Commonwealth Games Blog

[ovenpaa]

I am enjoying it.

[Trident]

Question about range stoppages because of idiots straying into the danger area. Will that sort of thing affect the actual matches, or are they stepping up boat patrols etc to prevent disruption?

A police boat is patrolling the edge of the danger area, and will persuade the idiots to keep clear. As you are aware the haar is likely to be the major disruption.

[Dougan]

I'm one of the butts officers.

As much info/insight on that side of things as you're allowed to say would be interesting too...

[Trident]

I'm one of the butts officers.

As much info/insight on that side of things as you're allowed to say would be interesting too...

Targets are ICFRA, 300/500/600 metre, and 900/1000 yard.

The 300m targets are mounted in the rear frame (don't ask) with a reversed 500/600 in the front frame as a balancing weight.

The 500/600 metre targets are mounted in the front frame with reversed 300m targets balancing in the rear frame.

This short range setup means that the markers can't watch the sand through the frame, but must look round the side.

The 900/1000 yard targets are mounted in the front frame, with basically railway sleeper weights in the rear frame. The weights and long range targets are about 40kg each! North or South winds make moving the targets in the centre of the range (most worn) rather difficult.

There are 3 butts officers - one of the assistants is a chippy, built the frames etc, carries out running repairs and refaces during the shoots.

The markers are all volunteers, with only a small minority with prior marking experience. They come from England, Scotland (local and further afield) and are very keen, quick and accurate.

There are at least 2 markers per target, some long range targets have 3 markers, and if the wind strengthens there will be 3/long range target.

[Dougan]

Sounds like a good set-up...makes sense to put 3 on the larger frames...keep us updated...

...and if you could sort a few extra V-bulls for the UK teams, that'd be good

[rox]

The latest video news from our on the spot reporter at Barry Buddon...

http://tinyurl.com/ouz7kjk

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[Mike357]

The haar is bad. Haven't seen it last quite so long for a while. Not encountered it when we shoot at Barry, usually the mirage or rain :-)

[mr smith]

Yeah there's been some spectacular banks of haar rolling up the tay from the north sea.

[ordnance]

One of N Irelands hopefuls for a medal.

David Calvert. Ace marksman. Royal Air Force Pilot. Teacher. Gentleman. And Commonwealth Games legend•David's first Commonwealth Games was in 1978. He has been selected for every one since.
• David has won EIGHT Commonwealth medals.
•Four of those medals have been gold and four bronze.
•Out of Northern Ireland's 27 golds in Commonwealth history, David has won virtually one seventh of them

[dromia]

The latest video news from our on the spot reporter at Barry Buddon...

http://tinyurl.com/ouz7kjk

..

Don't click on that link it appears suspect it takes you to page that you cannot get out of unless you close the tab, back buttons don't work and trying to load another page won't either, very dubious and at best anti social..