NWFTA Meeting 8PM Tuesday 4th July 2000

Attended:- Tony Snailham Oldham

Norma Almond (Secretary) - Tawd Vale

Richard Lees & Flash - Stockport

Roy Richards - Sandhall

Paddy McBride - Clwyd

Sylvia McBride - Clwyd

Tony Walch - Oldham

Sean & Michelle Smith - Byley

Apologies from Terry Almond, Dave Fairhurst, Dave & Paula Schofield, Davinia Wainwright.

Tony chaired the meeting in Dave's absence.

Minutes from last meeting agreed.

Action points:- Michael Lloyd from Stockport has been notified that a shoot-off for 1st place in last year's Winter Challenge will take place at the Oldham shoot on 16/07/00. Ashley Gavin still to be notified by Nosh.

1) Proposed dates & venues for this year's Winter Series were read out by Nosh. Clubs to come back at next meeting with confirmation. One club will not be given a shoot each season, this time Sandhall has been omitted. Roy stated that Stan Abbotts had already said that they did not wish to host a shoot this winter because of lack of helpers.

2) Presentation Evening – following on from the discussion at the last meeting, the point had been raised by our temporary treasurer, should there be a cover charge? We also discussed how we could encourage more people to attend. It was decided that, this time, there would be no charge, but as one or two comments had been made from club members that it was the same format every year, Nosh stated that, next year, if anyone else wanted to arrange something different, they should be given the chance. For this year's event, clubs should be encouraged to provide better raffle prizes, not just the proverbial bottle of wine, as the only income from the event comes from the raffle!

3) Summer Shoots - Oldham, everything on track for the 16th July. For the Pistol Competition, a pistol will be provided.

4) Clwyd - again, everything under control. This event is not graded, but there are 3 trophies on offer in each section, with trophies as well for overall winners. Clwyd are needing extra targets, Tawd Vale will help out.

5) BFTA Grand Prix - at Byley on 23/07. Unfortunately, neither Nosh or Terry wiil be there, so scorecards and relevant details all handed over to Sean. Nosh will contact Barry Longbottom for a current Grading List and to ask him to bring the BFTA stopwatches. Fees for the shoot confirmed as £4-00 for the 'Open', £1-00 each for the Showdown & Grand Prix entries.

6) AGM – the NWFTA AGM will be held on the first Tuesday in September at the usual venue, all members are entitled to attend. Richard brought forwerd a suggestion from Len Rosser that members should be allowed to vote on nominations for the Committee at the shoot preceding the AGM. Tony explained that this would be out of order and all voting had to be done at the AGM. It is in members own interests to make every effort to attend.

7) Sean asked if the European Open is still on. Richard said that it was, but only because, after a dispute over the area the BFTA was being given, Dave Mills contacted Bill Sanders from Air Arms, who threatened to pull out, which would mean no Sporting Airgun ranges. The organizers have now come to their senses & apparently we now have a bigger & better pitch! Well done Dave!

8) Paddy advised that the BASC are the organization to be allied with over proposed legislation on Airguns. They are organizing a big protest, probably in January. They also have kits on how to effectively protest & they also have an Internet presence. Richard had also written to his MP & had a reply back stating that the views of the Committee were not necessarily Government policy.

9) It was also noted that, although the 2001 Summer Series had been briefly discussed at the last meeting, it was not on this meeting's Agenda. We will put that right at the next meeting.

Time and date of next meeting – Tuesday 1st August 2000 at 8pm