Summer 2012 – Volume XCI No
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NATIONAL RIFLE JOURNAL ASSOCIATION Summer 2012 – Volume XCI No. 2 £4.25 50Phoenix NEWMeeting RECORDS SET CALL TO ACTION Become an RCO Try something new Match reports ■ Target shotgun English Twenty Spring Meeting ■ ■ Historic arms West of Scotland Championships ■ ■ NRA Open Day English Eight ■ Army Target Shooting Club ■ And many more – we’ve got it covered OLYMPIC GAMES ■ DISABLED SHOOTING ■ LATEST KIT ■ RESULTS SERVICE 001 NRA Cover_Rev3.indd 1 14/6/12 11:10:21 2 www.nra.org.uk 002.indd 2 12/6/12 11:36:59 WELCOME | Chief Executive WelcomeGROWTH he last quarter has been one of shooting at a national level in government, consolidation of the changes we statutory and regulatory arenas. Thave implemented thus far, as well Second, we must recognise that our as facing the same challenges that the strategy to achieve this depends pivotally NRA and Bisley have encountered for upon making the National Shooting Centre many years. After significant upheaval capable of generating the revenues to fund in terms of staff redundancies, we our ambitions both at Bisley and nationally. sport. In this spirit, we are increasing the are settling down with new terms and A particular challenge in that regard is the number of courses we are running. conditions and new contracts. I do not standard of facilities at Bisley, neglected and On the legislation and gun control belittle the change that this has meant starved of investment for far too long. front, we continue to be vigilant as for many staff. We are in the midst of Thus far, we have refurbished the fixed government cost reductions add to the recruiting a new Head of Membership assets at Bisley only very selectively. There is existing pressures on the regulation of and Training, and also a permanent an awful lot to do. In particular, the provision firearms. Fundamentally, whilst we face Chief Executive. After considerable for caravan sites remains below what we challenges, our future remains bright. interest in this role, we are going would wish. We have substantially increased My thanks go to all those who assisted through a thorough selection process the number of cleaners on site and I hope at the May Open Day, which despite to determine our preferred candidate. this will generate noticeable improvement. poor weather early in the day turned out I hope to be able to share the results of We are gradually introducing keypad locks to be a success. All who took part were this process soon. on ablution blocks to reduce vandalism, again struck by the diversity of visitors and Internal developments aside, we and are increasing security on Camp at their enthusiasm. We build tremendous continue to struggle to meet the needs of night. We have refurbished some of the goodwill on these days; generated in large members in some areas. There are two in accommodation, and are putting significant part by the commitment and passion particular that I would highlight. First, is the investment into range refurbishment. of volunteers. We have vast potential to footprint of the NRA, to be an Association As we become more confident of promote our sport; the NRA must become worthy of the terms “National” and “Rifle”. our finances we will release further funds, worthy and capable of exploiting that. For many shooters in the UK, the NRA is but only as this becomes possible and we Change of the scale we have in essence the “Bisley Target Rifle Club”. will not risk the finances of the Association undertaken thus far and plan in the future This critique is that the NRA focuses on a along the way. My hope is that you will see involves risk and dislocation. I would not narrow slice of shooting disciplines, and significant improvements in the next few dispute for a moment that there have with a heavy bias towards Bisley. This view months, but realistically these will still leave been stumbles, but we continue to contrasts with the desire for an Association much to do. improve, and for that I have to thank the serving the needs of a popular and As we enter the 2012 shooting season, NRA staff for their perseverance during populous sport with a national coverage. there is much to look forward to. We will these changes. One aspect of change This view does not represent the truth today, add to our calendar with the Adaptive that has received mixed reviews is the new- but is recognised by the Trustees as a Championships, and we now offer the look Journal. So far we have not achieved perspective we must address. opportunity to shoot on Century at up to 200 what we are aiming for, but again, we will As we complete the internal changes yards during the NSRA’s August event, as they improve and we remain committed to a required to make the NRA fit for purpose, have reduced the requirement during their more accessible, less Bisley-centric Journal we are working on initiatives to widen the annual championships. which promotes the full range of our appeal of the NRA to shooters outside our In terms of training, we continue to disciplines, aiming to fully live up to all three traditional heartland. This is vital if we are to promote subsidised RCO and Coaching of the words in National Rifle Association. create the scale needed to fully represent courses to build the infrastructure within our Derrick Mabbott National Rifle Association 3 03 NRA MABBOTT NEWS_Rev4.indd 3 13/6/12 12:00:18 NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION Summer 2012 – Volume XCI – Number 2 Cover: Century Range Cover photo by: Wes Stanton Managing editor: Colin Fallon 23 Sub-editors: Nicola Turner, Chris Smith Graphic design: Matt Smith Ad design: Ryan Dixon 7 NEWS 16 LETTERS Advertising sales: Shirley Wylde The Olympic and Paralympic shooters More feedback on the fi rst two editions PA to the directors: Hannah Benson are announced, new reloading centres of the new-look NRA Journal, and a Operations director: James Folkard are springing up across the country, and comment on the importance of hearing Assistant publisher: Ruth Burgess Publisher : Wes Stanton we’ve got the results from the Scottish protection on and off the fi ring line Contributors: BJ Burns, Ian Davison, Tony Long Range Championship de Launay, Tim Finley, Laurie Holland, 18 GUN REVIEW Olaf Jones, Tim Kidner, Toby Lehman, 12 HISTORICS AND CLASSICS So it might not be a rifl e, but with all the Charles Perry, Keith Pugh, Nick Robbins, Rae Wills takes you through all the modding and upgrading opportunities Simon Taylor, Alan Whittle, Rae Wills organisations that govern historical and it offers, the target shotgun is a fi rearm NRA Chairman: Robin Pizer classical fi rearms, and how you can get enthusiast’s dream. Tim Finley tests one Chief executive: Derrick Mabbott involved shooting them yourself T: 01483 797777 23 PHOENIX F: 01483 797285 With its vast selection of events and W: www.nra.org.uk disciplines, the Phoenix Meeting proved The NRA Journal is published on behalf popular as ever with over 500 competitors of the National Rifl e Association by Blaze and 50 new records set. Alan Whittle Publishing Limited. reports on the results Address: Lawrence House, Morrell Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, 27 ENGLISH TWENTY CV32 5SZ. T: 01926 339808 BJ Burns has the word on who braved F: 01926 470400 the inclement weather to come out on E: [email protected] top at the English Twenty Club Spring Open Meeting © Blaze Publishing Limited, 2012 All rights reserved. The editorial matter, pictures and text may not be 30 MATCH REPORTS reproduced without permission. Views Our contributors report on the biggest expressed are not necessarily those of and best events that have taken the National Rifl e place in the last three months, Association. from the English Eight to the West of 35 Scotland Championships 4 www.nra.org.uk 04-05 Contents_Rev4.indd 4 14/6/12 17:29:10 CONTENTS | Overview 39 35 LONDON 2012 44 BLAIR ATHOLL 55 OBITUARIES With shooters sharing the same global Laurie Holland looks into the history of Words on the lives of ALwyn Hasite- stage as the likes of Usain Bolt, the the the 1,233-yard range that had a Murray and Andrew Swann Olympics and Paralympics have the royal title bestowed upon it all of 35 potential to be a great showcase for the years ago 56 RESULTS SERVICE sport, says Nick Robbins The fi nal results from target shooting 46 DISABLED SHOOTING events around the country 39 NEW ON THE SCENE Olaf Jones on what’s coming up for NRA New and notable kit on the market to members with disabilities 59 GENERAL NOTICES tempt target shooters this summer – why Offi cial notices on discipline, the not update your shooting set-up with 48 OPEN DAY Imperial Meeting and more one of these? The latest NRA Open day on 5 May might have suffered from poor weather, 60 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 42 CALL TO ACTION but it didn’t suffer from low turnout or The Marksman’s Calendar for 2012, Chief executive Derrick Mabbott on lack of enthusiasm plus provisional events for 2013 how NRA members can get involved in making the association provide the best 51 BECOME AN RCO 66 NRA TRADE MEMBERS possible service, including the Journal, Charles Perry on how and why you Full listings and contact details for the coaching and working with youngsters should get qualifi ed NRA’s trade members 48 60 National Rifl e Association 5 04-05 Contents_Rev4.indd 5 14/6/12 17:29:21 6 www.nra.org.uk 006.indd 6 12/06/2012 11:40 NEWS | Olympic tickets NEWS IN BRIEF IMPERIAL DRAW WINNERS Congratulations to Peter Hobson, Matthew Charlton and M J Lidgitt, who are the winners of the Imperial early entry draw and receive 100, 50 and 25 per cent off their entry fees respectively.