Thursday 30 August 2012

In memory of Barry Hutchins

The world of airgunning lost one of its greats with the passing of Barry Hutchins earlier this month.
A well-known and well-liked character on the shooting scene, Barry lived just a few miles from me and I was lucky enough to be able to call him a friend.
He was an avid collector of airguns, including several amazing custom jobs and a couple of the finest-looking springers I have ever seen.
But Barry was best-known for his contribution to the online shooting forums including Airgun Universe and, most recently, Planet Airgun. Barry's banter, not to mention his work behind the scenes, earned him countless loyal friends - many of whom joined him at his famous weekend gatherings.
I joined Barry and his gang on one of their shooting camps last year, and the atmosphere was terrific. To see friends brought together by their shared interest in shooting enjoying a weekend of camping, plinking and hunting - not to mention one or two dubious meals - was a joy in itself. Barry's tireless efforts to organise the gatherings, and tidy up afterwards, were typical of his selfless nature and he will no doubt be sorely missed at the next get-together.
Apart from organising and attending airgun shooting events, Barry was also famous for documenting them with photographs. He was rarely seen without his camera, and his pictures appeared in shooting magazines as well as on the web. They are a lasting legacy to the great man.