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BRITISHFIELD TARGET ASSOCIATION Present
The Chair opened the meeting with a welcome to Dave Monck (Vice President). 1. Apologies Eric Wallace (SARPA), Alan Forrest (Vice President). 2. Minutes of the last meeting The Minutes of the previous meeting were considered for accuracy. Their acceptance was proposed by Barry Longbottom, seconded by John Garwood, and accepted unanimously. 3. Matters arising (d) Web site. Barry Longbottom stated that the web site is only as accurate as the information provided. The "Stop Press" page was there for urgent Regional announcements. (dii) NSRA seat. No action has been taken on this as yet but it will be followed up. (e) BFTA Handbook. Beryl Noon reported that this is almost ready but is on hold while some clubs change. This is the Regional version with clubs, contacts, Constitution but probably not the Rules. Barry Longbottom said he could write a draft with the "Contents" and then others could put a professional finish on it. Dave Mills said he was hoping to have the MFTA version ready within a few weeks. (f) Juniors. NEFTA have run their first Juniors' course. The definition of "Junior" has Regional variations, deferred to Agenda Item 7 (g) Briefings. Barry Longbottom reported these are working well. (h) FT in Germany. The Chairman reported that he had made contact with the main FT organiser in Germany and that they were generally shooting to the BFT A Rules. He reported that there was also an FT scene in the Netherlands. (i) Vice Presidents. Keith Ryan reported that the Minutes were now being sent to the Vice Presidents. Barry Longbottom conveyed Alan Forrest's apologies and said that he had offered his services re. any tasks that the committee might think he would be able to help with. He also asked how long does a Vice President hold the post? The meeting felt that it should be for as long as the individual attends one shoot per year. The duties could include taking over the meeting while the new Chair was being elected. 8. Safety issues. The Chairman felt that shooters were still not taking heed of the briefing details on safety, people could still find themselves looking down a gun barrel. We are all safety marshals. Beryl Noon said that NEFTA could print a list of BFTA safety rules. Kate Longbottom pointed out that these could be handed to shooters as they "sign in". 9. Home Affairs Committee. See in Chairman's Report. Any other business (a) Sportmans' Association and march. It was reported that this now takes place on 18th March under the banner of the Countryside Alliance and is advertised as a civil rights demonstration. (d) BFTA to become more widely known. It was stated that the press can slant things. We could let people know that we exist. The Sunday Times Calendar wants to include the BFTA Fixture List. If we are scheduled in the Sunday Times then we are accepted by the top echelon of the press. We cannot simply hide away but must have our own input, that way we can counteract any unbalanced news item. Dave Monck said that we should send copy to both news and sports editors and tell them that it is copied to both: that way, they will probably talk to each other and you stand a better chance of getting mentioned. He said that his letters were printed mostly uncut. Results were uncontroversial and submitting them on your own was alright, but other items should go through the BFTA Secretary . (e) SEFTA had found an unsafe club which was now excluded from the Region. 4. Correspondence At GP9 a shooter had been warned about his conduct. The Region agreed that his action and manner brought the sport into disrepute. A letter had been sent to the shooter concerned as an official warning, the Club and the Region had previously given the shooter verbal warnings. The Secretary reported e-mail contact from "Target Sports" and "The Rifleman" publications. Also an invitation to attend the Conservative Conference but hadn't been able to attend due to commitments. Comp. Sec. pointed out that most of us are volunteers and have to work. Roger Moy (FFTA) offered to act as a BFTA representative at meetings and events, as did Dave Mills (Trade Liaison Officer/MFTA). It was agreed that in future a greater effort should be made to get a representative from the BFTA to attend such gatherings. A letter had been received asking for BFTA presence at the West Country Game Fair 2001 - The Royal Bath & West Show at Shepton Mallet, Somerset. This could involve a "Have a go" range. Expenses would be paid. This was passed to SWEFTA. 5. Officers' Reports Chair's Report Re. the Home Affairs Committee Report and the fact that BFTA had not had any input, Simon Denny (FFTA) stated that government departments have lists of interest groups and that the BFTA should be on them. Secretary's Report The web site was a success. Individual membership had been asked about. E-mails had been received from magazines around the world. The web site was a help to the Regions. The CLA Gamefair was a success with many contacts made. The Training Manual was almost ready and being tested with the training of Juniors. Treasurer's Report Refunds for unused tickets for the European Championship are still outstanding - tickets need to be returned by the end of December. It is important that we use the P. O. Box address: BFTA, P.O. Box 2242, Reading, Berks RG7 5YY. Please note that the postcode is important. There was discussion about the merits of different bank accounts, interest rates, and the possibility of amalgamating bank accounts. The Chair asked the Treasurer to investigate the possibility of getting higher interest on the monies held. Roger Moy (FFTA) pointed out that as soon as there are two signatures to a check then it becomes a "business" account and the interest rates are lower . Trade Liaison Officer's Report Regarding sponsorship of BFTA events, the Trade need to see their names mentioned more prominently. It would be better to use their name in the name of the particular Grand Prix, for example. He has been asked by a local Firearms Officer to help with airgun awareness in the West Bromwich area where the police confiscate about 20 airguns each week. A meeting has been arranged for 3rd Feb. for a seminar on airgun abuse, using Aldersley and the indoor range, where many prominent individuals are being invited from the police, local government, magistrates, head teachers, youth leaders, Sports Council officials and Lottery officials. The programme for the day was described. Sporter Class shoots and CO2 activities were also described. He pressed for closer links between BFTA and AMTA and BASC. There followed discussion about the need for clubs asked for by the police to be formed on bus routes in the areas of abuse where youngsters could go to use their guns legally. It was important to advertise anywhere that guns and pellets are sold. Barry Longbottom said that now that the competition side is running well, the BFTA need to spend more time on development of the sport - but who does it. In this report, we were hearing about 200 people in one room who are the people who really matter. Competitions Secretary The various competitions held were essentially successful except for the enforced cancellation of the European Championships - this was due to the fuel shortage situation. The competitions scene needs to be addressed as a whole. There were a number of proposals: amend the marshalling document and incorporate it into the BFTA Shoot Rules, reduce the GPs to 6 with 5 to count, move the BFTA and Inter-Regional Championships to a joint event on the Sunday after the Showdown Final, continue the association with the CLA and give national shoot status, and reconsider the Midland Game Fair in the light of recent problems. There was discussion about the proposed changes and the amount of travelling involved. A fax from Nick Jenkinson was to be considered later: this suggested changing the current GP and Constructors' Championship Series by giving GP status to more prestigious regional events that merited it, also the days of the BFTA, European and World Championships where one sees the best shooters in competition could be used for the purpose. A consideration about this was that many of these were limited-entry events. The Comp. Sec. regarded this a as proposal from SWEFTA and the chair asked if there was a seconder, but it was not seconded. It was noted that if the number of events was reduced then travel costs and effort were reduced but so too could income. There was discussion about the BFTA Marshalling System versus the "buddy" system at major events where there were less than 100 shooters. Also, the problem of last minute signing-in for 1.00 pm. 6. Election of Officers Chair: George Grim. Prop. - Barry Longbottom (CSFTA) Sec. - Keith Ryan (SWEFTA) Dave Monck (Vice President) took control of the meeting for the election. Unanimous. Secretary - Julie Chambers. Prop. - Barry Longbottom (CSFTA) Sec. - Kathryn Falconer (WAFTA). Unanimous. Treasurer - Kate Longbottom. Prop. - Roger Moy (FFTA) Sec. - Allan Knock (SEFTA). Unanimous. Comp. Secretary - Barry Longbottom. Prop. - Kathryn Falconer (WAFTA) Sec. - John Garwood (FFTA). Unanimous. Trade Liaison Officer - David Mills. Prop. - Allan Knock (SEFTA) Sec. - Roger Moy (FFTA). Unanimous. Vice Chair - Beryl Noon. Prop. - Jonathan Noon (NEFTA) Sec. - Barry Longbottom (CSFTA). Unanimous. Minutes Secretary - Keith Ryan. Prop. - Mark Day (SWEFTA) Sec. - Roger Moy (FFTA). Unanimous. Development Officer - Mike Noon. Prop. - Dave Mills (MFTA) Sec. - Barry Longbottom (CSFTA). Unanimous. Grading Officer - Kate Longbottom. The committee confirmed that this post should, for convenience and efficacy, stay with the present incumbent. 7. Constitution & Rules Barry Longbottom described a number of proposed rule changes: the main ones were to include the marshalling system into the main shoot rules, to amend Rule 10 about the kneeling position (that the rear foot should be upright and straight with only three points of contact with the ground, 2 feet and 1 knee ), that mobile phones should be switched off if carried on the firing line, that reducers (Rule 6) should only be used where the ground necessitated their use due to space and constraints of crossing strings. There was discussion on the necessity to use reducers at all. Bernard Rodgers (NWFTA) asked that all targets should be clearly visible from the firing position and placed in hidden situations. Rule 2 - to be amended to say that any form of sighting system may be used with the exception of laser sights. A proposal had been received from Nick Jenkinson that the Constructors' Championship should be removed from the GP Series and points scored from the World and European Championships and other prestige events. This was taken as formally proposed by SWEFTA, but there was no seconder. That requests from different manufacturers should be entertained for the purposes of the Constructors/Manufacturers Competition e.g. scope manufacturers. It was proposed that "rifle or other equipment" should be written into the rule rather than just "rifle". Prop. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA), sec. Beryl Noon (NEFTA), for - unanimous. A long list of rule amendments from SARPA was introduced to the meeting but was put back for another meeting due to its length and the time constraints. A discussion followed about reducers, with three proposals being made: 1) up to 25% of the targets can be reducers "only where the ground necessitates" Prop. Beryl Noon (NEFTA), sec. Kathryn Falconer (WAFTA), 3 for, 5 against. 2) leave as is "up to 25% " Prop. Bernard Rodgers (NWFTA), sec. Allan Knock (SEFTA), 3 for 5 against 3) "up to a maximum of 5" Prop. RogerMoy (FFTA), sec. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA), 3 for, 5 against. As all three proposals were defeated, the rule remains unchanged. Under Rule 5, that the Marshalling system be introduced into the "Rules". Prop. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA), sec. Jonathan Noon (NEFT A), for - unanimous. The changes under the "Stats Office" section of the BFTA Marshalling System, namely that the office will issue shooting numbers as competitors book-in, cards will be forwarded to the Chief Marshal in groups of 10 etc., the cards of the "first marshal group" will be held by the Chief Marshal and issued when they report for shooting - this will prevent a surge of non-marshalling shooters joining the line at the same time, and the sequence for shooting can only be changed with the prior permission of the Shoot Organisers. Prop. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA), sec. Beryl Noon (NEFTA), for - unanimous. "Juniors" - NEFTA reported that they class Juniors as shooters up to their 17th birthday, until which they cannot purchase pellets, although they can own them at 14. There followed discussion which came to a consensus that it was best to stay with the law. Under BFTA Rules, shooters up to 17 must be accompanied. In law, under-14's must be accompanied and supervised by a non-shooting adult. BFTA marshals are not responsible for young shooters, they are responsible for ensuring that the rules are adhered to. There was further discussion followed by a proposal: That the BFTA considers that "Juniors" are shooters up to the age of 17, Prop. Beryl Noon (NEFTA), sec. Dave Mills (MFTA), for - unanimous. It was asked that the following be entered in the Minutes: NSRA state that shooters under the age of 16 should not be asked to take standing shots, in consideration of back development. The BFTA view was that any gun to be used should be within the capability of the shooter. There was discussion about safety and rules used by NEFTA, followed by a proposal: That the BFTA will develop during the year a set of safety rules, Prop. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA), sec. Kathryn Falconer (WAFTA), for - unanimous. 8. Fees and subscriptions BFTA Registration cards: 1. to increase the price - Prop. NEFTA, sec. CSFTA, for - unanimous 2. to cost £2.50 - Prop. FFTA, sec. MFTA, for - unanimous. 3. to cost £3.00 - Prop. CSFTA, sec. none. BFTA Championships: To cost £4.00, Prop. CSFTA, sec; FFTA, for - 7, carried. Inter-Regional Championships: To cost £50.00. Prop. NEFTA, sec. CSFTA, for - unanimous. Other fees were left at: CLA Champs. £25, GP Open £5, GP £1.50 and Showdown Qualifier £1.50. NEFTA proposed that because of the wide Regional variation in the standard of trophies, BFTA should take a percentage for the trophies. Of the £7.00 paid, £2.50 goes to BFTA for the Showdown and GP Series. The remainder goes to the Region. 9. Shoot calendar
The BFTA Masters Championship could be an event in years when the World Championship was not in the UK. It was proposed to accept the above arrangements for the major events: Prop. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA), sec. Beryl Noon (NEFTA), for - unanimous. Grand Prix competitions: there was discussion about dropping three GPs per year, leaving six. Unless a Region volunteered, it wouldn't be dropped two years running. Proposal: to accept 6 GPs and the other 6 major events as discussed above: Prop. FFTA, sec. NEFTA, for - unanimous. Proposal: to divide the mainland of Britain into three bands, each of three regions, for the purposes of allocating the GP events. Band 1 consisted of SARPA, NWFTA, NEFTA; band 2 contained WAFTA, MFTA, FFTA; and band 3 consisted of SWEFTA, CSFTA and SEFTA. Prop. FFTA, sec. NEFTA, for - unanimous. In the event that Regions do not give way on not holding a GP in their band, the decision will be made by a draw. After the first year only two regions will be involved in a draw. For the year 2001, SWEFTA and FFTA had volunteered not to hold a GP. A draw was then held to decide which region between SARPA, NWFTA and NEFTA would not be allocated a GP: NWFTA was drawn as the Region not to hold a GP in 2001. For the GP Series, 5 out of 6 events would be counted for points scoring purposes. 10. Chronographing Barry Longbottom (Comp. Sec.) stated that last year the chronographs didn't really work. SKAN have been more than helpful. A new model has lasted a whole shoot without problems. This will continue through the winter league alongside the club's chrono. It requires a stand and covers. The idea of being chronographed is now accepted by the shooters. The new model will be at the first shoot of the year, the InterRegionals. After that, it will be used seriously in the Welsh Open. The meeting expressed its thanks to Roger Moy and David Welham for their efforts in this. 11. European Championships venue Dealt with under Item 9, above. 12. World Championship 2001 and Rules World Field Target Federation Rules are already laid out, and were run through by Barry Longbottom (Comp. Sec. ). These were then voted in unanimously by all the English Regions. The venue will be Curridge. The cost of the event is all "up-front". It is a preentry event, costing £35 per entry (with concessions to family members living at the same address). It is limited to 235 shooters. The fee is left as is. The EFTA are running this event with permission from BFTA to use funds. The profits go to the BFTA. 13. Target colours in densely wooded areas The Chair pointed out that there could be problems with colour choice in dark woods. All major shoots use targets which are black/white or black/yellow. There had been problems at the CLA Game Fair, Midland Game fair and sometimes other venues. Sometimes, in areas of dark shade it would be better to have white or yellow face plates with black hit zones. 14. Gun control update Dropped from the agenda. 15. Any other business (a) Individual membership. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA) suggested that individual membership was possible by making it financially beneficial to the clubs. The subscription should be more than that of a club and the individual must provide proof of acceptable insurance. BFTA are considering the matter. (b) Shooting 2001. The Committee asked the Development Officer to move on this venture in liaison with the Trade Liaison Officer . (c) Funding for Development Officer. FFTA proposed that "Given our new appointment of a Development Officer and our emphasis on development, we propose that a sum of £1,000 be allowed from BFTA funds for expenditure on development. The money should be under the control of the Development Officer and the expenditure of this money be decided by him and the Regions. The Development Officer should report to the next AGM how the money was spent". WAFTA proposed that reports should be put in to the Treasurer when expenses are incurred. Proposal: That the Development Officer and Trade Liaison Officer be given an allocation of £500 to be topped up as necessary . Prop. CSFTA, sec. FFTA, for unanimous. (d) Gradings List on the web. FFTA suggested that this be put on the web site, perhaps not with names but with just the shooters card numbers. (e) AGM matters. FFTA asked that all papers on matters relating to the AGM be circulated to the Regions at least 28 days before the meeting. (f) Ratification of the Constitution. FFTA suggested that this be done at the next Ordinary Meeting. (g) Veteran's Class. This was proposed by SEFTA but received no support from the other Regions. (h) Coaching Manual. NEFTA reported that Dave Froggatt is ready to test the manual. He needs (ideally) someone from each Region. To test the manual requires about a day, but with two days' testing a coach's qualification is awarded. Copies of the draft are being sent to the Regions. Feedback from the Regions is needed by the end of January. (i) European Championship rules. The Chair raised this matter and it was decided that WFTA Rules would apply. These can be ratified by the end of the year and sent to other interested countries. (j) Countryside Alliance rally. Dave Mills (MFTA) asked if the BFTA intended to support this event on March 18th next year. It was pointed out that coaches would need to be booked. They do run air-rifle introductory days. FFTA pointed out that that the Countryside Alliance is pushing for sensible shooting under the present legislation. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA) said that we would need to go as a body to make an impact. It was decided that the Development Officer would look into suitable banners for the occasion. (k) NSRA seat. This was raised by NEFTA. Barry Longbottom (CSFTA) said that he would talk to Geoff Doe about it. Next meetings 17th February 2001, 30th June 2001 17th November 2001 - AGM The meeting was closed at 5.07 p.m. |
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© A.M.Layden 2002 |
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