triumph_Dave

I have just found out that Pro Shock folded the company last year. I have a set of their Dynamic molded ear protection, which are very good and were very expensive. I have tried to find new wax guards for them, but no luck so far. The info with the protectors states that wax guards are easily available from the high street hearing aid providers, but I have been to most and the size in the Proshocks does not match any that the high street providers stock. Does anyone have a set of ProShock dynamic protectors and know the size/make of the wax guards fitted.. Thanks.. Dave

Marine seismic exploration - manager... maybe soon to retire

Lt John Chard ( Royal Engineers ) VC is buried in the Parish church yard at Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset. There is a stained glass window in the church to commemorate him and the action at Rorkes Drift. The reason he is buried there is because his brother was the vicar. The Royal Engineers used to have a service every year ( 1960 -70's) in the church and play the last post over his grave. The church and manor house is about 1 mile from the village, I grew up in the old manor house right by the church and used to shoot over the land around it.. The service was always in the winter and it always brought goose bumps up on me when I was a kid and out in the woods pigeon shooting and you could hear the bugle call and not a soul else around.. Whew... What memories...

Both.. Grew up feral on a dairy farm.. started with an air rifle, then .410 , then 12 gauge, then rimfire and finally centrefire. Still have air rifle, rimfire, centrefire and 12 gauge's.. Stalk deer and shoot driven pheasant, prefer rough shooting but harder to get the permissions now. I started fly fishing 5 years ago.. so thats another thing to do in the spring, summer and autumn. As I approach 60 I realise you have to keep up the practise with all the firearms to stay quick and accurate.. I enjoy clay pigeon but not competitive, just shoot against myself or with a friend.. I have to say i have as much enjoyment now with shotgun and rifle as I did when I was young, So must be doing something right.. I just wish the attitude to field sports was the same now as it was when i was 16 !..

Heading up from the wilds of Somerset.. Hotel booked.. I am going for the buzz of it all, to check out gun row and all the goodies, followed by the hunting and fishing areas. Wifes going for the shopping and cookery. Youngest sons going to check out the London totty in the micro skirts and Dubarry boots.. God I must be getting old....

Thanks for that, looks like the newspaper has added more content and reworded from the original story.. I see the location has changed from a taunton river to out on the levels at greylake.. Cant see it being a 2nd world war stash though.. surely more modern equipment in the haul..

This is an interesting article from one of our local newspapers.. 16 year old boy's "fishing" a river with a strong magnet found the remains of hundreds of guns. http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Somerset-teens-100-guns-Taunton-river-fishing/story-26069701-detail/story.html

Politically I believe we are in one of the low periods of our countries history.. There is not one party that shows any indication to wake up and realise that we have to look long term at our overall defence forces and the real need to defend ourselves. All they want is to gain political pecking order by making cuts.. Our nuclear deterrent has somehow managed to survive.. a case of last man standing.. if some our political parties had their way this also would be gone. Our air force, ground forces and navy have been decimated. . I just wish I could see a political party I could trust.... simply there is not one..

The issue is numbers, sure the Russian Tech may be lower than ours, but not by that much in the areas that count and they have more ability ( forces/equipment ) to absorb losses,. When our numbers of high tech kit have been destroyed, then there is no time to build new kit. We have a one shot defense.. When its gone that's it.. Not a good position to be in.. We have a sub force with nuclear armed missiles, always one at sea.. If ( and it's a big if ) it is detected and destroyed prior to firing its missiles.. Then what do we do. Resort to the long bow!!.. The Uk has been in similar positions though history regarding lack of preparation and small fighting ability and due to some degree of luck and timing we have managed to survive, but it's been a very close call. I despair regarding the amount of armed forces and equipment we have, there is no way it should have been reduced to the level it is now. There are many counties which are a real threat to our security. The responsibility lies completely with our politicians and it's all the parties. Not just one.

I believe that some counties are/were impacted by the ground game law from the late 1800's, which may still be in effect.. This did did not allow shooting on a Sunday but was county specific. I know it stated you could not shoot in Somerset but it was ok in Devon.... As said, not sure if this is still an active law.... I try not to shoot on Sundays anyway.. just so its a bang free day...

If you go on the Frost website at http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-paint-coating-electroplating/automotive-paint/por15-paints.htmlthey will have just about everything you need. These are mainly all american products.. the POR range of automotive paints is the bees whatsits, but they are expensive.. however, if done correctly the POR paint range will take a hammering and last a long time. dave

My father for always being there, plus a great selection of airmans quotes from the RAF and allowing me to have a gun and a motorcycle. My mother for always being understanding and also trying to teach me how to manage money. And in her own words to allow me to be "feral" and always out shooting when I was young... My Grandfather for inspiring me to ride a horse, hunt and enjoy the countryside. A great farmer friend for just being kind and a great companion when hunting. A past girl friend who showed me what a cruel bitch she could be... ( learnt from that one.) My wife for being my best friend, lover and for never giving up on anything, My kids to give me a reason to work harder and make sure they had a good education and future....

Only been once before when it was so-so, about 3 years ago I would agree that the year I went there was not much to see in the way of guns, but lots of country clothing etc..... I should be home for it this year, so will pop over.. I need a new BASC sticker for the car so will visit the stand .

Ours arrived a few days ago via Yodel as well. I missed the tower display, but wanted a Poppy to remember what was done. My Grandfather was in the 4th Hussars cavalry, one of the first of the BEF regiments into France. He had 3 horses shot out under him in the initial months of the war before the trenchs. Badly wounded in 1915 by shell fire when fighting on foot at Ypres, went back to the front and managed to survive the war, then raised a family ( my dad ). Thats why I am here.. He purchased my first shotgun for me when I was 15. He inspired me to ride and hunt. He never talked about the war until the last years of his life and then he told me as much as he could remember, which I have tried to pass to my sons. To me he was a hero. Dave

I moved up from one cabinet to two, all located in exactly the same area. Avon and Somerset still wanted to check their position and location, which if you think about it is logical. Its not only the cabinets specification and positioning, but also how well its anchored to the wall that comes under scrutiny.. All was well, a quick check, a chat about the goings on in the area and a cup of tea and the FAO was happy.. I don't have an issue with the FAO checks, I have mostly found them fair and its a chance to find out the local gun related news.

+1 . Eley Fourlong with a Webley and Scott 410. Great days indeed.

I hope this does not happen, Chargot is not too far from me. (although I cant afford to shoot there)... we already have issues with the LACS which purchased "sanctuaries" in the 1980's to stuff up the hunting. In our area the badger cull has certainly reduced numbers.. I grew up on a dairy farm in the 1960's, the badgers were controlled, we had almost no issue with bovine TB, now its totally nuts, so I hope the cull does some good. And to think I saw "Queen" live twice.... would not have gone if I knew he would turn into a complete anti...

I belong to the CA and the BASC ( And in days long gone BFSS and WAGBI ) I also have a hunting background, plus I now fly fish.. I consider that the CA covers the hunting/fishing side and the BASC covers my shooting for game/clay. The main reason I belong to both is for a representation to try and stand up to the people/government that want desperately to stop the ways of our countryside. I do use the insurance but it is very secondary to my main reasons of belonging to the CA and BASC.

2 x AYA Yeoman's side by side. . The first one given to me as my first gun, Was much used and still a gun that feels like part of me when I use it.. priceless., The 2nd is my main rough shooting gun. 1 x Beretta Silver Pigeon classic - game version, Used for clay's and a bit of pigeon shooting. My first O/U and still getting used to it. 1 x AYA No 2 with 30 inch barrels side by side. mainly used for game shooting 1 x Webley and Scott side by side "proprietary" model of 1912 with 30 inch barrels..Makes the AYA No2 feel clunky. All are 12g.

I would go for the Disco 4, great car and great ability or the last of the old style Range Rover sport, The Disco has Lots of room, a good v6 diesel engine will return around 30 mpg. As secondhand, then get a good low mileage with at least a 2 year warranty as some parts are expensive if they fail ( alternator and air suspension ) . I have changed my Disco 4 for the last of the older style Range Rover Sport, it does everything the Disco could do, but less space inside and a better build quality and toys. Great car off road and on motorway. the V6 diesel is giving 32 mpg overall. Its been used in the somerset floods, off road in heavy going ( max ride height needed ) and in places some people have said it could not go. Its basically a Disco underneath with slightly altered ride, however it does not roll quite as much as a disco 4 does. I am lucky in the fact that I have summer and winter tyre sets, so the winters ones are more suited to off road. I would stress you need a good warranty, just in case and to give you a peace of mind. Land Rover has recently been jacking up the cost of its spares and maintenance is not that cheap. dave

PM sent.... Dave

I have shot since I was 12. Used to belong to WAGBI then let it lapse when I spent more time hunting on horse than shooting, but the political world is turning against the countryside and its ways, so now I belong to both the Countryside Alliance and the BASC. To me its the only way that I might have a chance of a voice that can be heard. I hate to see the political pressure being applied to country sports and I also hugely distrust all politicians, just don't believe what they say ( all parties now ). I f we do not stand together as a group than we are doomed ( in my opinion ), the government of the day ignored the countryside and passed the hunting bill, so if that can happen, then shooting is fairly in politicians sights.. The insurance aspect is now a must, just about for any sport. The BASC covers my shooting liability needs ( except gun damage coverage ) and the CA covers my time when I undertake other country sports, but to me the most important fact is that I belong to two groups that uphold the countryside ways and values, if they can unite as one when needed that is all I can ask for. Dave

I agree with HDAV, Dennis and the guys are not snobbish at all.. They work on all gun and rifle types... it doesnt seem to matter what you shoot, they will treat you honestly and do a great job.. Cant say more than that. They have my trust and my guns to look after. I would give them a call, if no one picks up and you leave a message they will phone you back. Dave

Hi Dan0i99.. Try UK gun repairs, their web site is http://www.####.co.uk/ give Dennis a call, the numbers on the web site.. They are not too far from you, near Wellington, Somerset. They are excellent and if anyone can sort your stock out they will.. I have used their services a fair bit recently and they have been 100%, prices are ok.. Dennis will give you a quote once he has seen the gun. Dave

George Hinton and Sons and Frank Richards stores served Tauntons shooting population right through until the 1970/80's, I looked at a recently restored Geo Hinton boxlock of theirs last week and it was well made. Sadly in the early 70's the centre of Taunton was "modernised" and the old shop on Fore Street was turned into the entrance for a shopping area.. Frank Richards had a shop on the fringe of the Taunton shopping zone ( now opposite the antique centre). But it closed in the 80's and Taunton lost it last gun store.. Its a shame, I still have the memory of going in as a child with my father and seeing the racks of guns, shelves of knives (and they also sold fireworks for Nov 5th !). Also I remember the smell of the shop.. leather and gun oil. Bloody lovely.. Dave