Gordon R

Barrel length, chamber, chokes, single / double trigger - all might assist your sale.

Despite all the rights and wrongs - this sums it up. I can't see Ukraine defeating Russia and I can't see Russia gaining all of Ukraine. However unpalatable, I suspect Russia will keep what it has already taken, albeit it a cost Putin never imagined.

Welsh1 - agreed. There was no real justification for Russia to invade Ukraine, but Biden almost rolled out the welcome mat, with his saying a small invasion was okay. The west made it easier for Russia to claim they had to do it. I have said before, if European NATO members had paid their share, we wouldn't be here now. As Mungler has pointed out, Germany et al have funded Russia's war machine. When the dust settles, it would not surprise me to see Zelensky out on his ear. Whether he stays or leaves might depend on just where the foreign aid has been banked.

Forgot about Catton Hall - some years since I have been.

Blackpool's toilets are way better than Rishton's. Whilst the Portacabin at Rishton was okay when it was first installed, nowadays it is not good, with no water to clean hands. In the north west, the only toilets I would regard as good are Coniston and Manchester Clay Club.

You can risk not telling the insurance company and keep your fingers crossed that you never knock anyone down. In that event, you might well hear the company applauding your foresight, whilst they rapidly disown you and any claim.

John and Alison are not related to the Threlfalls. Mark Threlfall - top shot and top lad ran it for his dad (Eddie) for many years. Mark's health suffered and John / Alison took over. A few of the Threlfall family were always involved. Eddie's wife, the late Brenda, took the entries whilst other relatives did the food side. Looking at Facebook entries, it looks like Keith Nixon of Racing Leathers / Shotgunwise will be taking over. I know Keith - he is a decent lad, but I have no idea of how things will change, if at all. The toilets need upgrading. It used to be an excellent 50 bird shoot - just turn up and shoot, but during Covid, it went to 75 birder, with squad times. Personally, I preferred the old 50 birder. When it changed to the 75 birder prices went up, in addition to the extra 50% of clays. There seemed to be a sharp increase in the cost of clays and the food. Some friends won't shoot there, because of the increased cost.

I despair when someone suggests he shouldn't have gone to prison. He knew what he was doing and sold them on to another non licence holder without a second thought. Did he consider why the buyer might want an off ticket gun. Five years would have been about right. When I read that I thought it must be the first of April. Lunacy at its finest.

Bargain.

Now re-opening from 6.4.2025. No longer being run by John and Alison Roberts, which is a great loss. They put on very decent targets and kept things running for the last few years. A tough act to follow.

GHE has pointed out, rightly, that experts are obliged to give the truth, no matter who calls them as a witness. He then said that the reality is very different. That is straightforward perjury.

The media seems to suggest Zelensky was ready to sign, but had a meeting with some Democrats beforehand and changed his mind. I would be interested in views on the European meetings. Whether you agree with Trump or not, Zelensky is reported as now willing to sign the agreement. Meanwhile Starmer and Macron seem to be organising meetings with the sole purpose of undermining Trump. France boasts about giving Europe a nuclear umbrella and others boasts that a combined Europe could beat Russia. Slight problems insofar as Europe is far from unanimous in this - only France and the UK seem to partially agree. After years of failing to meet their NATO obligations, now money appears. If they had stuck to the agreement, we wouldn't be in the position we are now in. The meetings appear to be solely for Starmer, Macron and van der Leyen to grab the spotlight, after moaning that they were excluded from Ukraine talks. Mice - got to agree. Whilst some offer explanations as to why he has acted as he has, I don't recall anyone actually praising him . I wouldn't and I see no-one else doing it.

GHE - perhaps a wise decision. When you make sweeping statements like that you invite ridicule. Have you taken opinion from "everyone" - answer no. When you allege that expert witnesses don't tell the truth - that is perjury. Your many years of first hand experience don't appear to have contributed to your knowledge.

GHE - I suspected you wouldn't back up what you posted. Did you hear it from a man in the pub? What you say is that all expert witnesses commit perjury. Sweeping generalised rubbish.

Which case would that be? Perhaps you could supply details of the other cases, as it "isn't unusual".

The convictions were not the fault of the justice system. It was entirely the fault of the Post Office and Fujitsu, who were fully aware of the flaws in the system, but chose to hide them. I would be astonished if there were not a fair number of people who committed perjury.

How is he managing to have a gun made? He lost his licence in 2003.

It would be fairer to label Zelensky a dictator. Vitali Klitschko has complained that the Ukraine Parliament has been totally ignored, with all decisions coming from Zelensky. Not much of a democracy.

Whether you like Trump or not, he campaigned on putting America first and he has done just that. European countries who haven't been paying their proper share of NATO cry foul. Charities in the world say that lives will be lost as overseas aid is chopped. Their reasoning being that the USA has always paid, so they expect them to continue being stupid. It's a pity that we still pay for poetry lessons and an African country's version of the Spice Girls. We should do a similar review. Pause all overseas aid and examine just what the UK gets out of it. Those skimming the overseas aid will squeal the loudest.

sitsinhedges - I agree. Always disappointing when showbusiness luvvies shatter the illusion of intelligence.

Robert DeNiro is a brilliant actor - Once upon a time in America is the best film I have ever seen. That said, it would be silly to think his opinion is worth a bean. The diatribe is basically a sore democrat loser's view of US politics. It is akin to Gary Lineker's venture into politics. Both out of their depth. DeNiro should stick to acting, it appears to be his only skill. Lost in showbusiness.

NoBodyImportant - whether you agree with him or not, he has provided details to back his view. You are merely sniping at him. By the way, the USA went into Iraq hand in hand with the UK. Neither country comes out of it well.

I think the Mods let it run for a decent time. BASC had taken a panning - quite rightly - and sank almost without a trace. It became embarrassing and I would question why the OP ever started the thread. It wasn't rocket science to see the way it would go, as there was no logic behind their position.

I think the Mods put the OP out of his misery. A kind act.