NRA Journal - Summer 2004 - National Rifle Association

compared with last year, also clay profits andcommercial income, for example from corporate guestdays. We shall do our best.There is no room for complacency.Our plans include further, even if modest,improvements at Bisley including a new loudspeakersystem and further electronic and moving targets.The Zero Range at Bisley has been a problem. It isthere for zeroing rifles in the prone position, only, andnot ideally suited to ‘blowing off’, for example. ASnail Bullet Trap for ‘blowing off’ is being installedand I want to take this opportunity to thank NormanClark of Norman Clark Gunsmiths for his generoussponsorship of this facility.At last, we are now proceeding with the Short Siberiatrackway and car park at 300 yards alongside Century.It has been two years in the preparation and planning.The land is a SSSI and that has only been thebeginning. Anyway, the project is now in hand. Wehope that the improved facility will provide not onlygreater convenience to our short range shooters, butalso increased activity and security with the closureof the gate from Queen’s Road in due course, exceptfor emergencies.I am pleased to announce and we are very gratefulthat this project is being sponsored by Peter Hobson’scompany, Hobson Industries Limited. The new trackwill be known as Hobsons Way by way of recognitionof his generosity with a gift of £30,000. Applause.An extra three targets are being installed for use at200 yards on Short Siberia and a storage facility isbeing installed by the International Long Range PistolShooting Association to enable firearms to be securedduring temporary absence from the range at the eastend of Century. We are very grateful to the Committeeand members for their donation of £5,000.I should also like to recognise and congratulate theinitiatives taken by our 300 metres squad. You willsee that the 300 metres range on Century has beenimproved with up-to-date firing point protection andelectronic target systems using a new Norwegiansystem to international standard. Their equipmenthas been financed following an appeal and the saleof equipment bequeathed by the family of the lateRichard Danik, one of the squad. Full details are inthe Spring Journal, but it is worth going to see foryourself.I think we all know that electronic targets arebecoming increasingly the need for the way forwardwith obtaining butt markers an increasing problem.Fortunately, the potential cost is coming down.I am still hopeful of appointing a volunteer Directorof Appeals and Sponsorship to assist us in raisingfunds for what appears to be an unlimited wish listfor repaying the balance of our debt; the regions;Bisley and our teams going overseas. For the latterwe need, in any event, to thank Chris Hockley andhis Team Finance Sub-Committee for the work theydo in raising and allocating funds.As reported by my predecessors, grants from theSports Councils have been much reducing or dryingup. Our charitable status and its considerable taxbenefits is now our main source of governmentsupport. We are otherwise very much on our ownand must recognise that we must sort things out forourselves. That is not to say that we shall not continueto seek Sports Council support whenever we see apossible window of opportunity.Our almost universally accepted short-term priorityis to repay our remaining debt. I must be cautious inforecasting the outturn for this year, nevertheless weshall do our best to continue to reduce some prices tomembers further, at least in real terms, at the end ofthis year.All our prices for accommodation, membership andranges charges have come down in real terms, withsome in actual terms, since they were increased at theend of 2001 and we intend to continue in this way.Having expressed caution, however, we can do morethan was possible a year ago. For example, whilstalways looking out for cost and expenses efficiencies,we are going to increase our financial commitment tothe membership services function. Also a few monthsago we reported that we are once again able toconsider applications for financial support to clubswho want to improve their facilities.May I now please take questions restricted to theaccounts and to my financial statement?Thank you.I take this opportunity to extend our thanks to MichaelBlythe. He has witnessed some awful financialcircumstances over recent years, but kept a steadyhead to ensure that our accounts have been kept inorder. Thank you. Applause.I now move on to some general points.Secretary General and MembershipI have already written to you all to inform you thatwe needed to make a change.Most importantly, we need a manager to take forwardour membership development plans and service toclubs and members away from Bisley in particular. Iam hopeful that we shall have a new Secretary Generalin place soon.You have read that the Membership Committee hasbeen considering a development plan for the future.It is proving to be a very difficult task, but one whichwill need steady persistence. It is hampered by ourlack of resources and the complexities of shooters’requirements. However, I do want to take this54