BERKSHIRE Report - Nicola Heron.

As we start a new competition season could I just mention some great results for Berkshire during the winter break.

Well done to Mick Abrams who on a trip to Southern Counties on the 11^th of November was ''the cat who got the cream'' when he put in a magnificent 300/100 at DTL, a first for Mick but hopefully not the last.

Also Ross Pottinger who was on top form at the NCSC Christmas Skeet competition shooting 100 straight and........wait for it.......in the fog. What can I say Ross.

Now you are probably tired of hearing this by now but we need your vote on the E petition that I put on 10 Downing Street website to try and get a lasting legacy for shooting sports at the 2012 Olympics, by moving it away from Woolwich (where it will be pulled down at a cost estimate currently at £26 million) to a ''good home'' at a shooting ground where a legacy can be left for all to enjoy.

You can only sign it online I am afraid, so those of you who do not have computers then please get a friend to do it for you.

The link is http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/OlympicShooting/  and we need as many names as we can get to help the negotiations.

All the County Championship dates are now available to see on our website http://www.berkshirecpsa.co.uk/ and the first dates for your diary are;

23/3/08. English Sporting at Four Counties CTC.

30/3/08. All Round at Fareham CTC.

5/4/08. Helice at A1 Shooting Ground.

13/4/08. English Skeet at the NCSC Bisley.

20/4/08. ABT at Fareham CTC.

Please also check out the website for the new Berkshire CPSA merchandise which was launch at the AGM on the 16/1/08. It is fantastic and anyone wishing to purchase oxford shirts, polo shirts, caps or towels will soon be able to find full details on the Berkshire website. They have a really good embroidered Berkshire coat of arms and the words Berkshire CPSA. If you are not online then phone Nicola on 07831-429119 to place your order.

The AGM was really well attended with 400 of our Berkshire members who turned out in inclement weather to voice their views...............and if you believe that one! (please see the website for details as life is too short to put it all here). The Berkshire committee would like to thank Chris McVerry from the CPSA Academy who volunteered to be our HQ guinea pig for the night.

The Supreme Championship results were announced at the AGM.

Ken Harman after a fantastic year won the seniors and was presented with his trophy by outgoing Chairman Saul Pitaluga , Nicola Gryspeerdt after a storming year won the ladies Supreme Championship and Simon Clarke who is showing great promise for Berkshire won the juniors Supreme Championship. Unfortunately for Simon he was on exams and the trophy sponsored by Keith Kilvington was collected by his grandfather Bill Hartman.

Well done Champions and a big thank you to all those who entered the competitions through out the year........and guess what........it is about to start again now.

During the end of the season the Ladies and Juniors were sent letters asking them about themselves and their shooting. Those who replied went into a draw for a framed picture as a thank you. The winner was drawn at the AGM and the lucky person was Kristina Payne. Kristina is also shown collecting the Ladies Skeet Doubles trophy which was kindly sponsored by Stephen Halfacre.

Berkshire juniors have had an unexpected boost with the announcement that committee members Keith Kilvington and Chris Rickets are both expecting babies.........well it is Charlotte and Karen that will be doing all the hard work. Congratulations to you from us all. This of course is only a good way to increase our membership, if you like hard work and nappies.

Finally we have to say a great big thank you to Saul Pitaluga for the tireless time and effort that he put in as the Berkshire Committee Chairman. He has now handed over the reins to Keith Kilvington and although he is staying on the committee, he is due a well earned rest.