Notes from the Headquarters Cinque Ports Training Area Annual Meeting

Notes taken by S.Merritt

HQ CPTA ANNUAL MEETING

Hythe Ranges 15th March 2008.

I attended the above-mentioned meeting today. It is a shame that it was two days after our AGM as there are some important changes being implemented which will affect our future activity and will impact on our funds. We will have to comply with some rigorous competency and safety procedures if we want to use MOD (including Bisley) ranges.

Notes taken:
 

As we are aware MOD range costs have not increased and landmark have increased their Warden costs marginally which will mean we pay about £2 per shoot more.

NRA are in final talks with Landmarc regarding the control of all future range bookings. The NRA are going to pay Landmarc for this privilege and, of course, we will be paying for it in the cost of future bookings fees, which we currently do not do! We will also probably have an issue with late bookings as the NRA is renowned for slowness in response. However that situation will remain to be seen.

The NRA had agreed with the MOD to adopt `Safe System of Training'. This means basically that from April 2008 (Deadline for clubs will be 1st January 2009) All Club probationers will be tested and assessed by the club to NRA rules. All Full members will have to be certified by the club that they are competent to shoot on Military ranges. I have a copy of the NRA Power Point presentation detailing these ideas. Everyone will need to be assessed before the end of December 2008 and have an NRA photo ID certificate and the likely charge for this will be £15 to £20 annually!

 

NRA RCO High Muzzle Energy Qualification Course - RCO HME Course If clubs wish to be able to shoot .338 and higher calibre ammunition then the RCO will have to obtain a higher qualification .

Minimum age of Shooters is reiterated as 14 years old. They also must have a, competent, 21 years old (minimum) mentor at the firing point.

CPTA believe that 2008 should be `quieter' as Army training units will be else where allowing Civilian Clubs more choice, however Weekends may still be a problem if no Army units are booked. Mid week shoots are encouraged.

It had been noted that when a low turnout club had attended the ranges there might be a temptation for the RCO to shoot! This was to be policed rigorously as the RCO was to control; the firing only.

`'Backsplash'' or ricochet is a safety issue, a graphic `'you tube'' clip (the .50 call bench rest one) was shown and the Range Controller reiterated that no unofficial targets were to be erected or put down range.

There have been 10 breech explosions last year, all due to hand loads. Clubs are warned that this might lead to a `banning' of such ammunition if this trend continues.