Fine weather helped to make a successful range day for the Branch at Davyshiel Range Otterburn, which was well attended by members.

An enjoyable evening, for all those members who attended the talk on Stalker Training and Deer in general given by guest speakers Dave Goffin BDS Training Officer and Peter Watson from the Deer Initiative.  The event was well supported by the Branch, after the talk there was a good question and answer session on a wide range of BDS issues followed by a first class buffet provided by the Highlander Inn.

The Otterburn Festival was held in the grounds of Otterburn Mill, Otterburn where the Branch manned the BDS Display tent over the weekend.  Plenty of interest was shown by the general public on the range of topics covered by our displays and our thanks to the committee members who gave up their time to help out.

This year the shoot was hosted by South West Scotland Branch at their Range at Parton. Branches taking part were South East Scotland, North West England, North East England and South West Scotland.   SW Scotland Branch won the competition with the N E Branch as runners up, the NE Branch team consisted of Team Captain  Stu Henderson, Stu Jones,  Jamie Robinson, Brian Scott, Andrew Collinson, and  Bill Evans

This course organised by the Branch but run by Ian Harvey from the Forestry Commission, took place in the Grounds of Kielder Castle on Saturday 2 Aug 08 with thirteen N E Branch members attending.  All reported that they enjoyed the course and found it in general worth while.  See attached photographs provided by Chris Roy-Toole.

Click here for first photo          and here for second photo

DSC Level 1 Course was held at Davyshiel Range, Otterburn where Branch members assisted the BDS Training Team.

The following events in the Branch calendar have  been confirmed and we hope that members will fully support them, the evening events at the Highlander Inn are open to everyone so bring your friends along if they are interested.

A briefing will be held for all Branch RCO's on the 19^th September 2008 on the new Range Competency Training/Qualification at the Troop Shelter at Ponteland Rifle Range, 1900hours for a 1930 hour Start time. The post code for the range location is NE20 0JY.

A Branch Range day has been organised for Sunday 28^th September 2008 at Davyshiel Range, Otterburn.

 To be held at Newcastle Race Course, where the Branch will be manning the BDS Display.

Contact has been made with guest speakers and these events scheduled during 2008 are currently in the planning stage. Details of dates, venues and timings will be published in future editions of the Branch Newsletter:

With three of the Committee leaving at the last AGM, there are currently two vacancies to fill on the current committee, we urgently need replacements.  If you feel that you can spare a little time and commitment to help on the Branch Committee, please contact the Secretary or any other Committee member soonest.  Remember many hands make light work.

The Branch now has a mandatory requirement that when we attend/practice on a MOD Range day, we not only have to provide the RCO but we also now have to have in situ on the day a person who is trained in Basic First Aid. If any member holds a basic first aid certificate and is willing to help out this year please contact the Secretary ASAP with a copy of your certificate.