DNS

Bigland is indeed the closest, but it is closed. Crabtree is further, but is open.

Whilst we've got the attention of the experts, can anyone advise me on how to reverse the process? I bought a Barbour recently which someone had -for reasons best known to themselves - bought new and then waxed very badly. It's very waterproof, but as stiff as a board. I only paid £20 for it, so its not a crisis, but I would like to get it sorted.

Thanks to all above for constructive comments. So - Cockercas is first in with a 'you can shoot at me from 75m' - if I'm trying to establish a safe distance for a flat shot from a 12-bore; who is prepared to go lower than 75m?

Mixed bag yesterday of duck, pheasant and woodcock. That's quite typical. I was out with Eley VIP extreme game 36g #5's for all purposes. Do others take a single load out for the day, or do you have a choice of a few depending on the likely quarry.

I chose not to take a fairly flat shot at a crossing woodcock yesterday as I knew the beating line to be about 75m in front. Later in the day I also chose not to take a pheasant although it was at a decent height, the beaters were on high ground to the front and I knew shot would go through the trees above them. It did occur to me that whilst I'm fairly clear on my effective range with a 12-bore; I have no idea whatsoever what the 'safe' range is. I err on the side of safety and probably refuse more birds than I should as a consequence. Could someone enlighten me as to the 'safe' distance for a flat shot?

Evan Davis went up in my estimation this morning on the Radio 4 'Today' programme discussion on Tom Docherty's bill to impose a minimum age for holding a SGC. He asked TD - several times - how many incidents there had been involving young people who hold SGCs. He didn't know of any. The Countryside Alliance chap did a reasonable job. He knew of two SGCs being revoked in ten years; which is honest and very few. The general impression given was of politicians meddling for no good reason. Regrettably, the BBC website illustrates the issue of legal shotguns with a picture of a (probably) illegal handgun. http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm

I had a look at the website when it was featured on the 'look what we've just been given' page in The Field recently. I'm not usually averse to spending silly money on gadgets - and I've got a garage full to prove it - but I couldn't convince myself it was worth £120

I'm not sure how much media monitoring the BASC do David - did you catch the IPM episode last Saturday the 14th? A caller described his mental health issues with respect to his SGC. It didn't reflect well on the licencing process and there was a definite steer towards a more active role from GPs. I don't think it did much for the general cause I'm afraid. http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ipm

Remarkable. Thanks for pointing that out - I honestly thought I'd made that expression up myself; it's a way I've often described the anodyne. There's nothing new under the sun. (I know I've plagarised that!)

I think we're between comedy revivals at the moment. The new wave 'alternative' set are close to drawing their pension (or would be if the age limit didn't keep going up), and there's not much new at the moment with quality. It was quite amazing to see the M&W routine with Shirley Bassey on prime-time BBC three times over Christmas. Don't get me wrong; it's great entertainment but surely something in the last 30 years has been done which stands comparison? There are some great suggestions above; but I'd take issue with a couple. John Bishop? The comedy equivalent of beige. There used to be a liverpudlian comedian of that quality or better in every pub and club in the North West in the ‘70s. Nice enough chap; but not for me. Frankie Boyle. Like marmite, you love him or hate him. I like comedy which pushes boundaries; but he wouldn’t know a boundary of you hit him over the head with it. As funny as TB in my opinion; others have a perfect right to disagree. I'm really struggling to offer a constructive suggestion

Good call - steradent. Drop a couple in the flask with warm water; but don't screw the top back on.

"I buy locally, then regionally then nationally." Good policy

Yes, in essence, that is my opinion but I respect your right to hold a different opinion. I am not ‘indignant’ , nor do I believe I have said anything ‘snidily'. I passionately support shooting sports and I believe that the limited remaining right we now have to legally own firearms will be best supported in the long term by condemnation of all those who break the simple and easily understood laws. Not just those who you – or I – choose to classify as ‘real ****’. In my opinion, if you hold illegal firearms then you should expect stiff penalties when caught – and that should certainly include incarceration as an option. I place no emphasis on the chap being a farmer or being in his 70’s. I know good, bad and indifferent who fit both descriptions. The only interpretation I place on the short newspaper article is that the guilty party must have had a FAC (thus the reference to quantity of ammunition) – so could not even claim ignorance of the law. If it were a ‘jumped up charge’ then perhaps he could have been advised to plead not guilty. Opinion does seem divided, but fairly equally. Life would be boring if we all thought the same way; so live and let live.

As aspect which I found curious was that the full-bore rifle was his father's home guard issue weapon. I was an army officer in the 1980's - admittedly only whilst we had a small war and some domestic issues to deal with - when the issue of weapons was very tightly controlled. I understand that paperwork goes out of the window in wartime; but I would have thought that someone counted them out and back in again so far as the home guard were concerned. Has anyone experience to share?

Following a search of premises whilst investigating the shooting and poisoning of red kites in Cumbria in 2011. In addition to issues with possession of poisons, the farmer concerned was found with a full-bore rifle not on ticket, three other unspecified firearms not on ticket and more ammunition than permitted. £7k fine; 140 hours unpaid work and tickets revoked. That's no more than a stern telling off in my opinion; I would have expected a custodial sentence. To be fair; no evidence was found relating to the original investigation for the killing of red kites. http://www.in-cumbria.com/man-is-fined-after-shootings-probe-1.913024?referrerPath=fears-over-1-5bn-sellafieldcontract-1.863470

'Pompous' - my middle name. I'll make an exception for once:

Aldivalloch, thank you for reassuring me that there are some literate forum users. I find it almost impossible to read many of the posts on PW through the haze of unusual grammar, spelling and those atrocious little faces, so your earlier post on the merits of appropriate loads was a breath of fresh air.

I found both Lancashire and Cumbria to be fine. Short staffed, but always civil.Not instantaneous, but if you cannot plan more than a few weeks ahead for a firearms purchase I don't think you've much right to complain.

The lll has the 'kick off' recoil pad. I've got a l and think it's splendid. Danimal - I'm interested why you don't think it will hold its value?

get over to ukclimbing.com, it will sell there.

Update from Cumbria. I've sent my old Lancashire certificate in. A new Cumbria certificate will be printed then handed over by the FEO when he or she visits to check security. That's good with me as I want to meet my FEO, and I have stocked up on carts. just in case it talke a few weeks.

Good question. I've just moved from Lancashire to Cumbria. I've notified both forces in writing, spoken to both and they confirm my address on the PNC has been updated. Cumbria say they will visit and re-issue my certificate, but nothing yet. Only one month though.

I joined before I applied for my SGC. The FEO was pleased to see that and said that it indicated a responsible attitude to shooting sports.

Just north of Cartmel, near Newby Bridge. (Thanks to all above for helpful replies)

I'm moving up to South Cumbria in a few weeks. Has anyone any suggestions for decent clay shoots in the Kendal - Grange - Ulverston - Barrow area?