PETER GLENSER has reflected on a successful 2017 in the traditional chairman’s end-of-year message to BASC members.
After a year in which membership of the UK’s largest shooting organisation exceeded 150,000 for the first time and 28,000 members received complimentary entry to The Game Fair, Mr Glenser spoke of the importance of giving shooting a louder voice.
Mr Glenser said: “Every single extra member gives us the power to continue our work to promote and protect sporting shooting. Whether that’s in the corridors of power at Westminster or fighting to represent the individual in dealing with his or her local police force in a licensing matter, the size of our membership adds to the weight of our influence.”
Mr Glenser also highlighted the challenges that will face BASC’s new chief executive Ian Bell when he officially takes up his role in February.
“Ian’s life-long passion for shooting is obvious when you speak to him, and BASC’s council is excited by the direction he wants to take us,” Mr Glenser added.
“It should be obvious to anyone who follows the shooting press that Ian, BASC and the wider shooting community face some real challenges in the year ahead.
“The importance of high standards in all aspects of shooting will be to the fore. Whether that’s raptor persecution or ensuring the supply of game meat matches the demand – the issues should be obvious to all of us who care passionately about shooting.
“The message is that we must all take personal responsibility to ensure shooting thrives in the manner in which we wish to pass it on to the next generation.
“As ever, BASC will be at the forefront, representing shooting at every level and presenting an effective and unified voice.”
ENDS