update3

' Wolverhampton's former mayor has vowed to back a rifle association's fight to uncover
exactly how money has been spent on refurbishing Aldersley Leisure Village'.

Former mayor of Wolverhampton, councillor Joyce Hill, has been good friend to our association for many
years, and done her very best in trying to obtain information for us on the spending - or non-spending in our
case - at the Aldersley Leisure Village. Her subsequent treatment by Wolverhampton Councillors is
shown elsewhere on these pages.

Councillor Bob Jones once again tries to lay the blame at the feet of WSBRA, stating that our lease was being
terminated because we had not repaired or maintained the range. He says that money for the range is for
redevelopment, not repairs.

This is the very heart of the problem, where councillors are now using this term 'redevelopment'.

Let's make it clear Mr. Jones, the money was applied for - and granted - for the refurbishment of the rifle range.

This is clearly stated in just one example of a letter received from Wolverhampton council in 1999.

Councillor Jones is a relative newcomer to this question of our funding. We on the other hand, have been involved
with this project since 1995!.

The phrase 'shifting the goal posts' comes to mind, as this new term 'redevelopment' leaves the council free to do what
they like with the money, with the exclusion of the WSBRA.

Much needed money amounting to Ł460,000 to REFURBISH our existing rifle range was applied for by Wolverhampton
council, and granted. Please DO NOT try to lay the blame with us for the present condition of the rifle range.

Councillor Jones also states that our association is not cooperating with them (Wton council).

Well, it is very difficult to 'cooperate' in your own sport's demise, and agree to turn our unique facility into another
free-for-all leisure facility, as they have done with the athletes and cyclists of Wolverhampton. It simply does not
work, as can be seen with our 'Leisure Village' - and the 7m spending - the council have landed us with.

Wolverhampton council have made a mistake with these people, don't do the same with the rifle range.

A report from the National Championships at Bisley suggests that our concerns referred to in an earlier update are
confirmed.

City of Birmingham rifle club are to lose their range at the end of this year, and are in talks with Wolverhampton
council to set up home on our range!.

This has got to be the ultimate kick in the teeth for our association, and indeed the people of Wolverhampton.

An update on the council's concern for 'public safety' regarding unauthorised access to the range, as of 14/8/02:

The council have still not replaced the doors to our range, removed by them to allow access for machinery.

Also, the damage caused to our firing point by their tree-felling work is still the same, and remains unrepaired.

It has also been pointed out by City of Birmingham shooters that they were approached in the first instance by a
Wolverhampton council member - and former member of our rifle club - Chris Huddart.