Airsoft Action 05 - Jan 2012 | Page 68

FIRST & ONLY First and Only Airsoft operates 11 sites in the UK. Ron Mahoney checks out its Manchester Woodland site I f you ever need to find the main man at First and Only Airsoft’s numerous events, then the best advice I can offer is to find someone that looks like a combination of an AEGIS Operator and General George S Patton. You’ll soon see what I mean when you spot the leather-holstered single action Colt revolver. John Bibby approached me with a big smile and a handshake. As we walked and talked about the day he was being pulled in a number of directions with things to organise, but it was a measure of the man that he still had time to make sure that he gave attention to all the players at today’s event. With his background in corporate training he knows how to get the best out of the site, the scenarios and the players; running around 068 January 2012 like headless chickens and spraying and praying is not what First and Only is about. While on the subject of training, FAO has introduced a number of skills enhancement days including Sniper, CQB and Hostage Rescue Experience, so players can take their game-play one stage further. John’s ethos is that every FAO site you turn up at should offer the same level of customer service, game management and facilities, though this will vary slightly from site to site. Currently it operates 11 sites but new locations are constantly being scouted and their suitability as a premier airsoft site assessed. I was at the Manchester Woodland site, which is actually based near the Lancashire town of Bolton and set in the shadow of Winter Hill. The terrain is undulating and incorporates over 150 acres of mixed woodland including rivers, bunkers, bridges and even a large