The Newsletter Of : Marple Target Sports Centre:
http://www.marplerifleandpistolclub.org.uk
Issue 4 December 2001
Well it is time to put together yet another edition of Sightings, a little bit later than it should be but I hope you will all agree that with what is going on at the moment had it been on time a lot would have been missed. We are still negotiating about the accidental annexation of a chunk of our land by the adjacent kennels. It seems that the boundary is not very well defined, Council surveyors words, not the Committee’s. A Council failing. Not one of ours. Hopefully the situation will be resolved before too long. More worrying is the ageing membership with no youngsters coming through.
Providing action is taken now the future of the Club should be assured. The Club Championship will be shot again this year but in a revised format and over a longer time scale so there should be no reason why every Member will not be able to join in. Watch the Club notice boards for further details. At the time of Sightings being published the details had not been finalised. Rod Simpson Editor.
In the previous edition of this newsletter I informed you that your Committee was looking at the possibility of constructing a 50metre outdoor range close to the indoor range and of the steps to be undertaken. I also warned about the best laid plans of mice and men etc. Well, due to land contours and safety issues, a rethink about how it was going to be done has taken place. This will now delay the start of any work.
David Stopford. Membership Secretary
Trips to Altcar Ranges:
The Management Committee have agreed the following changes to the procedure for organising trips to Altcar:
All Members attending a trip to Altcar organised by the Club shall only pay the Club’s standard Range fee (£2.). Travel costs are still as before the responsibility of the individual Members. The Range hire fee will be paid by the Club Any person wishing to take advantage of an organised trip MUST notify either David Martin or Mike Williams a week prior to the trip at the latest.
2002 Altcar Dates:
The first Sunday in the month from April-October;
7th April, 5th May, 2nd June, 7th July, 4th August, 1st September, 6th October.
All interested parties to confirm their wish to attend either in person at the range, or by telephone to the Club on 0161-427 9133 by the previous Sunday at the latest. We have had too many people saying, ‘yes I want to come’ and then not turning up on the day.
And now for something completely different!
Things that go PLINK !!! In The Night
Having shot a couple of cards at 25 yds and not doing well, I called on the assistance of another member.
It was decided that, in order to minimise disruption, we would wait until after all the other people had finished their cards etc.
Having the range to our selves meant that most aspects of my shooting could be viewed from 360 degrees.
After careful analysis it was decided that certain adjustments were needed to my rifle, however, due to the lateness of the hour I decided I would leave this until my next visit.
The range was tidied up and all lights turned off. Whilst putting my rifle etc. away a "sound" was heard from the range. My colleague had also heard it. No more was thought about it. A short while later the same sound was heard again. A silent comment passed between us. It was then heard again. This time my colleague made the comment, " that sounds just like someone shooting air gun". And it did.
What I want to know is; has someone got night sights, or is the demand for air weapons so great that they have to shoot on the graveyard shift, or is it; just something that goes PLINK in the night?
It has been brought to the attention of the "Sightings" Editor that one of our
junior members had a trip to Appleton this Summer 2001 and came away with not
one but THREE!!! Trophies. Very well done STEPHEN STRONG. There was a rumour
that his Grandfather whom accompanied Stephen had been conned into believing that it was just another practice shoot but this time shot outdoors in very attractive surroundings.
Imagine his surprise upon being told that he couldn’t keep his shot targets they were required for scoring! He still did not disgrace himself, not sure if he is speaking to Stephen yet.
Another Target Shooting Course
Mike Williams will be running another 5 part course on target shooting for both Carbine and Airgun starting in the New Year on January 16th 2002. It will be held on Wednesday nights starting at 20:00 and each session will last an hour. All members are welcome to attend.
Thanks Mike
News from the Committee Room.