NRA Journal - Summer 2003 - National Rifle Association

VAT payable by AssociationsSecretaries of Associations that are affiliated to theNRA should note that all range bookings made bythem are subject to VAT, unlike bookings made byClubs. The reason is to do with the fact that whereasClubs pay a ‘per capita’ charge, Associations do notand pay only a fixed sum. The NRA must thereforeremit VAT on all bookings made by Associations, andmust therefore charge it accordingly.Members’ EnquiriesBooking InIt is obligatory that all Range Conducting Officers(RCOs) sign in at the Range Office before going to therange. Please read the certificate at the top of the sheetif you are the RCO concerned: it defines your dutiesand responsibilities.Signing In CardsHome Office Approval for Clubs states the followingwithin its Criteria for Approval: “The Club willmaintain a register of the attendance of all memberstogether with details, for each visit, of the firearmswhich they used and the competitions, if any, in whichthey took part.”The NRA implements this by setting up a “SigningIn” card, kept in the Range Office, for members to signeach time they shoot at Bisley. We also retain a recordof all entries to the Imperial Meeting each year. Thosemembers who are only members of the NRA, ie whoare not members of any other Home Office ApprovedClub, must complete their personal attendance cardon each and every visit to shoot at Bisley.This card must show attendance dates and a recordof all firearms used. This is necessary for the NRA tocomply with the present legislation and, if this is notdone, then those who have not recorded theirattendance will be reported to the appropriateFirearms Licensing Authority as required by law.All others who shoot at Bisley are also welcome touse this service to keep their “shooting history” fullyup to date. If you wish to do so, which will require acard to be prepared for you, please send a passportsized photograph, with your name and membershipnumber written on the back, to the MembershipSecretary. Please also forward details of your firearms(make/serial number) to allow for the easy completionof the card.CoursesCourses are normally run during the months ofOctober /November - March inclusive, and the“Course Season” is now closed. A Club Instructor’sCourse will be held in the Autumn and full details ofall courses, as from next October/November, will begiven in the next Journal.RCO Courses which are to include Muzzle Loadingwill no longer require the applicant to hold the(previously named) Approved Instructor8qualification. This course has been discontinued, andreplaced with an assessment course more appropriatefor ML RCOs. It will be run in addition to the RCOCourse by MLAGB or NRA Assessors who have beenvalidated by the MLAGB. Further details may beobtained from Phyllis Farnan, the ShootingAdministrator, on 01483 797777 ext 150. Allapplications to attend courses should also be made toher.RCO CoursesOne day RCO Courses will be held on 20 and 21September, and on 8 and 9 October 2003.Methods of Instruction (MoI) CoursesTwo 2 day MoI Courses will be held over theweekends 27/28 September and 25/26 October 2003.GBTSF Club Coach CourseA GBTSF Club Coach Course is planned for theweekend 18/19 October 2003, but depends on enoughapplicants for the course if it is to be run.GBTSF County Coach CourseA GBTSF County Coach Course is planned for theweekend 13/14 December 2003, but again dependson enough applicants for the course if it is to be run.World Long Range Individual ChampionshipsIt has been agreed by the Chairman of the ICFRA LongRange Committee, which has taken over responsibilityfor these Championships, that these Championshipsmay now be opened up as follows:• All members of Palma Teams• All members of World Veterans Teams• All members of World Under 25 Teams• All members of World Under 21 Teams• All competitors recommended by their ownNRA (subject to overall numbers – maximum500 – and being of a suitable shooting class ieclass X or A and possibly some class O).I therefore ask all UK competitors who wish tocompete in these Championships to write/fax/e-mailme with their request. All will be acknowledged and,in the event of over-subscription, a waiting list will bemaintained.The Great FireNot an original title, I know (the last one was in 1666and started in a Baker’s Shop in Pudding Lane!) butthat was certainly what will linger in people’s mindswhen they think of Easter 2003. Started by childrenhaving a picnic on West End Common it swept fromEast to West behind Stickledown on MaundyThursday, the fire front being three miles long at onetime. It then backburned during Good Friday andEaster Saturday, finally being beaten on EasterSaturday afternoon. A full report is contained later inthis Journal along with some fascinating photographs!