I have been going to the Phoenix for eight years now, to shoot.
The Arms Fare has always been an integral part of the shoot, somewhere to mooch around between competitions.
There were some stalls missing this year, notably the Dutchman selling his good value gun bags. The main Pavilion area was crowded with stalls but a friend who had a stall there said that the trade he had done was good.
What was noticeable was the lack of ROs on the ranges, with competitors scoring each others targets on Advancing Target and the Granet (comps I shot).
My sons friend went down for three days to RO, having been told he would have his fuel costs refunded. Once there he was told that he might not get this. It remains to be seen if he will get the money but if he doesn't that will be one less volunteer RO for next year.
Getting something to eat was a problem at lunch time, Jenny's taking money from me each day for a bacon bap. The Army was excellent at £5.00 for a full English breakfast albeit I had to get up damned early to get there from the hotel in Frimley!
Did I enjoy it? Yes but it's getting very expensive to go there to shoot:
Entry fees: £160.00
Hotel : £160.00
Fuel : £57.00
Food : £55.00
Ammo : £70.00
So a total of about £500.00 for the three days.
Next year I may have to reduce what I do but hey, I said that last year and the one before.
How did others find it?