Lewis_Dunbar
20-Oct-06, 00:44
Heya! My name is Lewis Dunbar, and I'm one of the various chairpersons of the Caithness Airsofting Club.
Though I should probably start by explaining what Airsofting is, I'm terrible at explanations - so I've got a few links to define the sport first :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft (about the sport itself)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft_guns (a bit about the tools of the sport)
Basically, its a sport very similar in nature to Paintball, but with the emphasis on a state of suspended disbelief of being in the army/navy/police/swat/whatever else ya wanna be. Similar to military simulation in a way, but with a more fun related focus.
The only real difference is that we use different equipment, and dress differently.
But anyhoo, thats not why I'm postin' here!
My dilemma is that we've been an organisation for some months now - and have been regularly skirmishing through in Olrig Forest in Castletown (anyone attending the home movies thing in the cinema in Orkney on Nov 11th will be able to see some footage of us playing!)
However, we were saddened to find out that the Owner of said forest decided that we could not use the forest any more due to a neighbours concern for the conservation of the area (despite it's plans to be cleared, and the minimal impact the sport has on nature due to our use of biodegradable ammunition)
Either way, we were left with no choice but to stop skirmishing until we can find another area - and despite having a few leads, not many of them came through in the end - though we have possible plans to use a small, near-derelict farmyard just outside of thurso in the springtime(once the livestock have been moved back to the fields)
Basically, I'm asking, as politely as I can, that if anyone has any land that they'd be willing to allow our club to use regularly (probably once a week, or twice a month, depending on numbers)
So if anyone has access to things like, small forests, derelict farms, large abandoned buildings - all that kind of thing, that they'd be willing to let us use, either in the winter or next year, please could ya email me personally at [email protected]
Some other notes -
The land/property, for safety/security reasons, shouldn't be near any major roads or areas - although signs will be put up to warn and alert anyone of whats going on - it only takes one person to misconceive whats happening [the sport can get fairly realistic at times] and we've got a major problem with the law...
Also, its important for the wellbeing of animals that any and all livestock/other animals be kept a safe distance away from the area.
We are a non-profit club, just a group of members who have to buy/maintain their own equipment, as such, we don't really take money off our members - therefore, we won't be able to pay any landowners anything. However, if, during the spring/summer of 07, we can attract more players, perhaps a small fee for land usage could be arranged...
Last thing before I shut up! ;) Since none of us own cars anymore (our car driving members are all moving away at the end of october) Any land must be within walking distance of Thurso, most of our members are so determined, they will happily hike for 5-10 minutes before playing ^_~
Sorry for the long read everyone! If anyone has any further questions/comments/flames or can perhaps help our situation, or heck! are even Interested in joining us, either post here, or email me - ya can also catch me on MSN messenger at the above adress too...
thanks a bunch dudes!
~ Lewis
Though I should probably start by explaining what Airsofting is, I'm terrible at explanations - so I've got a few links to define the sport first :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft (about the sport itself)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft_guns (a bit about the tools of the sport)
Basically, its a sport very similar in nature to Paintball, but with the emphasis on a state of suspended disbelief of being in the army/navy/police/swat/whatever else ya wanna be. Similar to military simulation in a way, but with a more fun related focus.
The only real difference is that we use different equipment, and dress differently.
But anyhoo, thats not why I'm postin' here!
My dilemma is that we've been an organisation for some months now - and have been regularly skirmishing through in Olrig Forest in Castletown (anyone attending the home movies thing in the cinema in Orkney on Nov 11th will be able to see some footage of us playing!)
However, we were saddened to find out that the Owner of said forest decided that we could not use the forest any more due to a neighbours concern for the conservation of the area (despite it's plans to be cleared, and the minimal impact the sport has on nature due to our use of biodegradable ammunition)
Either way, we were left with no choice but to stop skirmishing until we can find another area - and despite having a few leads, not many of them came through in the end - though we have possible plans to use a small, near-derelict farmyard just outside of thurso in the springtime(once the livestock have been moved back to the fields)
Basically, I'm asking, as politely as I can, that if anyone has any land that they'd be willing to allow our club to use regularly (probably once a week, or twice a month, depending on numbers)
So if anyone has access to things like, small forests, derelict farms, large abandoned buildings - all that kind of thing, that they'd be willing to let us use, either in the winter or next year, please could ya email me personally at [email protected]
Some other notes -
The land/property, for safety/security reasons, shouldn't be near any major roads or areas - although signs will be put up to warn and alert anyone of whats going on - it only takes one person to misconceive whats happening [the sport can get fairly realistic at times] and we've got a major problem with the law...
Also, its important for the wellbeing of animals that any and all livestock/other animals be kept a safe distance away from the area.
We are a non-profit club, just a group of members who have to buy/maintain their own equipment, as such, we don't really take money off our members - therefore, we won't be able to pay any landowners anything. However, if, during the spring/summer of 07, we can attract more players, perhaps a small fee for land usage could be arranged...
Last thing before I shut up! ;) Since none of us own cars anymore (our car driving members are all moving away at the end of october) Any land must be within walking distance of Thurso, most of our members are so determined, they will happily hike for 5-10 minutes before playing ^_~
Sorry for the long read everyone! If anyone has any further questions/comments/flames or can perhaps help our situation, or heck! are even Interested in joining us, either post here, or email me - ya can also catch me on MSN messenger at the above adress too...
thanks a bunch dudes!
~ Lewis