Date Item Posted

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Many thanks to all those that helped out on the work party on Saturday. Quite allot was achieved;. The shooting wall cassettes have been repaired, and many of the outside bosses repacked and repaired. Many of the cupboards have been tieded yet again, so please keep them tidy. Notices have been put up above the rails where the old faces are kept.

The lines have been re-marked on both outdoor shooting ranges. The boundaries have been checked, and work on these will take place at the next work party.

The larger transport trailer has been striped of all timber, and the chassis will be cleaned, repaired, and then re-decked, ready for the outdoor season. So, if you own a wire brush, we will be please to see you.

Some of the wooden palisade fencing has been treated with preservative nearest the building, and again more of this will be done on the next work party. Many thanks to the Records Officer for preparing the Beacon Butties for all, a very much welcomed treat.

Both of these risers are perfectly legal for Target Archery barebow, providing  'the bow is braced for use by a single string attached directly between the two
string nocks only, and in operation is held in one hand by its handle (grip) while the fingers of the other hand draw, hold back and release the string.' ie no part of the back brace of the riser touches the bow arm and therefore used to steady the bow.

For Field Archery the rules are the same, but, with the addition of the following:- The unbraced bow complete with accessories must be capable of passing through a hole or ring of 12.2cm (122mm) nside diameter ± 0.5mm.

The committee are please to announce that the Gemini shoot this year will now be held on the grounds of the Ruby Club, next door to our own field. This will enable us to provide nearly twice and many targets, and, as a result will now be able to provide the Junior distance of 60m.

Camping and Caravanning pitches will now be provided on our field, and a practice range will be set up, providing targets at both 70 and 60m distances. For those that have shot at the Andoba FITA Star, the set up will be much the same.

The Shoot Prospectus and Entry Form will be amended to include the above changes.

The work party again for this Saturday has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Please watch this notice board, and the club notice board for further details on when it will take place.

7th January to the 18th February

11th March to the 22nd April

13th May to the 24th June

1st July to the 12 August

2nd September to the 15th October.

These dates have now be posted on the Event Calendar.

Please advised that the door code HAS NOT YET CHANGED contrary to earlier reports on the website. The door code will change next Wednesday (16th December 2009). Paid up members that have completed a membership form and given their e-mail address will be notified by the Secretary.

The notice board on the website has moved to the members area.

Date Reminders.

The frostbite shoot is this Sunday starting at 11.00am

The postal compound is Monday 14th December. (spaces available)

Junior Postal shoot Tuesday 15th December from 18.00-21.00 (Spaces
available)

Recurve postal Wednesday 16th 17.00-21.00 (Spaces available).

Turkey Shoot Sunday 20th starting at 10.30.

Christmas fun night Monday 21st starting at 19.00 (entry by plate of buffet
type food).

"A very Merry Christmas to all our readers"
 

Many thanks to all those that helped out on the Work Party Saturday morning. A great deal was achieved, the new cutting jig was completed and then put to good use, cutting foam for the wall cartridges. Some of the wall cartridges repaired, and the shooting wall rebuilt. Hanging rails put up, to enable archers to hang old faces on them rather than throwing them on the floor. Many of the targets on the field have also been repaired and tied down. I think it was the prospect of beacon rolls mid-morning that got so many people up! Many thanks to all.

GNAS have issued a consultative document on membership fee's, please following link

Thanks to the two club members that spent most of last Saturday, and late into the evening on Tuesday constructing the new foam cutting jig. The new jig will be used for cutting the foam required to build the small cartridges for the shooting wall. Sufficient cartridges will be made to rebuild the shooting wall, resulting in minimum work and down time of the wall.

Members are reminded that this Saturday 5th is a work party day, so there will be disruption to indoor shooting from 9am through to about 2.00pm. Members who want to come and help out, are very welcome.

Members are also reminded that the door entry code will be changed on Saturday Morning. The club Secretary will advise all those that have both submitted a membership renewal form, paid their club fee's and given an e-mail address. 

Congratulations!  to Tim Croot. Tim took part (with Paul Flippance) in the Andover Sound sports quiz on Saturday afternoon. The Sports Quiz is part of the local sports programme that Andover Sound do on a Saturday from 2 till 5. The programme promotes local sport clubs in North West of Andover, and the the Saturday afternoon 'Wheel of Sportune' is an opportunity for local sports clubs to promote themselves.

Answering as many question in 60 seconds, Tim scored 11 out of 13. Very impressive, and the first person to score double digits. With this score Tim may well be in the play-off's in February. Our thanks to Ben McGrail and Rob 'The Hawk' Hawkins, for their hospitality on Saturday afternoon. Go Tim!

Tim is now contactable through his Agent!

Members, your membership fee's are now due for the 2009/2010 year. Please make your payments to the Treasury in the normal way. Our new Treasurer is Mrs Nicky Bamford. The committee ask that ALL members (including active Honorary members) fill in a Membership Application Form. These can be found by the Notice Board in the club house. Green for Adults, and Yellow for Juniors. Payments will be return if not accompanied by a completed Application Form. Members are asked to make payment before the end of November. Please give your complete form and your payment to either the Secretary Rob or our Treasurer Nicky.

For further information on the new Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Archery can be found under http://www.gnas.org/coaching/dyncat.cfm?catid=31115

Vetting and Barring Scheme Update

The new Vetting and Barring Scheme first phase came into operation on the 12th October 2009. As you may be aware this has attracted a great deal of media attention. On the 14th September 2009, the Children’s Secretary Ed Balls, announced that it is important to define ‘frequent or intensive’ contact with children correctly and he has asked Sir Roger Singleton, Chairman of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, to review this and report back by December 2009.

What is happening from the 12th October 2009:

• Continue to use the current CRB Disclosure Application forms
• Use Enhanced CRB checks for anyone working with children and vulnerable adults in regulated activity
• POCA, POVA and List 99 are replaced by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) ‘Children’s List and ‘Vulnerable Adult’s List’
• Standard CRB checks are no longer available for people working with children or vulnerable adults
• The POVAFirst service is renamed the ‘ISA Adult First’ service
• Your legal obligation to refer any information about individuals who may pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults to the ISA.

We will update our website when we have heard more detail about the terms of reference for the review and the process for the sports sector’s views to be communicated; in the meantime, this will not change our processes currently in place. For further information please visit the ISA Website – http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/

The Archery GB Progress Awards are designed to provide beginners and younger archers with awards for developing their archery skills.   The junior age groups are aligned with 5 educational key stages.  The scheme can also be used as an adult beginner incentive. The scheme is open to all archers and is operated by archery clubs or by schools, youth groups and similar who practice target archery.  There is no requirement for the recipients to be members of GNAS, although many will be. There will be a Roll of Honour for those archers achieving the Gold badge, but their names must be registered with the badge scheme co-ordinator.

The award comprises a rectangular badge showing the Archery GB logo and the word “progress” on a coloured background. The background colours, indicating increasing proficiency are: white, black, blue, red and gold.

Qualification for the badge is by score only. The shooting requirements are:

(a) Shooting may be indoors or outdoors.
(b) The archer must shoot 36 arrows in ends of 6 arrows. This may be shot in one session of 36 arrows or in 2 sessions of 18 arrows each.
(c) A maximum if 12 arrows warm-up is allowed per session.
(d) Archers must achieve the scores shown Part 2a, b, c or d as appropriate. Note that score requirement varies according to:

(i) Bowstyle: Recurve, Compound or longbow/barebow/fibreglass bow.
(ii) Age group.
(iii) Sex.
(iv) Face size used.
(v) Distance shot.

A badge colour can only be claimed once irrespective of age group or bowstyle. However, missed colours may be claimed when a junior archer moves up an age group. The Badges will be available at a small cost from the Records Officer. There will be a simple claim form that the claiming archer will need to complete, and submit it to the Records Officer in the normal way that current score sheets are.

As with shooting normal rounds archers will need to have their claim form counter signed by another archer present at the time the round was shot, but, does not have to be shooting themselves.

Further details and Claim Forms will be supplied in the next few weeks. It is hoped that the scheme can be ready in time for the next beginners course.

Further information and score thresholds can be found under http://www.gnas.org/junior/dyncat.cfm?catid=30431

A perfect day, bright sunny weather and very little wind. Yet again the Tournament Organiser contacts in high places have paid off again.

This was the first occasion that members have had the opportunity to shoot on the new bosses, and very god reports where received. The morning started in the traditional way with beacon rolls, and mugs of hot tea, many thanks to Jackie for organising and providing this.

For members entertainment an impromptu H2H was organised, with most archers taking place. Recurve, Compound, Lowbow and Barebow all taking part. All shooting 60yds, one arrow each, furthest two arrows from the middle being eliminated. 

After many rounds, three archers were left, Steve Wrigley, Tim Croot and Rob Welfare. A straight shoot off, one at a time, furthest away and your out.

First up, Steve, '9' scored. Tim '9' scored. Rob '7', Rob 'goodbye'.

So, Recurve against Compound. First up Tim, '9' scored, Steve up, '9' scored (inner ring), this against much barracking from the crowed, but thats normal for compound archers.

The Club Champions for 2009 are as follows.

Men's Recurve:- Time Croot

Ladies Recurve:- Margaret Barrett

Men's Compound:- Steve Wrigley

Gent's Longbow:- Peter Hudson

Ladies Barebow:- Nick Bamford

Junior Boy Recurve under 16:- Harry Welfare

Junior Lady under 16 Recurve:- Sophie Barratt

Junior Lady under 16 Compound:- Gemma Flippance

Junior Boy under 12 Recurve:- Adam Porstmouth

Congratulations also go to Mark Holder and Steve Holland who shot the Short Windsor, and to Andrew Jones who shot the Albion.

Congratulations also go to Nicky Bamford, who shot another County Record (subject to ratification).

We all look forward to the Annual Dinner and Presentation Night on the 15th January, when trophies and awards will be presented.

We have two young rising stars ( well one young one, and one not so young) for this years Postal League. Master Harry Welfare shot a 543 round last week, and the older Welfare shot a 570. They both disgraced the third archer taking part, who shall be nameless. Information from a reliable source indicates that if Harry shoots a 550 round, he gets a new riser. 

Members:- Your G.N.A.S. fees are due by the END OF SEPTEMBER. The cost is £39.50 made payable to Andover Archers. The fee includes the S.C.A.S. and County Fee. Members that do not pay by the end of September will not therefore be insured to shoot.

Congratulations!  to two of our Junior Club Members. On Sunday 20th September Juniors Connor Talmage and Gemma Flippance took part in the Hampshire County Championships for 2009. Gemma Flippance took first place and is now County Champion in the Junior Girl Under 16 Compound discipline. Gemma held off Cheryl Waldren and Melissa Dawes into second and third place.

Connor Talmage took second place in the Junior Boy under 14 Recure discipline. A very good weekends shooting for Connor, as on Saturday his was shooting at the Gosport Junior Shoot, and shot his second Junior Bowman score in his new age group. The following day, at the Hampshire County Championships he shoot another Junior Bowman score, his third one in his new age group. Very well done to him, and I understand from a reliable source, it was Pizza on the way home.

The clubs 2009 championships will take place on the 4th October. The round will be St George, Albion and Windsors. The fun will start at 9:45am.

Those wishing to take part, please place your Name and the Round you wish to shoot on the list attached to the Notice board in the club house. Remember, members must shoot their age round to have their score counted in the championships.

A special page dedicated to the shoot will be published in the next few days, with the full details. Please keep this date free in your diary.

Sunday 13th September saw Andover host the Senior Regional County Team championships for 2009. A good day was had by all, even if some archers scores were not as expected. Nicky Simpson broke the National record with a score of 1290, only missing the gold three times during the whole day. Well done to her.

Very good reports from the archers who shoot all day on the new targets that Andover Archers have invested in. The TargetTec 'Atlas' bosses seem to be the answer to today's high performance bows, and arrows.

Hampshire took second place in the Recurve bow, and fourth place in the Compound. For the full results follow the link.

Thanks to all the people that helped out over the weekend, the week leading up to the event, and on both Saturday and Sunday. Very good reports have been received from the Region. Next years event will be the 12th September 2010.

A year after the Darlington-based Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) began advising Government Ministers on who should be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, the organisation is gearing itself up for its pivotal role in the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS). The Scheme covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On October 12^th this year the ISA’s responsibilities for barring individuals who pose a known risk from working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults will be further strengthened as more sectors – such as the NHS and the Prison Service – will come under the Scheme and new criminal offences will come into force.

The Committee and our CPO are working closely with our Governing Body, Archery GB, in regard what we should be doing and what the club's responsibilities will be in the future, when working with Children and Venerable Adults.

For further information on the scheme and process, please following this link:- www.isa-gov.org.uk.

The Executive committee will be meeting on Wednesday the 9th of September. If any member has item/s they wish to raise, please speak to the Club Secretary Rob Welfare.

This Saturday, the normal monthly work party will be taking place. Both outdoor ranges will be out of action whilst the distance lines are re-marked, ready for the Regional Inter County Team Championships that will be taking place on the 13th September. Members are kindly reminded that the club will be closed to members shooting both outdoor and indoor on the 13th, and shooting will be disrupted on the Afternoon of the 12th when the field will be set up for the following days shooting. 

The 2009 Annual Dinner and Presentation evening has been provisionally booked for Friday the 15th January, at the Andover Rugby Football Club. Further details and the meal choices will be placed on the club notice board in the normal way in due course.

The members shooting records as at the 31st August 2009, have been placed on the updated 'Members Area'. If any members know that they have submitted a score sheet, and the round does not appear in the records, please contact the Records Officer.

Shooting a National based round the following results were recorded:-

Short National

Sophie Barrett Rec 353 ( 1st Class)

Gemma Flippance Cu 545 ( Junior Bowman)

Junior National

Mathew Lawless Rec 257 ( 3rd Class)

William Talmage Rec 255 ( 3rd Class)

Short Junior National

Adam Brookes Rec 201 ( retired after 3 1/2 doz)

Well done to all that took part, and especially to Mathew and William for getting their first classifications.

Further rounds will be put on during the next couple of months, so that all juniors get the opportunity to shoot the required 6 outdoor rounds. The date of these rounds will be given out next week.

Gents Half FITA

Rob Welfare 448, Ian Bamford 447, Paul Flippance 435, Michael Barrett 433, Steve Passmore 421, Terry Barrett (Cu) 449, Darrell Benge (LB) 92

Ladies Half FITA

Mararet Barrett 356, Nick Bamford (BB) 345

Half Metric II

Jackie Flippance 364, Harry Welfare 385

Half Metric III

Gemma Flippance (Cu) 585, Sophie Barrett 401, Jamie Welfare 358

Well done to all, Nicky, Gemma and Jamie all scored Bowman scores.

Many thanks to the people that helped out on the work party on Saturday. New timber ends frames for a further 10 new bosses have be produced for the shoot wall, all the bosses on the field have been overhauled, and the entire shoot wall refurbished. The kitchen and toilets have been deep cleaned. The cupboards have been sorted, and the arrows in the bow cupboard have been re-organised. Thanks go to Rob, Ian, Barry. Alan, Ian, Terry, Margaret, Jackie, Harry, Paul, Gemma, Micheal, and Sophie. 

Congratulations! Tim Croot. Last Friday shooting in the Civil Service South Western Championships at Cheltenham won the Men's Recurve section. Yet another trophy for him, and is now accepting donations to have his this and the last trophy engraved. The reporter can confirm that he hit with all 144 arrows, and that all his Bowman scores for this year have been at external shoots. Well done to him. He will be available for autographs at the clubhouse but by appointment only. 

Archers from all over the country descended on Andover Archers at Foxcotte Park  on the weekend of the 25^th and 26^th July for the Andover and Old Basing Double FITA Star World Record Status Shoot. Some of the archers arriving on the Thursday to gain there camping space. 

This year Andover Archers ‘rolled out’ their new Target Tech ‘Atlas’ target butts. A major investment by the club to purchase the very latest boss technology. 61 on the shooting line.

The shooting line looked very impressive with the new bosses, and the four TargetTech feather flags flying on the tent line. Thanks go to Targetech for providing the two flying on the practice field, both of which Andover get to keep! The acquisition of the bosses, all 65 of them, was made very much easier with the help of Hants County Council for a ‘Return to Sport’ grant funding, Hampshire & Isle of White Community Foundation, Grassroot Funding, and funding from S.C.A.S. All of which Andover Archers are very grateful for. 

The butts are the brain child of company Director Brett Walker, who over the past year or so has developed what is considered to be the best target archery boss available.

As many archers know, boss technology has not kept pace with bow and arrow technology. There have been many attempts to improve the type of straw and layered foam buts, but these do not stand up to the modern recurve and compound bows. Carbon arrows (X10's with tungsten point) travelling at speeds approaching 250 miles per hour, and trying to stop them within the thickness of straw boss, is unrealistic, puts extreme loads into the arrow, to a point where arrows will, and do fail.

Andover’s acquisition of 65 of these bosses represents probably the biggest investment of any club or region in the country. Andover  Archers evaluated many of the bosses currently on the market. This involved websites, literature and independent testimonies from users of the bosses. 

For many years, the shoot has used layered foam bosses which worked extremely well, but the constant need for repair became prohibitive. We conducted an extensive research operation into which commercially available bosses would be the best to use and compiled a cost per arrow matrix. Endorsements were also sought from other ‘Atlas’ boss users, one recommendation from Jon Nott was extremely impressive. The Atlas, Target Tech bosses in theory looked like the obvious choice and we approached Brett Walker with a view to having a boss for evaluation. A boss was delivered and quickly “pulled-apart” and shot at by some of our more discerning members. The boss performance proved a great success and as a result we chose to order 65 bosses for the Andoba FITA star and Andover Archers other tournaments. 

TargetTech were given six weeks to make, QC, and deliver the targets in time for the FITA star shoot. We received regular updates on the boss production and were invited to their facilities in Dudley to view the production progress. The service and support we have received from TargetTech has been very reassuring and the delivery schedule was never in any doubt. Setting up the field was far easier due to the reduced weight of the bosses, as was the clearing of the bosses after the event. The feedback that we received from the archers who shot on the bosses has all been very positive."

From the 242 archers taking part in the shoot, no complaints from the archers, in fact, a great many of the archers were pleased and preferred to pull arrows rather than score.

The targets stood up to the onslaught very well, and the need for double bosses, backstop matts or nappies were a thing of the past. For more information on these targets please visit the Andover Archers web-site, www.andoverarchers.co.uk, or www.atlastarget.com.

The weight of the bosses enabled many of the ladies to move their own targets and the change of distances.

The shoot also benefited from having Brett Walker actually shooting for the weekend, ( yes both days) and his presents was very welcome.  

The weather forecast for the weekend was mostly dry on the Saturday and expected rain on the Sunday afternoon. With only a light shower late on the Saturday afternoon, the shooting concluded around 5:00pm. 

Andover Rugby Club provided their grounds for the shooting range, and opened up their facilities for all on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the ‘Andoba’ (Andover and Old Basing) committee thank them for their hospitality, during the three days, and during the weeks leading up to the event. 

Again this year thanks go to the official shoot sponsor Merlin Archery Centre, the committee of ANDOBA would like to thank them for their continuing support. We look forward to seeing them next year, and for the foreseeable years ahead. Thanks also to Eclipse for bringing their mobile shop.  

Although the event is a World Record Status, and a Double FITA Star, there in another side, the social aspect! For many archers, friends and families, what goes on off behind the shooting line is as important as that on the line. 

Andover Archers provided camping and caravanning facilities on their shooting field, the rest of the field is set up as a practice range for the competitors. It is not uncommon for the first caravans to start arriving on the Wednesday or Thursday before to get that favourite spot, and they did! A total of 63 caravans/tents stayed over the weekend. 

Our thanks yet again to the judges over the two days, Nick Nicholson, Ray Defty, Ann Jackson, Carla Russell, Ted Burnham, Arthur Scales, and Keith Mills. We hope that Joan Griffiths broken arm mends soon. From all involved in the shoot a speedy recovery. No, she did not break it at the shoot!

Special thanks to the Lady Paramount, Mrs Helen Ricketts, from Old Basing Archers.

Thanks must also go to the many members of both Andover and Old Basing for the work not just over the two days, but the many weeks and months leading up to the shoot, and for the days afterwards clearing up. It’s not just about targets and faces, it’s the paper clips for the score cards to loo rolls for the toilets. The whole process starts again in a few weeks.  

RESULTS (Combined Score) 

Ladies Recurve 

1^st Mrs P Lowe (Meriden)                                    2446        62     23

2^nd Miss K Baier (Oxford)                                    2435        56     21

3^rd Miss J Lunt (Saints & Sinners)                         2430        53     13 

Ladies Compound 

1^st Ms N Hunt (Deben)                                         2783      199     66

2^nd Mrs R Bingham (Bowmen of Birstall)               2769      190     79

3^rd Mrs N Simpson (Oxford)                                2753      181     82 

Gents Recurve 

1^st Mr S Terry (Chorley)                                       2667      140     45

2^nd Mr M Peart (Deben)                                       2546        98     38

3^rd Mr G Womack (Lakeside)                              2513        71     21 

Gents Compound 

1^st Mr A Rikunenko (Redditch)                             2751      187     71

2^nd Mr J Bingham (Bowmen of Birstall)                 2729      162     75

3^rd Mr M Franklin (AC Delco)                              2721      167     57 

There were 6 record claims (subject to ratification)

Richard Powell (Longbow)                  90m            161

                                                           70m            233

                                            Long Metric               394

                                             Gents FITA               878

                                 Double Gents FITA             1592

National Records:-

Nick Hunt (compound)           Ladies Fita             1400                                                          

To all those that helped before, during and after the shoot, many thanks for making it yet another success, as we all look forward to 2010 shoot.

Following the shoot at the weekend, a large consignment of our straw bosses have been sold to Exmouth Archers. They were delivered at 6:30am. Apparently that's in the morning! Special thanks to the member to got out of bed at about 3:30am to deliver the bosses, and did a 190 mile round trip.

Members and juniors are reminded that Hampshire Archery Association will be conducting the second of two Junior training evenings on the 6th August, between the hours of about 6:00 and dusk. Field B and/or the club house will be closed during these times. However, should the weather be conducive to outside shooting for the evening, then the clubhouse may be opening to members. Please see Gerry Willsmore on the evening. This session is open to ALL junior Hampshire members, not just the junior Hampshire Team, and it's FREE!

The club's executive will be meeting this Thursday the 30th July. If any member has anything they wish to have raised, please ensure that your subject matter is raised with the Secretary. 

The work party for the 1st August has been moved to the 8th. Work will involve building additional small foam cartridges for the shooting wall. Any one who can spare a few hours, please place you name on the notice board in the clubhouse.

(Taken from the GNAS Web-site)

Compound archer Nicky Hunt has become the first British lady to score a FITA 14-hundred points.Nicky, taking part in the Andover double FITA star tournament, scored exactly 1400 - 346 from 70 metres, 352 from 60, 344 from 50 and 358 from 30.It all bodes well for Nicky, ahead of the fourth and final round of this year's FITA World Cup tournament in Shanghai next month. She is currently fifth in the overall standings after three rounds, and form like this will help her clinch a place in the Grand Final, in Denmark, later in the year.

Steve Wrigley has achieve his first Master score this year, and Rod Denness has shoot his first Bowman score under the new grading scheme. Well done to them both!

Junior members included Sophie Barrett, Luke Olding, Gemma Flippance and Connor Talmage, together with Paul Talmage and Steve Olding.

A dry day, mostly only the odd small shower, but windy in the afternoon.

It was the first external shoot that Sophie had taken part in, and she did very well, coming 2nd, scoring another first class score. Shophie was only beaten by a very much older girl of 16.

Gemma, shooting above her age group, shot as a Junior girl under 18, being the Windsor round, scoring another Junior Bowman score of 817.

Connor Talmage also shot his new age distance of 50 yds, as he was twelve just a week or so ago. He did very well, scoring 695, his first Junior Bowman score at this new distance. Connor came 2nd, but only by 6 points to Luke Olding, and yet another Junior Bowman score by Luke.

Another junior coming up on the rails, is Mstr Harry Welfare, he is regularly scoring 520 plus in a Porstmouth round.

Paul Talmage came 2nd in the Gents Albion round with 812, being beaten by Julian Piper by some 60 points.

We have some new fresh faces coming through the junior ranks, and we must do all we can to encourage them all further.

Simon Terry and Naomi Folkard virtually assured themselves of a place in the first ever Grand Final of Archery GB’s National Series, following victories at the third round of the competition, a double FITA, hosted by Bronte Archers, in Bradford.

Simon, from Grantham, took the honours in the men’s recurve event for the second leg in succession, and stretches his lead at the top of the standings to 18 points, from Manchester’s Rob Hallworth, who was third at this event, and holding his own against his international rivals.

Michael Peart boosted his hopes of claiming a Grand Final ticket by taking second place at Bradford.

In women’s recurve, Naomi proved that she is back to her best form after shoulder surgery, as she won her event for the second time in three National Series tournaments.

Naomi is now 30 points clear at the top of the overall standings from GB international team-mate Alison Williamson, who did not compete in Bradford

With Naomi and Alison both virtually assured of making the Grand Final, Charlotte Burgess marked her first appearance at a National Series event by coming second, and putting herself straight into contention for one of the two remaining places in the women's recurve championship. Amy Oliver finished third, to keep her hopes alive.

In the compound tournaments, Chris White snatched a dramatic late victory from Welsh teenager Tapani Kalmaru, with James Forbes taking third place to maintain top spot in the overall standings, though there is still much to play for.

Nicky Hunt took top spot for the second tournament running in the women’s compound, and moves three points ahead of runner-up Rikki Bingham in the overall standings. Nichola Simpson was third.

There are two rounds still to to go – the top four in the overall standings in each division after five rounds go forward to the Grand Final, at Lilleshall, in October.

The Committee has now ratified the formal Field Inspection carried out back in April of this year.

The 'Shooting Field Prospectus' relate to aspects of the shooting field operating as one range or two, and the positioning of bosses accordingly. Also the requirements of the side and rear overshoots. A copy of this document will be placed on the club notice board as soon as it is printed, and a copy will also be placed on this site.

This document provides the information as to the requirements  for shooting on both A and B fields. Copies of the field layouts will be laminated and placed on the clubhouse notice board.

Members will have seen the two RED marker posts in the top of the earth bund the far end of the field. When the outdoor facilities are being used as two independent ranges, no bosses should be placed in the area between these two red markers.

The next school event, will be the Winton School activity day for Year 7's, which will take place on Tuesday the 14th July.

Dear Regional and County Colleagues

Thank you for your participation in the recent survey about fee collection and on-line systems. You not only answered all of our questions, but provided valuable additional input and we are grateful for that.

We have now had the opportunity to analyse the results and share our preliminary findings with you. These will be discussed at the July Board meeting and then the next set of actions taken.
All but two of the Regions voted for change in the collection method as their first choice. Opinions varied as to what the new system would be with opinion split between GNAS being involved in the collection of Region and County fees and not being involved at all. Regions also proposed models for how a new system would work, and we will be proposing to the Board that further discussions around these proposals from the Regions be conducted, with the view to reaching a conclusion by the Autumn.

As well as proposed models, respondents also made useful inputs around the need for data security and the requirement to always have parallel paper systems for those not having internet access. In the section on on-line systems, most Regions do not maintain their own database and said that it would be valuable to have membership data accessible to Regions, Counties and Clubs, subject to appropriate safeguards. Suggestions were also made that on-line systems could be useful for tournament bookings and the organisation of coaching and judging at a Regional and County level.
 

We would like to again thank colleagues at Region and County Level who provided the inputs.

How big a wooden Arrow?

A question was raised by a Member Association if the rule on the maximum diameter also applies to the wooden arrows used for Longbows
The Constitution and Rules Committee finds the question presented to be within terms of reference of the Technical Committee. The Constitution and Rules Committee has determined that the following Interpretation of the Technical Committee is not contrary to the existing rules or Congress decisions.
 

Response from the Technical Committee:
 

The 9.3mm rule also applies to wooden longbow arrows. The Technical Committee notes that the largest commercially available wooden arrows known to it are 23/64” diameter, which is 9.126 mm (0.3593”). Additionally, within the common wood arrow diameter categories of 5/16”, 11/32” and the largest 23/64”, they are ranked by stiffness. Therefore, a 23/64” diameter arrow may be rated for 50lb-55lb or 90lb +, depending on the compaction of grain and the stiffness of the wood fibers within the shaft. It is not so much a matter of arrow diameter but the type of wood used and characteristics within any specific wood type. If longbow archers require arrows spined above the 90lb spine range, and unable to find this spine within the 23/64” diameter category, the Technical Committee will review requests for larger diameter wood arrows to meet that need on a case by case basis.

Book 4, Article 7.3.1.5.1
Book 4, Article 8.3.1.5.1
Book 4, Article 9.3.5.1.3
Question:
Can an Iris type sight pin be used?
Answer:
 

A ring sight pin fitted with a variable does not contravene any FITA Rule covering archers’ equipment. As however it provides a convenient method of estimating distances, its use is not permissible in shooting unmarked distance field courses. Therefore, it can be used in all FITA disciplines except for unmarked distances in
and 3D archery.

Question:
May an archer use an adjustable IRIS lense system (like the adjustable opening of a camera) on his shooting glass for his aiming eye? (Articles 7.3.1.9.3, 8.3.1.9.3, 9.3.9)
Answer:
 

The FITA Technical Committee unanimously agrees that the use of an adjustable IRIS lense on the shooting glass is not legal.

England pip Scotland to Euro-Nations title (Taken from the Archery GB web-site)

England and Scotland shared the honours at the 2009 EuroNations tournament, held at Edinburgh University.

In the closest of finishes, England pipped Scotland to the overall title in a competition involving mens' and womens' compound and recurve events. England also took the honours in the mens' and womens' combined compound, while Scotland did likewise in recurve.

Individually, the awards went to former Olympian Simon Needham, representing Scotland, in men's recurve, Sweden's Jenny Jeppsson in women's recurve, and the English duo of Rikki and James Bingham in the compound competitions.

Individual results: Men's recurve: S. Needham, 1283 points; J. Shales 1251; K. Watson 1248. Women's recurve: J. Jeppsson 1250; R. Dawson 1241; S. Cuthbert 1207. Men's compound: J. Bingham 1376; A. Ward 1360; M. Franklin 1353. Women's compound: R. Bingham 1349; T. McGowan 1335, C. Westman 1334.

Jersey Sept 2009

The committee have approached Jersey Archery Association with a view of holding a friendly shoot with them in September.

The aim is to provide as many members as possible the chance mix socially with other members both within our club and Jersey’s.

The Merton Park hotel (http://www.seymourhotels.com/MertonHotel) is highly recommended and they have provided us with favourable rates if sufficient numbers are interested.

The intension is to leave on Friday 25^th September and return on Sunday 27^th September. The accommodation is half board at a cost of £108.00 per person for the two nights. Flights are readily available from Southampton as are high speed ferries (3.5 hours) from Weymouth and Poole.

Any club member interested please contact the secretary through the committee page, with your name/s and contact details, also how many is within your group (double room, twin room or family suite). A possible discount could be negotiated with Condor ferries if sufficient numbers are travelling at the same time. Examples of ferry costs without discounts are as follows,

£466.00 for a car travelling with 2 adults and 2 children.

£516.00 for a car travelling with 4 adults.

£388.00 for a car travelling with 2 adults.

This would equate to a car with four adults travelling via ferry from Weymouth to Jersey staying half-board in the Merton Park Hotel for £224.50 per person.

Flights from Southampton are currently priced at £110.00 return inc taxes.

Closing date ideally Saturday 25^th July 2009.

Some of our members (well two) went to Southampton Archery club and took part in the yearly Wessex Albion. A rainy start, but it soon cleared up before shooting commenced. Paul shot the Albion round (well 7 dozen of them) but with a equipment failure on the last distance, had to pull out. Some commentators reported that having place a bet with Robbie (which involved alcohol), and at a time where Robbie was somewhat in front, an equipment failure was the only way to save face. Of course it had nothing to do with our archers shooting! Gemma shooting a distance above her age, achieved her third Junior Bowman of the year, and took first place on the day. Congratulations to her.     

Members will have also noticed that part of the floor has been repainted, twice, and once the new lines have been re-done, it will look exceptional. There are still some items that need sorting, and placed away into the containers, so, if there are any members that have personal items still left in the clubhouse, that are not being used, please could you relocate them home.

Thanks for Saturday, and the preceding weekend  to the following:- Rob Welfare, Harry Welfare, Nicky Bamford, Jackie Flippance, Gemma Flippance, Ian Bamford, Barry Morris, Alan Spicer, Andrew Jones, Mo Jones, Peter Hudson, Paul Flippance, and Darrel Benge. Well done to all.

There may be some disruption in the indoor shooting range this evening and Saturday evening. Saturday evening the floor of the clubhouse is to be re-painted. This will be the area from the shooting line back to the single entrance door. This evening, the floor area to be painted will be washed and the perimeter painted. We hope to keep the disruption to a minimum. Once painted the floor will require 24 hours to dry.

Saturday the 20th June saw the 2009 Guildford Little Acorn Shoot take place. Again the shoot was well attended with many of the younger archers dressing up.

Three of our Junior archers took part, Connor and Sain Talmage, and Gemma Flippance.

This year Guildford's new club house was in full use, ( and a very nice building it is). The archers and quests were provided with food and drink during the day thanks to the ladies at the outside Bar-B-Q. Again music was provided, and played during shooting as well. The term 'in your bubble' brought on a new meaning! The Andover supporters based in the quickly set up beer tent, sporting their club shirts and jackets. A fine show it was.

Connor Talmage shot a Junior Western round and came 2nd in his group, with score of 686. Sian Talmage (compound) shooting a Short Junior Western came 1st with a score of 366.

Gemma Flippance (Compound) shot a Short Western was place 1st with a score of 730. Both Connor and Gemma shot Junior bowman score's.

Well done to all three juniors, and in my opinion the day was one of the best, and most enjoyable junior shoots that I have attended.

Team GB has announced a strong line-up for this year's FITA World Championships, which take place in Korea from August 31 to Spetember 9

All six archers who took part at last year's Beijing Olympics will be heading to Korea - Alison Williamson, Naomi Folkard and Charlotte Burgess in the women's recurve, and Alan Wills, Larry Godfrey and Simon Terry in the men's.

All six will also be going to Shanghai for the fourth and final leg of this year's World Cup tournament, where Simon Terry is currently in a strong position to qualify for the Grand Final. That takes place in August, with Simon second in the current stadings.

The only compound archer going to Shanghai will be Nicky Hunt, who is also well placed for Grand Final qualification, in fifith place. Nicky will also be going to Korea, where she will be joined by fellow compounders Nichola Simpson and Rikki Bingham in the women's tournament, and Duncan Busby, James Forbes and Liam Grimwood in the men's.

"This is a really strong squad, and I have no doubt that we will be very competitive in Korea," said Archery GB Performance Director Sara Symington. "We've got a busy summer ahead of us, and if our archers keep performing to the standard they have been so far this year then we will definitely be competing for medals.

Compound Frostbite

Andover Archers (Division 5) placed 3rd, behind Meriden and Hastings & St. Leonards.

Compound Portsmouth

Andover Archers (Division 18) placed 4th, behind, Telford, Bowmen of Guernsey and Phoenix B.

Recurve Portsmouth

Andover Archers A (Division 8) placed 2nd to Chichester Bowmen.

Andover Archers B (Division 26) placed 3rd, behind Chase Archers and St. Kingsmark Bowmen

Junior Recurve Portsmouth

Andover Archers (Division 2) 1st.

Frostbite Recurve

Andover Archers (Division 6) 1st.

On behalf of the committee, very well done to all the members that took part during the winter months, and congratulations to the Junior Portsmouth team and the Frostbite Recurve team for taking 1st place. Thanks also go to Jackie for collating, and submitting all the results to the league, and keeping our clubhouse notice board up to date.

We hope to announce the teams that will be entered for the 09/10 league, after the next committee meeting in July.

Both Nicky Bamford  and David Greenslade shot their third Bowman score last evening. Nicky shooting Barebow, and David his Longbow. Well done to them both. 

18 of our members took part in what was their first Clout shoot on Sunday. Held on the grounds of the Rugby club, it was the first time quite a few members had shoot more than 100yds. Four of our Juniors also took part, shooting above their normal distance of 80 and 100 yds. Three distances were put out 180, 140 and 120yds respectively. It was nice to see a number of our Longbow brigade out in force. It seemed to be a great success, with quite a few asking when the next one is to be staged.

The day before, training and instruction was given and archers had the opportunity to practice for the first time. During the afternoon one of our newer members thought he had lost an arrow somewhere short of the 180 yd flag. Now, giving no names here, but, he drives a blue and white camper van. He was not sure if he had shot five or six arrows. After much searching of the ground, walking up and down for hours with the metal detector, but to no avail!

It was one hell of a shot. The arrow was eventually found in some ones workshop, in Collingbourne! This must be a new club record!

It was not a particularly good weekend for this person, Sunday morning having parked up, he stepped out of the camper van, at the bottom end of the car park (the muddy bit) slipped and went down like a sack of s***. Down on his buttocks! Unfortunately , this unfortunate event was not caught on camera.

I dare say this person will be giving interviews when next at the club. We are now trying to arrange for one of our juniors to count out and count back his arrows for him. I have it on good authority that there will be a special award for this person at this years presentation evening.

It is hoped that we can arrange a follow on clout shoot, perhaps making it a home and away shoot with Southampton. Further details will follow in due course, depending on the availability of the Rugby Club field.

The event concluded with a B-B-Q, to reflect on ones shooting, and again on Ian's misfortune the day before (oh bugger) I've named him. The day was enjoyed by all.

The full results below:-          Points

Gemma Flippance  120yds     86

Paul Flippance        180yds    42

Alison de Burgh      140yds    29

Rob Welfare           180yds    24

Barry Morris           180yds    11

Ian Bamford            180yds    13 (yep used all 6 arrows)

Nick Bamford         180yds    12

Darrell Benge          180yds     8

Colin Kirby             180yds     8

Sophie Barrett         120yds     7

Margaret Barrett      140yds    6

Harry Welfare          120yds    5

Jackie Flippance       140yds    5

Michael Barrett         180yds    3

Gorge Tucker             80yds    3

Terry Barrett              180yds   1 retired after 2 1/2 Doz

Don Ellis                    180yds   1

Guy Tucker                180yds  0

British archer Simon Terry beat the Olympic champion on his way to reaching the quarter-finals of the latest FITA World Cup tournament.

Terry, a double Olympic bronze medalist at the Barcelona Games in 1992, beat last year's Beijing gold medalist Victor Ruban in a tense first round match in Antalya, Turkey.

Terry emerged victorious against his Ukraine opponent by just a point, 107 to 106 after 12 arrows, and after two more wins - against another Ukraine opponent, Markiyan Ivashko and Piotr Piatek of Poland - set up another tough challenge in the quarter-finals, against the leading Korean, Jin Hyek Oh.

Whatever the outcome, Terry will be guaranteed double points in his quest for a place in September's World Cup Grand Final, in Copenhagen. After winning a bronze medal in Santo Domingo in April, he went into this tournament in fifth place overall - the top four go through to the Grand Final.

"Simon shot brilliantly, and beating the Olympic champion will give him great confidence, especially ahead of his match against Oh in the quarters," said Team GB Performance Director Sara Symington. "But he's been in great form all season, and today's performance is just a continuation of that.

Of the two other Brits in the men's recurve tournament, Larry Godfrey made it to the last 16, after wins over Jeff Henckls of Luxembourg and Hiroyuki Yoshinaga of Japan, before losing to Amedeo Tonelli of Italy. Alan Wills beat Poland's Rafal Dobrowolski before slipping up against Muhammed Izzudin Abd Rahim of Malaysia 108-107.

In the women's recurve, Naomi Folkard and Charlotte Burgess both won their first round matches, but then slipped up at the next hurdle.

Simon, a bronze medallist at the first World Cup event of the year, in Santo Domingo, will go head to head against Olympic champion Victor Ruban of Ukraine, after he qualified down the field in 58th.

Larry Godfrey was the second highest scorer over 50 metres, but could not repeat that over 90, 70 and 30 metres, and went through in 25th place, and will face Luxembourg's Jeff Henckels for a place in the last 32.

Alan Wills goes up against Rafal Dobrowolski of Poland after finishing in 48th, but Michael Peart just failed to make the cut. Collectively, Simon, Larry and Alan will go into the team tournament in eighth place. Korea took first and second places in the qualifying round, thanks to Dong-Hyun Im and Jin Hyek Oh respectively. Korea will also be top seeds in the team event.

In the women's compound qualifying, USA's Jamie Van Natta broke 1400 points to take the top seeding from Ivana Buden of Croatia - the runner up to gold medalist Nicky at the Porec World Cup tournament last month.

Van Natta scored 1408, nine points better than Buden, while Nicky stated her intention with a combined score of 1376 for a fifth place seeding.

Naomi Folkard, Charlotte Burgess and Emma Downie are in action tomorrow in qualifying for the women's recurve, while Duncan Busby flies the flag for Great Britain in the men's compound.

Many thanks go to the club members that have helped over the weeks getting ready and setting up this shoot. The people preparing the clubhouse and getting the field ready on the day before. Like the day of the shoot, the day before was very warm, and the work party excelled themselves yet again cutting grass, marking the field, and setting the equipment for the shoot.

Sunday again, the weather was perfect, with just the slightest breeze, the field once set for shooting, I must say looked pretty impressive. With archers starting to arrive by 6:45am, we were in for a good day.

Many of the top archers in the country were shooting, and those who did not, were unable to as they had to fly out to Turkey that day to represent GB.

Thanks you to Our Lady Paramount Lynne Evans, Chairperson and Board Member of Archery GB, and brought a further sense of elegance to the shoot.

From the comments I have had, it has been very well received by the archers, and has been a very good and important showcase for the club.

Many thanks to the work party during the day, special thanks go to Terry (the official photographer) Margaret and Sophie (for dealing with the results) Barry, Terry, and Michael for working the field.

Special thanks go to the members that gave up their shooting on Monday evening to help put away the bosses, and rest of the equipment. Thanks go to Barry Morris, Terry Catchpole, Reg Press, Steve Passmore, Richard Tungate-Thorn, Dave Greenslade, Don Ellis, Phil Collins, Ian Bamford and Andrew Jones.

Thanks also go to Sharon, for providing the catering during the day, and the lunches for the Judges. Thanks to our Judges, Nick, Arthur, Joan, Ray and Carla.

We very much look forward to the developments for next year.

The Committee

If you take a few minutes to read the rules you will notice that a statement saying that the “archer/team will lose the highest score...” is present in several rules and/or by-laws. Losing the highest score is a penalty applied to archers/teams which have shot an arrow out of time or shooting sequence, and not to archers/teams shooting more than the permissible number of arrows. We often hear judges around the world refer to “a rule” which states that an archer shooting 7 arrows will lose the highest score. This is a conceptual mistake. If you shoot 7 arrows, you only score six values: the six lowest ones. You do not penalize this archer or team with the loss of the highest score. He/she/they will simply score the lowest values (either three or six) for that end.

There is only room for three or six values in the scorecard, so all you do is have the archers score the lowest values to fill out the scorecard. A shooting-out-of-time situation will of course cause the archer/team to lose the highest score, which will mean deducting the highest score AFTER it has been written in the scorecard. The original highest score MUST be written in the scorecard. The judge WILL then draw a diagonal line across the square and write an M on other side. This is done to indicate that a penalty has been applied, and to allow for the possibility of the score being reinstated in case an appeal is lodged and Jury decides that due to circumstances that may probably concern the actual duration of the time allotted, the archer did not really shoot out of time.

In situations in which two mistakes are made by an archer: 1) Shooting 7 arrows, 2) Shooting one of them out of time, you will handle the problem in the following order:
1. You will enter the six lowest values
2. You will deduct the highest score (of the ones already entered in the scorecard).

During some years now the FITA Judge Committee has instructed the judges re the understanding of  the rules re fibre optic sight pins – ref. article 7.3.1.5. – at seminars and on other occasions. The “history” is dated back to Judge Newsletter of January 2003 where the guidelines were given and thereafter followed by the Judges. Some incidents and questions lately may anyway indicate that it is necessary to stress this point again. Let us start by stressing that a fibre optic sight pin may not be more than 2cm in the line of vision – this follows clearly from the rule text. But when checking sights, the fibre optic sight pin is seen as a separate unit (it will be explained below) from the rest of the sight. Therefore – all the variations illustrated here will be legal, as the fibre optic sight pin is not exceeding 2cm.

Length tunnel 1 cm, Pin 2cm, total length 2.5cm
Length tunnel 1 cm, Pin 2cm, total length 2cm
Length Tunnel 2cm, Length Pin 2cm, total length 3,5cm.

What has been confusing is that the rule 7.3.1.5.2 is saying that the “overall length of the sight (tunnel, tube, sighting pin and/or other corresponding extended component) will not exceed 2cm in the line of vision of the athlete. But remember that a regular sight pin may be fixed in many ways to the sight house, and the intention of the rule is that there shall not be possible to have something more than 2cm to be used for levelling the bow. Then back to the fibre optic sight pin. This pin is only fixed to the centre of the sight house in order to enlighten the sight point. In this respect it is not a “sight pin” as such, as the fibre optic itself is not used for aiming. From a practical point of view it is not possible to use this as a continuation of the sight house for levelling purpose, and therefore we must look upon this as a separate unit in relation to a possible levelling aid. As a support for this understanding you will see that article 7.3.1.5.3 last bullet is only mentioning the fibre optic pin itself when limiting the item to 2cm before bending (not including parts from the sight house).

Compound archers Chris White, Andy Rikunenko and Duncan Busby all topped 1400 during the Stephanie Hall Memorial FITA at the Meriden Archery Club on Bank Holiday Monday.

It was the second time Chris had achieved this feat, but a first for Andy and Duncan, and - with Liam Grimwood, who did it last year - they are the only British compounder's to achieve this.

Chris won the men's compound with a score of 1408, while Andy made 1405 and Duncan 1403. During the course of the day, Duncan set a new British record over 50 metres, with a score of 356 out of 360.

Rikki Bingham won the ladies compound title, while Naomi Folkard did likewise in the recurve with a score of 1293, her best this year as she continues her return to top form following surgery to a shoulder. Simon Terry topped the men's recurve standings with a score of 1344.

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In the top ten pages to be visited include, Shoot Prospectus etc, Notice Board and the Event Calendar.

The most usage by Country continues to be the US with 55%. In total there are 38 different countries accessing the web-site.

After a first round bye, and victory over Romania's Ovidieu Kisalita, Alan - who qualified for the head to heads in first place - missed out on a quarter-final place when he was beaten 113-109 by Bulgarian Javor Hristov.

That was Hristov's second victory of the day over a British opponent, with Mark losing to him in the previous round.

Michael defeated Poland's Jacek Proc in the second round, after a bye in the first, but then lost to the second seeded Lorenzo Giori of Italy, who went on to reach the semi-finals.

All three British archers in the women's recurve tournament at the EMAU-Grand Prix in Sofia have fallen at the second round hurdle.

Both Charlotte Burgess and Emma Downie had first round byes, before losing to Aleksandra Makushina of Russia and Khatuna Narimanidze of Georgia respectively.
 

Amy Oliver thrashed Serbia's Marina Jovanovic in the first round, but then met her match against the second seeded Jessica Tomasi, the Italian going through by 104 points to 98.

But all six British archers taking part in Sofia still have medals chase when they go in the team tournaments on Friday.

Following the last Committee meeting the following 'Club Resource Booking Forms' have been approved. A brief outline of these are listed below, and these will be added to the Events Calendar shortly.

June 7th:- Club 'Clout' shoot. Open to all club members, and will be held on the Rugby Club playing fields. Our field B will be closed to shooting during the course of this clout shoot.

June 27th:- A Two Way Western shoot for long bows. All long bow archers in the club are welcome to take part. This event should be confined to Field B.

18th June and the 6th August:- Hampshire Archery Association Junior Coaching Session. Field B and the clubhouse will be closed to members for the evening, from about 6:00pm.

15th July:- Winton School Activity Day. This is an away event, and will therefore not effect the clubhouse or outside fields.

4th & 11th June:- Additional beginner's evenings to complete six week course. The clubhouse and/or field B will be closed to members during the normal time of 7:00pm until 9:00pm.

13th June:- Junior activity afternoon, with camp-over and Bar-B-Q.

Further details of the shoots on the 7th June and 27th June, will be placed in the clubhouse shortly.

Alison, now 37, showed her rivals how it should be done, as she took the honours in the women's recurve, not only dealing skilfully with her opponents, but also the heavy rain and high winds at Evesham, the venue of the first of five tournaments, leading to the Grand Final at Lilleshall later in the year.

Tom Barber, meanwhile, underlined his rich potential yet again as he took the honours in men's recurve, while Jan Howells and James Forbes took the honours in the compound events.

"It's been a fantastic day, and a wonderful start to the National Series, but the wind and the rain played havoc throughout the day, and made for some interesting scores and pairings after the qualifying round," said organiser Jon Nott.

The most interesting head-to-head pairing came in the first round of the women's compound event, where Nicky Hunt, a FITA World Cup gold medalist in Croatia last weekend, found herself up against GB international colleague Nichola Simpson.

Nicky won that fascinating contest, but then slipped up against Andrea Gales in the next round. Andrea went on to finish fourth, losing to Rikki Bingham in the bronze medal match, while Jan's golden start to the series saw her defeat Lucy O'Sullivan in the final.

Alison beat GB international colleague Naomi Folkard to win the women's recurve competition, while Estelle Edwick defeated Sam Meadows in the third place match.

And while an Alison-Naomi final was no surprise in the women's recurve, Tom against Grant Womack in the men's was a turn up, given that Larry Godfrey and Simon Terry were both involved.

But Larry was one of Grant's scalps on his way to the final, before losing to Tom in the gold medal match, with Rob Hallworth finishing third

There were upsets too in the men's compound, where GB number one Chris White suffered an early exit, after a pairing against international team-mate Liam Grimwood.

Liam went on to finish third, beating Duncan Busby in the bronze medal shoot-off. But pride of place in this section went to James Forbes, who defeated Jon Mynott in the final.
Said Jon Nott: "Despite the dreadful conditions, spirits were high, as they always are, and everyone just got on with it, but as I said, the conditions did make for some interesting scores, especially in qualifying.

"However, there are still four more tournaments to go, so there's all to play for for everyone.

Although the weather limited numbers on the day, all enjoyed the experience. Many personal best's were achieved, Steve Passmore attained his first 1st Class, Gemma Flippance got her first Junior Bowman of the season, shooting above her age distance, and Harry Welfare got another Junior Bowman score.

The Bar-B-Q, being the high light of the day, the grill full of Beef, Pork, and even some fresh Salmon. oh, some of that Larger stuff as well.

The results are as follows:-

Senior Gents (New National)

Tim Croot  437, Reg Press 387, Ian Bamford 369, Rob Welfare 345, Steve Passmore 336 and Stewart Wilson (National) 485

Ladies (Long National)

Sally Allen 466 and Nicky Bamford (barebow) 197.

Juniors (National)

Gemma Flippance 470, and Harry Welfare 385.

Well done to you all.

British compound archer Nicky Hunt is through to the gold medal match, at her first World Cup tournament of the year, in Porec, Croatia. But it wasn’t a great day for the GB recurvers, with only Tom Barber making it through to the last 16.

Nicky, who qualified for the head-to-head stages in 12^th place, will face local favourite Ivana Buden in Saturday’s women’s compound final after a superb performance on Thursday.

After a bye in the first knock-out round, she saw off Austria’s Petra Goebel and then the fifth seeded Gladys Willems of Belgium to secure a place in the quarter-finals, where she came up against the highly rated Russian, Albina Loginova.

But Nicky was up for the challenge, and defeated Loginova by 116 points to 114, and also won by two points in her semi-final, against Germany’s Andrea Weihe, to set up Saturday’s gold medal showdown with Buden.

Britain’s other representative in women’s compound, Nichola Simpson, was knocked out in the second round, going out agonisingly on the second arrow of a tie break to Inge Endhoven of the Netherlands.

There was tie-break agony too for Liam Grimwood in the men’s compound tournament, with the British archer losing out to Brazil’s Roberval Dos Santos in the second round.

And it was a disappointing day in the recurve tournaments. Tom Barber made it to the last 16 – and will therefore score his first World Cup points – before losing to Frenchman Jean Charles Valladont. Earlier, he had seen off the highly rated third seed Chen Wenyuan.

Larry Godfrey came through a sudden-death one-arrow shoot-off to reach the last 32, but lost to Ukraine's Viktor Ruban, while Alan Wills and Santo Domingo bronze medallist Simon Terry, both lost in the first round.

Tom, Simon and Larry take part in the men's team event on Friday, while Alison, Naomi and Emma will be flying the GB flag in the women's competition. The men won team silver and the women team bronze in Santo Domingo.

Sunday the 16th May will see the first of the 'Summer' club shoots take place. The aim of the shoot is to introduce some of the new and novice archers to the more formal shooting environment. The shoot will start at 10:00am and will consist, this time a National round. All distances will be available, but will depend on demand. After the shoot, and if the weather permits, there will be a B.B.Q open to all members. Food will be provided, but members are asked to bring their own drink. For those not shooting, it is expected that the BBQ will kick off at about 2:00pm ish.

Those wishing to take part, full details are in the clubhouse, and a list for you to place your name. If you wish to join us for the B.B.Q. only, then please indicate this on the list.

Alan Wills was the top placed British archer after the first day of practice at the FITA World Cup tournament in Porec, Croatia - and all GB recurvers made the cut for the head-to-heads.

It is the second World Cup event of the year, and Simon Terry - a bronze medalists at the first, in Santo Domingo last month - also claimed a top 20 finish in qualifying, ahead of Tom Barber in 35th and Larry Godfrey 44th. Brady Ellison of the USA qualified in top place, ahead of India's Jayanta Talukdar.

In the women's tournament, Alison Williamson - a silver medalist in Santo Domingo - finished the qualifying round in 21st place, but Charlotte Burgess was the highest GB finisher, in 18th. Emma Downie went through in 29th place, while Naomi Folkard, returning to international action after surgery to a shoulder, qualified in 33rd.

Justyna Mospinek of Poland qualified in top place. She top scored over 70 and 60 metres, while Natalia Valeeva - the gold medalist at Santo Domingo - did likewise over 50 and 30 metres.

In the team tournaments, the GB ladies trio of Williamson, Folkard and Burgess, claimed the 8th seeding place, while the men - Terry, Godfrey and Barber - will be seeded 10th in their event

Team GB compound archers have made an encouraging start to their first FITA World Cup tournament of the year, with all finishing in the top 20 in the qualifying round

Nichola Simpson, who won the silver medal at last year's World Cup Grand Final in Lausanne, made an immediate impact by qualifying in 7th place. She scored 1390 points, and was 4th and 2nd over the longer distances of 70 and 60 metres respectively. But she lost ground over the smaller distances, where she was down in 23rd over 50 metres, but back up to 10th over 30 metres.

Nichola finished seven points and five places above her GB team mate Nicky Hunt, who finished 12th, while Jamie Van Natta of USA - who won the Grand Final gold medal last year, beating Nichola in final - headed qualifying with 1410 points.

In the men's tournament, Liam Grimwood qualified for the head to heads in 20th place with 1390 points. His best performance came over the shortest distances, scoring second highest over 30 metres. Martin Damsbo of Denmark, with 1411 points, qualified in top place.

The head-to-head rounds in compound and recurve get underway on Thursday

Friday 1st May Andover Archers held a 'Inter House' competition at Winton School. This is the second year Andover Archers has staged an event at the school. Club members, Jackie, Tim and Paul took the event. All Four Houses (Rome, Tokyo, Madrid and Paris) took part with about twelve students from each house shooting. There were a number of students that showed real aptitude, it must have been the teaching!

Some members of staff even took part. There seems to be a real demand in schools for different types of sport, and desire from the schools for inter school activities. Perhaps this is because Archery is now a GCSE sport. Thanks to the three members for giving up their time and for their efforts.

The clubhouse however, will be closed from the advertised time of 10:00am until about 4:00pm. Members wanting to come up to the club, are very welcome to come and join the fun. The work will include cutting foam, and building bosses. 

We look forward to a spectacular shoot on Sunday.

Nichola will be shooting at our 'Gemini' shoot on the 31st May.

Members are reminded that both outdoor ranges (the whole field) will be closed from 4:00pm, so that work can be carried out in preparation for the Saxon Shoot.

Members are reminded that this coming Sunday the 19th April our Easter Fun Shoot will be taking place. All members are welcome to take part. If you wish to take part in the vent, the fun starts at 10:00am.

The Operations Committee has agreed to an immediate change to the Rules of Shooting on safety grounds.  A new Rule 103 requires that for child protection purposes, 2 adults must be present when juniors are shooting with a concession concerning a parent supervising his/her own child(ren) on suitable archery grounds.  Rule 103 has been re-formatted to remove ambiguities.  The changes should make little difference in practice as 2 adults are required on many archery grounds already.  The changes now announced are worded slightly differently to those outlined in a recent edition of Archery UK magazine.

English compound archers have won two medals at the prestigious Arizona Cup tournament in the United States. Liam Grimwood took the silver medal in the men's tournament, while Nichola Simpson won bronze in the women's event.

Indeed, Nichola was thwarted yet again by Jamie Van Natta, who beat her to the gold medal in last year's World Cup Grand Final. This time her American rival defeated her in the semi-finals...and then went on to win the gold, while Nichola beat another home archer, Diane Johnston in the third place shoot-off.

Nichola's victory over Johnston not only earned her a medal, but also acted as revenge after the American shooter defeated two other British archers on her run to the last four. In the quarter-finals she saw off Danielle Brown, who was taking part in the tournament as part of the GB Paralympic squad. In the round before that, she ended the hopes of Nicky Hunt, who - like Nichola - was representing English Archery.

Of the other English Archery squad, Rikki Bingham made it to the last 16 and Andrea Gales the last 32, the same stage of the tournament that Paralympian Pippa Britton and Sarah Beamish bowed out of the competition - Sarah losing to eventual silver medalist Brittany Lorenti of the USA. Sharon Vennard fell at the first hurdle.

Liam's run to the final included a narrow victory over GB Paralympian Fred Stevens in the second round, with victories over leading Americans Logan Wilde and Dave Cousins setting him up for a gold medal showdown with Joshua Binge. This time the USA triumphed over England, but only just - with Binger, who beat Englishman Nathan Cutler in the first round, taking the gold by 115 points to 114.

James Forbes and James Bingham both made the last 32, Bingham beating GB Paralympian Kevin Hyde in the first round. Of the other Paralympians, John Cavanagh and John Stubbs both fell at the first hurdle.

 In the men's recurve tournament, Great Britain's Ian McGibbon made it to the last 32

Guidelines for Membership Cards
Due to the recent changes to membership cards for 2008/9 and a number of questions received at the Office from Club & County Secretaries, the following information has been compiled to help answer these:-

What is the System for New Members?
To register new members at your club please complete the 4 – part subscription form with the details of the new member(s) and also complete the box at the bottom of this form with the number of temporary membership cards required and send to your County Secretary/Treasurer with the corresponding payment. The County Secretary/Treasurer will then send you back the temporary card(s) to pass onto your new member(s) and you should note the temporary membership number against the name in your file. Note: Clubs can also hold a small stock of temporary cards. A card can then be given to the new member upon payment of fees and the member’s name and corresponding temporary card number should then entered onto a subscription form for despatch to County.

GNAS Temporary Cards with Labels - are these still issued?
Yes, for the moment the GNAS card and label will be the only style available and used for the temporary card. Late Payers of Fees – Returned Lists – Will they be issued a new style card? If after sending off your Annual Return list a member pays late, then please complete a 4 part subscription form and process onto the County Secretary. In the interim a temporary card can be issued to the member. Complete the 4-part subscription form with the name of the member and membership number and underneath the name put in brackets : (Late payer & label req’d) and this will act as a clear instruction to the Membership Officer. A new membership letter/card will then be sent to the Club Secretary to pass onto the member and the temporary card is then destroyed. Transfer of Members to Clubs - No Membership Card For those members transferring to new clubs please process paperwork as per Late Payers but put in brackets after the name ( Transferred from club : ………………. and membership no ………………). A new membership letter/card will then be sent to the Club Secretary to forward onto the member and the temporary card is then destroyed.

Members with Older Style Cards – Will these be replaced?
There are still some members with the G.N.A.S. card and sticker and they will be those members who applied for extended membership from May 2008 onwards. These are still acceptable as proof of membership and will be replaced from October 1st 2009. The process of subscription forms passing from Club to County to
Region to the Office continues to be used and the new membership letter/card will be sent back to the Club Secretary to pass onto the member.

Congratulations!  Nicky Bamford, has yet another Barebow County Record (subject to ratification). Nicky scored 463 in a Portsmouth round on Wednesday evening, beating the previous record held by Carla Russell by 9. Nicky will be in action again Friday evening.

A Work Party has been arranged for Thursday the 9th April, starting at 10:00am. If there are any members that are able to attend, please place your name on the wipe board in the clubhouse, or see Rob. Work will involve foam cutting and or boss repairs.

The Events Calendar has been up-dated, and additional information provided, regarding club events, and closers. Members are reminded that any demand on the club timetable, a 'Club Resource Booking Form' must be used. It is intended that this Events Calendar be the Primary Calendar within the club, as it can be accessed remotely outside the clubhouse. ' I think all events have been recorded correctly, I'm sure you will let me know if there are any errors!' (web-master)

When events are taking place on the outside field, it may not be necessary to close the entire field. Such events include 'Have-a-Go's, training, and specific organised coaching groups. In order to be more informative to the general membership, the field will be sub-divided into two distant shooting fields. The top (cemetery) side will be know as field 'A' and the lower (rugby) side will be known as field 'B'. It is intended that two markers will be position in the far bank and on the car park fence to demarcate the boundaries of each fields. Providing all the bosses are kept within these boundaries the required side overshoot (25yds) will be maintained.

This will also prove to be beneficial, when the field/s are being booked for an event. Not all of the field may be required for that event. It may be that only field A or B is required, thus allowing the membership unrestricted access to the other field. Details of what is closed and what is open can then be relayed to the membership.

It is hoped that the markers will be installed as soon as the next work party comes around.    

With the ever increasing demand on the resources and timetable of the club, a new procedure is being introduced. To monitor and control the events that are planned and being planned throughout the year, a new booking produced is being adopted. Any event that impacts on the club whether it be the use of the building, outside field, equipment or anything else, a 'Club Resource Booking Form' will be required to be completed and submitted to the committee.

The form will record information as to the event, start date, duration, selection criteria, equipment, work party requirements, benefit and impact on the club.

The form will be submitted to the committee for formal approval. Once approved, details of the event will then be posted onto the event calendar in the clubhouse, and onto the event calendar on the web-site.

By adopting this procedure, the advance planning of events can be controlled centrally, and better more detailed information given to the membership of events during the year.

To aid this procedure, a 'Club Resource Booking Form' can be found on the Club Documents Page. The form can be filled in on-line, and even e-mailed to the committee. It is expected that the proposer will complete and submit the form at least 4 weeks before any event start date, but, the sooner forms are submitted, the calendar can be better controlled.

It is hoped that this will keep the whole membership informed and up to date with the current and future events being planned within the club, and the details of these events.

Compound Frostbite Div 5 were 3rd

Compound Portsmouth Div 18 were 3rd

Portsmouth Rec Div 8 were 1st

Portsmouth Rec Div 26 were 3rd

Portsmouth Junior Div 2 were 2nd

Frostbite Rec Div 6 were 1st

Eventually, it is hoped that Entry Fee's could be paid on-line, but, one step at a time. It is hoped that all the club forms will be converted to the new format. And NO, your score sheets will still have to be completed by hand as you score your arrows!

The new forms will be uploaded in the next day or so. Please give them a go.

The proposed changes relate to the following:-

1) Junior Age Groups, (to reflect the Key Stage system as used in schools).

2) Bristol V Round.

3) Rule 103(c).(supervision of Juniors).

4) Proposed introduction of Junior Grand Master Bowman and revised current Junior Master Bowman.

5) Introduction of the Junior Metric Clout Rounds.

6) Proposals to create a new 'Short Junior Windsor' round.

The consultation paper relating to all of the above will be published in the Summer issue of Archery UK, and the final changes should come into effect on the 1st March 2010.

For the full list of proposals see the Spring edition of Archery UK

GNAS are also filling another gap by introducing a 'Short Junior Windsor' round with three dozen arrows shot at 30/20/10 yards.

The first cutting of our field has been booked (depending on the weather) for this Thursday the 19th March. All the bosses will need to be moved Wednesday evening. If weather conditions dictate that the cutting will take place on Wednesday, then the field will have to be cleared Tuesday evening. If there are only members shooting when the contractors arrive, then archers are respectively asked to move any bosses from the field and take a comfort break whilst the cutting takes place. This season the field is being cut with 'gang mowers' which should produce shorter grass, and should improve the quality and look of the field.

Compound archer Wendy scored 1177, smashing the existing record of 1162 by 15 points.

Shooting at the Lincolnshire County Archery Society Indoor Championships, hosted by Grimsby Archers, Wendy equalled the single portsmouth record of 584 in the morning and then had an amazing afternoon, scoring 593 to bring the double total to the record 1177.

Well, opportunity knocks - because the Royal Mint is looking for a design representing archery that will feature on a 50 pence coin - and be in circulation for many years to come

And if your design is successful, you can earn yourself a cash prize of £1,000, and a solid gold version of your winning coin.

As part of the countdown to the London 2012 Olympics, The Royal Mint is looking for a design representing all 27 Olympic sports, and the coins will go into circulation from next year. And they want you, the archers of this country, to come up with the winning design.

But hurry up! You need to register on line at the Royal Mint's website by April 22. For further information, go to http://www.royalmintcompetition.co.uk/

Archery GB's team of Eggheads have recorded their appearance on the popular BBC2 quiz show.

Olympic archer Naomi Folkard, Paralympic gold medalist Danielle Brown, GB Team Manager Hilda Gibson, international judge Graham Potts and coach project development manager Ollie Holt appeared before the cameras at the BBC's Television Centre in West London.

Their brief was to take on the team of Eggheads, made up of five people who have achieved fame and notoriety by winning other TV quiz shows , such as Mastermind and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

The 'soon to be famous' five from Archery GB spent Thursday morning recording the programme, which will go to air later in the year.

"It was terrific fun," said Hilda. "We all had a great time, it was a wonderful experience, and we hope we were able to do Archery GB proud."

Robert Potts - Graham's son - acted out the role of 'super sub' on the day, a non-appearing contestant who is on stand-by in case one of the five Archery GB team members were taken ill, or suffered from stage fright. Happily neither happened, but Robert's appearance on the day was much appreciated.

"We all had a lot of fun," said Graham. "I really appreciated the opportunity to take part in the show, and though I would be telling fibs if I said I wasn't nervous, the whole experience just whizzed by."

Team members are now sworn to secrecy as to the outcome of their appearance on the programme. Their programme is expected to be shown in August.

It was the second time her hopes had been dashed by rivals from the USA on the final day of competition - earlier she was a member of the GB squad that were pipped to the gold medal by the Americans in the final of the women's compound team tournament.

Lucy had tied 117-117 with Anschutz after 12 arrows. But her rival, who was a member of the gold medal winning American trio in the team event, secured her second medal of the day with the third arrow of a shoot-off - going closer to the middle of the boss after both followed two 10s with a 9.

Lucy came so close to a world championship medal, and we all really feel for her," said GB Performance Manager Barry Eley. "She put up a great performance against a strong opponent, and it is to her credit that she came so close. But she's young, and her chance will surely come again."

Mary Hamm won the all American gold medal match, beating Holly Larson 120-114.

Many thanks to all the people of the work party today. The day started at 8:00am for many. The shooting wall has been repaired, and the replacement bosses for the wall rebuilt. Three pallets of foam have been cut, leaving just one on the trailer outside.

Britain's Duncan Busby made a great start to the men's compound tournament at the World Indoor Championships in Poland when he qualified for the head-to-heads in third place.
Duncan scored 594 points, a score beaten only by Dominque Genet of France with 596 and America's James Broadwater with 595.

James Bingham went through in 14th place, and Andy Rikunenko in 16th, and combined the men's team qualified for the team tournament in third place, as did the women's trio of Nicky Hunt, Rikki Bingham and Lucy Holderness in their event.

Rikki was the best placed Briton in the women's compound tournament, finishing 11th with a score of 576, with Lucy going through in 13th place and Nicky in 16th.

There was a USA 1-2-3 in this event, with Mary Hamm, Holly Larson and Erika Anschutz going through in first, second and third respectively.
 

Simon Terry was Britain's best performer today in the men's recurve tournament at the World Indoor Championships in Poland on Friday, when he reached the quarter-finals.

Simon, who was in superb form when he qualified for the head to heads in first place, saw off Germany's Rafael Poppenborg in the first round, before victory by 119 points to 118 over Bair Badenov of Russia.

But his tournament came to an end in the following match, when he lost by two points - 116-118 - to Frenchman Jean Charles Valledont. Alan Wills tumbled out in the round of 32, while Michael Peart reached the second round, but then missed out on the last 8 when he lost his match against Poland's Rafal Dobrowolksi to a tie-break.

In the women's recurve tournament, Charlotte Burgess made the last 16 before her hopes were dashed by the second seeded Natalia Valeeva of Italy. Vlada Priestman went out in the first round of the head-to-heads to Coby Hurkmans of The Netherlands.

Archery GB is to feature on the popular BBC 2 quiz programme Eggheads.

Naomi Folkard, Danielle Brown, Ollie Holt, Hilda Gibson and Graham Potts will be flying the flag for British archery when they appear before the cameras at Television Centre in London, on March 12, though it is not yet known when the edition they are in will be broadcast to the nation.

The 'soon to be famous'  five took part in an audition in Birmingham earlier this month, and made such an impression with programme producers they were quickly informed they were being invited to appear on air. 

The programme is a general knowledge quiz in which teams from all over the UK battle to beat the formidable 'Eggheads', made up of a team of five of the country's best known and most successful quiz contestants.

"It's wonderful news and we're all very excited," said Hilda. "This is a great coup for archery, and will give us the opportunity to promote our sport to an a regular audience of 3 million viewers. But it will be great fun to take part in the programme, and of course, we'll be doing out very best to beat the Eggheads!

"We have a nice mix of Olympic and Paralympic archers in Naomi and Dani, Ollie from coaching and admin, myself from the team management side of things, and Graham who will, of course, be representing the judges."

Archery GB was approached by the Eggheads production team last year, but due to Olympic and Paralympic committments it was impossible to put together a team for consideration. But the idea was followed up at the start of this year.

And the production team are always on the look out for new teams to take on the Eggheads. Any club that might like to consider putting a team of five together, plus a reserve, and offer themselves up for an audition should check out the website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beonashow/eggheads.shtml

Now that members are beginning to shoot a few outside rounds, the Records Officer has processed the submitted score sheets, and complied them into a Detailed Records list. This list is normally published weekly and displayed in the club house. These lists will now be published in the Members Area of the Web-Site. The first of these can now be found in the Members Area. As the Records Officer has previously stated, those members shooting away, if they complete one of the new claim forms, and submit it in the normal way, these rounds will also be recorded. The forms can be found in the clubhouse, or under 'Club Documents' on the front page.

Members are reminded that if you leave your bow in the clubhouse it must be fitted into a fully contained bag or case. Bows left over night not in a bag or case, will be removed. All equipment left on the club premises is at the members own risk. One members bow has already been removed from the clubhouse this last week, preventing that person from shooting the following evening. 

For 2009, Andover Archers will be putting on a number of shoots for the membership and invited quests. The shoots will consist of recognized G.N.A.S. and F.I.T.A. rounds.

It is intended that there will be 6 shoots, in the months of May, June, July, August, September and October depending of weather conditions.

The Shoots will be non record status, and will be primarily for the more new and novice archers, but, rounds will provide classifications for archers up to and including Bowman. For the Juniors it will provide a number of their outdoor rounds to qualify for the Handicap trophies at the end of the year. Adult archers bringing juniors, are more than welcome to shoot.

There will be no trophies, and no dress regulation requirements. Juniors will however, be awarded achievement certificates, based on score attained.  The shoots will take place on Saturday mornings commencing at approximately 10:00am, and should concluded about 2:00pm. 

The dates and rounds will be as follows:-

                    Date                                                  Round 

                   May 9^th                                             National 

                   June 13^th                                           Short Metric 

                   July 11^th                                            Western

                   August 8^th                                         Half Metric 

                   September 12^th                                 Windsor 

                   October 10^th                                     Long Metric

There will be distances available for all the Junior Lady and Junior Gent age groups as required. An entry matrix will be provided on the notice board in due course, for those wishing to take part. The shoots will be opening to all bow types. Further details can be obtained from the Tournament Organiser, or any other committee member.

Following the last committee meeting a new Form is being introduced for the claiming of Club Records and or for submitting members round shoot at away shoots. These A5 forms can be found on the shoot information board in the clubhouse, or on the website under 'Club Documents'. Forms should be completed and left in the Record Officers tray as you do with your normal score sheets. Members are reminded that like you score sheets, they fully completed with all the information requested. It will be the responsibility of the individual archer to claim the relevant record or classification. The information provided will be entered into the new computer software.    

There has been some confusion regarding the recording of the rounds, score and handicaps that members are submitting to the Records Officer. It refers to the new list that has been placed on notice board.

The handicap value is the handicap for that particular round only, and not your overall handicap standing. Each members handicap will be calculated at the end of the year, based on the the rounds submitted to the Records Officer, as normal. A list of members handicap for the year ending 2008 will be posted in the members area shortly.

Members are reminded that when faces are removed from the indoor shooting wall, unless you intend to shoot on it again that visit, THROW IT OUT!. The bin is that black thing in the corner, it's got a lid on it.

As part of the work being done by the Committee towards the club's accreditation to ClubMark, a Policy document has been produced for the control of documentation and information produced for and on behalf of the club. This document will set out the specific and general requirements for things like Membership Application Forms, Information Documents, and Course Forms to name but a few. Guidelines will be included for the creation of new forms and for the revisions to existing forms as and when the club requires. The document will also include the Formal club Logo/s that shall be used in connection with the club name. The policy document should be available shortly.  All of the clubs official forms and documents will be placed on the web site in due course. The Committee.

Over the past few months equipment that is normally only used for the beginner courses or for specific coaching is being used by the general membership for 'a bit of fun'. This practice shall cease with immediate effect. Many of the cupboards have now been re-sorted, and many of the club items such as the compound training bows, long bows, arrows, jelly bows etc are now locked away in a separate cupboard to the general bow cupboard. A notice has been placed on the cupboard door to this effect. The only bows that are available to the general membership are those in the normal bow cupboard. 

New for 2009, a new computer software system is being used for recording members rounds. Please ensure that your score sheet in correctly filled in. The system will record each round being shot, together with the score, handicap and classification for that round. It is hoped that a record of all that has been shot can be displayed in the clubhouse at the end of each month.

Those that shoot in competitions away from our club, round record sheets will be placed in the clubhouse for you to fill in and return to the Records Officer. This form can also be found on this site, under Club Documents.

International School Sport FITA-ISF Agreement  On 10 December 2008 an agreement was signed betweenthe International School Sport Federation (ISF) and theInternational Archery Federation (FITA). ISF President Mr Jean Louis BOUJON and FITA Secretary General Mr Tom DIELEN—representing FITA President—signed this agreement at the CNOSF (National Olympic Committee) Headquarters in Paris, France. This is the start of cooperation between the two organisations to further develop archery in schools. The first concrete step in this cooperation will be the inclusion of archery in the programme of the ISF Gymnasiade 2009 (World Schools’ Championships) taking place in Doha, Qatar, on 7-12 December 2009. Two distinct competitions will be held in this major event: one for young archers who are in school and one for teams of schools that use archery as an optional sport but are not regular members of the National Archery Associations. For the second group a set of standard archery equipment will be used so that there is no difference between the children.

Indoor Archery

FITA 3x20cm Vertical Indoor Faces FITA informs that the JVD vertical indoor faces can use and sell its old stock of vertical indoor faces. The FITA Rule Book states that the distance from centre to centre should “approximately” be 22 cm on a 3x20cm face. JVD has in recent years always printed their target faces with a centre separation of 21 cm. FITA has asked JVD to become compliant with the 22cm in future target faces, but since the current JVD faces have been used for many years without any issue, they can still be used until the old stock is finished.

BYLAW
Approved by FITA Council on 29 November 2008 Effective as of 1 April 2009 Book 1, Article 3.22.1.1, 7th bullet 3.22.1.1 · Headwear is optional, but if worn they must have the same colour pattern for the members of a team competing in the same category and this headwear may have different patches or names of one
sponsor in compliance with the eligibility rules.

BYLAW
Approved by FITA Council on 29 November 2008 Effective as of 1 April 2009 Book 3, Article 8.2.2.1.2 8.2.2.1.2 Set-up for four (4) 40 cm single or triple triangular faces: In case of four (4) 40 cm faces, the maximum height of the centres of the upper faces will be 162 cm above the floor. The centres of the lower faces will be a minimum of 100 cm above the floor. The tolerance measurement must not exceed +/- 2 cm. In the case of triple triangular 40 cm faces, the maximum height refers to the highest centres of the triple faces and the minimum height refers to the lowest centres of the triple faces. The minimum distance between the scoring zones of 2 faces at the same height will be 10 cm. Each face will be placed in its quarter of the target butt.

BYLAW
Approved by FITA Council on 29 November 2008 Effective as of 1 April 2009 Book 3, Article 8.2.2.1.3 8.2.2.1.3 Set-up of four (4), three (3) and two (2) 40 cm vertical triple faces: When using three (3) or four (4) vertical triple 40 cm faces, the centres of the middle faces will be 130 cm above the floor. The tolerance of measurement must not exceed +/- 2 cm. With four (4) vertical triple faces, there will be a space of at least 10 cm between the scoring zones of the second and third column, and a maximum distance of 5 cm between the scoring zones of columns 1 and 2, and columns 3 and 4. With three vertical triple faces, there will be a space of minimum 10 cm between the scoring areas of each column. With two vertical triple faces (individual and team event), there will be a space of minimum 25 cm between the scoring areas of each column. With one vertical triple face set-up horizontally (team shoot-off), the center of the vertical triple face will be 130cm above the floor. The tolerance of measurement must not exceed +/- 2 cm.

The second leg of the 3-Way shoots will be held at our facilities on Sunday 25th January 2009. It is a friendly shoot and is based on National Rounds ( 4 Doz and 2 Doz). The maximum distance for the adults will be 60 yards. Shorter round will be put out for the newer members and the Juniors.

Members from Southampton and Waterside will be joining us for the shoot. Sighters will be at 10:00am, with the shooting starting at 10:15am. If you would like to take part, please place or name and details on the forms provided on the Notice Board in the clubhouse.

The January Postal shoots will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, the 5th, 6th and 7th. Those who wish to take part, again, please place your name on the lists. These again can be found on the club notice board.

Saturday 13th December Andover Archers again featured on the Local Radio Station 'Andover Sound'. This came about via an invitation from News Editor and Drive @ 5 presenter Ben McGrail. The invite was to promote local clubs in North West Hampshire and to take part in his new sports programme that will be on every Saturday afternoon from 2pm. A feature of the show is the 'Wheel of Sportune' the quest has to answer as many sport related questions in 60 seconds live on air! Unfortunately our representative only got 2 correct out of about ten. But, he did get the 'Archery' related question right.

As a follow up to the show, Ben was invited up to the club to 'Have a Go' and so that the tables could be 'turned'. Tuesday evening both Ben and Charlie from Andover Sound came up after the Juniors at 7:30. After a brief interview on what was going to happen, Tim Croot explained to them both the principles of Archery. After a few minutes, Ben was on the line shooting, followed by Charlie.

Much of the event was recorded for future possible broadcasting. Both shot well, especially when a apple was hung up in front of the shooting wall, and a picture of another of Andover Sound presenters was place underneath. Ben got close with 6 arrows, (the one in the apple had miracrusely moved after hitting the target!, unfortunately he put one arrow through the nose of the person in the picture).  Charlie shot her first three arrows, the third one hitting the apple. Now, what does that say Ben!

We are hoping that the presenter featured in the picture will also visit the club to level the score. Watch this space!

Pictures of the evening can be found by following this link:- Ben & Charlie

Last Sunday the 14th December saw the Andover Archers 2008 World Record Status 'Advent' shoot held at the Andover Leisure Centre. This was the second annual shoot to take place at the Leisure Centre in recent years, and was only made possible by the help and co-operation of the Chief Executive Mr Derek Jeffery and the staff at the centre. 76 archers entered to shoot on the day, with many archers participating from our own club. Archers had also travelled from far and wide, coming from Dorset, Cornwall, Shropshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Surrey, Berkshire, and Gloucestershire to name but a few counties.

Andover archers included the counties Recurve indoor Champion Garry Prout, the counties outdoor and indoor Junior Compound Champion Gemma Flippance. Other archers taking part were, Juniors Beth Gore, and Luke Olding,  Dawn Gore, Paul Talmage, Tim Croot, Rob Welfare, Steve Olding, Ian Bamford, Steve Wrigley, Rod Denness, Nicky Bamford, and Martyn Gore.

The day started (for a few) at 6:30am, in preparation for the days shooting, and by 7:45am the traditional bacon and egg rolls, together with cups of soup were being consumed. All went down very well with the archers.

Andover archers did particularly well taking many of the trophies, the trophies and the winners are listed below:-

Junior Lady - Recurve (Olympic Bow) - Beth Gore.

Gents Recurve - Garry Prout.

Junior Lady Compound - Gemma Flippance.

Lady Barebow - Nicky Bamford.

Recurve Team (of 4) - Andover  (  Garry Prout, Paul Talmage, Tim Croot and Dawn Gore).

Other awards went to Dawn Gore who took the Bronze medal in the Ladies Recurve, Rob Welfare, Steve Olding, Beth Gore and Ian Bamford who took the Silver medal in the Recurve team classification, Nicky and Ian Bamford took the Silver medal in the Married Couples classification, and Martyn and Dawn Gore for taking the Bronze Medal.

One of the Juniors shooting broke two National Records. Mari Jones from the Bowman of Warfield club broke (subject to being ratified) the National record for the 25m distance scoring 476, together with the combined 25m and 18m record with a score of 915. Congratulations to her.

Thanks also go to the three judges for the day, Nick Nichloson, Arthur Scales and Carla Russell. Thanks to Mrs Leander Parsons for the elegance she brought to the shoot and the presentation of the awards. Thanks also to the members that helped set up the shooting hall on the Saturday evening, and those that helped during the day, cleared the hall at the end of the day, and those who returned all the gear back to the club house afterwards, Rob, Ian, Garry and Paul. Thanks also to Rob Welfare for allowing me to test the pulling characteristics of a Land Rover Discovery!

Our Club and County Junior Champion Gemma Flippance travelled up to Lilleshall over the weekend to take part in the Junior National Indoor Championships. It was a number of firsts, first National Championships, first time at Lilleshall, and first time shooting at three spot faces. After a very nervous start she settled into the task at hand. After the first session she was placed 4th overall. On completion of the first session we all took (me included) a long walk around the infamous Lillshall Lodge, just to see what our membership fee gets us all. Pictures of this expedition, and the shoot can be found here. After the second days shooting and the completion of the 4th session, Gemma took overall 7th place. Congratulations! and well do to her. PS she's still wearing her commemorative fleece. 

The committee can confirm that there will be a new shoot for the 2009 outdoor season. The shoot will be a metric round being a Double F.I.T.A. 70m. The provisional date has been chosen as the 31st May, the weekend after the Head to Head at Southampton. It will be a World Record Status shoot and the application will be made to Archery GB in the next few days. Further information will be made available in due course. Eclipse Archery have kindly agreed to support the event, and details of this will again be published in due course.

Both events will commence at 1:00pm on the day and will conclude between 2:00pm and 3:00pm. The indoor range will be closed for normal shooting between these times. This notice has also been posted in the calendar of events in the club house. Those taking part have already been contacted and final arrangements are being made.

Members:- With the onset of winter, and now that the clocks have changed, there are a number of important jobs to do in and around the club house. These include:- Cutting the remaining pallet of foam, complete the building of the timber ends frames for the replacement bosses, building additional bosses for the shooting wall, and the repair of same, and sorting out the inside of the clubhouse. The shooting wall is in urgent need of repair, and must be done before the first Postal League shoot on the 5th November.

As you have all noticed, the clubhouse is becoming very busy on a club night, and the need to clear as much of the associated memorabilia out into the containers is long overdue. This will enable us to get back to shooting all 8 lanes across.

Your help this coming Saturday would be very welcome and very much appreciated. I would like to thank Barry and Alan for their help much of last Saturday cutting timber and building some of the new end frames. The fun will kick off at 10:00am this coming Saturday, If you can join in, please place your name on the notice board in the clubhouse. 

The club house and part of the lower field will be closed for shooting on the 14th, 15th and 16th November. Our facilities will be in use by the English Archery Federation National squad over the three days. Members will be able to shoot on the remaining field but they are asked to shoot together with the EAF archers, as the outdoor range will not be capable of being used as two separate ranges. The top section of the field may be used as additional overflow parking by the rugby club.

The day started early again for the club Tournament Organiser, and with help from Rob, Harry, Jamie, Reg, Jackie and Don the day before the field was set for the show down.

Members laid claim to their tent positions early ( I think Tim camped out over night with his bow) and by 9am their places had be staked out. With Jackie cooking beacon rolls, and tea and coffee following, archers were primed for the show down. Now, I think there were some private side betting on who was going to be crowed and the end of the day, and there was much disinformation going around as regard each archers performance.

The Gents St George title was going to be the most fiercely contested trophy, with at least 4 or 5 names in the frame. After the first 3 doz Tim and a sight lead over Brian, with Paul next, followed by Steve Olding and then Reg Press.

At the end of the 6 Doz, Tim only had 7 point over Brian, followed by Paul Talmage, Steve Olding and Reg Press.

Going into the last 3 doz, it looked like if Tim maintains his average he would come out on top, but who would get second. After the next end Brian had it by 7 points, after the next end it was all square, after the next Brian had him by 4, the next end it was all square and going into the final 6 arrows. first arrow Paul hits gold, Brian hits gold, second arrow Paul hits gold, Brian hits gold. Third arrow Paul hits gold, Brian launches it out into the red 2 down! Forth arrow Paul hits gold Brain is in the red again 4 down!, Fifth arrow Paul's out in the red this time, Brian matches it, Brian still 4 down! Sixth arrow, Paul streaks one wide into the blue, Brian needs a gold. 

Brian places his final arrow into the bow, deep breath, steadies himself, all goes quiet, he draws the arrow back, the gold looks as big as a football field, he looses, the arrow flies, Brian can only watch with anguish, it seems to take forever to reach the target, everybody watches it , ..............it's RED. Pauls got it by 2 points well done to  him.

Ok, now a bit more serious. The final results and the club champions are listed below. A full results list can be found on the Results Page.

Gents St George Recure - Tim Croot

Gents St George Compound - Rod Denness

Gents St George Low Bow - Pete Hudson

Ladies Albion - Dawn Gore

Junior Girl Recurve - Beth Gore

Junior Girl Compound - Gemma Flippance

Junior Boy Recurve - Luke Olding

Archer Supreame - Dawn Gore

Many thanks you the people that helped set up yesterday, and for the people that helped on the day, and put all the targets back into the container after the shoot. Special thanks you my wife Jackie for doing the cooking all day, and for keeping the tea and coffee flowing. And, last but not leased to all of you who took part. It was for some their first taste of competition and I hope that they enjoyed it. Thanks to all the Juniors that took part.

The awards etc will be presented at our annual club's dinner and presentation night in January, were the committee hope that you will all attend. Many Thanks.         

The weather on the day was kind, sunny spells and warm. Underfoot was a very different story, very, very wet, for the first time we had to lay straw down on the entrance to the field.

Junior members shooting from Andover included Beth Gore, Gemma Flippance, Sian Talmage, Harry Welfare, Luke Olding, and Jamie Welfare.

There were no surprises in the winner of the Junior Ladies Compound, Lucy O'Sullivan only missing the gold 3 times all day, scoring 1290 out of a possible 1296. Impressive don't you think! A new National Record has been claimed and is awaiting ratification.

Beth Gore can runner up in the Junior Girl under 14 Recerve, Gemma Flippance took the honours in the Junior Girl under 14 Compound and became County Champion, only missing her first Bowman score by 1 point, a superb effort considering she has only been shooting this bow for less than 2 months, and this was her first competition. Sian Talmage took first place in the Junior Girl under 12 Compound, and became County Champion. Harry Welfare and Luke Olding took 5th and 6th place in the Junior Boy under 14 Recurve. Connor Talmage won the Junior Boy under 12 Recurve age group ( and is County Champion in his age group) and Jamie Welfare took 3rd place. Connor's score of 866 exceeded a Junior Bowman score by some 101 points. Three of Andovers juniors are now County Champions, Gemma Flippance, Sian and Connor Talmage. Well done to all our Juniors.

Gemma Flippance and Sian Talmage took the Silver medal position in the Team event. There were a number of GNAS Rose awards claimed these included Harry Welfare, Gemma Flippance and Sian Talmage. Many congratulations to them all.

On behalf of Hampshire Archery Association, I would like to thank the Committee, and members of Andover Archers for their help and co-operation over the weekend in staging this event      

On Saturday 20^th September, Steve and Luke Olding, Martyn and Beth Gore took part in the Gosport Bowmen’s first annual Barebow and Junior Tournament.

It was a beautifully warm, still and sunny day so provided perfect shooting conditions.

This was Steve’s first attempt at barebow at competition level and shooting against our very own County Indoor Barebow Champion, Martyn and some of Hampshire’s best outdoor barebow archers did not faze him in the slightest. 

Both Beth and Luke were shooting in a category which included archers who were much older than them.

Dawn Gore, who only attended to provide some moral support spent the entire day hunting for and collecting stray arrows behind the barebow targets and there were plenty of those to keep her occupied!

All archers were shooting Windsor rounds; Steve and Martyn at distances of 60 yards, 50 yards and 40 yards; Luke and Beth at 50 yards, 40 yards and 30 yards.

At the conclusion of the shoot, Steve had achieved 9^th place and Martyn 11^th out of 16 archers; Luke achieved 4^th and Beth 6^th out of 10 archers at their distance.  Beth was, in fact, the top junior lady archer shooting in the Short Western round.  On providing the results sheet to our Records Officer, it has been confirmed that Steve has achieved a new Barebow Club Record on a Windsor round, so many congratulations must be extended to him.

Foxcotte Park  in Andover was again was a hive of activity on the weekend of the 27^th and 27^th July when Andover Archery club and Old Basing Archers jointly hosted their 19^th World Record Status, Double FITA Star shoot.

Over the two days over 240 archers shot on the 61 targets, keeping the work party busy on both days. Andover and Old Basing have staged this event for 19 years and is now probably one of largest best attended shoot in the country. Not only does it have a good shooting pedigree, but, a very good social event. Many of the archers returning year after year, and we thank them all for their continuing support.  

The weather forecast for the weekend was sunny with the occasional shower expected. But, was it Hot! In true style at Andover we came up with dry and very hot conditions on both days. The large tubs of cold water along the waiting line went down a storm with many of the archers. 

Andover Rugby Club provided their grounds for the shooting range, and opened up their facilities for all on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the ‘Andoba’ (Andover and Old Basing) committee thank them for their hospitality, during the three days, not part from the weeks of work leading up to the event.

 Again this year saw the ‘onsite’ archery shop, Merlin Archery Centre provided a mobile sales centre for the two days, to provide all those items needed by today’s archers. The shop was staffed by Chris Jones on both days. Merlin kindly donated the first prize for the raffle on both days, and all would thanks them for their support. We look forward to seeing them next, and for the foreseeable number of years.

Although the event is a World Record Status, and a Double FITA Star, there in another side, social aspect! For many archers, friends and families, what goes on off the shooting line is as important than that on the line.  

Andover Archers provide camping and caravanning facilities on two thirds of their shooting field, the rest of the field is set up as a practice range for the competitors. It is not uncommon for the first caravans to start arriving on the Wednesday or Thursday before to get that favorite spot, and they did! 

This year again we had some of the GB squad archers shooting, on the Saturday Naomi Folkard shot before heading off to Beijing on the Sunday.

Our thanks also extend to the judges over the two days, without them we would have all looked pretty silly on the line.  

RESULTS (Combined Score)

 Ladies Recurve

 1^st Mrs P Lowe (Meriden)               2520     78        25

2^nd Mrs J Newland (Corsham)         2498     78        29

3^rd Miss J Gould (Crown Archers)2441        74        24 

Ladies Compound

1^st Mrs N Simpson (Oxford)            2788   200        85

2^nd Ms N Hunt (Clophill)                 2780   193        87

3^rd Miss A Gale (Woking)                2753   175        60 

Gents Recurve 

1^st Mr G Womack (Lakeside)          2589     88        34

2^nd Mr M Peart (Deben)                  2559   101        43

3^rd Mr C Baigent (AC Delco)          2453     72        27 

Gents Compound

 1^st Mr C White                                2784   203        96

2^nd Mr S Gooden (Abbey)               2740   170        62

3^rd Mr T Course (Redditch)             2735   165        54

There were 5 World/European record claims (subject to ratification)

Nichola Simpson                                 70m            343/347

                                                           60m            351

                                                           50m            345

                                              Ladies Fita             1394 

National Records:- 

Lucy O’Sullivan Jnr CU                       70m            343/337

                                                           60m            346

                                            Long Metric               677

                                                           50m            343

                                              Ladies Fita             1371

                                  Double Ladies Fita             2723

Stephanie Crang                                  30m            359

Nichola Simpson         Double Fita Ladies             2788

To all those that helped before, during and after the shoot, many thanks for making it yet another success, as we all look forward to 2009 shoot.

The success of the shoot in the most part was down to the dedicated members of Andover Archers and Old Basing archers for their work input no only over the shoot weekend, but the weeks and months leading up to the weekend. There are too many to name in person, but they all know who they are. But last but not least, thank you all the archers that took part. On behalf of the ANDOBA committee thank, and see you all in July next year.

Club members, Paul Flippance, together with wife Jackie, Tim Croot and Brian Dickerson will host the event. And yes, Paul will remember to take the bows this time!

If Peter had shot this in a UK Record Status shoot, he could claim a National Record, which currently stands at 184. 

As the juniors tucked into their free beacon sandwich and tea, the adults prepared their accommodation for the day. Question! How many people does it take to put up a small shooting tent? one, two? wrong. Not even three! After turning the frame round and round, the cover this way and that way, ten minutes later and still not correct.

Our juniors participating included Luke Olding, Beth Gore, Gemma Flippance, Connor Talmage and Sian Talmage.

The theme of the shoot this year was medieval dress and most of our juniors made the effort and dressed up for the event. At the lunch time break they adorned their regalia and took part in the fancy dress parade. Unfortunately none of our team took the wining title.

Shooting commenced at about 10:30am and all got off to a reasonable start. Sian Talmage shooting her compound for the first time. All of them did very well overall.

Sian Talmage took the mixed Junior Gent and Junior Lady Compound Trophy, Luke Olding took 2nd place in the Short Western only missing first place by thirteen points, Gemma Flippance took 1st place in the Junior Western, Beth Gore took third place in the Short Western. Luke, Beth and Gemma also took  third place in the team event. Well done to them all. The full results can be found following this link RESULTS. Pictures taken on the day can be found following this link PICTURES.

Luke, Beth and Connor also achieved Junior Bowman classifications.      

Testway Transform is the community fund-raising arm of Testway Housing. It believes in investing in people to make stronger communities. 

Testway Transform Money Box Fund has been set up to help community groups help the community. By giving grants to help community projects, Testway Transform will help improve the lives of people and communities.

Over the last couple of months Paul Flippance has been working with Paula Deverill (Testway Charity Co-ordinator) and Testway Housing sponsor, Jean Barker to prepare the club's application to the fund.

Jean Barker (an archer herself) has visited the club and met the committee members, along with other members of the club.

Following this visit the application was made. The Testway Transform panel sat on the 19th May to decide the grants to be given.

It is with great pleasure that I can report that the club has been awarded the sum of £1,500.00. This grant will be used to provide much improved training equipment for the beginner and novice courses, as well as being used for the many community events that our club participate in. Andover Archers, Andover Disabled Archers and the Andover Junior Archers will all benefit from this grant as a whole.

It goes without saying, that Club committee and the members thank Testway Transform, who can be assured that the grant will be put to good use. 

I'm looking for a maximum number of 9 people ( from Andover Archers) to participate in a Darts/Archery match against the Central Club Darts team on Friday evening 30th May. This will be a home and way match, the first being the darts match on the Friday, and then the Archery match the following Friday evening. The darts evening the 9 people will need to be available from about 7:30pm, with drinking concluding about 12:20 normally, the darts will finish when we fall over. The darts will be 301 with double to finish. We will play six singles and 3 pairs. Points will be awarded for each leg won, 1 point for each leg.

The archery match the following Friday evening will consist of the darts players shoot on a 90cm darts face at 20yards, the archery team will also shoot at  20 yards. All participants will use club training bows.

For those that are interested, names to Paul please. 

Congratulations! to four more of our archers, Gemma Flippance for achieving her second Junior Bowman score at her new distance, Beth Gore for achieving her second score (one of which at a New National Distance), and to two of our senior archers (no not old, Senior) Barry  Morris for his official 2nd class and Terry Catchpole for his official 3rd class. Well done all.

Congratulations! to three more of our archers, in achieving their Bowman classifications. With the outdoor season less than a day old Peter Hudson, Dawn Gore, and Junior Luke Olding have all shot three Bowman scores in the last few weeks. Peter Hudson (our Long Bow club champion) has become so efficient with the long bow that he only needed 22 arrows from the 72 available on one of the rounds, saves on the walking Pete!. Dawn Gore ( County Archer, and lady club champion), completed her third round at the weekend, finishing on a personal best score as well. Junior, Luke Olding also completed his third Bowman round, which is quite an achievement considering that he has only just turned 12 in January. With the whole of the outdoor season to come, what other achievements are possible.  

TEAM ANDOVER TAKE MEDALS AT D.W.A.A. (Dorset and Wilts Archery Association)  DOUBLE WORCESTER IN SALISBURY

Julian Piper, Tim Croot, Brian Dickerson, Steve Wrigley, Martyn and Dawn Gore attended the DWAA Double Worcester Shoot in Salisbury on Sunday 2^nd March. Steve Wrigley was awarded silver in the Visitor Gentleman Compound category, scoring 598 points out of a maximum 600.   

Both Julian Piper and Dawn Gore were awarded bronze in the Visitor Gentleman and Visitor Lady Recurve categories.

Congratulations go to all those who entered the Shoot and for ably representing Andover Archers.  Hopefully next year we will regain the Visitor Team Recurve Trophy!

Brian Dickerson and Tim Croot (Recurve) have gained their White Target awards. Tim scoring in access of 500 in both the FITA 25 and FITA 18 and Brian scoring in access of 500 in the FITA 25.

Rod Denness and Steve Wrigley (Compound) have gained their Black FITA Target awards, Rod scoring in access of 525 in the FITA 25, and Steve Wrigley scoring in access of 525 in both the FITA 25 & FITA 18.

These members can now be seen sporting their new awards!

Now that the wall is in a suitable condition, this weeks Postals will go ahead as normal.

The Andover Three Way Shoot (part 2) will be held on the 17th February. The original shoot had to be abandoned back in November due to bad weather. So, I hope to see as many of our members shooting on the 17th.

Sunday the 9^th December saw the return of Andover Archer’s World Record Status Archery shoot. 

The shoot held at the Andover Sport Centre’s main hall was the first since December 1999. With over 60 archers competing the hall was almost full to capacity.

The whole event was a great success, and special thanks must go to Mr Derek Jeffrey the Chief Executive of Valley Leisure for the use of their facilities, without who’s help the shoot would have not taken place. Thanks also go to the members of staff that helped behind the scenes, and the ladies in the cafeteria who kept all the archers, judges etc supplied with food and drinks during the day.

Being a F.I.T.A. World Record Status shoot it attracted archers wanting ranking points for selection in the GB archery team. A number of archers gain sufficient scores to qualify for points in this respect. One of these being a junior archer.

Two Nation Records were broken by one of the junior archers, Louise Rees from Ballands Junior Archery Club broke the record in both the 25m and combined distances of 25m and 18m with a score of 474 and 901 respectively.

A number of Andover Archer’s own club members took part including Martyn and Dawn Gore with daughter Beth, Tim Croot, Gemma Flippance, Brian Dickerson, Rod Denness, Steve Olding and Son Luke and Steve Wrigley. Beth Gore took the Bronze medal in the Junior Ladies Recurve bow. 

The Andover team of four consisting of Brian Dickerson, Tim Croot, Dawn Gore and Steve Olding took the Bronze medal in the Recurve (Olympic bow) classification (pictured above), congratulations to them. 

The competition was set up and run by Andover Archer’s Tournament Organiser Paul Flippance who was very happy with event, it looks like this prodigious event will be back next year. Top marks were award to the shoot by the two judges in all aspects of the shoot.  

Paul would like to thank those who helped behind the scenes, to make the shoot a success.

The 2008 'Advent' will be on December 7th, so put this date aside in your diaries. Please See note dated 21st February

Some of our more intrepid archers took part in a couple of field archery taster days organised by Raven Archers at Rogate on Sunday 25^th November and Sunday 1^st December 2007.

 Phil Collins, Pete Hudson, Dave Greenslade, Steve and Luke Olding, Paul Talmage, Dawn, Martyn and Beth Gore joined other archers from Old Basing and A C Delco for a very enjoyable stomp around the forest between Petersfield and Midhurst, shooting at target faces and 3D animals set at various distances amongst the trees and bracken. 

Whilst the men and boys were more interested in achieving a “kill”, Dawn and Beth were more concerned about ending up sliding down a muddy bank on their backsides!

 Whilst the weather proved to be good with glorious sunshine and mild temperatures on the first Sunday, the second was extremely wet and cold; true field shoot conditions you might say. 

Raven Archers kindly provided tea, coffee and home made cake on both days which was extremely welcome. Pictures

It's that time of year again, your club fee's are due. Please make your pilgrimage to the Treasurer and pay over your Gold or Silver. The door code will be changed on the 1st December.

On Saturday 6^th October 2007, we held an Open Shoot at which our junior archers enjoyed the opportunity to compete against their contemporaries from other Clubs in the area.  Guest archers aged 8 to 16 represented Clubs from Portsdown, Southampton and the Bowmen of Lychett.  

Following the success of our Junior Shoots at Club level throughout this season, we are in the process of organising a Junior Archery League that will commence in April 2008.

The aim of the League will be to encourage junior archers to shoot in a more formal environment; shoot against other Clubs; encourage shooting for their own respective classifications and to introduce participation in a Club against Club league table contest.   

Any members able and willing to help, would be very much appreciated. With the increased use the indoor range is now being put to, maintenance on the 'Wall' will be frequent.

Andover’s archers took a haul of Trophies at the Hampshire County Outdoor Championships on Sunday.

Archer’s included Dawn and Martyn Gore, with daughter Beth, Paul Flippance and daughter Gemma, Steve Olding and son Luke, Paul Talmage and son Conner, together with Garry Talyor, Julian Piper and Tim Croot.

 The day started early Sunday Morning with a trip to A.C. Delco’s ground in Eastleigh. The weather started nice, sunny intervals and some cloud, but by about 4pm the light drizzle, and then the heaver rain started. By the time of the presentations at the end of the shoot, most archers were cold and wet. But, hey, that’s part of archery! 

Just over 100 archers took part, most from Hampshire clubs, but also some from our neighbouring counties, and even some from further away. 

Julain Piper took the trophy for top Recurve (County Champion -Olympic Bow) and Supreme Archer. Julian, together with, Dawn Gore, Tim Croot and Paul Tamage took the Team Award, and are now County Team Champions. Gemma Flippance came runner up to the Junior Ladies County Champion, with Beth Gore taking third place.

In light of the club champs, the club house and field will be closed for shooting from 2:00pm on Saturday 29th September, in order that the field can be set up for the following day. If we have enough help, we will also be foam cutting in the club house. We have a large amount of foam to cut before the indoor range starts getting busy. 

As you may all know it's that time of year for the club champs. The event will be held on  Sunday 30th September. The rounds will be St George based, with a Club Windsor for the less experienced members. The club Windsor will consist of 3 doz at 30yds and 6 doz at 20yds.

Assembly will be at 9:45, with Sighters at 10:00am. It is hoped that the normal egg and beacon rolls will be in full flow, but, the bad new is, it seems now that many of our normal catering staff are now shooting. So, if there are any budding Gordon Ramsey's out there, the members would very much appreciate it.

Members of Southampton Archery Club have been invited up to shoot with us.

The list of rounds have been placed on the small white wipe board in the club house. If you intend to shoot please place your name on it, the type of bow you will be shooting, and the round you are shooting.

If you are taking part, please be at the club house by 9:00am (that's before 9:00 if you can)

The club (indoor and outdoor) will be closed on Saturday 6th October 2007. Our club will be hosting the Junior Invitation Shoot. We hope to see as many of our Juniors as possible.

Tuesday the 28th August 2007, the outdoor and indoor range will be closed to members from 7:30pm onwards, (after the juniors have finished). Our facilities will be used to provide a Have-A-Go session for a group of about 15 to 20 people.

Sunday 5th August saw three of our members take part in the Southampton Archery Club's 'Clout' Shoot. For those of you non archers a clout shoot is a shoot over 180, 120, or 100 yards depending on gender and age.

The Target (the ground) is made up of concentric circles with a radius of 18", 3ft, 6ft. 9ft and 12ft, and scoring 5,4,3,2 and one point. The centre of the middle circle a flag is located. In total 6 dozen arrows were shot.

Our Junior archer (and Hampshire Team Member) Gemma Flippance,  took first place in the Junior Ladies, in the 100yd distance, winning a commemorative shield.

After the presentation Gemma reported 'I am very happy with with my award, as this is the first time I've taken part in a Clout shoot". "It was a very exhausting shoot because the weather was so hot, and having to walk about 1 1/2 miles in total to collect my arrows". Picture.    

Foxcotte Park in Andover was a hive of activity on the weekend of the 28^th and 29^th July when Andover Archery club and Old Basing Archers jointly hosted their 18^th World Record Status, Double FITA Star shoot.

Over the two days 231 archers shot on the 60 targets, keeping the work party busy on both days. Andover and Old Basing have staged this event for the last 18 years and is now probably one of largest, best attended shoots in the country. Not only does it have a good shooting pedigree, but, a very good social aspect. Many of the archers returning year after year, and we thank them all for their continuing support.

The weather forecast for the weekend was not what you would expect for the month of July, sunny intervals and showers, and heavy rain for the Sunday. But, in true style at Andover, we came up with dry conditions on both days. Not, what could be said for Saturday evening though!

Andover Rugby Club provided their grounds for the shooting range, and opened up their facilities for all on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the ‘Andoba’ (Andover and Old Basing) committee thank them for their hospitality, during the three days, not to mention the weeks of work leading up to the event.

Archers came for all corners of the country, we even had an archer over from Australia, Ms M Hulbert (compound), our reputation has obviously travelled!

Mr Brian Slayford (a life member of Andover Archers) visited the shoot on Sunday. Brian who is a G.N.A.S. Performance Unit Coach, also supports members of the G.N.A.S. Olympic and Paralympic Squads, and other archers looking to achieve national and international levels of performance.

The 2006 shoot saw the retirement of Andover’s Reg Press who held the position of Tournament Organiser for many years. We understand that Reg is concentrating on other things now, shooting that is!

The 2007 event saw David Greenslade step into Reg’s shoes, and from the comments from the officials and archers like, he has done us proud. Well done David. Looks like you have the job for the next 18 years!

The 2007 event also saw the reintroduction of the ‘onsite’ archery shop, Merlin Archery Centre (Chris and Ben Jones) provided a mobile sales centre for the two days, to provide all those items needed by to-days archers.

Ben Jones who has been shooting since his was eight years old, has returned to archery this season after a number of years away. He has only shot in 4 or 5 tournaments this year, and came second to Mark Franklin in the Gents Compound.

Merlin Archery Centre kindly donated the first prize for the raffle on both days, and all would thank them for their support. We look forward to seeing them next year, and for the foreseeable future.

Although the event is a World Record Status, and a Double FITA Star, there is another side, the social aspect! For many archers, friends and families, what goes on off the shooting line is as important as that on the line.

Andover Archers provide camping and caravanning facilities on two thirds of their shooting field, the rest of the field is set up as a practice range for the competitors. It is not uncommon for the first caravans to start arriving on the Wednesday or Thursday before to get that favourite spot.

The shoot this year was the prelude to the 4^th leg of the METEKAN Archery World Cup Event in Dover, and a number of archers at Andover were traveling to Dover afterwards.

The archers included Simon Terry (Grantham), Michael Peart, both shooting Recurve, together with Mark Franklin (Petersfield) shooting Compound.

Our thanks also extend to the judges over the two days, without them we would have all looked pretty silly on the line.

To all those that helped before, during and after the shoot, many thanks for making it yet another success, as we all look forward to 2008 shoot.

As you may all know the Andover/Old Basing Double F.I.T.A. Star is being held over the weekend of the 27th,28th and 29th July.

As a result of this, and in order that we can prepare our field, the outdoor range will be closed for shooting on Tuesday 24th after the juniors have finished at 7:30pm. The field will remain closed until sometime Monday evening of the 30th. The grass will be cut sometime during the day of the 25th.

The 15th July 2007 saw a group of Andover Archers set off to the county of Dorset to take part in the Bournemouth Archery Club's annual Blue Lion Shoot.

Of the original 13 entrant's 11 of us set off for Bournemouth (well Hurn actually) under the grey skies on Sunday morning.

Archers included, Martyn and Dawn Gore, Gary Taylor, Steve Wrigley, Paul Flippance, Paul Talmage and juniors Beth Gore, Gemma Flippance, Luke Olding, Connor and Sian Talmage.

The threat of rain all day only light showers appeared, and those were not enough to stop the shooting. The adult section of the team struggled with their shooting all day, except for Paul Talmage who shot his second Bowman score of the year, well done to him. I think he needs some personal coaching Mr Chairman! That will fix him!

The best adult shooting of the day came from our own Hampshire representative Mrs Dawn Gore, who achieved her 8th Bowman score.

The best shooting came from our junior section of the team. All five of them picked-up awards for the rounds shot.

Beth Gore took 1st place in the Ladies Short Windsor, Gemma Flippance took 1st place in the Ladies Junior Windsor, Luke Olding took 1st place in the Gents Junior Windsor, with Connor Talmage taking 2nd place, and Sian Talmage took 1st place in the Cub Winsor. Three of our juniors (Beth, Gemma and Luke) shot bowman scores, while Connor shot a second class score. Well done to them all! It's going to be a long presentation evening this year!

The day ended with a trip to the beach, and the regulatory BBQ came out along with sausages, burgers etc together with that liquid that comes out of can's, oh yes, coke! Two of our juniors were on such a high with their performance during the day, that they took straight to the water, yes the sea! That soon cooled them enthusiasm, along with much else.

The merry party cleared the beach about 8 o'clock, (although Luke's dad Steve did that with his kite in about 30 seconds), nice one Steve. The planes coming into Hurn Airport had to be diverted to their alternate airport at one stage.

A good day was had by all, if not only for the shooting. Some of us may be off the boil as far as our shooting goes, but, by heck can we BBQ!

STOP PRESS! Sorry Martyn, Martyn Gore (our County Bare Bow Champion!) took 2nd place in the Bare Bow classification. Well done you too.

For the pictures of the day, and the results follow the links.

The dates for the 2007/8 three ways shoots have been confirmed.

The first shoot will be at Andover on the 4th November 2007, the Sway shoot will be the 2nd December 2007, and the Southampton shoot will be the 6th January 2008.

The normal arrangements will be the shoot in the morning, and then the host club will arrange a Sunday lunch at a nearby pub. These dates have been placed on the Event Calendar, so please put them in your diaries. Further more specific details will follow in due course.

Sunday 1st July a group of Andover Archers took part in the Wessex Albion at Southampton Archery Club.

At 8:15 we all rolled out from the club house and made for Southampton, and yes this time the Suffolk Road contingent were on time, much to everyone's surprise, not least myself!

The forecast for the day was not good, in fact it lashed down for much of the way down. But, in true style Robbie, sorry Carla, had it sorted, and it soon dried up.

Our members, Brian Dickerson, Paul Flippance, Rod Denniss, Martin Brook, Paul Talmage, Gary Taylor, Tim Croot, Reg Press, Julian Piper, Mark Callow, Jonathan Callow, Gemma Flippance and Luke Olding.

With very windy conditions, shooting was difficult but interesting, just hitting the target was a bonus. Well, it was for some of us!

After the first dozen it was quite clear that no records were going to be broken today, although it was said that Paul was on course for a record! to actually finish a whole shoot!

A roomer on the line had it said that a private little wager had been placed between two of our archers. Unconfirmed reports state that following a dinner party the preceding week, the stakes had been set, the hand shake made. Who would take the honours.   

It was quite clear after the first dozen, this was a foolish folly on the part of the owner of his new Hoyt. Especially as the bow's previous owner was the the other party in this wager. Something he not passing on here!

Despite a valiant effort the new Hoyt, did not match up to that old blue and white Win & Win thing. Congratulations must go to the better archer on the day, as his score did make it into the team score for the day, where we came second to the team from Southampton. Congratulations to them. (we just got tired of having to get the shield engraved every year). The Andover team of four consisted of Julian Piper, Reg Press, Brian Dickerson, and Tim Croot.

There was some good news for the owner of the new Hoyt, the best Gold of the day, ok, just that end then, and, he landed a trophy for it was well. How's that then "Win & Win"! It was mentioned that this best Gold, was almost his only one of the day, but as the archer said, "I'm just playing the system". "If you stand no chance of getting into the team, you have to pick up one of the other awards along the way"!

Mark Callow took first place in the Gents Longbow, and no it made no difference that he was the only one.

Gemma Flippance took first place in the Ladies under 13 Recurve, and Luke Olding took first place in the Gentlemen's under 12 Recurve. Our new boy on the block Gary Taylor took second place in the Gentlemen shooting the Windsor round. Well done Gary, being his first formal competition.

To view the event pictures or the final result sheet, follow these links, Results - Pictures.

As most of you know, at the last AGM a decision was made to register our club colours, being a short sleeve shirt. The shirt will be the new Polyester Sports Fabric material and the colours being:- A plain white short sleeve shirt with black side panels, black collar and plackett and black trim to the sleeve.The club badge will be embroidered onto the shirts, either on the left or right of the chest.

Ladies shirts are made shorter in the body and sleeves, the plackett is reversed.

The shirts will be manufactured by Shotbowl

 (Shotbowl.co.uk/embroidery_custom_made.html)

A picture of the shirt has been posted on the main white notice board in the club house and on this link New Shirt.

The shirt will be registered with G.N.A.S. on the 31st August 2007, and we should be able to start wearing it in accordance with Rule 307 in October 2007.

The cost of the shirts will be approximately £19.75 for Ex small - XXL, £21.75 for 3XL and thereafter £1.00 per size.

A size, Male/Female and badge location selection list will be placed on the notice board shortly, for those members wanting a shirt. Shirts can only be ordered in lots of 8 at a time.

Orders will only be taken with payment in full in advance. 

Saturday 23rd June five of our Juniors took part in the Guildford Archers 'Little Acorn' Shoot. This was the first time that any of our juniors had taken part in this shoot, and I can say, they all enjoyed the day!

Our Juniors where, (in no particular order) Sian and Connor Talmage, Luke Olding, Beth Gore and Gemma Flippance.

The day started quite early (8:30am at our club house), and yes all arrived on time, except for the Suffolk Road contingent, yep late again!

We all arrived at Guildford at about 9:30am, despite some confusion over who's SAT-NAV was correct, but find the ground we did.

The rounds were Western based and all shot their age rounds except Beth, Beth shot the longer distance (for the under 16's) as she will be 13 next month. Little Sian Talmage shot the mini Western, in her very first competition, and she did not disgrace herself, she took first place for the ladies. Well done Sian!

Beth Gore did very well, taking third place in the Ladies under 16 age group, with a score that achieved Junior Bowman. Luke Olding and Gemma Flipppance also achieved Junior Bowman scores in their respective distances.

Pictures from the event can be found on 'Little Acorn Shoot'  and the Results.

At the regular Junior Club evening on the 5th, our County Coach Helen Press presented the Certificates to the Junior members that took part in the Junior Competition on Sunday Morning. Amongst those taking part three ( Beth, Gemma and Luke, shot junior bowman scores, others taking part included, Owen Appleton, Rhys Appleton, Connor Talmage, Sian Talmage, Colum Hosen, and Merryn Hosen.

It is hoped that the next shoot programmed for the 8th July, we can attract more of our Juniors to take part.

Congratulations goes to another of our Junior Club members, Gemma Flippance has completed her three qualifying scores to attain her Bowman classification.  Well Done Gemma. (perhaps she can pass on some advice to her Dad !)

The 'Matrix' for the May prize draw has now been placed on the notice board. Your participation will be appreciated. 

Congratulations go to two of our Junior members for attaining their Junior Bowman scores. Juniors Beth Gore, and Luke Olding have completed their three qualifying rounds. Well done both of you.

A reminder! Some of our members are going to the Blue Lion shoot at Bournemouth on Sunday the 15th July 2007. If anyone is interested in coming along, see the July Events Calendar, and place your name on the entry form on the clubhouse notice board. The entry form will be posted shortly.

The third junior shoot will take place this coming Sunday 3rd June, starting at 11:00am. Assembly will be at 10:45, sighters at 10:50, and shooting will commence at 11:00am. Please be at the clubhouse by 10:30.

This shoot will be based on age, and competitors will shoot the distance for their particular age.

This coming Saturday a formal work party has been arranged to complete the guttering along the back of the building. At the moment we have two volunteers! Additional help is required please. Where are you other 60 or so members?

Congratulations must go to another of our members who has just gained their third Bowman score.  Steve Denness shot the third and final round on Saturday, well Done Steve.

I have had a request for a 'Wanted' page on the Web-Site, and no it's not that any is wanted, (although there may well be a price on someone's head!) it is to be used for archers wanting a certain piece of equipment, or help with anything relating to archery.

A page will be set aside behind the Items for Sale on the front page, and paid-up club members by e-mailing the organiser with the text they wish to be included, will then be placed on the 'Wanted Page'.

Some of our members are going to enter the Blue Lion shoot at Bournemouth on Sunday the 15th July 2007. If anyone is interested in coming along, see the July Events Calendar, and place your name on the entry form on the clubhouse notice board.

The club will be attending the Guildford Archery Club's Little Acorn shoot on Saturday 23rd of June 2007. We would like as many of our Junior members to come along as possible. For further information please see the June Events Calendar or the Junior Section on the front page. If you would like to attend please see Paul or Dawn or place your name on the entry form in the clubhouse.

The club took part in the Andover Sports Fair held at the Vigo Road Recreational Ground on the 28th April 2007. Helen, Tim, Mark, Dawn, Martyn, Beth, Gemma and Paul organised a 'Have-a-go' for about 1 1/4 hours during the course of the day, and very successful it was. A lot of interest was shown on the day, and a number of people have contacted the club with regard to further instruction and beginner's courses.

I expect you have all seen the press release and pictures in the Andover Advertiser, and the film report on the Local News Sports feature last Saturday. I understand that a certain Mr Croot is becoming quit a film star, and can now be contacted by appointment through his agent!

The Saxon shoot was held on the 29th April, and yet again has proven to be very successful, having a full shoot of 33 targets and 127 archers entered. Although there were no National Records Claimed, 23 archers claimed their Rose Awards. For the full results see the 'Club Tournaments' or 'Results' on the front page.

This was the first shoot to be organised by the club's new Tournament Organiser Paul Flippance, and with the help of all those behind the scenes, proved to be very successful.

Efforts are now being made to get the information out for the 'Advent' shoot to be held on the 9th December 2007. The first time that this shoot has been put on for 8 years. 

As you may all know our Saxon Shoot is taking place on the 29th April, and as such a work party has been organised for the 21st (Saturday) April. Activities will include cleaning (inside) the club house, hedge cutting, grass cutting, and line marking to name but a few. Please come and help if only for a few hours, your help is always appreciated. If you can help on the day, please put your name up on the club notice board, there's always a job for you. There's a rumour that if it's dry there will be a B-B-Q for lunch! for the workers that is.

As you may have noticed, the club is in the process of constructing new stands for the straw bosses. These stand will be of the 'H' frame design and should benefit all archers in respect of arrow damage, well those of you who insist on hitting the middle! These new stand will be ready for the Saxon shoot at the end of the month, and the disruption to the club house should be done in the next week, so please bear with us.

The flag poles have also been taken down and have been re-furbished and repainted, these should also be back in place in the next week.

Dawn Gore, Luke Olding (Junior) and Gemma Flippance (Junior), congratulations to you all! Their first county shoot will be in Chichester on the 22nd of April.

The first of our Junior shoots took place today, and a good turn out considering it was Easter Sunday. Six of our Juniors took part on what was a glorious morning in the sunshine. All six archers shot within their own gender and age group and all gained Certificates of achievements. It is hoped that the next one we can get all of our juniors taking part, watch the calendar of events for further details. Well done to you all! P.S Thanks to those adult members for helping out on the day and making it a enjoyable event for the kids.

Congratulations go to three more of our members who have achieved their Bowman Scores. Dawn Gore (now that names rings a bell!) has gained her first Bowman score, whilst Rod Denniss has now got all of his three scores shooting his compound bow. Steve Denniss (compound) has two of his, and I'm sure that it will not be long before he gets his third. Well done to you all.

Congratulations to Brian Dickerson on shooting his first ever Bowman score. Shooting a score of 460 in a New National. Brian is currently wearing a smile as wide as his rod is long. Now, the gauntlet has been thrown down, hey Paul!

Five of our members went to shoot in a 4 - way with Southampton, Sway and Waterside yesterday. Despite a early and cold start a good day was had by all, and yes Paul was seen up before 9 o'clock on a Sunday Morning!. The day finished with strong windy conditions, which troubled the less experienced archers, but good fun all the same. Luke Olding done exceptionally well scoring 836 with 108 hits and 56 golds in a Club Windsor Round. Well done Luke. Reg and Julian took 4th and 5th places respectively, with Brian and Paul taking 5th and 6th in the Albion. The day concluded as normal, in the pub, where a good plate was had by all!

Entries for our Saxon shoot are coming in nicely. With the club members that have shown a interest in entering, we have 90 entrants. We hope to break through the 100 well before the closing date of the 15th April.

Congratulations to the members who travelled to Portsmouth to shoot in the H.A.A. indoor and open championships on Sunday 11th of March. Members shooting included Tim Croot, Dawn Gore, Martyn Gore, Paul Flippance, Steve Wrigley, Martin Brook, (new boy) Paul Talmage, Junior members Beth Gore and Gemma Flippance. Congratulations must go to Paul Talmage, shooting a round of 503, very well done, he only finished his beginners course in January!

Shooting a Portsmouth round on the third session of the day, all members shot well, and yes, Dawn beat Paul yet again! but the margin was much closer this time. Both Beth and Gemma did well, shooting their first indoor competition ever. The full results can be found under the Results page of the site. Once again, to all, well done! Congratulations also go to Martyn Gore, on becoming the County Champion in the Bare Bow class. Martyn fought off strong competition to come out top of his class. Well done Martyn!