Welsh Airgun and Field Target Association
Annual General Meeting
Held at the Limes Club abertillery
On
Tuesday January 17 th. 2006
Meeting commenced at 7:40 p.m.
1 /. Apologies for absence
A message had been received from Avon Hawks representatives to say they were stuck in traffic and would be a little late.
Present
John Lewis: - Chairman and Nelson Howard Lloyd: - Vice Chairman.
Gwynne Robinson: - Treasurer and Quarry Rifles.
Hilary and David Gage: - Secretaries and Tondu.
Pontypool: - Graham and Hollie Snook, John Prosser.
Castleton: - Pat Isaacs.
Blaenau Gwent: - Wayne Wixey, Andrew Lewis.
Avon Hawks: - Steve Turner, Mark Shepherd.
2/. The minutes of the AGM held on 18 th. January 2005 were read (the minutes of an EGM held on 22 nd. March were also included in these minutes as they were relevant to the AGM. )
Pontypool proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record of the AGM, this was seconded by Blaenau Gwent and passed by vote.
3/. Matters Arising from Minutes
Letter sent to NSRA, thanking them for their support over the past years, and declining their offer of insurance for members of the committee.
Team Selection: - The method of picking the teams to represent WAFTA was discussed and it was thought it needed to be reviewed. Because of the nature of this discussion it was decided to defer it to Any Other Business.
Officers Reports
W.A.F.T.A A.G.M. - CHAIRMAN'S REPORT For Year 2005
We have had an eventful year and new membership seen, particularly in Castleton, Quarry Rifles and Blaenau Gwent, and with Nelson Club acquiring a new ground this year, we can hope for further interest from local shooters.
Although Government Legislation has not yet adversely affected our sport, nevertheless restrictions on the sale of air guns is imminent. Some irresponsible behaviour by members of the community (not of our association) has attracted critical Press comment and it behoves us all to continue to represent the responsible face of Air Gun shooting, in all that we do, and just as important, what we say.
Highlights of the year: -
- WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – This was held at Weston Park and I am pleased to record that Wales were second placed to the English Team that won the World Team Championship - a total of thirteen countries competed A special mention must be made of Dorian Falconer and Mark Bassett who were in the top twenty of the World Championship.
- HOME INTERNATIONAL – We were the hosts this year at Pontypool. Again we came second to England but by only 21 points. We will close the gap next year!
- THE WELSH OPEN - another successful event which endured more than its fair share of wind and rain... Our Open was also GP1 and was well attended.
- WAFTA/SWEFTA Shoot – This year held at Castleton. I am very pleased to report a Welsh win by some seventy points – we must ensure that a full team is entered this year to retain the Trophy.
- B/GWENT Event –B/Gwent Field Target Club were once again involved at the Merthyr Tydfil Council's Event at Cyfarthfa Castle during both the May and August Bank Holidays. As always, a lot of hard work by the club resulted in good PR for our sport
- WELSH GAME FAIR – Pontypool, Castleton and B/Gwent organised a Field Target side shoot again this year at the Welsh Game Fair, held in Usk in May Members of other clubs assisted and more than four hundred members of the public participated and new members signed up. We are pleased that the invitation for next year has already been agreed.
- PRESENTATION NIGHT – The Annual Presentation Disco night for the first five places in Groups A, B and C was held in December at the Hafodyrynys Rugby Football Club. Again many thanks to Marilyn Snook and helpers who both organised the evening and provided the excellent buffet. Thanks also to Mark Bassett for the obtaining the Trophies.
- WEB SITE – We all owe our thanks to Wayne Wixey for running, editing and being responsible for our Web Site, in such a professional manner and also our thanks to John Johnson for maintaining the Stats for us.
- CONSTITUTION - At the request of the Committee I revised and updated our Constitution in accordance with current legislation and which was accepted by our Association Committee. The new Constitution is to be found on our Web Site.
As always our thanks are to be expressed to Hilary and David Gage, our joint secretariat for the Region, who ensure that the “office” is maintained and who also have attended the BFTA meetings on our behalf.
Thanks again to our Treasurer, Gwynne Robinson, who somehow usually still manages to say yes to our pecuniary requests.
As I indicated above in my opening remarks, pressure seems to come at us from all sides, but I am pleased to be a member of an Air Gun Association that always strives to ensure enjoyment of shooting combined with the utmost regard to safety and respect of the Public.
John Lewis Chairman
It was proposed by Tondu and seconded by Castleton that the chairman’s report be accepted into the minutes, the meeting agreed to this proposal.
Secretary’s report
2005 was a good year we are getting used to the tasks required of us, although we still make mistakes. The queries for clubs still comes in and its good to know that there is still an interest in airgun shooting. Leading on from this can all clubs ensure that there is a contact number on the web site.
Treasurers report Attached at end of minutes
Competition Secretary’s report
Unfortunately the competition secretary was not at the meeting and there was no report.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
a. CHAIRMAN Castleton proposed John Lewis for the position of chairman, this was seconded by Tondu and accepted by the meeting, John Lewis was duly elected Chairman.
b. VICE CHAIRMAN Tondu proposed Howard Lloyd for the position of Vice Chairman, this was seconded by Quarry Rifles and accepted by the meeting; Howard Lloyd was duly elected Vice Chairman.
c. SECRETARIES Castleton proposed Hilary and David Gage as joint secretaries, this was seconded by Pontypool and accepted by the meeting. Hilary and David Gage were duly elected as joint secretaries.
d. TREASURER Pontypool proposed Gwynne Robinson as treasurer, this was seconded by Blaenau Gwent and accepted by the meeting. Gwynne Robinson was duly elected Treasurer.
e. COMPETITION SECRETARY Tondu proposed Dorian Falconer as Competition secretary, this was seconded by Quarry Rifles and, with the proviso that Dorian would accept the position, the meeting voted to accept the proposal. Dorian Falconer was duly elected Competition Secretary.
f. GRADING OFFICER Pontypool proposed John Johnston provided he was willing to under take this task, this was seconded by Castleton, and accepted by the meeting. John Johnston was duly elected as grading Officer.
g. WEBSITE MANAGER quarry Rifles proposed Wayne Wixey as website manager, this was seconded by Tondu, and accepted by the meeting. Wayne Wixey was duly elected as web site manager.
- BFTA REPRESENTATIVES It was proposed by Quarry Rifles that we keep the same representatives as last year, this was seconded by Blaenau Gwent and accepted by the meeting. Representatives are :-
John Lewis, Dorian Falconer and Hilary and David Gage.
FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Discussion took place about how clubs were not making revenue, from WAFTA Shoots, which was needed for the expenses incurred for the day to day running of clubs.
Pontypool proposed that for the Summer Series the cost of the Main should rise to £6 with the extra £1 going to the club holding the shoot. This was seconded by Blaenau Gwent and accepted by the meeting.
Tondu proposed that clubs should give money, instead of trophies, for side shoots. This was not seconded and it was decided that clubs should decide whether they wanted to give trophies or cash as prizes.
BFTA AGM
The BFTA AGM was discussed particularly the change in format for Grand Prix shoots in 2006. The return to the 50 shot courses with morning and afternoon squad starts.
GRAND SLAM, VENUE AND TROPHIES
Blaenau Gwent agreed to hold the Grand Slam Final on 19 th. March.
It was agreed to approach Mark Bassett to get the trophies for the final, the cost to be £125 + or - £10. John Lewis agreed to contact Mark about this.
Because no revenue is raised for the host club by the final Pontypool proposed that each shooter is charged £2 for the Final. This was seconded by Tondu and accepted by the meeting.
WELSH OPEN GP1.
Venue Pontypool agreed to hold the Welsh Open with the proviso that they have help to set out the Main and side shoots. The meeting agreed to this.
A meeting was set for the 11 th. April 2006 at the Limes Club to discuss the needs for the Welsh Open.
SUMMER SERIES DATES
The following dates were agreed for the summer series 2006
April 9 th. Tondu April 23 rd. Welsh Open GP1 Pontypool
May 7 th. Open shoot B/Gwent May 21 st. Quarry Rifles
June 11 th. Castleton. June 25 th. B/Gwent
July 8 th. B/Gwent BBQ shoot (OPEN)
July 16 th. Tondu. July 30 th. Pontypool.
August 13 th. Nelson August 20 th. Avon Hawks
September 24 th. Welsh Masters Pontypool ( Open)
October 8 th. Home Internationals Scotland.
October ??? SWFTA/WAFTA Challenge (Sw)
Full Calendar attached with BFTA AND WAFTA Dates.
FORMAT OF WAFTA SHOOTS
Tondu proposed that we go back to the old system of shooting where people shoot singly and not in pairs as now. There was no seconder for this proposal and so the buddy system will continue.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Side Shoots were discussed especially the lack of interest shown in them. Ideas were put forward to try to encourage more people to enter the side shoots.
Pontypool proposed that we have a side shoot champion to run in conjunction with the summer series. The winner of any side shoot would get 10 points, at the end of the series the person with the highest number of points would be proclaimed the side shoot champion and receive a trophy stating this. Blaenau Gwent seconded this and the meeting voted to adopt the proposal.
Tondu proposed that we withdraw our proposal to invite the “Irish Field Target Association” to the Home Internationals due to the confusion over representation in Ireland. Nelson seconded this and the meeting voted to accept the proposal.
A discussion took place regarding team selection; Nelson proposed that we reaffirm the rules regarding team selection, which are as follows
1/. Whoever wins the summer series should be offered the captaincy of the Welsh team. And as such shall select the team.
An amendment was proposed to the proposal to add that team selection be revued by others. Quarry Rifles seconded this and the meeting decided that the team captain, competition secretary and committee member would carry out the team selection based on the previous six shoots. For 2006 that member would be Graham Snook.
The question of cost for BFTA insurance was raised; the secretaries informed the meeting that as the BFTA treasurer was not at the BFTA AGM there was no feed back for insurance.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9:30 p.m.