NOTIFICATION OF LIVE FIRING AND DRY TRAINING AT ALTCAR RIFLE RANGE, HIGHTOWN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALTCAR RIFLE RANGE BYE-LAWS AND STANDING ORDERS

Notification of firing at Altcar – January 2012

1.  Live firing may take place Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Sun from 0800 - 1600 hrs and Sat 0800 - 1630 hrs for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 January 2012.  Dry Training may take place at any time throughout the month of January 2012. (Blank ammunition and/or Pyrotechnics may be used)  Fridays are non live firing days however Operational Training may take place at short notice every effort will be made to notify the relevant agencies when this occurs.

2.  The Land and Sea Danger Areas will be closed during these periods when RED FLAGS or LAMPS are displayed.  Air Danger height 1000ft when range is in use.

3.  Live Night firing will only take place Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, and Sat if requested, provided at least one calendar month notice is received by the Military Unit to the Range Liaison Officer, this will then be published to the relevant agencies.

There will be Live Firing at Night on the following dates: Monday-Tuesday 16-17 January from dusk until 2200hrs

4.  Whilst every effort is made to conduct Live Firing within the stated timings in paragraph 1.  On occasion Military Units may request extra time due to unforeseen circumstances. This will be strictly monitored by the Range Liaison Officer and only granted in exceptional circumstances.

Notification of firing at Altcar – February 2012

1.  Live firing may take place Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Sun from 0800 - 1600 hrs and Sat 0800 - 1630 hrs for the period 1 February 2012 to 29 February 2012.  Dry Training may take place at any time throughout the month of February 2012. (Blank ammunition and/or Pyrotechnics may be used)  Fridays are non live firing days however Operational Training may take place at short notice every effort will be made to notify the relevant agencies when this occurs.

2.  The Land and Sea Danger Areas will be closed during these periods when RED FLAGS or LAMPS are displayed.  Air Danger height 1000ft when range is in use.

3.  Live Night firing will only take place Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, and Sat if requested, provided at least one calendar month notice is received by the Military Unit to the Range Liaison Officer, this will then be published to the relevant agencies.

There will be Live Firing at Night on the following date: Saturday 4 February from dusk until 2200hrs

4.  Whilst every effort is made to conduct Live Firing within the stated timings in paragraph 1.  On occasion Military Units may request extra time due to unforeseen circumstances. This will be strictly monitored by the Range Liaison Officer and only granted in exceptional circumstances.

Altcar Training Camp

The Camp and Range complex is designated a conservation area and is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 therefore no digging or dumping of waste material is permitted. Specifically Area 5a has been identified by the National Conservation Council as a site of special interest, every effort should be made not to disturb flora or fauna in this area and to stay away from ponds and scrapes.

The Camp Commandant is responsible for the management of the land within the ranges and dry training area. Use this land with care and consideration for those who will follow.

History

Altcar Ranges are unique in that they are the only major ranges owned by a Reserve Forces & Cadets Association. The land was given by Lord Sefton and first used for the Grand Lancashire Rifle Contest on Monday, 29 October 1860.

The land was given by Lord Sefton in February 1862 to provide a rifle range for Liverpool Volunteer Units. In 1885 Lord Sefton made an agreement with the Secretary of State for War for the use of the range by the Regular and Militia. The statement includes that its use is subject to accommodating the volunteers, it being for their special use. Over the years the ranges have been developed and rebuilt.

During the war two hutted camps, A & B camps, were built for use of the Command Musketry School. Between the wars B Camp was used for weekend training by West Lancashire TA Units. Prior to 1966 the Altcar Range Committee was responsible for both Ranges and Camp but in 1966 the camp was handed over to HQ North West District and in 1970 it was renamed Altcar Training Camp. The camp was handed back to RFCA on 1st April 1999.

Accommodation

465 beds, of which 70 can be used as female accommodation (more would be at the expense of male accommodation).

'C' Camp & Bivouac Area

Hutted accommodation for 30 all ranks (including associated messing and ablution facilities).
Bivouac Area accommodation for 100 all ranks.
Total accommodation 465 Beds

Sports

2 x Football Pitches
2 x Volley Ball Courts (Outdoor)
Sports Hall
Obstacle Course

Range Facilities

(1) Gallery:

A Range Gallery & Swivel 100 metres 12 lanes 9mm

M Range Swivel 100-75-50-25 yds 9 lanes remote control or 10 lanes stick in.  Licensed to fire 5.56mm with restrictions.

B Range 300/200/100 yds 38 Lanes (falling plate facility 16 lanes)
C Range 23 Lanes 100-600 yds
D Range 8 Lanes 500/1000 yds
I Range 15 Lanes 100-200 yds
K Range 12 Lanes 100 yds

Facilities for Falling Plate on 'B' Range:
(2) ETR 100-300m; 12 lanes, 400-600m 8 lanes + CGR 100-400m 12 lanes
(3) MMTT Electric Moving 100 metres
(4) 25m Indoor 3 lanes
(5) DCCT - Dismounted Close Combat Trainer 10 lanes
(6) Dry Training Areas 5a, 6 & 7 (up to section level)

Bridge for training scenarios (160 acres)
(7) OBUA Village on 5a
(8) NBC Chamber
(9) Clay Pigeon Shooting down the line
(10) Railhead (Logistical Operations)
(11) Dry Training Area CQB (Shanty)

ALL FACILITIES ARE BOOKED THROUGH ALTCAR TRAINING CAMP HQ.

FIRING TIMES

Altcar Annual Bidding Conference

Altcar Training Camp holds a bidding conference for the following year's accommodation and range allocations annually. This is held at the beginning of September each year.

All Units wanting their accommodation and range bids to be considered for the following year must have their completed JSP 907 forms to the Camp HQ no later than the 31 Aug. JSP 907 forms received after 31 Aug will be addressed after the conference and this may result in limited availability.

The Red Rose

The Red Rose is situated in the Main Camp to the rear of the Officer's Mess and is open to all visiting Units. Anyone under the age of 18 will not be served with or consume alcohol on the premises. The club consists of three separate areas, ideal for Other Ranks, SNCOs and Officers.

* All Cadets are to be supervised by adult instructors at all times.  Under no circumstances are cadets to socialise with personnel of Adult Units.  Cadets must vacate the premises no later than 2200hrs.

The opening times for the bar and refreshment facilities are as follows:

Please note that opening times may vary dependant on range and camp use. If you require the club open on Friday morning or Sunday evening, notification is needed.