Air gun for the forces weekend CANCELLED

[gillieman]

Please read the last post on my sticky which Gary Grayling as posted.

As most of you know i'm in the forces, and we (the commitee) tried so hard to get this event up and running, in a space of a week it went from "i can have every resorce available" "to sorry we the Army cant help you" i cant tell you the reason why!! :mad::mad: but lets just say i and my commitee are very disappointed.

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the bbs members who backed this event, Terry Doe, Tony Belas, all the Manufactures, Gary C, Steve H for (setting up the web site), Bob clubshot, Pete Sparkes and of course my commitee members Claire (my wife), Gary Grayling, Mad Mark and Rachel, Ian Holmes, James Y Gwir and last but not least Dave Viperteks you all have worked really hard as a team, its been a pleasure. ;)

[Jackel]

That a bit of a sickener bud:(:(:(

[Northernspark]

Well that's a fair old kick in the nadgers.

Sorry to hear about this bud, I can only imagine the hard work you and others have put into this.

Steve

[Y GWIR]

I'm saddened to learn of this Nige. I obviously know first hand the work, effort and enthusiasm that you have shown for this event. That's not to detract from the hard work that others have put in to try to get this event off the ground, but I know trying to organise this event was almost like a full time job for you.

I think we can all be truthful now and let it be known what a complete nightmare attempting to organise this event was.

At every twist and turn a new obstacle was thrown in the way. The Army chopping and changing their minds, you can't do this you can't do that. Agreeing on something then a week later reneging on their promise. Even down to petit things like insisting that we must use their caterers, which we had to pay for I should add.

Regarding the members I hadn't met prior to this event, namely Gary, Dave, Ian and Claire, it's been a pleasure meeting and working with you all, I'm just sorry we didn't succeed in our goal.:(

[Micky Spillane]

Sounds too bad to be true. All these people, all the efforts of individuals and groups scuppered for whatever reason by the very people who made us think it was possible:(

[Kes]

As most of you know i'm in the forces, and we (the commitee) tried so hard to get this event up and running, in a space of a week it went from "i can have every resorce available" "to sorry we the Army cant help you" i cant tell you the reason why!! :mad::mad:


Would you (or James for that matter) be prepared to PM me the reasons/details why this has had to happen please? :cool:

[Baxterbasics]

Gutted fot you lads:(
I can sympathise with you-organising an event is not as straightforward as many would believe. I cannot understand why the Army didn't give you 100% support and co-operation in this. Don't despair lads-something else may come up:)
Just a thought, why not ask Daystate to approach the organisers of the Midland game fair and try and get a 30 shot HFT course on sight?

Well done on your efforts:)

[Y GWIR]

Would you (or James for that matter) be prepared to PM me the reasons/details why this has had to happen please? :cool:

I'll leave that for Nige to do Steve. The reason was quite complex and better explained by Nige.

[gillieman]

Well i thought long and hard about it :rolleyes: and have decided to let the bbs members really know why its been cancelled!!

First of all Swynnerton training camp (and Landmarc) was going to charge us "a charity" up to 5,000 for renting the area for the weekend they also wanted a % of all the takings from berger vans, stalls etc and they wanted us to use the camp's catering facilities at a cost of course.

Then the final nail in the coffin was when the Army said this event does'nt provide them with any recruiting value and also it would be targeting the wrong audience. :eek::mad::mad:

I was in total shock, i told them its not meant to be for recruiting but to raise money for the injured service personnel, and them being there to support what we as a charity was trying to achieve.

This disgusts me to think they really do not give a $h1t about the blokes who but their lives on the line (my self included) for Queen and Country.

I even spoke to a retired Lt Col from my regiment who is a member of Help for Heroes and told him of the situation and he was out raged by this, he then in turn went to General Porter (Commander United Kingdom Land Forces). And thats as far as its got.

It would be a terrible shame if some one leaks this to the press :rolleyes:

[cinstone]

Absolutely stinks:mad:!

I don't suppose they will change their stance on this, no matter how high the issue goes.

Chris.

[Steve C.]

Is this political? Then someone should be supplying answers.:mad:

Steve C.

[MEATGRINDER]

Thats a damn shame.:(

[RobF]

pretty bad to have all the work torpedoed by the hosts themselves...

probably should be leaked to the press...

[Tenuc]

Sounds political to me...:mad:

Stupid ruperts probably thought it would be bad publicity for the forces if a bunch of airgun shooting yobs were trying to raise cash for injured troops - "What's the world coming to, Old Bean?".

Every dead or injured soldier makes it harder for them to recruit the cannon fodder they need... According to their publicity, you join the forces to get a career and a cushty well paid job with a pension. They don't tell you that you'll be treated like a leper if you get a serious combat injury and have to leave...:eek:

Sorry it didn't come off, despite all your hard work. Perhaps another venue can be found for this worthwhile cause and another date???

[Josie & John]

Hi Gilleman,

Is there no way we could use some one elses ground we were looking forward to this plus all the hard work you all have done.
If this is political between the labour government and the MOD it is very sad, it was probably showing the governemt up because they are doing nothing to help the lads and lasses.
I was talking to one of the girls from the SOS support our soldiers at Bisley camp Friday and she said they are happy with any help or donations they can get for the army.
go into www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk
they have representatives in all areas of the uk i wonder if they could help.
Please don't let them win.


Regards

jo

[Kes]

Well i thought long and hard about it :rolleyes: and have decided to let the bbs members really know why its been cancelled!!

First of all Swynnerton training camp (and Landmarc) was going to charge us "a charity" up to 5,000 for renting the area for the weekend they also wanted a % of all the takings from berger vans, stalls etc and they wanted us to use the camp's catering facilities at a cost of course.

Then the final nail in the coffin was when the Army said this event does'nt provide them with any recruiting value and also it would be targeting the wrong audience. :eek::mad::mad:

I was in total shock, i told them its not meant to be for recruiting but to raise money for the injured service personnel, and them being there to support what we as a charity was trying to achieve.

This disgusts me to think they really do not give a $h1t about the blokes who but their lives on the line (my self included) for Queen and Country.

I even spoke to a retired Lt Col from my regiment who is a member of Help for Heroes and told him of the situation and he was out raged by this, he then in turn went to General Porter (Commander United Kingdom Land Forces). And thats as far as its got.

It would be a terrible shame if some one leaks this to the press :rolleyes:

Are you able to PM me the names/details of the individual/s who finally said "No!" ?? :cool:

[gillieman]

Are you able to PM me the names/details of the individual/s who finally said "No!" ?? :cool:


Sorry Kes i cant do that mate, as much as i would love to. :rolleyes:
My ba11s are already on the chopping board for telling them that my wife wants to write to the Sun about it. ;)

[gillieman]

From Terry Doe we still have the pledge from 24 manufactures of a £1,000 worth of goodies each to raffle and you as prises if we could get a venue some where???.

My plan B failed The Duke of Westminster Estate. Plan C was a Lord in Denbighshire and Plan D Tawd Vale all failed for various reasons.

I did think if only we could get into the Midland game fair with a stand/range but i serpose this is just a pipe dream now.

I've got donated stuff from various working dog companies i need to get rid of a bed, leads first aid kits that sort of stuff lads do you think i should auction it off??? or just think of a price and sell it on evil bay??

Same goes for a signed in a frame with serial no. of Katherine Jenkins i'm sure Mr Doe would like this on his desk in work:rolleyes::D

[whippetX]

Hi

spoke to my mate covert op;)

He works for Richard branson. He said he has been to his house twice for staff parties at his place in Oxford.

he said he had enough room for a tank range and he also thinks richard would love this story. The Army say No to there own and Richard sponsors it.:D Sounds familiar:)

Covert op says he had taken the weekend off for this and his heart goes out to those that orgainised it, but knows what you come up against as he lost his father last year, and after over 40 years military sevice including , Gurkhas , Middle East, Borneo, Malaya ( nick named Ghosts ), Australia for Atomoic testing....when he asked for a military band at his funeral, they were too busy....sorry:mad:

[Kes]

Sorry Kes i cant do that mate, as much as i would love to. :rolleyes:
My ba11s are already on the chopping board for telling them that my wife wants to write to the Sun about it. ;)

As serving military myself, I'd have contacted the Royal British Legion. ;)

I'd have also contacted the persons involved both in writing and by phone to state my disgust at the way that this idea/event has now just been so contemptuously disgarded. Had the idea still been in its infancy, it would be easy to forget, but people have already invested time and effort in this (not least yourself) and for them to suddenly take the path of least resistance in this way is wrong. Gordon Brown may have pledged a huge sum of cash to the charity since the concept of this fund raiser was hatched but thats no reason to dismiss it completely.
Give me a buzz after Tuesday if you can. (Mil 93884 8223). I'll PM you my details.....;)

[gillieman]

As serving military myself, I'd have contacted the Royal British Legion. ;)

I'd have also contacted the persons involved both in writing and by phone to state my disgust at the way that this idea/event has now just been so contemptuously disgarded. Had the idea still been in its infancy, it would be easy to forget, but people have already invested time and effort in this (not least yourself) and for them to suddenly take the path of least resistance in this way is wrong. Gordon Brown may have pledged a huge sum of cash to the charity since the concept of this fund raiser was hatched but thats no reason to dismiss it completely.
Give me a buzz after Tuesday if you can. (Mil 93884 8223). I'll PM you my details.....;)

Cheers for the Pm Steve i will give you a call some time Tuesday.

[gillieman]

As serving military myself, I'd have contacted the Royal British Legion. ;)

I'd have also contacted the persons involved both in writing and by phone to state my disgust at the way that this idea/event has now just been so contemptuously disgarded. Had the idea still been in its infancy, it would be easy to forget, but people have already invested time and effort in this (not least yourself) and for them to suddenly take the path of least resistance in this way is wrong. Gordon Brown may have pledged a huge sum of cash to the charity since the concept of this fund raiser was hatched but thats no reason to dismiss it completely.
Give me a buzz after Tuesday if you can. (Mil 93884 8223). I'll PM you my details.....;)

I spoke to the Commander Reginal Recruiting (CRR) in person about it and he could'nt look me in the eye, it was this officer who was all for it "well to my face" he told me he would give my presentation to the Brigade Commander and that was the last of it.

[guybinks]

"Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches to conceive how others can be in want."


What folly to not realise that an event covered in the press such as this would equally benefit the forces recruitment by showing they look after their own, and garner more public support by showing exactly what a modern military machine has to do to get a few extra beans to help its wounded heroes.

Mr G Brown, you got your sums wrong, you gave the nations riches to thos who would squander it, not those that needed it.

[gillieman]

Mr G Brown, you got your sums wrong, you gave the nations riches to thos who would squander it, not those that needed it.
__________________

Well said that last couple of lines sums this country up, give as much as it can to people out side of the Uk and give us NOTHING.

[Josie & John]

I spoke with the lady from support our soldiers she was shocked, that you were treated this way. I think we should get our pens out and write to the government and help for heroes about this. i have already emailed help for heroes and said I am not happy at all when they want people to be proud of the lads and lasses, then they put a stop on us doing something for them, which i think embarreses the government because the ordinary people are doing more for them than they are.

Regards,

jo

eve if we have to change the date this needs to go ahead as too much hard work has gone into it. Some club somewhere must have the facilities to put this on.

[SuffolkRifle]

Must admit that if I'd got a few acres, I'd offer, but I aint:(. As a thought, does it have to be in the Swynnerton area (I know for ease of swapping venues/transport and organsation it'd be easier)? But what about that airgun farm in Essex, anybody know him? On the same theme, any farmers on here from the original area?