NRA Journal - Summer 2004 - National Rifle Association

MEMBERS’ PAGEAn F Class TaleRoger Wood writes:I arrived at the picturesque and friendly NottinghamRoad Rifle Club, en route to the South AfricanChampionships. I had emptied the sand from my buttbagto save weight, in the confident expectation offinding the odd ton or two of dry sand in Kwa-ZuluNatal. Wrong - it was raining.Arriving late in the evening the day before we were dueto shoot, the options were limited. By breakfast I hadenlisted help from all possible sources. The hotel staffapplied their ingenuity and dried a pan of sand betweenservings of bacon and eggs (tough on the latecomers,should have got out of bed earlier). One panful was notenough, but it was a start before we departed for therange.At Nottingham Road the ladies served morning tea andsensed panic. They were quick to grasp the problem;the bag was removed from my agitated grip and I wastold very firmly to go away.With minutes to go to the first shot there was a call fromthe kitchen. “Roger - come feel this!” Ignoring theribaldry from the rest of the team indulging their usualpassion for misinterpretation and innuendo, I hurriedto the door, where I was presented with a plump andfirm butt-bag and strict instructions not to get it wet.To Linda Lumgair and Marie Badenhorst, many thanksfor your sympathy and ingenuity; to the rest of my teamI apologise for depriving you of your rice pudding!National Shooting CentreBUTT MARKERSUrgently requiredDo you have a teenager or twolurking around the house?Are they looking for someextra holiday cash?Work available 8 - 24 Julyand all weekendsFree Camping AvailableContact the Range OfficeTel: 01483 797777 ext 152E-mail: range.office@nra.org.ukIf not, why not?Have we had your photo?••Was your name and membership number onthe back?(Contrary to popular belief I’m not psychic anddon’t know all members by sight - yet!)Do we know what your christian name is?(Same comment about being psychic. It isamazing how few christian names we have onfile. I don’t think it used to be on the applicationforms.)If you have answered a definite YES to these questionsthen please contact me and I will try to work out whathas gone wrong and put it right.If any of the answers were NO then please action thesepoints so that I can complete your membership.THERE ARE OVER 1000 MEMBERSHIPCARDS AWAITING EITHER PHOTOS OR NAMES.IS YOURS ONE OF THEM?This message has been brought to you by your friendly andapproachable Membership Secretary.Heather Webb01483 797777 ext 138 heather.webb@nra.org.uk64