that will rush the BBQ folks into action. Men particularly like to think that they are brilliant at cremating perfectly good meat: it is a man thing, or so most wives say. Enough side orders. Let us take the day as it went. A flirtatious little breeze from the left has persisted all day. It was quite enough to make it difficult for the inattentive, and enough to allow the possible makers to think to themselves that they had done rather well. Over on Stickledown hill it ran in the morning from 5 or so left to 8 or 9 in the mid morning. Usual caveats apply. After a short period when It looked as though the Alexandra would provide a four way tie on 50.9 another card spiked the hopefuls' guns. Paul Kent had a perfect 50.10, relegating M Zain of Malaysia and West Atholl's Tim Kidner into second and third places. There were 77 scores of 50. Over at 900 Ian Robertson of the RAF knocked in another perfect 50.10 with Jane Messer providing the only 50.9 followed by three 50.8s including one from Cadet RJ Waters of the Athelings. Back down on Century on the afternoon shift Zummerzet's David Lukckman pipped naval Chris Dickenson 75.14 to 75.13 with five other 75.13s in pursuit. There were 97 scores of 75. The Sunday Aggregate went to Gaz Morris of Uppingham Vets with the only maximum 175 (and 21), with Messer and Luckman plus five others chasing on 174. The Weekend Agg was annexed by Mr Dependable, Peter Bromley of O Sedberghians dropping three points for 347.46 with another Mr Dependable, Jon Underwood, one point behind but with two more centrals. The one list I do not have as yet for some reason is the Grand after four events. Never mind, it should be on the board outside the main office as I speak and those of my readers who are here can add a detour to their after dinner stroll. The rest will have to click the other button to quench their longing for information, and for all the other lists of various sorts. There is a message for Andy Penfold: your umbrella is in the hands of Maj. Simon Fraser. Good night all. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 22-Jul-07)
The Grand Starts Saturday 21 July Well the watersports are, for the time being, finished. We had folks paddling and boating on Century, and markers swimming at the entrance to the camp yesterday as the torrents turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon and evening. Yesterday's Astor team shoot has been declared on the single 300 yard distance completed, with Scotland East on 200.23 beating the OGRES (Old Greshams Rifle Establishment) by one central bullseye. The Cadet National met the same fate, Ireland making 239.8, too strong for both England and the Channel Islands. The Athelings shooting alongside made 268.17. Back to today: the morning dawned with a hazy overcast that quickly turned into a pleasant sunny morning with a stiffish breeze from the south and southwest. Very pleasant too, with plenty to watch out for in the Lovell at 1000 yards, and a need to be alert in the Donegall at 300. About 10 left in the former at the top of Stickledown Hill, and 1 - 2 left in the latter (usual caveats about wind zeros, when you shot and where you shot, apply to all such technical data). Metcheck were right on the button again, forecasting that the showers would arrive at about lunchtime. As I departed Sainsburys in Brookwood just after 1230 the first shower arrived. The Donegall must just have got through in the dry. Which leads neatly into the first result of the day. The Donegall was won with the only 50.10 on the range by David Nuthall of the British Cadet Rifle Team (the Athelings), fresh from successful duty with the Epsom College VIII. He was pursued by 14 others with scores of 50.9, the best of which belonging to the RAF's Stuart Williamson. Looking down the list, the 50s cease at 127th place ex 1015 entrants, some 12.5% of the entries. Here comes another shower, passing quickly through. More later - news that is, not rain I hope. Later?. The afternoon has certainly dampened some hopes. Showers of considerable force have passed through managing to wet the majority of the details. However some have escaped by the skin of their teeth, including a shooting lawyer or two. Life is so unfair. The Telegraph has produced two scores of 75.14 from Andrew LeCheminant of Jersey and Peter Holden of Greshams. They will have to tie shoot in due course. There were 82 scores of 75. In the Lovell we have an outright winner in the form of Nigel Cole-Hawkins of the North London RC with the only 50 (with 3 centrals), Ros McQuillan of Ulster being second with 49.8 in a list of 23 scores of 49. Points win prizes. John Taylor of Windsor (24 centrals) wins the Saturday Aggregate ahead of Peter Bromley (22) and Nigel Ball (17), all three on 174s. And now the news you have been waiting for. My paraphrase of what can be read on Metcheck.com for GU24 0PB is that tomorrow (Sunday) will start generally dry with sunny patches and scudding cloud cover, with winds from the West veering later in the day to come more from the South. We can expect showers in the afternoon period. The gist of it seems to be that the nasty stuff is more likely in the North. If you do not believe me log on for yourself or just stand about in the open and wait for it. Never thought I would be doing the weather forecasting as well. That is it until tomorrow. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 21-Jul-07)
And It Rained.............. Friday 20 July Awakened at 0530 this morning to the sound of the rain drumming on the office roof. Turned over and went back to well-deserved sleep. Woke at about 0815 to further drumming and water deadened sound of brave (or foolish) souls shooting down on Century range in the first distance of the Astor County match. Cue thunder, lightning and the cease fire hooter. The message seems to be that all shooting is terminated until 4pm when it is hoped that a truncated Century match will be possible, but wiser souls might feel that the ranges should be given a chance to drain until tomorrow morning. There is no point in doing serious damage to the ground and the targets, which will dissolve in these conditions. In nearly 40 years of coming here for part of my holiday I have never seen such persistent torrential rain, with rivers rushing down the roadways. I shudder to think what those under tentage must be suffering, and it makes no sense to wander or drive around rubber-necking and churning up the ground. If you visit Metcheck.com and type in GU24 in the postcode box you will see the forecast for the day: it is a lot of water, and it is usually an accurate forecast. The media will no doubt be covering the weather in some detail, so I shall not continue down this water-logged path. It is now 1130 and the rain is trying to demonstrate that it can get heavier. Will try to keep you posted. There is a lovely saga of Noah building his Ark, "Three ha'pence a foot" recited by the late Stanley Holloway, in which the line that sticks in my memory is "I want a nice piece of birds-eye maple, to finish the side of the bunk". This was a reference to Noah's living quarters inside the Ark. T Rex tells me that a grizzled Bisley sage summed it up: "You see those clouds up there", he said yesterday evening. "I know what they are called, cumulo ominous". A Little later.... At a few minutes after 12 noon, as predicted by Metcheck.com (and no I do not have shares in them), the rains lightened and ceased but not before some of the heaviest precipitation I have ever seen here. So they got it right. The bottom end of Century (butts 17-19) is a lake between the firing points down to the targets, with the waters lapping over the 600 yard point. As a result all shooting has been suspended for the day to allow things (and people) a chance to dry out - as much as they can. The full normal programme will continue according to the schedule tomorrow with the D Telegraph Challenge Cup kicking off the Grand Aggregate in the afternoon. It is now a breezy and sunny afternoon with high broken cloud - some looking dark and brooding. More rain and showers are forecast over the weekend - but don't let's be pessimistic - eh? That is it for today, unless something else noteworthy happens. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 20-Jul-07)
Epsom's Ashburton - Again Thursday 19 July The rain is starting to sprinkle the roof of the caravan. They are forecasting dire amounts of the wet stuff across the South and South-East tomorrow (actually today as this is writ). We were lucky today with the warm sun and occasional high cloud, some black and threatening with a fine double rainbow at one point. Black Thursday is the day on which the schools end their efforts. There is no doubt about it, this was a comprehensive statement of force for Epsom College who stamped their mark across the prize lists. Ably led by David Nuthall they wrapped up eight or more of the major prizes and added their eleventh Ashburton win in the last eighteen years to their record. At one point it looked as though Marlborough with a spirited fight back might just be whittling down a fifteen point gap after two of the three ranges, but Epsom finished the more strongly for a twelve point winning margin. This was the second year in succession for this finishing order. The Oratory were third. In the English Twenty Club county championships for the King George V Cup, Surrey hit 1191 to squeeze out Norfolk who in turn produced the shoot of the day at 600 yards where all but a double Queen's Prize winner scored a maximum 50. The unfortunate scored 49.9 - losing his last. No matter - it made no difference to the result. The schools' veterans went on until dusk, as usual, leaving hungry and thirsty participants little time to ablute and don their finest for the many evening reunion dinners, from one of which I have just returned. The results will have to wait for later today when the world is awake again. A Surrey team also snatched the Opening Shot for teams of four at long range from the Jersey Wonders. I have to say that I thought these were potatoes, but clearly I am sadly mistaken. No doubt I will be corrected by a Mallett in due course. That is it for tonight: it seems to have stopped the sprinkle, but if the forecasts are half accurate do not hold your breath. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 20-Jul-07)
England's Elcho Wednesday 18 July It is short and late tonight, rather like a commuter train. I have just arrived at my temporary lodgings and need to unpack and roust out a couple of unsuspecting souls. Much better weather today with sun and high clouds after an indifferent early morning (I mean early). The Elcho, in which England needed to do something to avoid yet another defeat at the hands of the Scots or Irish, called from the Hill. It has to be said that the thing proceeds at a leisurely pace at the best of times, and England lagged behind at the first two ranges. However, a degree of sock up-pulling at 1200 yards saw them edge past the Scots in the final furlong for a narrow 5 point victory. Wales were cock-a-hoop at their position in third place, apparently a first time on the podium, so an Irishman told me. I have not yet caught up with the Schools, but tomorrow will be their day, Ashburton and all. Just the thought of that and the Veterans suggests that something soft and red is called for. All the detals of today's events should be waiting for you in the lists via that other link. Updated: 29-Jul-07 (Original posting: 18-Jul-07)
Tremmers on Stickledown for a Third Time Tuesday 17 July We have our first champion of the Meeting in the form of the small animal vet, he of the beaming smile and striking ties. Welcome Nick Tremlett to your third Hopton. But it could have been anyone's Hopton on a day of violently unpredictable winds, described by one former winner as "at times unreadable but I knew where it was coming from - America". A windy Albert, as Victoria might have said, left many not amused. Clear targets for no apparent readable reason, outers left and right, and a thoroughly unpleasant patch of weather was the recipe for numerous disasters as the wind caused havoc down the field. It also meant changes at the top, with Alex Cargill-Thompson, John Knight and David Friend dropping down and George Barnard, Julian Peck, Jim McAllister and David Calvert moving up. The tale of the lead lies in the Albert's third stage at 1200 yards. Barnard had already pulled back one point from Tremlett's overnight lead of eight after the shoots at 1000 and 1100 yards. McAllister had outfumbled them all scoring 146 to pull up the list - and so had Tim Kidner. What would the longest - and most decisive - distance of all do to the hopes of the contenders. Tremlett had a nightmare start. No sighters, don't forget, and his first two to count were outer and miss respectively. Ouch! He stumbled on ending with 59 and one central, more it has to be said than many others, but to lose your overnight advantage in the space of two shots hardly puts much of a crunch in the carrot. All he could do was grin and bear it - and wait in an agony of uncertainty. Barnard, however, was (relatively) flying. With one shot to go sources tell me that he had 71 in the gun and, although one doubts that he could have known it because of the excellent practice of squadding the contenders together, the prospect of a two point victory was in his sights. Alas, Nemesis will strike at the genuine contender equally to the also-ran. Blow you winds, and they did, all the way to the outer. The grin resurfaced in the veterinary whiskers as his third title was confirmed by one point. Commiserations to GB and thanks to both for an entertaining finale. Jim McAllister took a worthy third followed by Kidner, Julian Peck and Paul Monaghan. Back down to short range and the schools. Epsom struck gold and silver in the ABRO Trophy with Tonbridge third while Ampleforth, Sutton Valence and the Oratory School were among the honours in the Marling and the Schools Snapshooting. These results and more, and the match rifle can be found on the NRA/NSC website. And now a half reasonable Cab Sauv/Shiraz, on offer at Sainsburys, beckons. I suspect Tremmers has started already. Updated: 17-Jul-07 (Original posting: 17-Jul-07)
British Commonwealth RC Results The results for the British Commonwealth Championships held at the beginning of July 2007 are now available on the website. Click here to download. Updated: 16-Jul-07 (Original posting: 16-Jul-07)
A Fine Edge Monday 16 July Six of the seven events comprising the Hopton are now decided and Nick Tremlett leads Alex Cargill-Thompson and John Knight by eight points after the Edge. I suppose that is a useful margin but not a cast-iron one, given the requirement to fire another 45 shots worth 225 points over the three distances in the Albert. Let us hope that the forecast showers stay away for the next few days - and longer. Going onto Metcheck.com and punching in GU24 0PB does not make for joyous reading though, but over the next 8-14 days the predominant picture is of clouds and breezes and not necessarily much rain. The Edge was won by Derek Lowe of NLRC by a point from F De Castro of TNV with George Barnard of Northants RA third. The weather conditions have been described variously to me by those in the know and on the firing point as cloudy with rain and overcast with sun. You can take your pick. How do they manage to fill in their scorebook in the time allowed? Elsewhere on the ranges the schools have arrived and are doing their stuff. While I would not place too much on it, the results of the early cadet matches may give an indication of schools with on form squads. But do not forget that some of the early competitions are fired with the Cadet GP rifle as opposed to the single shot target rifle. Generally, familiar faces are being spotted as the place creeps into life and last year's reminiscences are dusted down and polished off for re-embellishment. It is the time for anecdote recycling. While on that tack the aged T Rex has reminded me, in passing, of one of the bygone characters of Bisley, the late lamented Harry Eaton. Harry always used to go into his own armour plated little Range Office world about now in the run up to what he named Black Thursday. It was the combination of school pupils and veterans on Ashburton day that brought out the best of Harry. He used to reduce schoolmasters to rubble and parents to gibbering wrecks - in the nicest possible way, of course. And they thanked him for it afterwards. It is all coming this week. Updated: 16-Jul-07 (Original posting: 16-Jul-07)
Feel the Tremmers Sunday 15 July Saturday was spent, by me, rigging up automatic drinkers for the equines. It made me wonder if similar apparati could be introduced on the caravan site carrying a suitable beverage for all and sundry. No chance. So Sunday brings two days' worth of esoteric Match Rifle, in fact the first five of the Hopton events and, surprise, surprise, who should be at the top of the list but Nick Tremlett, Bisley's own small animal vet from Windsor. Tremmers also found time to win both the Sunday and the Weekend aggregates. He is closely pursued by Alex Cargill Thompson, four points adrift, and the flying Knight one point further behind. Come to think of it John should really have featured in my each-way betting round-up last week. Jim(?)Peck of NLRC is fourth after a sultry Sunday with lowering grey clouds that burbled with the indigestion of the gods during the afternoon. It was steamy and pretty calm but enough subtle coming and going from the right rear to keep the mighty on their toes. Saturday was, I understand equally interesting but different, and as yet no howling gales or monsoons. A word for a couple of Sussex shooters (yes - you do detect parochial interest). Lou Lou Brister of the Welsh RA who I last observed taking her dog to its swimming lesson at the house next door a few days ago, annexed the Armourers at 1200 yards with the only 99 in the house, just ahead of the three Hopton leaders (but who were in reverse order in that one). So is four points unassailable? Far from it: just a waft or two in the Edge or the Albert and you are toast. And David Friend, enjoying a resurgence in the past few years, lies fifth in the overall order. As always the full results of the first five shoots can be found on the daily lists thanks to Sharon and her crew. As I finish it is starting to rain as the Sunday evening light fades. I must check the old friend, Metcheck.com, to see what the seaweed strokers are bringing us over the next week. Spg bol is due to scrificed to the weather gods in appeasment. Updated: 15-Jul-07 (Original posting: 15-Jul-07)
Forecast Gloom Friday 13 July Well, the curse of the 13th has struck already, but not at shooters. Within a blink of an eye of posting the first diary entry last night I had responses from two of my loyal readers, correcting my forecasts. One, none other than my hot tip Irish Paul Charlton, took great delight in pointing out that although he had a good year in 2006 at long range, the distance from Antigua this year was just too far. He has designs on the World Individual Long Range Championship in Ottawa instead. The other, closer to home, simply informed me that another of my tips had not entered Match Rifle this year. She suggested that I should have tipped shooting eye specialist GK Alexander instead. OK, then, let us tip Garry and see what happens, and if the woodworm ridden mallet of misfortune falls upon him it is not my fault. Match Rifle events have kicked off today. A dank start to the day gave way to sun and high cloud with enervating breezes for the Any Rifle Extras and the Ranken & MR Pairs. These are essentially warm up matches with the more serious stuff in the form of the Whitehead (1000 & 1100yds) and the Halford (1100 & 1200yds) tomorrow as the first of the Hopton Aggregate events. Enough: something soothing calls from the gin cupboard. I think I will have to consider seriously giving up forecasting if all it does is to make people laugh in the Lesser Antilles. Updated: 13-Jul-07 (Original posting: 13-Jul-07)
Looking Forward To It Thursday 12 July It is that time again: the Bisley Meeting is upon us. Well it does not seem like a year since digits were last applied to keyboard in an attempt to record the goings on of the Bisley Meeting. Last year we were blessed with good weather for the most part, and some ammunition that kept most of the moaning minnies quiet. Let us hope that this year we can do even better, after the storms and floods of late June. But as I write this - guess what - it is raining, gently. On the subject of ammunition the British Commonwealth RC meet is usually held to be the test event. BCRC had Lot 141 of 2007 from RG in some of the sunniest weather for a while but with winds that provided the entertainment, especially at long range. One has to say that if anyone was moaning they were doing it to themselves in a blacked out room. At short range there were 57 scores of 50 in the four matches, an average of just over 14 per match or (roughly) just over 10% of the competitors in far from easy conditions. Winners had to hit 8 or 9 centrals. In the first of the 900 yard matches there were no less than 27 scores of 50 in a gentle early morning work-out. The second 900 yard match produced 7 scores of 75 in much more difficult circumstances, and there were no 75s in a turbulent 1000 yards skirmish. But most competitors who were asked seemed happy with their group sizes. The conclusion is, therefore, cautious optimism. If this quality is maintained throughout the Meeting you should be able to concentrate fully on your own deficiencies. From overseas we have a hefty contingent from Australia, with numerous individuals in addition to a New South Wales State team. Canada and the Canadian cadets are here as well as representatives of the Channel Islands, France, Falklands, Belgium, Germany, Guyana, Homg kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa U25 and U19, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA. Welcome to you all. Well, how about some predictions, rushing in where angels fear to tread. In a fortnight's time some of the predictions may look a touch sad. I'll take them in the order of disciplne. The Hopton match rifle: good each-way bets must be the old diehards Stuart Collings and Nick Tremlett with Baillie Hamilton and Meldrum. But this year perhaps it is time for a change. David Calvert, George Gilpin and Paul Charlton are strong runners but what about John Pugsley to put refresh the scene? Schools: are Epsom as odds on favourites? They have had some mixed fortunes this season - and some wins. The Oratory School (Reading), Marlborough and Dollar have held consistently good placings in recent years, but for my longer shot what about a resurgent Cheltenham? Grand Aggregate (TR): the past few years seem to suggest that, even after eleven weather challenged events, it tends to be so close, just a point or a few centrals deciding the contest. Can Parag Patel do it this time, or will David Calvert's long presence at the top be rewarded this year with a first (or even a double first)? Putting that to one side I might be prepared to put a bob or two on David Luckman or Toby Raincock - or Jon Underwood or our resurgent languid friend Steve Thomas. Paul Kent has also been in good nick. From overseas Jim Corbet and Andy Powell (Australia) and Jim Paton (Canada) stand out. Queen's Prize: you cannot exclude Calvert, who must soon convert silver into gold. Any one of the Grand contenders could be in with a chance, But in this competition there is always the chance that the form books w Updated: 12-Jul-07 (Original posting: 12-Jul-07)
Imperial Meeting Reports 2007 Reports will be appearing here startig on Thursday 12th. Updated: 10-Jul-07 (Original posting: 10-Jul-07)
Scottish Long Range Championships Results The results from the Scottish Long Range Rifle Championships held at Blair Atholl on 23 and 24 June 2007 can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Results KR/GA Updated: 27-Jun-07 (Original posting: 27-Jun-07)
Inter Counties Meeting Results Results from the Inter-Counties Meeting held at Bisley on 16 and 17 June 2007 can be downloaded below. The R Jarvis The Lt Col H Jones Long Range Match Team Aggregate Short Range Match KR/GA Updated: 17-Jun-07 (Original posting: 17-Jun-07)
Results from Phoenix Meeting 2007 The results and prize list from the 10th Anniversary Phoenix Meeting, held on 25 to 28 May 2007 at the National Shooting Centre Bisley, can be downloaded by clicking on the links below. Download results Download prize list KR/GA Updated: 02-Jun-07 (Original posting: 02-Jun-07)
300 Metres Championships 2007 Results The results from the 300 Metres Championships held on 19 and 20 May at the National Shooting Centre Bisley can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Download results GA/KR Updated: 27-May-07 (Original posting: 27-May-07)
Norfolk Open Results The local boys kept the silverware to themselves in the Norfolk Open Fullbore Rifle Meeting as home-grown marksmen took all the major prizes. A healthy turnout converged on Thetford Range, with competitors from as far as Cheshire and Surrey adding to the numbers. The shooters enjoyed a warm, sunny day with a modest breeze that fishtailed with enough frequency and rapidity to push those inattentive to the wind well out of the bull. Sheringham's Glyn Barnett, twice a Queen's Prizewinner and a Commonwealth Gold Medallist, was top of the pile at 300 yards with a score of 50.9, beating his close friend and thrice Queen's winner Ant Ringer (East Rudham) by a single V bull. Just behind them was Peter Holden from Fakenham who dropped his first shot to count into the inner before hitting 9 consecutive V bulls for a 49.9. Good scores were posted by the less experienced in T Class, with Roland Johnson from Gresham's School winning with 49.6, with clubmates Harriet Bennett (47.4) and Rachel Knight (47.3) taking the other medal positions. The ever-changing direction of the wind proved more problematic at 500 yards, where Norwich's Jeremy Hinde gained the laurels with the only score of 50, including six V bulls. The silver and bronze placings were closely fought, with North Elmham's Phil Rose and Roger Ellis of Essex both obtaining a 49.6, the latter overcoming the former after a six shot countback. Knight put down a 49.6 of her own to lift T Class, with Bennett (48.3) and Matthew Purdy (Gresham's 47.6) close behind. By 600 yards the wind conditions had settled down again, and more possibles started to appear on the scoreboard. A 50.7 by Guy Bartle from Sheringham was enough for victory, just edging out Barnett's 50.6, his last shot scoring a V bull pushing Norwich's James Lewis 50.6 finishing on an ordinary bull into third place. Purdy's 49.3 was the best score in T Class, with team-mates Ed Johnson (48.2; 5 finish) and Rob Stilgoe (48.2; 4 finish) second and third. Barnett was the only participant to drop just a single point all day, hence lifting the aggregate trophy scoring 149.19. Ellis came home in the silver position with 148.19, a single V bull ahead of Ringer's 148.18. Knight claimed the T Class aggregate on 143.11, seeing off Bennett (142.13) and Purdy (141.11). Other scores: Ladies Prize: Rachel Knight 143.11 English XX Jewel: Glyn Barnett 149.19 Competitors in the Norfolk Open Fullbore Rifle Meeting shooting at 600 yards. Photographer: ADE Grounds. KR/GA Updated: 22-May-07 (Original posting: 22-May-07)
Highpower XTC Match Results The results from the Highpower XTC Match held at Bisley on 28 April can be found by clicking the link below. KR/GA http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20070512.html Updated: 15-May-07 (Original posting: 15-May-07)
Range Warden's Shield Competition Results The results from the Derbyshire Rifle Association Range Warden's Shield Competition can be downloaded below. Download report GA/KR Updated: 13-May-07 (Original posting: 13-May-07)
Purples Match Results The results from the Purples Match held at the National Shooting Centre Bisley on 29 April 2007 can be downloaded below. The teams in action. Cambridge University competing in the Purples Match. Photos by Alan Keating Download results GA/KR Updated: 10-May-07 (Original posting: 02-May-07)
Early Entry Draw Results The Early Entry Draw results are as follows: 1 Craig Stewart of Dollar Academy (receives 100% refund of entry fees) 2 Jonathan Taylor of Windsor RC (receives 50% refund of entry fees) 3 John Bellringer of Old Epsomians (receives 25% refund of entry fees) Congratulations to them all. GA/KR Updated: 01-May-07 (Original posting: 01-May-07)
Highpower Rifle Match Results 28 April 2007 The results from the Highpower Rifle Match held at the National Shooting Centre Bisley on 28 April 2007 can be found by clicking on the link below. GA/KR http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20070428.html Updated: 01-May-07 (Original posting: 01-May-07)
Ibis Open Meeting Results Results from the Ibis Open Meeting can be downloaded below. Download Results GA/KR Updated: 15-Jan-08 (Original posting: 26-Apr-07)
Easter Meeting Results The results from the Easter Meeting 2007 are available for download below. Download results KR/GA Updated: 09-Apr-07 (Original posting: 09-Apr-07)
Gallery Rifle - Spring Action Weekend Results The results from the Gallery Rifle Spring Action Weekend 2007 can be downloaded below. Download Results Download Prize List GA/KR Updated: 29-Mar-07 (Original posting: 27-Mar-07)
Civilian SR Results March 2007 The results for the Civilian SR Weekend are now available: Click here to download. JW/GA Updated: 29-Mar-07 (Original posting: 18-Mar-07)
Civilian SR Results Jan and Feb 2007 Results from the Civilian Service Rifle Competition held in January and February at the National Shooting Centre Bisley can be downloaded below. Download January results Download February results GA/KR Updated: 27-Mar-07 (Original posting: 13-Feb-07)
Civilian SR Results Dec 2006 Results from the Civilian Service Rifle Competition held on 10 December at the National Shooting Centre Bisley can be downloaded below. Download results GA/KR Updated: 23-Mar-07 (Original posting: 08-Jan-07)
Civilian Service Rifle Results 18 November 2006 The results from the Civilian Service Rifle Competition held on 18 November 2006 can be downloaded below. Download Results GA/KR Updated: 20-Nov-06 (Original posting: 20-Nov-06)
Free Money - NRA joins Everyclick Yes really you did read that right - Free Money! Well free money for the National Rifle Association at no cost to you and no cost to the Association. The NRA is now listed on everyclick.com a search engine that gives 50% of its revenue to charity (ie the NRA!). Using everyclick.com as your search engine does not cost you or us any money, but every time you use it you raise money for the NRA. Please start raising money for us whenever you search the web. Over the past year the average Everyclick user has raised £16 for their chosen charity so just imagine what a difference that could make if we all signed up today. So how do I sign up to this? 1 Go to www.everyclick.com 2 In the upper part of the Everyclick homepage, click on the white text "Select the charity you would like to support" located above the Search box. Do not type anything into the Search box on this page. 3 The following page should say "Select the charity you would like to support as you search the web". In the Search box in the middle of this screen, type "National Rifle Association" and click on "Search Charities". 4 Find the entry for the National Rifle Association (at the time of writing we could be found on the second line down below the NSRA for some obscure reason). Click on the green arrow "Select this Charity" at the left hand end of the entry. 5 This should produce a registration form. Check that the National Rifle Association is the named Charity, then fill in the form and click on "Sign Up". You only have to provide your name, an e-mail address, country of residence and password. 6 You are now in business to use Everyclick to contribute to the NRA! Use Everyclick as your preferred search engine Everyclick uses the Ask search engine and provides full search, image and multimedia results. Make it your home page You can make it your home page by clicking on the house icon in the top right corner of the website. Make sure you are logged in when you do this so you do not have to log in every time you open your internet browser. Shopping If you look at the left hand side of the site you will see a Shopping button. Click here and you will see a list of over 200 shops and services. By buying from these links a percentage of your purchases will go to the NRA. Shops and services signed up to this include major names such as Amazon, the AA, BT Broadband, John Lewis, Laura Ashley, Littlewoods, Marks and Spencers, Mothercare, Oddbins, the RAC, Staples, Thorntons and Virgin Wines as well as the usual mobile phone, financial services and various travel, transport and holiday companies. If you shop online this is where you can really help raise funds for the NRA. Ebay The first link in the Shopping section is a link to Ebay. For every bid you make via this link Ebay will donate between 5p to 6p to the NRA. Corporate Supporters If you have a business and would like to advertise on Everyclick you can join as a corporate supporter and raise even more money for us. See the Everyclick website for further details on advertising. How will the money be used? All money raised from Everyclick will be used to support the NRA's charitable objective of promoting target shooting throughout the United http://www.everyclick.com Updated: 16-Nov-06 (Original posting: 16-Nov-06)
Gallery Rifle Championships Results The results from the Gallery Rifle Autumn National Championships 2006 can be downloaded below. Download Results Download Prize List GA/KR Updated: 01-Dec-06 (Original posting: 01-Nov-06)
Ages Match Results The Ages Match was held at Bisley over the weekend of 28 and 29 October 2006. The match was won by the 35 to 45 age group captained by Matt Charlton. Position Team Saturday Sunday Total Top scorer Score 1 35 to 45 1767.214 3475.88 5242.302 Jon Underwood 444.31 2 25 to 35 1774.204 3448.87 5222.291 George Gilpin 443.28 3 45 to 55 1766.203 3384.83 5150.286 Gary Alexander 441.31 4 55 to 65 1745.178 3394.80 5139.258 Keith Pugh 441.24 5 Under 25s 1758.217 3347.67 5105.284 Tom Hunter 439.26 6 Over 65s 1708.150 3308.71 5016.221 Tony Mitchell 432.23 7 Under 25 Development 1739.185 3207.49 4946.234 Helen Taylor 426.13 Download results GA/KR Updated: 22-Nov-06 (Original posting: 30-Oct-06)
Trafalgar Meeting Results The results from the Trafalgar Meeting 2006 can be downloaded below. Download results Updated: 25-Oct-06 (Original posting: 25-Oct-06)
European Long Range Championships Results The results of the European Long Range Championships held at Bisley on 14 and 15 October 2006 were as follows: Position Team Saturday Sunday Total 1 Channel Islands 3493.114 5226.168 8719.282 2 England 3472.101 5239.177 8711.278 3 Ireland 3465.104 5242.192 8707.296 4 Wales 3463.094 5238.162 8701.256 5 Scotland 3477.118 5169.164 8646.282 6 Germany 3391.076 5101.135 8492.211 Download results GA/KR Updated: 30-Oct-06 (Original posting: 17-Oct-06)
Yorkshire RA Autumn Open Results The Yorkshire RA Autumn Open was held at Altcar on 24 September. Dave Allen of Huddersfield was top score on the day, with Chris White winning the Gleadow Cup at 500 yards after a tie shoot with Ian Markwell. Paul Fox of Huddersfield won the new Bill Norman Trophy for the F Class Championship and John Stevens defended the overall Yorkshire Championship. Centenary Bowl DH Allen, Huddersfield RC. 98.10 Gleadow Cup CA White, Sheffield RC. 50.8 tie 25.4 Autumn Aggregate Trophy DH Allen. 147.15 Yorkshire Championship Trophy JPM Stevens, Leeds Service RC, 320.40 Bill Norman Trophy F Class Championship Paul Fox, Huddersfield RC. 368 Ray Addy Veterans Tankard PRC Stevens, Leeds Service RC. 306.30 Yorkshire Post Challenge Cup (club teams of four) Huddersfield RC Full results are available at the link below. GA/KR http://www.yorkshire-ra.org.uk Updated: 04-Oct-06 (Original posting: 04-Oct-06)
London and Middlesex RA Results The results from the recent London and Middlesex Rifle Association Meeting are now available for download by clicking on the link below. Download results (GA/JW) Updated: 27-Sep-06 (Original posting: 27-Sep-06)
Surrey Meeting Results Jon Underwood won the closed Surrey Championships, James Watson won the Open Championships. Full results of all the competitions can be downloaded from the link below. Download results GA/JW Updated: 19-Sep-06 (Original posting: 19-Sep-06)
Gallery Rifle Deluge 2006 Results The results for the Gallery rifle matches held on the 26th & 27th August are now available below. Click here to download the results. Updated: 27-Aug-06 (Original posting: 27-Aug-06)
America Match - TR and F Class results America Match - TR The America Match was won by Great Britain: 1 GB 2392.317 2 USA 2375.291 3 Canada 2373.292 4 Germany 2294.196 Full details for TR can be found by clicking on the link below. America Match - F Class The F Class America Match was won by the USA: 1 USA 1424 2 Germany 1407 3 England 1393 4 Canada 1370 F class are scoring V bulls as 6 http://www.nra.org.uk/gbrt/palma/livescores.htm Updated: 28-Aug-06 (Original posting: 27-Aug-06)
Guernsey Meeting Results The results from the Guernsey Meeting are now available for download. Click here to download. JW Updated: 23-Aug-06 (Original posting: 23-Aug-06)
Underwood Record Treble Saturday 22 July Right about now they will be carrying Jon Underwood around the roads of the National Shooting Centre, from clubhouse to clubhouse, to test the inspiration of amateur cocktail makers. He has set a new standard and record for target rifle shooting, winning all three stages of HM The Queens Prize at the same Bisley Meeting. His trophy cabinet, already full to bursting with the medals and badges of other years and competitions will now have to house the Queens I Bronze Badge and Medal, Queens II Silver Badge and Medal and the Queens Prize Gold Badge and Medal. He hit maximums at each of the first two stages and added a 147 in the Final, in tricky conditions that tested the competitors at 1000 yards when, as if ordered as a special extra side dish, the wind suddenly came to life exactly as the final distance was due to start. For a while Underwood, Bert Bowden of Australia, Paul Kent and David Calvert were neck and neck. Underwood had gone clean at 900, but early in his final shoot as the rain began to fall, briefly and unenthusiastically, dropped one and then two and three points. Bowden fell away as the rain also died, but Kent and Calvert held on at two off before both falling to three off, Kent late in his shoot. All three were tied on points but Underwood had more centrals with 42 to Kent 40 and Calvert 39. It was Underwood first and first and first, a feat never before managed by any other contestant in the history of the Prize. A signal triumph for the unassuming man from Old Guildfordians, and a very popular victor. In the morning Ross McQuillan took the St Georges to shine in the early morning light. Parag Patel was second and Tim Green of LMRA third. I also have to report the outcome of the Mackinnon, in which the England team, which I had the privilege to Captain, found themselves under pressure from the word go at 900 yards from the Scots. Our margin at 900 was just seven points. But at 1000 Jerermy Langley and his three coaches stepped up a gear as the winds disrupted the other teams, pulling away to a 30 point winning margin overall. With Scotland second, Guernsey came a spirited third with a determined assault at 1000 yards. I am grateful to my team. However confident you may be there is always some truth in the oft quoted aphorism that has something to do with singing and fat ladies, and the old gal was heard warbling happily above the roar from the USAF B1 over Farnborough. Full details on the website of these and other matches. In finality for this year, my thanks to Bill Richards and the stats team led so well by Sharon who have number-crunched to their full powers and put up with the usual idiotic demands on their time by yours truly and others. They make it all a lot of fun. Looking forward to next year. Updated: 23-Jul-06 (Original posting: 22-Jul-06)
Kolapore, StGeorges II and Queens II Friday 21 July (part 2) The day dawned shortly before I posted the first part of today's report. It was again, at first, cloudless and blue, feeling a lot fresher but with no wind. It remained like that for the first distance of the Kolapore, conditions made for a full house of 50s at that level. Except that three points were lost at 300 yards by GB and slightly more than that by Canada and the others. So to make up for that GB went clean at 500 yards. They then lost six points at 600, by which time the wind was back and behaving in an unfriendly way. The GB total of 1191 was too good for the rest, Canada finishing points in arrears. This afternoon was a double bill: Georges II and Queens Prize II. Georges has now finished. The second stage Silver Cross was won by John Taylor of Windsor on 150.20 by the comparatively large margin of four centrals ahead of Ian Davison of Somerset also on 150. The cut for the final was 146.17 and there were no tie shoots. Queen's II again had but two 150s, and it was Jon Underwood with 23 centrals to Al Haley on 19, all done in hot and breezy conditions. Twelve were required to tie shoot for four places. A short summary of some of the results follows, but the full lists are available on the other button. St Georges Stage II (600yds) : 1. J Taylor (Windsor) 150.20; 2. I Davison (Somerset CRA) 150.16; 2. S Collings (Windsor) 149.23. Cut for final: 146.17. Queen's Prize Stage II (300, 500 & 600yds): 1. J Underwood (O Guildfordians) 150.23; 2. AC Haley (WRA) 150.19; 3. G Cotton (Horsham) 149.21. Cut for final: 145.16 (12 to tie-shoot for 4 places) Kolapore Match (300, 500 & 600yds): 1. Great Britain 1191.170 (D Luckman 150.20); 2. Canada 1179.143 (S Bissonnette 149.19) ; 3. Guernsey 1171.136 (R Waters 149.17). Updated: 21-Jul-06 (Original posting: 21-Jul-06)
Rich Pickings Thursday 20 July In the end it boiled down to this. Could Jon Underwood score 75.6 to claw his way past Rich Stewart and take his second successive Grand? The squadding details had a say, with Stewart in an early detail and Underwood in the late morning, faced by some turbulent winds. Alas for Underwood it was simply too great a demand and his third shot slipped into the inner to give Stewart his first Grand on the eve of his 25th birthday. Pat Vamplew moved up the list to finish second, Parag Patel third and David Luckman fourth. Underwood suffered and dropped to ninth. In the home National Match, England under David Friend produced a 12 point win over Scotland. A much shortened report this early morning but I may be able to update later this afternoon. Updated: 21-Jul-06 (Original posting: 21-Jul-06)
Stewart Takes Grand Lead 19 July 2006 It was a day of heat and wind, rather like the Houses of Parliament I suppose, but even as I speak there is the gentle tinkle of rain on the caravan roof. It is light rain, very light at the moment and possibly only just enough to kiss the dust on its way past. Nevertheless it is forecast and does have the effect of cooling things down from the 41C recorded on he device in the car of Mad Jack. Of course Wednesday is Queens Prize stage 1 with the usual mad scramble to guess the cut-off score before it is published. It is also the day on which those in contention for the Grand Aggregate take a final deep breath and plunge into the combination of short and long (the Conan Doyle at 900yds and Queens 1) in a prelude to the Prince of Wales on Thursday which can make and break dreams. Down on Century Q1 proceeded in the usual heat, made almost acceptable by a fickle breeze from over the right shoulder, moving as the day progressed to the left shoulder, and back and forth: an interesting challenge to alertness and judgement. (The rain seems to a little more persistent now: hopefully it will be gone by morning). In fact Q1 was not that straight-forward. Shots were lost through the ranges from heat, light, general exhaustion and the wind. Estimates of a cut of 103 were quickly revised downwards towards 101. At the end of a long, hot and dusty day Jon Underwood (O Guildfordians) emerged with 105.16 ahead of Bert Bowden of Australia and Tom Hunter of London University on 105.14, to win the Bronze Medal and Badge. And the cut was 101.11 Up on Stickledown, in the Conan Doyle, 50s abounded down to 77th place. There is a five way tie to be shot, and all the details are on the website. A galaxy of aggregates reach fruition now, and I cannot possibly list them all here. But one is of immediate interest, the Grand. Last night Parag Patel had a one point lead. Today Parag dropped two points in each of Q1 and the Conan Doyle, letting Rich Stewart leapfrog past by virtue of dropping just one point, with Jon Underwood producing a maximum effort to go clean on the day, just one point behind but with three more centrals. Pat Vamplew of Canada is third twelve centrals behind Underwood, and Patel fourth a further point adrift but ahead of Kip Morton David Calvert of RAFTRC and John Warburton of Huddersfielsd on centrals. By my reckoning Stewart has to go clean in the 15 round Prince of Wales at 600yds to be sure of victory. Otherwise if Underwood can make up the point and maintain his centrals advantage the title is his. A funny old sport. I leave you with an offering from T Rex. A reputable young international shot has scored 47.6 ex 50 in the Conan Doyle. Only one shot was out of the bullseye. You guessed it: a magpie shot out of turn. Nice one son. The details are available at another click of the mouse. It seems to have stopped raining: a pitiful attempt to fill the reservoirs. Updated: 20-Jul-06 (Original posting: 20-Jul-06)
A St Georges Tie As Well As Surrey Do the Double Tuesday 18 July Another very hot day, warming up quickly from 7am onwards, and the prospect of 15 rounds to count at 300 yards in the first stage of the St Georges. Overhead the skies were blue, with the occasional burbling of flying egg-whisks or the rumbling of the machines of war from nearby Farnborough. From the right came the gentle but persistently varying breeze. There was enough of said breeze to catch the unwary even at 300 yards. In fact it changed very quickly, normally when you were in the aim on that final piece of concentration known as trigger squeeze. And when you looked up through the spotting scope all you could say was oops. But of course nothing stops that Surrey surgeon Parag Patel who slotted 75.14 much to the chagrin of those who were confidently set on 75.13. Only Mike Wong-Shui of the Canadian team was equal to the challenge and he and Parag will live to fight another day. Onwards to County Short Range where the Surrey VIII again showed the opposition a clean pair of heels. At Long, with a change of coach and Matt Ensor in the chair, their team of six did it again with a 591 ex 600 over 900 and 1000 yards for a team of six. You cannot argue with that. Pat Vamplew won the tie shoot for the Daily Mail beating Nigel Cole-Hawkins, and Jonathan Holmes reversed the Canada/GB position in beating a determined Audrey Gagne of Quebec who faced up to the challenge of discarding a 5 sighter in favour of going for centrals. Grand Aggregate (after 8 of 11 events) 1. P Patel 470.67; 2 C Morton 469.59; 3. R Stewart (OGRE) 469.59; 4. P Vamplew (Canada) 469.56. Times Challenge Cup: 1 J Holmes (City of Newcastle) 25.5; A Gagne (Canada) 25.2. Daily Mail Challenge Cup: 1. P Vamplew (Canada) 25.4; N Cole-Hawkins (NLRC) 24.2. Updated: 19-Jul-06 (Original posting: 18-Jul-06)
A Lady and a Barrister Monday July 17 Today we have the Times at 300yds, the Wimbledon at 600yds, the Corporation at 1000yds, and the Farnborough Air Show at 2000 feet or so. It promises to be a noisy addition with several strange looking bits of equipment passing over to keep all the RAFTRC competitors, and all us little boys, happy. The last time this happened a few years ago was the time that the USAF B52 flew all the way from the USA, passed over Bisley, turned right instead of left at the celestial traffic lights, gave a low pass over Blackbush airfield car boot sale and went home. This was, of course, all in the interests of the GB/US fraternal relationship. The day has dawned bright and sunny again. No wind at 6am which means it was going to get even hotter than Sunday. The latest fashion accessory on the ranges has to be the personal plastic bottle of water without which shooters look a touch dowdy and thirsty. First the Times for which as has become usual we had the Times photographer to escort. He produced a very interesting shot of the targets reflected in the shades worn by Parag Patel, acting as range officer. The 1152 competitors faced sweltering heat and a gentle but mischievious breeze. A firm hold and quick shooting, before the aim picture dissolved in the heat haze and sweat stung the eyeballs, was essential. The subtle changes in the breeze were just enough to take shots out of the central ring or even out of the bullseye and into the inner for a four for the unwary. However with the exceptional Royal Ordnance ammunition this year it is not surprising that no less than 145 competitors made maximum scores of 50. Jonathan Holmes of the City of Newcastle Rifle Club, a barrister, and Audrey Gagne who is a student at Quebec University, will shoot five more shots, shoulder to shoulder, to break the tie. The Wimbledon (600yds), when I went to shoot at 1445, recorded a temperature of 34 degrees on the thingy in the binnacle on the dashboard of the car. It is the display between the thing that tells you if the tank has fallen over and the one which gives a variety of graphs, none of which is comprehensible. It was hot and bad temper inducing. Tom Rylands of Manchester RC showed the rest a clean pair of heels, taking victory by the massive margin of 2 centrals with a perfect 50.10. And so, dearly beloved, to the Corporation. As usual wind conditions ebbed and flowed with each detail. Nasty people told you that it (whatever it may be) was there for the taking. Honest people lamented their shortcomings. H Sanders (Northants) and C Sherrat (Club 25) are tied on 50.9. I am sorry, I do not know their first names and anyone sensible has gone to bed. So that is second Monday, and all the lists should be available for you to trawl. Tomorrow there is the St Georges I and the first of the team competitions. Good night. Updated: 18-Jul-06 (Original posting: 18-Jul-06)
Canada, You Got a Share of Mail A postscript to yesterday evening. Pat Vamplew of Canada and Nigel Cole-Hawkins of North London RC will tie shoot for the Daily Mail Challenge Cup in which there were 38 maximum 75s. The Duke of Cambridge at 900 yards resulted in a three way tie between Rich Stewart of OGRE, Toby Raincock of O Epsomians and Kip Morton of RAFTRC. Raincock leads the Grand on two off. Full lists on the other link. Updated: 17-Jul-06 (Original posting: 17-Jul-06)
128 Go Clean in Alex Sunday 16 July The heading is not a reference to some sort of hygiene test for shooters, but the remarkable scoring in the Alexandra this morning. At 8am or so the signs were that it might be far from simple, with a stiff looking breeze from over the right shoulder doing the sort of angling and swerving tricks that you would expect from winds that approach from behind. And then there was the heat. At this point it must be said that we were warned (and I said so last night) that even warmer weather was forecast. They got it right. A learned Canadian with a moustache informed me that it was 38C at home. How did he know? He had phoned mom and she told him. He also told me that he, or someone, had measured the temperature in the middle of Century range and it topped out at 35C. Rather a lot of us are prepared to believe him. Back to the Alex: early details avoided the worst of the heat. The proportion of possibles to entries was just over 10%, just below the sort of ratio that was found in the Times (300yds) a couple or so years ago. Anyway, all that means is that the ammunition is reaching the spots it should reach (I have heard no whines at all) and there are eight souls with 50.9 who will tie shoot in due course. The Daily Mail seems to be just about finished as I tap this in with the last detail banging away on the heath. Having wilted in the 2pm detail I would not be surprised if the scores are not quite comparable with the Alex, not the least because it is 15 rounds but mainly because it was a) hotter and b) laced with an evil breeze. No doubt I shall be proven wrong. Again, earlier details of the Duke of Cambridge probably had an easier ride on the airs and a cooler reception. That match, too, had its horror stories and tales of hopes decimated. Such lines as ???..cracking elevation but shots spread like a string of washing??. , abound. You will find the lists in the usual places on the website, in a couple of hours or so. Tomorrow brings the Corporation (1000yds) and at the other extreme the Times (300yds) with the Wimbledon (600yds) in the middle. If I find anything else later I may be able to add a postscript. T Rex is still rummaging around the garbage cans, but the school of 2006 is a wary school. His reputation precedes him except that oil in the bedding seems to be a hot topic, as he/she reports. It is said that young shooter X was having trouble with his groups, all of which were like that famous centreless mint. A more experienced fellow opened up the rifle and found lots of cleaning fluid in the bedding. X had a friend Y, with an identical problem. The more experienced fellow performed the same operation under local anaesthetic. Y was asked where he had got the gun: you guessed it, from X. Moral: never take the bedding habits of your friends for granted. Toodle pip. Updated: 16-Jul-06 (Original posting: 16-Jul-06)
Grand Starts with Tuck Success Saturday 15 July It has been a cloudless day, bright summer sun, hot and windy. They, the weather folk, promise us more of the same tomorrow, even hotter. I seem to remember that this pattern was with us last year but that at some point we had a little rain. Now that is tempting fate. The wind was stiff and variable, both in direction and strength, roughly from 3 or 4 oclock in the morning swinging finer over the right shoulder as the day wore on. Whatever: horror stories abounded over on Stickledown Hill liberally sprinkled with tales from those annoying people who manage to weld their sight at 7 right and just put one or two underneath of their own accord. . It was partly a day for the relatively unknown to upset the grandees of experience. Starting at the shortest distance Mr AP Smith of Club 25 headed the allstars home in the Donegall, but he had Jim Paton of Canada tied with him on 50.9. They will tie shoot in the evening gloom in the not too distant future. . In the opening event of the Grand Aggregate, The Daily Telegraph, it was Jeremy Tuck of the Royal Navy TRC who snatched the challenge cup with a score of 75.13 just ahead of a group on 75.12 including Paul Kent and Ant Ringer. Tuck, 47, a project manager with BAe Systems, was in hospital 8 weeks ago having a troublesome disc seen to, and had not been certain of shooting the Meeting. Some recovery. . Over the hill the Lovell was won by City of Newcastle favourite son, Keith Pugh, with the only maximum 50, with 4 centrals. Aggregates abound in our sport: Saturday went to bearded wiz Bill Richards of Gunroom Lizards, in between bouts of statistical repair work without which you would not get all your results posted faster than I can type this ramble. The Tucker Agg went to Kentish farmer Peter Bromley of Old Sedberghians. There are probably more aggs to come, but as this is being entered after the NRA/BCRC reception and the midges are biting I decline to venture further. TRex has just thrown in an odd pennyworth. He/she took great offence at being cited in my intro last week as one who rummages among the garbage cans for scuttlebutt. However, to prove my point he/she then unburdened itself of the following gem. A shooter from the first detail of the Lovell was seen in a degree of minor stress to be hunting for something across Stickledown range 3. He approached a young lady competitor at the start of the second detail and asked to borrow her shooting mat for a second, onto which he then tipped the contents of the spent rounds sack at the range officer table. He then threw himself into the glittering pile sieving the cases though his hands until, with a cry of delight, he held aloft an object. It was his car keys. Enough excitement for one night: the grisly detail of places and scores can be found elsewhere on the website. Updated: 15-Jul-06 (Original posting: 15-Jul-06)
Results for Historic Arms Meeting The Results for the Historic Arms Meeting are now available by clicking on the links below: Full Results Updated: 15-Jul-06 (Original posting: 15-Jul-06)
Britain Takes Woomera Match Friday 14 July Another very warm day, with blue skies, bright sun and, had there not been such a brisk wind from the right, top temperatures. What this all meant was that when the wind blew the dust rose from the roads and verges to blanket anything that was rash enough to stand around. Left over from yesterday's Match Rifle events was the Woomera Match result, which was a clear win for GB over Australia by 40 points. Moving on, this Friday is a bit of a mixed bag. We started with the Opening Shot team match which saw Surrey in the ascendancy over an Army team with the county of London third. The competition for county rifle clubs, the Astor Trophy, was won by the Old Greshams Rifle Establishment, or OGRE to the understanding. The remainder of the day has been taken up by the Century match, shot curiously, but logically, in the order 600 and 500 yards to fit with range rigging requirements. Over on Stickledown Hill the Admiral Hutton has been going on at 900yds. Unfortunately I do not have the final lists as yet, but they should appear on the website soon. A brief selection of the top rungs of the latest ladders follows. Check the main lists for other details. Match Rifle Elcho Shield Intn'l Match 1. Scotland 1695.144 (G Blakeney 218.19); 2. Ireland 1684.148 (G Alexander 218.26); 3. England 1679.148 (J Peck 215.23); 4. Wales 1630.102 (E Hobbs 212.17). Woomera Trophy 1. Great Britain 1762.220 (G Barnard 223.29); 2. Australia 1722.166 (A Abbott 218.27). Humphry 1. Cambridge Univ 827.59; 2. Oford Univ 823.60. RG Aggregate 1. J Langley (LMRA) 387.27; 2. B Taylor (ATRC) 380.29; 3. J Watson (UVRC) 379.23. Target Rifle Opening Shot 1. Surrey 585.57 (D Crispin 148.15); 2. ATRC 580.56 (D Hossack 148.21); 3. London 577.62 (M Walton 147.14). Astor Tankard 1. OGRE 612.64; 2. Manydown 612.20; 3. Jersey 611.65. Updated: 15-Jul-06 (Original posting: 15-Jul-06)
Epsom Ashburton Record Report 13 July Ashburton day and Veterans Match to boot. This requires an early posting because Veterns are, by genes, notoriously erratic in keeping to any timing that allows full results before the host of dinners for past pupils. Getting any sense after those dinners is simply impossible, and I am off to one of them (the real reason for an early posting). The Ashburton proved to be a tense affair. Epsom led the scrum at 300 yards with an excellent 265, followed by The Oratory (Reading way) with 263 and Marlborough on 258. Marlborough then shot an excellent 263 at 600 yards as the wind started to rise, pulling back two points. At 500 yards (shot in that order to accommodate the Veterans later on) Marlborough dropped points in the wind as Epsom pulled clear only just holding off Oratory at the final reckoning by one central bullseye. The Epsom score of 788.59 is a new record by 28 points in the second year of the revised course of fire over three distances. Epsom also took the Cadet Fours ahead of Oratory and Kings, Chester but the Cadet Pairs went to Dollar. For the record the 18 strong Dollar Academy shooting squad at Bisley contained no les than 11 females and 7 males. As this wings its way to the website, the King George V Cup is winding down and the Woomera trophy is in the last stage. Those results will be available with all the others elsewhere on the site in due course, and I will try to play a little catch-up with the words later on. Updated: 15-Jul-06 (Original posting: 13-Jul-06)
Scots Rekindle Elcho Flame Wednesday 12 July It has been a hot and dusty Wednesday. After the relative simplicity of catching up on what the schools have been doing in the build up to the Ashburton tomorrow, there has been the stalking of the progress of the teams in the Elcho Shield. For an Englishman this has been a sobering process in an esoteric discipline in the fullbore shooting firmament, following closely on from a visit to Sainsburys to stock up te larder for the next few days. The Scots led by 5 points after 1000 yards then England led by 5 points at 1100 yards. The Irish did their best to repeat their 2005 win by winning both the 1100 yards and 1200 yards distances, but the Scots had other ideas. With Guy Blakeney top scoring and a pair of redoubtable anchormen in Mike Baillie-Hamilton and Will Meldrum they took the prize away and played with it by themselves, so to speak. It was an emphatic and well contrived victory. Ireland were second and England third for the first ever occasion, as some wag observed, collecting the bronze shields to make up a complete set. How unkind some people can be. Looking at it objectively it has to be said that it can only be good for competition and the sport. What will be the balance of the British Woomera Trophy team tomorrow? Elsewhere the British Cadets will take a slender five point lead with them to Canada in August when the second and deciding stage of the Rex Goddard is ought out. It is good to see Ampleforth doing well in the team matches. Tomorrow is the Ashburton and the Veterans. We shall see what the new dawn brings. RESULTS Match Rifle Elcho Shield Intn'l Match 1. Scotland 1695.144 (G Blakeney 218.19); 2. Ireland 1684.148 (G Alexander 218.26); 3. England 1679.148 (J Peck 215.23); 4. Wales 1630.102 (E Hobbs 212.17). RG Aggregate 1. J Langley (LMRA) 387.27; 2. B Taylor (ATRC) 380.29; 3. J Watson (UVRC) 379.23. Schools Rex Goddard (Stage 1) 1. British Cadets 769.61; 2. Royal Canadian Army Cadets 764.40. Marling Cup 1= Ampleforth College and The Oratory School 255; 3 Sutton Valence 250. Snapshooting 1. Ampleforth 200; 2. Campbell College 187; 3. Sedbergh A 181. Cadet Monday Aggregate 1. S Mortimer (Exeter) 104.10; 2. T Wharram (Epsom) 103.13; 3. C Ridley (Marlborough) 103.12. Financial Times 1. K Buffon (Sedbergh) 42; 2. J de M Lantwyck (Ampleforth) 40; 3. N Thompson (Campbell) 38. Marlborough Cup 1. P McCurley (Campbell) 45; 2. P Inwood (Oratory) 44; 3. C Pocock (St Johns) 43. Updated: 14-Jul-06 (Original posting: 12-Jul-06)
Baillie-Hamilton Wins Hopton Mike Baillie-Hamilton of the West Atholl Club in Scotland held his nerve over one of the most testing courses of fire in the Match Rifle calendar to win the Hopton Aggregate and championship title today. Lying in second place to clubmate Will Meldrum by just four central bullseyes over night, the idea of firing 15 shots at each of 1000, 1100 and 1200 yards without the benefit of any sighting shots in the final Albert match did not phase him. Baillie-Hamilton took a double victory in some style in the fickle winds, winning the Albert by three clear points from David Calvert and out-shooting the opposition in the Hopton by a margin of 6. Meldrum, relegated to second place after a plucky display throughout the week, could only watch as his rival pulled clear with an emphatic display at the longest distances shot in the UK. Baillie-Hamilton also took the 1200 yards aggregate and the Victoria Aggregate on his way to a well-deserved title. Third place in the Hopton went to ten times winner Stuart Collings, a further five points back in the lists. A brief summary tonight. I step onto the holy ground tomorrow. Hopton Aggregate: 1. M Baillie-Hamilton 987.105: 2. W Meldrum (West Atholl) 981.104; 3. S Collings 976.96. Albert (1000,1100 & 1200yds: 1. Baillie-Hamilton 216.25; 2. D Calvert (RAFTRC) 213.18; 3. G Blakeney (NLRC) 212.12. Victoria Aggregate: 1. Baillie-Hamilton 409.47; 2. Meldrum 404.39; 3. Calvert 403.38. 1200 Yards Aggregate: 1. Baillie -Hamilton 326.26; 2. Meldrum 319.25; 3. Calvert 318.24. Updated: 11-Jul-06 (Original posting: 11-Jul-06)
Will Power Strikes Monday 10 July Where were we? Baillie Hamilton and Collings were neck and neck last night, parted by count-back. Today they were taken to the Edge by Meldrum who has been there or thereabouts throughout this saga. Stuart C is chasing his eleventh Hopton in (I think) 17 attempts: no doubt some aficionado will correct me if I am wrong. All looked good at 1100 but he suffered a degree of slippage at 1200. BH hung on in there but Will Meldrum carried on with his utterly consistent shooting to surprise them both, and possibly himself (no never) to finish the day with an advantage of just four centrals over BH with Collings three points adrift. None of which should detract from Jim McAllister?s effort to win the Edge by a clear point from George Barnard of Northampton with Bill Wright of Wingham RC, one of the Australian visitors, third one central behind. Think on it chaps, no sighters and fifteen at all three distances to come to decide the 2006 pecking order from Albert to Hopton. A lot can change over a day??. Edge (1100 & 1200yds) 1. J McAllister (NRCScotland) 195.16; 2. G Barnard (Northants) 194.22; 3. W Wright (Australia) 194.21. Hopton Aggregate (after 6 of 7 matches) 1. Meldrum 771.84; 2. Baillie-Hamilton 771.80; 3. Collings 768.81. Full details in the lists published elsewhere on the website. Updated: 10-Jul-06 (Original posting: 10-Jul-06)
Match Rifle Begins Sunday 9 July So what happened to the 30C weather of a week ago, in which the sweating military were doing their run-downs? It has gone, to be replaced with brisk winds yesterday and a fine misting rain blowing over the left shoulder on Stickledown Hill this morning (Sunday). Quite a number of prominent Target Rifle shots were sitting in their cars behind the 1000 yard point this morning, wondering, in the words of one of them, precisely what they were doing and whether the enjoyment of using issue RG at 1100 and beyond would actually teach them anything about their capacities at shorter distances. I used to think that such thoughts were a product of age's advance over enthusiasm - clearly not. I have been looking at the overseas list. Some 21 countries are represented with a welcome Match Rifle group from Australia that includes some TR exponents as well. The Canadians are here in strength as ever, led by the evergreen Scott Murray. There is a strong body from our fellow members of the European Community member states, many friends from across the Western Oceans and of course from the Eastern lands. I shall not mention them all. But they are all very welcome to the annual Meeting. But back to the summary. I shall start with the first of the Hopton shoots the Whitehead at 1000 and 1100 yards. It was a tricky wind according to the winner, promptly qualified by another shooter who said that it appeared to be moving fast but in fact was remarkably steady. There was no doubt that those at the bottom of the hill led a more sheltered life. Five scores of 148 were tied, the final order on central bullseyes lifting John Knight to the top of the list by one central from Mike Baillie Hamilton and Will Meldrum, each also split by the same minute margin. The Halford (1100 & 1200 yds) saw a clutch of 142s resulting in another set of single central separations. Ed Hobbs led Alex Cargill Thompson and (wait for it) Stuart Collings. Baillie-Hamilton took the Saturday Aggregate. Sunday morning, back to 1000 and the Cottesloe with Gary Alexander (Dungannon) and George Blakeney (NLRC) producing the first maximum 100s of the matches. Alexander's 15 centrals seemed like a monster margin to Blakeney's ten. In keeping with the fact that it was men's finals day the Wimbledon produced a straight set victory for Stuart Collings ahead of B-H by a clear point, with a maximum 100 at 1100 yards. After these four events the Hopton has B-H and Collings level pegging, each with 485.53, B-H ahead on count back. Meldrum lies third. As I end this first report the Armourers (1200 yds) is in progress. Hopefully I will be able to pick up the threads later and add a postscript from home. But before I do, a little gem from the firing point. It seems that one shooter suddenly found himself with a magpie at 3 o'clock, something that he had cause to doubt because he had been well in the centre throughout. He invested a small sum by way of a challenge and eventually message 14 - look for another shot-hole. He was right: up came a hit at 8 o'clock. He opted for the bird. A little later: I am back: the final results of the day seem to suggest that there are three in it: Mike Baillie Hamilton, Will Meldrum and Stuart Collings, at this stage with five events gone. But anything can happen, in a sport that has a savage ability to dump you at the last bend. Armourers (1200yds) 1. W Meldrum (West Atholl) 95.9; 2. D Dashwood (Harrovians) 93.5; 3. M Baillie-Hamilton (West Athol Updated: 10-Jul-06 (Original posting: 09-Jul-06)
Wake Up Call Wednesday 5 July 2006 It hardly seems like 12 months since the trials and tribulations of the 2005 Bisley Meeting, but here we are again with an early sighting (or should it be blow off) shot in anticipation of the coming fortnight. The Services Skill at Arms meetings have been concluded but the NRA Services meeting is on-going. Other eyes are fastened on Match Rifle which looms from Friday. Come to think of it, can you loom from the supine position? Will the Windsor vet Nick Tremlett manage to hold onto his Hopton title for a second year, or will the osteopathic hands of Stuart Collings snatch it from him for yet another win? Or will it be someone else? We shall see in due course. As to Target Rifle, the main question at this stage must be the old chestnut - how good will the ammunition be? Last year was a vast improvement from the previous low point and the results of this year's British Commonwealth Rifle Club Championships tend to show that the improvement has been maintained. If that is so, then all we have to do is to charm the Gods of the weather and all will be well for some high scoring. Predictions? Someone young and thrusting for the Grand this year, to demonstrate that youth can be consistent and out-fumble the established brigade. The Queen's: someone unexpected, perhaps at the older end of the scale. All of which is likely to turn out to be palpable nonsense, but then this can be a sport of surprises. On the media front we are trying something new, and with a local angle. Thanks to Bruce Parker (ex BBC South Today and radio) we will be trying to connect winners or those with success stories with their local radio stations. I will be trying the same with local newspapers. There will be a note in your Meeting envelope with your squadding cards. My old friend T Rex will be sniffing amongst the garbage cans for the odd morsel and always welcomes contributions. I look forward to what he or she produces. In between all this I hope that I may get to fire a shot or two. At least the dreaded footie will be over by this coming Sunday. Finally, greetings to my loyal readers (I know there are two of them) in Canada and New Zealand. The next few bulletins are likely to be a tad unreliable in their timing so do not expect something every day until the middle of next week. Updated: 08-Jul-06 (Original posting: 05-Jul-06)
Inter-Counties Results Results from the Inter-Counties weekend held at Bisley on 17 and 18 June 2006 can be downloaded below. The R Jarvis The Lt Col H Jones Long Range Match Team Aggregate Short Range Match The Chief Constable of Surrey pictured with overall winners Surrey. Sussex won the Long Range Match. A report on the Derbyshire team's success in the match with lots of photographs of the weekend can be downloaded below. Derbyshire report Updated: 26-Jun-06 (Original posting: 18-Jun-06)
NRA Service Rifle Results - 10 Jun 06 The results from the above event can be found by clicking on the website link below. http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk/stats/20060610.html Updated: 13-Jun-06 (Original posting: 13-Jun-06)
Results from Scottish Championships A slightly condensed Scottish Open Championship resulted in some familiar faces at the top of the prize lists. Despite the traditional three day event being cut to two days due to Army commitments, the Championships still attracted a full field of 108 competitors. Mike Barlow successfully defended last years win in the Scottish Championship by a V bull from Iain Robertson in second place. Iain Robertson successfully defended last years win in the Caledonian Shield by two V bulls from Mike Barlow in second place. Iain Robertson won the Grand Aggregate for the fourth time in five years by one point from Mike Barlow in second place. Robertson won the Saturday Aggregate and the Presidents; Barlow won the Sunday Aggregate, the Association Gold Medal and the Faculty. However there were some prizes left for others: Bill Flentje won the Stock Exchange, David Hossack won the Bannockburn and Mick Silver rather aptly won the Association Silver Medal. In the team matches Scotland won the Lawrence Match (shot concurrently with the Bannockburn and Presidents). Full results will be available in due course but a summary follows: Stock Exchange 1 Bill Flentje 75.12 2 Jeremy Thompson 75.10 3 Iain Brechin 74.13 Association Medals Gold Mike Barlow 149.21 Silver Mick Silver 146.19 Bannockburn 1 David Hossack 75.9 2 Ian Shaw 75.7 3 Steve East 74.10 Presidents 1 Iain Robertson 75.9 2 Ron Scaglione 75.8 3 Mike Barlow 74.10 Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow 1 Mike Barlow 75.10 2 Dorothy Hume 75.9 3 Iain Robertson 74.9 Caledonian Shield 1 Iain Robertson 294.40 2 Mike Barlow 294.38 3 Iain Brechin 292.41 Grand Aggregate 1 Iain Robertson 369.49 2 Mike Barlow 368.48 3 Alistair Speirs 367.40 Scottish Championships 1 Mike Barlow 148.19 2 Iain Robertson 148.18 3 Alistair Speirs 148.15 Schools Grand Aggregate 1 Iain McCallum 358.32 2 Natalie Sarafilovic 358.31 3 Alanna Lean 350.34 Under 25 1 Samantha Adamson 359.31 2 Iain McCallum 358.32 3 Natalie Sarafilovic 358.31 Veterans 1 Les Wicker 216.20 2 David Hossack 215.22 3 Mike Barton 214.20 Lawrence Match 1 Scotland 1730.155 2 England 1708.155 Full results of all competitions are available by clicking here. Download message to competitors Updated: 08-Aug-06 (Original posting: 11-Jun-06)
Phoenix Results Available The Results for the Phoenix meeting are now available by clicking on the links below: Full Results Prize List Updated: 05-Jun-06 (Original posting: 04-Jun-06)
English XX Meeting Results Available David Luckman won the English XX Spring Meeting. Full results are available from the link below. Full Results Updated: 04-Jun-06 (Original posting: 04-Jun-06)
ATSC (TR) Open Meeting Results The results for the Army Target Shooting Club (TR) Open Meeting Results 2006 are now available by clicking on the link below. Click here to download. Updated: 02-May-06 (Original posting: 02-May-06)
Purples Match 2006 Results The results for the Purples Match 2006 are available for download below. The competition was won by the County of London team. Surrey Blue were second ahead of the London under 25 team in third position. Click here to download full results.. Updated: 30-Apr-06 (Original posting: 30-Apr-06)
Norfolk Open Results Richard Stewart is rather pleased with his new 7.62mm target rifle after winning the Norfolk Open meeting at the first time of using it. Despite clashing with the Purples Match at Bisley, a healthy field turned out at Thetford range with half being Great Britain shots. England's Commonwealth gold medal winning duo from Melbourne of Glyn Barnett and his team-mate Parag Patel also took part and presented the prizes. The drizzle which threatened to mar the day dried up as the contestants settled on the firing point, though the skies remained overcast throughout. A near flat calm produced very high quality shooting, though there were gentle gusts in the wind with just enough force to push the unwary out of the bullseye. Peter Holden lead the way in X Class at 300 yards, his 50 with 8 V bulls giving him victory by 1 V. Stewart came second with 50.7, though it took a nine shot count-back to edge Tim Clark's identical score into third. Standards were just as high in O class, where Chris Behn won with a 50.7. James Bennett was 2 V bulls behind with 50.5, while a 49.6 by Bill Flentje was enough for third. Back at 500 yards Flentje eclipsed everybody with a perfect 50.10, seeing off Doug Keeble into second with 50.6, while a 49.6 from Alastair Bullen put him in the bronze medal position. The X class men were not far behind: Jon Underwood almost emulated Flentje's feat but just dropped his last shot from the V bull into the 5 for a 50.9. Stewart was again involved in a count-back; however the 50.8 by Peter Barry had a 6 V bull finish shunting Stewart into third. Jeremy Hinde came top of X Class at 600 yards with a 50.6 finishing with a V bull, beating Barry by a whisker who had the same score but finished on a 5. Barnett clawed his way into third by dint of 50.5 with a two-V finish. In O Class, Behn also got a 50.9 letting the last slip, with Flentje just behind on 50.6 and Bennett on 50.3. Flentje's O class-winning score of 149.22 was exactly the same as that with which Stewart took X Class. The man from Macclesfield saw off Behn into second with 148.21 while Bennett was in the bronze position on 148.13. Stewart only just held off Holden's 149.22, while Underwood's 148.24 put him third. Other results Club teams of 4: Commonwealth Club 589.73 ex 600 English XX Bronze Jewel: Richard Stewart 149.22 Updated: 27-Apr-06 (Original posting: 26-Apr-06)
SAW 2006 Results The results for the Spring into action weekend from March are now available by clicking on the respective links below. They are published in a pdf format so you will need adobe acrobat to read them. You can download this by clicking on the link top right. Results Prize List Updated: 03-Apr-06 (Original posting: 03-Apr-06)
Winter Gallery Rifle Weekend Results The results for the Winter Gallery Rifle Action weekend held at Bisley on 29th-30th October, are now available for viewing in pdf format. Click here for the full results Click here for the Prize list Click here for photos from the weeekend. Updated: 05-Nov-05 (Original posting: 31-Oct-05)
Ages Match 2005 Results The Ages Match was shot over the weekend 29th/30th October. The results are now available for download, there are also a collection of photos from the fireworks and the fancy dress party. Click here for the results. Click here to view the photos. Updated: 31-Oct-05 (Original posting: 31-Oct-05)
Midlands Meeting Results The Midlands meeting was shot on Sunday 9th October. Henry Sanders won the individual with a 150.22, 3 points ahead of 2nd place. Tara Young won the ladies competition and Ken Rathbone won the F class event with a 150.24. Full results can be downloaded by clicking here. Updated: 11-Oct-05 (Original posting: 11-Oct-05)
London and Middlesex Open Results The results from the London and Middlesex Open meeting held over the weekend of 24th / 25th September are now available. Click on the link below to download. LMRA Full results Updated: 26-Sep-05 (Original posting: 26-Sep-05)
Results of General Council Elections 2005 The results of the 2005 General Council Elections are available and can be downloaded by clicking here. Updated: 26-Sep-05 (Original posting: 26-Sep-05)
Yorkshire Autumn Open Meeting Results Yorkshire Autumn Open Meeting, held at Strensall on 11th September. Centenary Bowl 2&10 @ 400/600yds John Stevens Leeds Service RC 100.16 Gleadow Cup 2&10 @ 500yds Simon Dench Huddersfield RC 50.9 (tie 25.4) Autumn Aggregate Trophy John Stevens 150.25 Yorkshire Championship Trophy (Aggregate of Spring and Autumn Open) x.295 John Stevens 292.42 Yorkshire Post Cup (club teams of four) Leeds Service RC 'A' 585.83 Veteran's Tankard Viv Robertshaw Leeds Service RC 278.22 Full results can be found at http://www.yorkshire-ra.org.uk Updated: 19-Sep-05 (Original posting: 19-Sep-05)
Lancaster Open Results The results for the County of Lancaster are now available. David Young was the winner of the TR Class Open and Dennis Groom won the F Class Championship.Their pictures are below (Dennis on the right).     Click here for the full listings. Click here for the summary. Updated: 13-Sep-05 (Original posting: 13-Sep-05)
Easter Meeting Results The results for this year's Easter Meeting are available. You can download the various competition results by clicking on the links below: Competition 1 300 yards 2&15 Competition 2 900 yards 2&15 Competition 3 Queens I Competition 4 Queens II Competition 5 900 yards 2&15 Competition 6 1000 yards 2&15 Competition 7 Short range Aggregate Competition 8 Long Range Aggregate Competition 9 The Grand Aggregate Updated: 22-Sep-05 (Original posting: 12-Sep-05)
Gallery Rifle (Bianchi) Weekend Results Apologies for the delay but the initial results contained an error that has now been corrected. Click here to download the full set. Updated: 05-Sep-05 (Original posting: 05-Sep-05)
Welsh Open Meeting Results The Welsh Open was shot over the August bank-holiday weekend. You can download the results from the events below. Match Rifle results on Monday were as follows: 1st D Calvert 218 31vs 2nd J Knight 218 28vs 3rd G Barnard 216 28vs Any Rifle: R Greenwood 216 30vs TR: C White 202 25vs Grand Agg Grays Agg International Team Orpen Smellie RS Hassell Stockwood Speck Welsh Closed Welsh open Welsh Junior WF Ball W Whitaker Updated: 31-Aug-05 (Original posting: 31-Aug-05)
Scottish Team - Canadian tour results Catch up on the latest news from the touring team in British Columbia. The team is now on a break until the DCRA Matches in Ottawa. Their website contains results, pictures and a diary. Click here to visit their website for more information. Updated: 11-Aug-05 (Original posting: 11-Aug-05)
English XX Meeting Results Available The results from the English XX Meeting are available for download from here. Please note that this file is 1MB so may take some time (and 40+ pages long). Click here to download. Updated: 28-Jun-05 (Original posting: 28-Jun-05)
Scottish Open - Final Results Another day of beautiful weather with the temperature well into the twenties. The morning consisted of three details of the Faculty at 900 yards won by Tim Clarke of the Central Bankers Rifle Club, counting out Mike Barlow also with 75.13. Shot concurrently with this was the second stage of the Open Championship. The finalists of hte Open were all squadded on the second detail of the City of Glasgow at 1000 yards. In relatively testing conditions, there was only one score of 75 - from Alistair Speirs who scored 75.11. The Scottish Open is the combination of the 900 and 1000 yard shoots. Mike Barlow finished one V-bull ahead of last year's winner, James Watson. This shoot also finished up the Grand Aggregate which was won by Keith Pugh of Newcastle Rifle Club, one point ahead of James Watson of Uppingham Veterans and a further point from Ian Shaw of Scotland. Other scores are shown below: Click here to download the full results Results Scottish Open Championship 1st M Barlow 148.21 2nd J Watson 148.20 3rd D Gass 148.19 4th T Kidner 148.18 Grand Aggregate 1st K Pugh 518.71 2nd J Watson 517.60 3rd I Shaw 516.73 4th T Kidner 515.68 Special XX Medal (Association Medals, Faculty, City of Glasgow) 1st T Kidner 298.41 2nd K Pugh 298.38 3rd I Shaw 297.45 4th J Watson 297.39 Sunday & Monday Aggregate 1st K Pugh 295.38 2nd J Watson 295.34 3rd I Robertson 295.33 4th M Black 294.36 Faculty 1st T Clarke 75.13 2nd M Barlow 75.13 3rd W Sharman 75.12 4th D Gass 75.10 City of Glasgow 1st A Speirs 75.11 2nd I Shaw 74.11 3rd M Peebles 74.11 4th L Peden 74.10 Caledonian Shield 1st I Robertson Updated: 04-Jul-05 (Original posting: 27-Jun-05)
Inter-Counties Meeting Results The full results are now available for the Inter-Counties Weekend. Jon Underwood won the Jarvis (the opening Individual shoot), after a tie shoot. Cheshire son the short range match on Saturday with a score of 1165.125, Hertfordshire were second a point behind (1164.118) beating Surrey into third place (1161.134). On Sunday, London won the long range event scoring 1165.126, Surrey were five points adrift on 1160.112 with Yorkshire in third place on 1134.98. Overall, Surrey therefore won the Aggregate (scoring 2321.246) seven points ahead of London (2314.245) and a further twenty points ahead of Cheshire (2294.214). Click here to download the full results. Updated: 29-Jun-05 (Original posting: 21-Jun-05)
Phoenix Meeting Results The results for the Phoenix meeting have now been compiled and are available by clicking the links included below. Results are provided by Charles Murton. Any questions should be directed to Brian Thomas. Medal winner list Full results list Updated: 06-Jun-05 (Original posting: 06-Jun-05)
Results of the Purples Match The Purple match results are now available. Surrey won from Somerset with a margin of 11 points. Jon Underwood was the top individual score on the range. Full results are available by clicking here. Updated: 29-Jun-05 (Original posting: 26-Apr-05)
Results from the Gallery Rifle Action Weekend Read the report by Brian Thomas, Match Director, and view the results of the Gallery Rifle Spring into Action weekend. Download the report by clicking here. Updated: 12-Apr-05 (Original posting: 11-Apr-05)
Results from Bendigo The results from the Victorian Rifle Association Meeting currently being held at Bendigo Ranges can be found at the Victorian Rifle Association website as below. Teams from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey and Guernsey are competing in these Championships. Results are being updated daily. http://www.vra.asn.au Updated: 29-Jun-05 (Original posting: 13-Mar-05)
MAB Barrel Failure A Message from the National Rifle Association of Australia 7th September 2004 The NRAA has received written confirmation of exhaustive tests from Spectre Ballistics Solutions P/L in regard to the failure of the MAB barrel in April 2004 and the intercepted barrel that was being recalled by MAB. The testing authorities conclusions are currently being considered by NRAA's solicitors prior to release of a statement by NRAA which is expected within the next couple of days. In the meantime, in the interests of safety, NRAA strongly advises that all stainless steel barrels manufactured by MAB should not be used under any circumstances, Thank you, Christine McShane Executive Officer, NRAA Updated: 05-Dec-04 (Original posting: 05-Dec-04)
European Long Range Individual Results Individual results from the 2004 European Long Range Championships. http://www.nsc-bisley.co.uk/common/files/results/2004/European_LR_individual.pdf Updated: 05-Dec-04 (Original posting: 10-Nov-04)
European Long Range Team Results Five teams entered, England won in testing wind conditions at Bisley. http://www.nsc-bisley.co.uk/common/files/results/2004/European_LR_team.pdf Updated: 05-Dec-04 (Original posting: 10-Nov-04)
Ages Match Results 2004 The 55-65s win the match held at Bisley. Full results are available by clicking on the link below. http://www.nsc-bisley.co.uk/common/files/results/2004/ages_match04.pdf Updated: 05-Dec-04 (Original posting: 03-Nov-04)

Search

© Copyright 2004-2009 National Rifle Association, Bisley, Brookwood, Surrey. GU24 0PB Tel: 01483 797777 Fax: 01483 797285