OCTOBER_NOVEMBER_2019 FAN UK MAGAZINE_HSC-Q

F i e l d A r c h e r y N e w s U K F i e l d A r c h e r y N e w s U K F i e l d A r c h e r y N e w s U K O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 9 2 0 1 9 2 0 1 9 ~ F O R T H E L O V E O F F I E L D A R C H E R Y ~

Contents New Features New Features New Features 4 Editor’s Hello! and Cover Story 5 NEW GB & NI Field Archery Website 16-19 FAN UK would like you to meet “N.A.D.A.” 32-34 Greywood Crafting 52 Pentref Bowmen 2019/2020 Winter Masters 74–77 FAN UK’s “Meet the Club” presents FLECHADORES MEXICO 88 Congratulations MICHAELA LAKE!! 101 Congratulations to THE EADYS!!!! Shoot Entry Forms Shoot Entry Forms Shoot Entry Forms Regulars Regulars Regulars 6 Purbeck Archers - Jurassic Shoot 13.10.2019 12-13 Yorkshire Field Champs inc. Joyce Kiddy Memorial 26 & 27.10.2019 26 Cartoons by Via Verde 24 Regent Archers Winter shoot 05.01.2020 42–45 Del the Cat’s “Bowyer’s Diary” - A Mixed Bag... 27 Mayo Archery Club 13.10.2019 60-63 HOODS & MAIDS 50 CSAA Field Archery Championships 2019 03.11.2019 116-117 FAN UK’s Dogs & Crossbows 96-97 Jim’s Jungle Jaunt 2020 @ Longbow Heritage 04 & 05.07.2020 List so far! 103 Raven Field Archers 2-day shoot 09 & 10.05.2020 111 Dunbrody Archers 100 shoot 06 & 07.06.2020 113 Rednex Archers’ 2020 Rednexstravaganza 11 & 12.04.2020 2

Shoot Reports Shoot Reports Shoot Reports 7-11 Regent Archers 21.07.2019 22-23 Castle Bowmen 21.07.2019 28-30 DNAA County Clout Championship 2019 15.09.2019 36-39 Scottish Field Archery Champs 2019 23 & 24.08.2019 48-49 Briar Rose FA Inaugural 2019 56-58 Wolfshead Field Archers 01.09.2019 66-71 Fort Purbrook 2019 2-day 10 & 11.08.2019 80-81 STAFAA Scottish Field Archery Championships 2019 84-86 Brixham Archers 08.09.2019 90–93 Pentref Bowmen 3D Selection Shoot 20 & 21.07.2019 106-108 Black Swan Archers 2019 Shoot Entry Forms Shoot Entry Forms Shoot Entry Forms Jurassic Shoot 13.10.2019 Photography Photography Photography Yorkshire Field Champs inc. Joyce Kiddy Memorial 26 & 27.10.2019 Regent Archers Winter shoot 05.01.2020 COVER Colin Greenway/Row Brow FAs 41 Adam Browning CSAA Field Archery Championships 2019 03.11.2019 53 Mark Service Jim’s Jungle Jaunt 2020 @ Longbow Heritage 04 & 05.07.2020 104-105 Malcolm Rees/Fort Purbrook day shoot 09 & 10.05.2020 110 Malcolm Rees/Fort Purbrook Dunbrody Archers 100 shoot 06 & 07.06.2020 REAR COVER Colin Greenway/Row Rednex Archers’ 2020 Rednexstravaganza 11 & 12.04.2020 Brow FAs 3

A quick “Hello!” from your editor: A very warm welcome to this, the latest issue of “Field Archery News UK” online magazine! This is another packed edition for you lovely readers and I do hope that you enjoy it. Huge thanks to all who contributed to this issue - without you all there would not be a magazine to write so again, thanks to each and every one of you :-) :-) Thank you also for reading, it’s lovely to have you as part of the FAN UK family which just seems to keep growing worldwide - I am so proud of the diversity within these pages and across the social media channels and let’s keep it going. Don’t be afraid to get in touch and share your news with me - I’d love to hear your stories and share them with the FAN UK readership. Just pop me an email to [email protected] or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter. I’m off for a lie-down! It’s been yet another busy issue to get out there to you all and I truly hope that you like it. For the love of field archery - Hels x Cover Story! This edition’s Cover Star is Ben Morris, the youngest junior and a crack shot from new club, Row Brow. Colin Greenway of Row Brow told Hels this about Ben:- “He wins gold at every open he shoots!” A huge thank you to Ben for being our cover star, to Colin for the photograph and to Ben’s dad Dan for giving me permission to use the pic! The picture was taken at Row Brow’s woods and Ben is pictured there shooting. Keep an eye out in the next issue for the low-down on the new club too!!!! 4

OK folks - big announcement time! It's been a long time since we have had a GB & NI Field Archery website, and with the disbandment of the field committee and other issues there has been a general feeling that we, as a field archery family, have not really had a home to call our own so to speak. Our Facebook page has helped bring us together and I am very pleased to announce that we have produced a new website for us all. It is there to be used, shared and hopefully become the 'go to' website for all things WA Field &3D. A big thank you to Dan English (web designer) & our website sponsor KG Archery! www.gbnifield.co.uk Facebook group:- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615944615307568 The picture was taken at Row Brow’s woods and Ben is ~ Information provided by Colin Fairburn ~ 5

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Regent Archers Club Open Shoot st Sunday 21 July 2019 Results Despite the busy summer shooting schedule over 80 archers attended our most recent club open shoot. Near-perfect weather conditions showed the targets and woods off in all their glory. Thanks for all the help by Club Members in preparing the shoot in the weeks and days beforehand meant the course was easy to access and clearly marked out. Comments were made by those shooting the course about how much they enjoyed the trickier shots. Throughout the day the catering team was kept busy serving drinks, hot sausage, bacon and egg sandwiches, homemade quiche, salad, various homemade cakes and cookies, plus traditional strawberries and cream. Fellow club members ensured the whole day ran smoothly from start to finish. Thank you to everyone who attended and for all the positive feedback, that was appreciated by the club. We would also like to again thank the former 100 Yard Club for all their very generous donations of targets, catering equipment and monetary funds. In addition Bridlington Town Council for the funding received from them towards purchasing more 3D targets. We hope to see you all again at the next open shoot th on Sunday 5 January 2020. We hope the weather will be just as kind to us as it was last January! 7

Ladies LB Ladies TBH Mary Hannon Cobra 536 Julie Hodgson Wild Geese 578 Sue Fenyn Albion 492 Gents FS Gents AFB Richard Pollit Row Brow 568 Andy Oates Independent 630 Jeff Smith Viper 572 Gents CUL Callum Oates Independent 458 Lee Gardecki Harlequin 878 Keith Morris Row Brow 438 Gary McMaster Independent 868 John Whitehead Cobra 840 Gents PV Michael Patchett Black Sheep 658 Grot Independent 510 Brian Robinson Archers Of 394 Gents TBH Dolphinholme Mark Hodgson Wild Geese 570 James Murdie Border Reivers 558 Gents BB Les Barrell Wyre Hall 490 Chris Hadden Viper 690 Sean Wilson Stonebow 342 Jim Shaw Independent 654 Chris Ward Cobra 574 Gents BB continued... Tim Dowling Row Brow 564 Todd Hulme Cobra 472 Neale Fenny Stonebow 534 Neil Mckenna Row Brow 436 Justin Hulme Cobra 492 James McMaster Legbow 358 Bruce Mckenna Row Brow 280 8

https://www.quicksarchery.co.uk/ index.php?route=product/ search&search=aspire 9

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Gents HT John Hall Cobra 616 George Hampson Poulter Guys 594 Glen Hampson Poulter Guys 566 Andy Flint Stonebow 564 Richard Carter Stonebow 546 Mel Arnall Wyre Hall 530 Michael Willrich Legbow 522 Barry Schofield Independent 512 Brian Ford Wyre Hall 434 Michael Brooksbank Phoenix 426 Under 16 BB Boy Colin Greenaway Row Brow 416 George Robinson Cobra 530 Dan Morris Row Brow 392 Andy Wiles Row Brow 356 Under 12 HT Boy Andy Brooksbank Phoenix 344 Ben Morris Row Brow 588 Graham Thorpe Legbow 316 Ladies BB Ellie Smith Viper 550 Emma Holme Cobra 380 Annette McMaster Legbow 380 Joan Hulme Cobra 352 Beverley Hulme Cobra 260 Ladies HT Alison MacRory Stonebow 570 Ruth Hanlon Cobra 568 Ladies AFB Carol Evens Poulter Guys 494 Rachel Kenny Cobra 400 Tomoko Ueta Independent 456 Lana Waters Independent 366 Jean Horwood Stonebow 446 Michaela Hulme Cobra 372 Ladies BH Sam Ellis Harlequin 670 Gents Longbow continued… Nicola McMaster Independent 532 Richard Waters Independent 458 Paul Cromach Wolfshead 446 Gents Longbow John Richardson Spirit Of Sherwood 440 Colin Hall Viper 626 Stuart Atkinson Independent 436 Ken Adams Independent 574 Graham Hickling Poulter Guys 434 Mark Mawson Wyre Hall 530 Chris Dyle Arrowflight 426 Trevor West Independent 484 Alan Gibbon Arrowflight 360 Andrew Cross Wolfshead 468 Geoff Rhodes Arrowflight 300 11

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FAN UK would like you to meet FAN UK would like you to meet FAN UK would like you to meet wonderful lady & fellow field archer, wonderful lady & fellow field archer, wonderful lady & fellow field archer, Sue Kenworthy & introduce you to the new look Sue Kenworthy & introduce you to the new look Sue Kenworthy & introduce you to the new look National Association of Disabled Archers National Association of Disabled Archers National Association of Disabled Archers (N.A.D.A.):- (N.A.D.A.):- (N.A.D.A.):- Making Hay While the Sun Shines… and the revival of The National Association of Disabled Archers Life deals out some pretty rubbish curve balls (or bent arrows) sometimes. Back in 2016, I wrote an article for FAN UK about my archery experiences as an archer with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a disability that, amongst other things, makes my joints wobbly and my muscles work too hard) and a new accessible field course that Paul “Skippy” Hammond was developing under the National Association of Disabled Archers (N.A.D.A.) banner with the help of Kings Lynn Field Archers. Since July 2015, I’d had a wonderful few years travelling around the country, making new friends and enjoying the flatter field courses that I could manage, as well as longbow clout to Master Bowman level and longbow target for my county at Lilleshall. As a self-confessed archery addict, my collection of bows grew alarmingly fast; a few replacements and some that met with the great archer in the sky. My current collection consists of four English longbows, a primitive hazel bow, an American flatbow, a takedown recurve and a takedown hybrid. In November 2018, I finally achieved my first AGB county record in Ladies Traditional, in the Surrey and Open Field Championships National Animal Round. I’d exceeded my personal bests several times that autumn and was doing well at the 3Ds in NFAS competitions. I really fancied a trip to Canada and thought in 2019, it could be the year that I could try for the WA World 3D Champs qualifications, shooting Instinctive bow style. And then fate decided I wasn’t disabled enough… On Wednesday 19th December 2018, I woke up, tried to move and screamed. My back had gone into severe spasm and life as I knew it had changed for ever. Imagine your torso suddenly undergoing a four-inch loss in height due to four vertebrae spontaneously collapsing – 16

what happens to your spine, your innards, your muscles? A huge mechanical change, an alarming further expansion of width (!) and an inability to stand unsupported for more than 10-15 minutes (depending on activity). Okay, I can stand, and that’s a bonus. For walking, I am supported with a four-wheeled rollator with a seat so that I can rest wherever I need to. I’m having to retire from work – it’s a drastic lifestyle change! As the months went by and my hopes of competing in any competitions fizzled into wisps of analgesia-induced fog, I began wondering what my archery recovery could look like, how I could ever go back into my beloved woods and shoot my bow; and then one day, my great friend and long-time shooting partner, Gary - who had also not shot for several months - and I decided that we could try and have a go at our club’s practice range. The forest floor in that area is fairly flat and the rollator just about coped after parking right next to the range. What a fabulous bow stand and quiver hanger it makes too. I’d bought some 30lb limbs for my Mohawk, dropping some 15lbs. Gary set my bow up for me and we pegged up some chalk circles to shoot at. I’d never shot the new limbs, my muscles had lost so much strength and I was four inches shorter, and yet, without any thought, my first arrow went exactly to the place I was looking at; I continued shooting at various distances up the range and smashed plenty of discs. It wasn’t until I’d finished that I realised that I hadn’t even considered thinking about what my new gaps might be, as I wasn’t gap shooting, I was just looking at the target and shooting. Quite a revelation that after almost six months without any practice, reduced strength, four inches shorter and unknown limbs that my body and mind gauged exactly where the arrows were going to go. Is that instinctive or is it previously laid down neural pathway memory? I’ll let you decide. Endorphins really are the most powerful analgesics and enjoying a spot of shooting with my buddy carried me through and I shot around 50-60 arrows. At the time of writing, we’ve been back four times and each time my confidence has improved, and I’ve managed more arrows. Gary really has been a huge help. autumn and was doing well at the 3Ds in NFAS competitions. I really fancied a trip I began thinking about what sort of help I would need if I am ever to attempt a to Canada and thought in 2019, it could be the year that I could try for the WA World field course again. Obviously, I’d need courses with flatter terrain but how could a rollator work around a course? My current one is basic and the manufacturers’ target population is mostly elderly and frail, not fanatical archers wanting to go off and shoot arrows in the woods. There’s only one suitable all-terrain rollator on the market, the Veloped Jakt, suitable for hunting, with a rifle bag attached that could double screamed. My back had gone into severe spasm and life as I knew as a quiver. Being precision-engineered in Sweden, the financial outlay is considerable it had changed for ever. Imagine your torso suddenly undergoing a (more than a custom Bodnik Mohawk Chief), but this would be ideal. I have an awful lot of saving to do! 17

I can’t lift anything heavy, so I would need supporters to walk around with me to lift my equipment over larger obstacles and up and down steps, to pull and retrieve arrows and to score if I couldn’t reach a target. Would this be allowed? Would I be allowed to use a seat to shoot from if I need to (not a wheelchair)? And what about the actual course and shoot location? Could I be allowed to start with the shortest walk out? Will there be pegs I couldn’t get to or alternatives pegs with no penalty? Will there be an alternative route around targets I couldn’t reach to the next target? Will the toilet facilities be close to the tea tent or a long walk away? What parking facilities would there be to ensure I could get as close to the start as possible? I’d asked a lot of these questions before my spine injury, but they are even more important now. I’ve always felt that field archers should not have to prove their prowess as mountain goats, just as archers don’t have to prove that they can walk up and down the field in target archery; the skill to shoot up, down and across variable ground in all weather conditions is what earns the points. Those who disagree may argue that being an athlete who can manage their fitness, have good muscle tone to manage the terrain, and steady their heart rate and breathlessness quickly after a walk to a target is all part of field archery; but what if I have poor muscle tone, wobbly joints, tachycardia, breathlessness and dizziness as a consequence of my condition? There are no time allowances for me to recover before I shoot if I’m first up, and I’ve sometimes felt pressurised by target companions to start before I was ready. In fact, in WA field, there’s a time requirement in the rules and “time wasting” could even earn me a warning. Looking at various rules and guidance notes in field and 3D archery, allowances for disabilities seem to be scanty. For example, despite disability discrimination being unacceptable conduct, perching seats are currently not allowed in some rules, only wheelchairs. There are no other allowances and disabled people have to compete against able bodied; there are few disabled only target competitions anyway and none in field archery. There are definitely some gaps that need filling; I’ve found a few, but help is also required from archers with problems I don’t experience. The National Association of Disabled Archers seemed to have been a bit quiet recently so I asked Skippy about helping him to run it but with a slightly different angle on not just developing one accessible field archery course but supporting disabled archers (visible and non-visible) in general, whatever the discipline and looking at how more people can be supported in competitions, clubs and by organisations. Skippy’s response was positive and the first thing we did was to create the linked N.A.D.A. Facebook group 18

I can’t lift anything heavy, so I would need supporters to walk around with me to lift where we could all discuss things in a supportive and private environment rather than posts being publicly viewable. Not everyone wants to share information about their difficulties where anyone can read it, so it’s a closed group and all archers with disabilities, understanding friends and those who coach disabled archers are welcome. We are gradually growing and already have members who have shot internationally, for Team GB and Invictus, county level, champions in their own right and those who enjoy shooting recreationally. It’s turning into a lovely group. Our next few tasks are going to be administrative; we’d like to set up a website, start fundraising activities, achieve charitable status, form a proper committee and take advice from archers with all disabilities, from all backgrounds and organisations, coaches and tournament organisers; and there has even been talk of running tournaments, I’d asked a lot of these questions before my spine injury, but they are even more although our primary aim is to improve inclusivity generally. We’d also like to set up a network of trained supporters/agents to help disabled archers enjoy practice and competitions. the field in target archery; the skill to shoot up, down and across variable ground in Whether or not you’re a disabled archer, please give us your support and consideration if we contact you or your organisation. Archery is one of the most accessible sports so let’s and steady their heart rate and breathlessness quickly after a walk to a target is all part see if we can help more people enjoy field archery. of field archery; but what if I have poor muscle tone, wobbly joints, tachycardia, breathlessness and dizziness as a consequence of my condition? There are no time Sue Kenworthy allowances for me to recover before I shoot if I’m first up, and I’ve sometimes felt September 2019 pressurised by target companions to start before I was ready. In fact, in WA field, Looking at various rules and guidance notes in field and 3D archery, allowances for disabilities seem to be scanty. For example, despite disability discrimination being archery. There are definitely some gaps that need filling; I’ve found a few, but help is seemed course but supporting disabled archers (visible and visible) in general, whatever the discipline and looking at how more people can be supported in Skippy’s response was positive and the first thing we 19





Castle Bowmen Sunday 21 July 2019 st “I am home among trees.” - J.R.R. Tolkien, ’The Fellowship of the Ring’. I believe we can all relate to Mr Tolkien’s fine words, as there are few better enjoyments in life than being out in a woodland with friends on a sunny day. In September we welcomed you back to our home in Lincolnshire to partake in another 2 x 20 course filled with surprises and… well... hawthorn bushes! With the addition of two new bridges stretching across to the island in the drain we were able to utilise the woodland more than ever before, giving you shots such as the bear peeking around the tree, the same bear peeking around the other side of the tree and a different bear leaning on a tree! The feedback was brilliant once again, it is fantastic to hear you enjoy the course and especially nice to hear the positive comments about our club itself, I will pass on all of the compliments and constructive ideas at our next general meeting. Thank you all again for attending - we hope to see you and lots of new faces at our next shoot on the 3rd of November (only four weeks away, good grief!) ~ By Owen Sankey ~ Photo Credits:- ‘Sunset with deer’ by Owen Sankey, all other images by Chaz Scowen. 22

I believe we can all relate to Mr Tolkien’s fine words, as there are few better enjoyments bridges stretching across to the island in the drain we were able to utilise the woodland AFB Gents BB Gents CUL Cub Boy Sam Ward 672 8 Spots Andrew Burns 764 9 Spots Connor Smith 752 14 Spots Jeff Tullin 532 Jim Shaw 668 5 Spots Stephen Mill 530 1 Spot HT Gents The feedback was brilliant once again, it is fantastic to hear you enjoy the course and CUL Gents Nathan Taylor 692 2 Spots Mike Melladay especially nice to hear the positive comments about our club itself, I will pass on 928 34 Spots LB Gents 620 3 Spots John Hall 656 6 Spots Michael Strong 920 31 Spots 614 2 Spots Dan Melladay David Bishop Joe Ward 884 26 Spots Ken Adams 608 4 Spots Stuart Nuttal 598 1 Spot David Lovell 802 13 Spots Graham Myers 602 2 Spots John Milligan 570 4 Spots Pete Nettleton 786 13 Spots Joe Lloyd 562 1 Spot Richard Waters 498 1 Spot we hope to see you and lots of new faces at our David Stone 744 4 Spots Chris Collins 478 1 Spot Nigel Bratton 486 1 Spot Chris Smedley 712 6 Spots Carl Gibbard 478 1 Spot Graham Thorpe 336 Michael Patchett 684 5 Spots David Newby 478 David Dalton 320 PV Gents TBH Gents Paul Bailey 598 3 Spots Kris Babb 620 5 Spots TBH Ladies Grot 530 David Main 620 3 Spots Lynne Harrison 640 4 Spots Mark Peet 524 Andy Williams 568 2 Spots Martin Snowden 544 4 Spots CUL Ladies HT Ladies James Tilling 522 3 Spots Katie Fletcher 654 3 Spots Ruth Hanlon 542 4 Spots Ann-Marie McMillan 486 1 Spot LB Ladies AFB Ladies Chrissie Bratton 362 Nicola Odin 412 Gillian Mill 438 Janet Lloyd 370 Lana Waters 382 Gents XB Clare Jacques 244 1 Spot Mick Stansfield 762 11 Spots 23

New Shoot Announcement... Check it out > > Your 2020 starts here! Regent Archers (NFAS) Regent Archers (NFAS) Regent Archers (NFAS) th ~Sunday 5 January 2020~ 36 x 3D targets & Hessian Faces Start Time:- 10.30am * Full Catering * ~ Dogs Welcome ~ Sorry No Crossbows ~ Contact information:- [email protected] 07505 122749 More info to follow at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/regentarchers/ 24



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Some details and directions for Mayo Archery Club's next 3D Shoot scheduled for Sunday 13th of October. If you have any queries please message us on Facebook. 27

~ Huge thanks to Elaine for the results and Lynn Young @ Riverside Archers for her photos :-) ~ 28

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Hels caught up with our good friend and awesome FAN UK family member, Jerome @ Greywood to see what he’s been up to since last we spoke. Jerome @ Greywood Jerome @ Greywood It turns out he’s been VERY busy and is the newest recipient of the “Arrowsmith World Champion” “Arrowsmith World Champion” Traditional Archery Society’s title “Arrowsmith World Champion”! Massive congratulations on such an incredible accolade Jerome!! Hello again:- Greywood Crafting Greywood Crafting ~ From the roots to the canopy ~ The Roots In the beginning, I built arrows because that is what my father had always done... I wanted to prac- tice the noble art of traditional archery and therefore I must make my arrows. My father is a man of calculated simplicity born of years of collected wisdom. Traditional stick and string bows should be paired with natural shafted arrows; that was the way it has always been. Once I grew into my own, and forged my own path, I began to walk against the wind, in terms of modern traditional arrow designs. I was bored of the ubiquitous multicoloured circular crests that are found on all decorated wooden arrows (see Example 1 on next page). 32

Example 1 (pictured left & below) busy and is the newest recipient of the All arrows started to look the same to me, with slightly different patterns. I began to experiment with different aesthetic techniques until I settled on what has become an unofficial trademark of Greywood arrows, the threadwork. I spend over sixty minutes hand wrap- ping each arrow in different patterns (Example 2, pictured below) - I feel it gives the ar- row more of a personality. 33

Ascent to Canopy As my style continued to develop and I began to master my techniques, my presence within the tra- ditional archery community was becoming noticed. I was informed of an international ar- rowsmithing competition held by the Traditional Archery Society. I entered an arrow from the set Drops of Sapphire and was announced as the winner five days later. Earning the title of Arrowsmith World Champion was a proud moment for me... it was tangible proof that my work is appreciated by other archers. I continue to walk against the wind of current patterns in arrow making. I’m currently building a coal forge so I can begin forging field points and broadheads for target and hunting archery. This is one more way I feel that will illuminate the steps of the an- cients that came before us. https://www.facebook.com/Greywoodcraft/ 34

I continue to walk against the wind of current patterns in arrow making. I’m currently

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~ Huge thanks to Ken Brill for supplying a terrific shoot report & the full results! ~ Did you know that if you would like to show your appreciation and support for FAN UK and what Hels is doing (and to enable her to keep the magazine free for everyone) you can DONATE? You may or may not know that \"Field Archery News UK\" online magazine is researched, edited and produced by just one person whose aim has always been and still is to bring field archery in all its forms (alongside other forms of archery) and all associations & societies together in one place to celebrate, promote and share our wonderful sport with archers, clubs and enthusiasts across the UK and worldwide. Any sum to keep the magazine going would be greatly appreciated - thank you :-) To Donate via PayPal just visit https://www.paypal.me/FANUKHels OR select the \"Donate with a card\" option (which does NOT go via PayPal once the Donate with a card option is selected) at https://www.paypal.com/donate/… 39



Photographer: Adam Browning Location: Aurora FAC, Jan. 2019

Del The Cat’s “Bowyer’s Diary” “A Mixed Bag” by Derek Hutchison, AKA ‘Del the Cat’! Having been busy with other stuff, I felt in need of quick win in terms of making bows, but “easy” isn’t really in my vocabulary so I picked up a couple of projects that have been languishing in my workshop. One was a short skinny piece of Elder and other a broken warbow. The warbow in question was made of fast grown lowland English Yew which was 3 rings per inch in places! It was made of billets and had failed at the splice after about 3000 shots. I sawed off the damaged wood and managed to re-cut the splice losing about 3” in length. It had been 100# @32”, but I’ve re-worked it to 60# @ 28” as comfortable roving bow. I had to do some heat bending on the extreme waggle in the limb, and I daresay it would pull to 30”, but it would take some set. It was certainly a challenge as I had to join in a bit of extra wood to enable the slice to be done without losing even more length. For security I also laid on a thin sapwood patch over the splice on the back. While it was recovering from the heat bending of the upper limb I leant it standing upright against my shelves while I got up on the step ladder to get the Elder stave off the shelving… somehow I contrived to dislodge 2 big heavy lengths of unseasoned Yew, these clattered down onto the floor shearing off the tip of the re-worked warbow as they fell (oh bugger). On the plus side, it was the longer limb that had lost the tip so it didn’t worry me too much. It had split the tip off at an angle which lent itself to splicing on a new tip and doing a new horn nock. The bow is now a bit of a jigsaw now, but because of the coarse grained Yew and the back story of harvesting the wood from a back garden in Enfield, it’s worth getting it back into service. It shoots well enough lobbing 28” x 11/32” arrows about 200 yards. It will go back to the owner as a roving bow. 42

Meanwhile I’d been working on the Elder bow, It was from a skinny sapling just 1 ½” wide and 56” long, but I wanted to retain a little of the full thickness at the grip with the pith channel running through it and I also wanted a useable draw length say 26” at 40# … rather pushing it. My previous Elder bow had exploded on the tiller at one of the bulbous knots on the back that Elder naturally has. I was a bit nervy with this one and spent considerable time teasing it back. I took out some of the reflex that it had acquired as it seasoned, leaving the reflex in the tips and heating in a slight worked deflex either side of the grip. Eventually I got back to 40# @ 26” and decided to decorate it as a homage to the Native Americans, not as a copy or any specific authentic decoration, simply whatever I felt like. I put some bronzy coloured wood itself to splicing on a new tip and doing a new horn nock. The bow is now a bit of stain on the belly with a darker charcoal stain the wood from a back garden in Enfield, it’s worth getting it back into service. accentuating the pith It shoots well enough lobbing 28” x 11/32” arrows about 200 yards. It will go channel. On the back I did a zigzag on one limb and a wavy line on the other in a dark red, with black spots between the zigs, zags and waves. I had some iridescent blue Mallard wing feathers from a road kill and some horse hair gleaned off a 43

barbed wire fence, which I added for deco- ration. It was all a bit haphazard and spur of the moment, but I was happy enough with the result. It’s more of a conversation piece than a bow I’ll shoot much, although I may take it to a field shoot as a really primitive bow! 44

While I was working on the Elder, one of my mates turned up with a seasoned Wych Elm stave, it was fairly wide but thin having been split from a 3-4 inch log. It didn’t look thick enough for an English longbow so I went for a primitive, wide and thin aiming for about 80#@30”. It was so thin I had to use one of the off-cuts to build up the grip, taking care to match the grain as well as I could to show off what little heart wood there was. I heat treated the belly, and the bow was virtually finished when I was shocked when I found a thin sliver on the corner of belly/ ration. It was all a bit haphazard side buckling up. I glued the sliver down and and spur of the moment, but I was then found a larger area buckling up close by. I rasped the area out and that revealed what seemed to be an underlying crack, It’s more of a conversation piece possibly from when the stave was split off the log, (reviewing the pics of the than a bow I’ll shoot much, although original stave tend to support this theory). It would be tempting to give up, but it’s I may take it to a field shoot as a the first time I’ve used Wych Elm so I wanted to give it a fair try. I heat treated an off cut from the same stave and patched it in. The repair seemed to be standing up perfectly well and then I noticed further buckling along the same line (oh bugger!) Some low viscosity superglue seems to have held it down. Maybe it’s a weak growth ring? It’s since been nicely shot in by its new owner and given the thumbs up as it’s shooting well over 200 yards with regular arrows. So that’s it, three disparate bows in short order each with problems to overcome and each very different to shoot. 45



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Briar Rose Field Archers’ Briar Rose Field Archers’ Briar Rose Field Archers’ 2019 Inaugural shoot 2019 Inaugural shoot 2019 Inaugural shoot Barely 12 months after finding our woodland Briar Rose Field Archers hosted their inaugural NFAS shoot. The archery gods must have looked favourably on us as we enjoyed a bright warm day. On the day we were joined by over 70 archers from across the country, with only 1 no show. Our thanks goes to all who attended and made this a very special day for the club and our members. We know some of you travelled a long way. As well as the archery we had an information stall from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust along with a trade stall for KT Leathercraft and bows by Lee Ankers. Thank you to Lee for the first place medals too. Our caterers Sam and Dave provided the hot food and drinks and of course there were cakes made by our members which seemed to go down very well. The course was a twice round 20, with a mix of paper faces, 2d and 3d targets ranging from 4 yards to 73 yards. The course was to prove more technical than some expected as our ground is not flat and we tried to use the terrain as best we could. We know some of you were asking on the day and for those interested the 2d tiger in the field was 73 yards from the wasp peg and 51 from red. We tried a few new ideas on the day too. One was the use of WASP pegs on all targets for sighted compound and crossbow archers. We had a sharps bin for disposal of broken carbon arrows. Also, there was a chronograph station which archers went through before being allowed to shoot target 1, with arrow checks taking place too. We didn't get it all quite right with some of the peg positions not being ideal for all bow styles or ages so thanks to those who took time to provide feedback on the day, whether face to face, via our comments book on the cake stall or messages afterwards. Its proved to be highly beneficial and gives us the opportunity to improve for the next time. We are delighted to say we raised over £70 for the Birmingham Children's Hospital via a £1 donation on entrance. This is an organisation very close to one family in the club as their son Vinnie wouldn't be here today without the expertise and care from BCH heart team; so a very special thanks from Vinnie and a big thank you from all at Briar Rose for making this such a great day. See you all again soon. ~ Sharon & Rob Jones ~ 48

On the day we were joined by over 70 archers from across the country, with only 1 no show. As well as the archery we had an information stall from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust along The course was a twice round 20, with a mix of paper faces, 2d and 3d targets ranging from The course was to prove more technical than some expected as our ground is not flat and we tried to use the terrain as best we could. We know some of you were asking on the day and for those interested the 2d tiger in the field was 73 yards from the wasp peg One was the use of WASP pegs on all targets for sighted compound and crossbow archers. We had a sharps bin for disposal of broken carbon arrows. Also, there was a chronograph We are delighted to say we raised over £70 for the Birmingham Children's Hospital via a £1 donation on entrance. This is an organisation very close to one family in the club as their son Vinnie wouldn't be here today without the expertise and care from BCH heart team; 49

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