DECEMBER 2019 _ JANUARY 2020 FAN UK MAGAZINE Final

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Del The Cat’s ‘Bowyer’s Diary’ “Autumn - Fall” by Derek Hutchison, AKA ‘Del the Cat’! Seasons seem to slip by so fast these days and my activity waxes and wanes with them and the other stuff, like decorating. I recently found I’d been away from actually making bows for a while and decided to look out some logs/staves from the top shelf. I was pleasantly surprised to find some dated Oct 2018 which were now ready for working on. Cutting them down to approximate size produced some promising staves and a skinny odd bent one which piqued my interest… I knew someone who was interested in a Yew primitive and he’d been patiently waiting for about 16 months, so I picked it up and let him know I was going to start on it. “Time to tidy up and put the other staves back on the top shelf”, I thought. So I put up the stepladder... it’s one of those ‘handy ones’ which can open right up to become a ladder tall enough to reach the flat roof at the back of the house. I always make sure the stay which locks it as a stepladder (like the cross bar of an A) is fully located… I say “always”… but… you can see what’s coming can’t you? I’m at the top of the stepladder, I’ve put one stave up and I lean forward to get the next stave which is leaning against the bandsaw. Now I’d replaced the rubber feet of the stepladder some years back, but of course they had worn through leaving steel bearing on concrete… not the best for grip. I felt and heard the ladder start to slide and next thing I’m face down on top of the ladder on the floor having come down like a sack of spuds. I knew I was fundamentally OK, but wow did it hurt. I lay unable to move for a while as every time I moved the rungs bit deep into my shin, thigh or forearm. Eventually I rolled onto my back, pulled myself up and hobbled into the house. My dear lady wife told me to step back outside to take my fleece off as it was covered in sawdust and shavings. Without any swearing at all, I patiently explained ;-) that I’d rather not as I was in considerable discomfort and in need of a sit down a cup of tea and a hug. That was over a week ago and the knee is still sore and a big bruise has appeared under the knobble of my ankle ( I hadn’t even realised I’d hurt it!). Let that be a timely warning, avoid the deadly “just” and “it’ll only take a minute” … do the checks, make sure you are safe. 52

I’ve now got the Yew primitive nicely progressing, it’s interesting to work on as there isn’t much heartwood, it being cut from a skinny log/stick. I’m doing much of the tillering by removing sapwood which is tricky as I have to be careful to avoid going through to the heart wood. At a lot of places the sapwood actually wraps round the side of the bow and even shows on the belly. to look out some logs/staves from the top shelf. I was pleasantly surprised to The cross section shows how I’ve removed sapwood, this exposes some of find some dated Oct 2018 which were now ready for working on. Cutting them the growth rings which will run along the back and act as a guideline to the down to approximate size produced some promising staves and a skinny odd even removal of the sapwood. bent one which piqued my interest… I knew someone who was interested in a Yew primitive and he’d been patiently waiting for about 16 months, so I picked it So I put up the stepladder... it’s one of those ‘handy ones’ which can open right up to become a ladder tall enough to reach the flat roof at the back of the house. I’m at the top of the stepladder, I’ve put one stave up and I lean forward to get Just to make it trickier, the heartwood suddenly narrows halfway along one limb. My guess is that on the other side of the original log (this stave is effectively steel bearing on concrete… not the best for grip. I felt and heard the ladder start half a small log) there was a big branch which possibly even became the main to slide and next thing I’m face down on top of the ladder on the floor having limb leaving the one I’m using continuing up fairly straight but somewhat diminished in size. I lay unable to move for a while as every time I moved the rungs bit deep into hobbled into the house. My dear lady wife told me to step back outside to take ) that I’d rather not as I was in considerable discomfort and The bow is finished now, 50# @ 28” and is rather pretty. That was over a week ago and the knee is still sore and a big bruise has appeared 53

I s’pose it’s time to look back over the year. I’ve made a good few Bamboo backed bows, mostly just ‘boo/Yew ranging from a heavy warbow and primitive (about 115#) to a series of 50 flight bows, two of which have found a new home (one having an Ipe belly lamination over the Yew core). I also made a Wych Elm primitive, a new wood for me. I finally got the NFAS compliant crossbow working nicely, having resorted to glass faced limbs because the ‘Boo/Yew limbs all broke down and lost cast after a few dozen shots. Another project which I greatly enjoyed was making a wooden hare from Cherry wood which had been growing in the garden. Here’s wishing you all the finest season’s greetings, and if you fancy having a go at making a bow or harvesting some wood over the winter months, don’t hesitate. I guarantee you’ll get some exercise, learn a great deal, have fun and maybe awaken your inner child. You may even end up with a shootable bow… 54

I finally got the NFAS compliant crossbow working nicely, having resorted to glass faced limbs because the ‘Boo/Yew limbs all broke down and lost cast after

STAFAA 2019 3D Indoor Championship Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th November 2019 Location:- Oatridge Campus, Ecclesmachan, Broxburn Competition break-down:- Day 1 STAFAA 3D UNMARKED INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 Day 2 STAFAA 3D INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP 56

What a fantastic weekend of shooting, friendship and fun where 21 new records were set!! We thank all who attended from near and far… we had guests from England and Ireland - you all made this event so special. 57

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We would like to thank everyone who worked so hard in the background and the catering team for the excellent food available all weekend. ~ By Linda Sutherland ~ 59



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FAN UK would like FAN UK would like FAN UK would like to introduce to introduce to introduce Dreamcraft Archery! Dreamcraft Archery! Dreamcraft Archery! I spent some getting to know the truly splendid Bartłomiej Grygiel, and here is his beautiful story so far... Please introduce yourself to us... First of all, I am very thankful to become a part of your great FAN UK community and I feel truly honoured to introduce myself in front of archers from around the world. My name is Bartłomiej Grygiel and I’m 22 years old. Who am I? Just a humble craftsman, archer, forestry student and a man for whom nature is the greatest inspiration. Living in magnificent southern Poland I am surrounded and taught by its wisdom. Also my studies give me some additional view for its importance and undeniable meaning in our lives. I am into archery since I was 10 and I have been Can you tell us something building bows for over two years now. I still consider myself as a beginner in the bowyery world. unique about you? I am not just making bows, I am obsessed with them. Every single one of my bows has its own Your work is simply stunning - personality. I’m not using prepared wooden boards, what provides you with the inspiration for the designs on your pieces? I use staves acquired from the logs by splitting them. Bows built in such a process are full of Nothing but nature... animals, trees, flowers - the character, curves and imperfections. I do believe whole world is colourful and varied, so my bows they are more than just a weapon or a tool; are. There are no two bows the same in my they are the part of majestic trees and there is armoury as there are no two trees the same in still life in that piece of wood. Such a bow - if it the forest. Every stave I work with is special and is treated with love - shall serve you with great unrepeatable. performance for many years... perhaps it can Crafting my bows I feel like an artist. When I see a become a friend of yours. piece of wood I know exactly what shall it become. I must investigate every knot, twist, and check the Do you have a favourite aspect of your surface very carefully. I have to listen to the wood; craft... if so, which is it and why? I think it’s the most important thing to do that. Freedom of creative expression. In spite of many I can’t be smarter than a wood whose structure has restrictions provided by stave dimensions and developed over millions of years. properties, my profession gives me wonderful 62

archer freedom of creation, and I simply adore this y club and trained sport shooting but I feeling. Also an appreciation and suggestions understood I was born to shoot instinctively. coming from other archers and bowyers keeps Archery is simple fun and relaxing but also it is a me more confident on my path. process of mastering your body and keeping control on every move. Steady mind is important part of How did you learn your phenomenal skills? being successful at shooting as well. People used Countless hours spent in the workshop struggling bows since our beginnings, what makes practicing with staves, various challenges and reading many archery even more fascinating nowadays. books has led me to the place where I am right Are there any particular places that have now. There were broken bows too – the most painful lessons but also the most important. influenced the way that you work? I think the only way is just to keep them coming Likewise, is there anywhere you would like and facing new designs, woods, finishes, dyes, to visit to hone your skills further or soak materials etc. That makes me create more and up to incorporate into your work? more exceptional bows. Just let your imagination My homeland is a country with very rich fly, but don’t forget about what is bow made history and archery tradition as well as the for... it has to be weapon - beautiful but also whole Europe. Influence of my ancestors efficient and deadly at the same time. heritage on my works is visible and strong. Do you shoot? Also, what is it about The history of the famous English Longbow or the they are more than just a weapon or a tool; archery that Holmegaard makes me inspires you? pretty fascinated. if it I am into archery since my early It is obvious that performance for many years... perhaps it can childhood. At the even then people were experimenting beginning I was just with various designs, shooting in the were aware of specified backyard using a bow wood properties. made from PVC pipes. A few years later I acquired Maybe there we should a more professional recurve bow. search for the clues how to There was a time I was a member of a local improve our crafts? 63

But there are places in the world that You use a wide variety of woods to make me even more excited. Native make your bows - which is your Americans and their short drawing favourite and why? bows are very inspirational for me. I am curious about For me, most of the woods their close-combat archery deserve attention - I don’t t e c h n i q u e s ; t h o s e have favourite one. spectacular shots we often There are many wonderful can see watching fantasy woods like a dependable movies could really existed ash, gorgeous yew, on battlefields. fancy Osage orange or underrated hazel; and Can you imagine firing many arrows in just a few every one of them is great seconds or parrying axe at a special type of bow. attack with your bow? What’s interesting is that I successfully used some Sinew backed and wide limbed shortbows that uncommon species like an Native Americans used are apple tree or thuja. They say perfect for those stunts. In the you can make a bow using nearest future I am building every kind of wood if you know Osage orange paddle bow - how to treat it. I’ve seen fully one of the designs used by those working bow made from larch and courageous warriors. willow which are considered to be useless as a bow-woods, so there are many roads to be discovered and I am going to Do you have a favourite piece - check all of them. one you're most proud of? Yes, there is one bow in my collection that has been my personal number one for a long time. It is Thank you kindly for a chance to speak a flax backed yew shortbow. Saying shortbow, about my profession and my I mean really short - it is only 111 cm nock to nock. bow crafting philosophy. I acquired that piece of yew and on first sight it was terrible. Very short, curvy, knotty and snaky. I would be grateful if you visited For many it would be considered as a junk or my social media where you can firewood. But it was the first time I got my see more pictures and read hands on this legendary wood and I was determined more about my work. to try it anyway. After spending many many hours in the workshop, it revealed to me its magnificent appearance, becoming a pretty nice bow after all. Following the grain and placing bow in the right place in stave was key to success as it always is. I applied a fancy backing, cow horn knocks (inspired by the English longbow) and I have fallen in love with that beauty. It is hanging above my bed and reminds me that in almost every piece of wood there is a bow hiding. 64

For me, most of the woods about my profession and my I would be grateful if you visited my social media where you can see more pictures and read 65



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Hi Hels! Wishing all archers and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Arrow Flying New Year from all at Dunbrody Archers ! 68

Photographer: Adam Browning Location: Aurora FAC, August 2019





FAN UK’s FAN UK’s FAN UK’s “Meet the Club” “Meet the Club” “Meet the Club” Presents Presents Presents Row Brow Field Archers! Row Brow Field Archers! Row Brow Field Archers! 72

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Welcome to Hoods & Maids! If this feature is new to you, they are my unique way of celebrating stunning shots (both jammy & skill) that only Robin Hood or Maid Marian themselves would’ve been able to pull off. It is also my way of celebrating the shots we all either dream of hitting or are so lucky that they need scoring before they fall out of the target! We all, regardless of age/ability, appear to rack up a fair few of these shots in our field archery careers so it was also my way of trying to in- clude more people and show off their shots and celebrate them as the stars they are – albeit having stood in a healthy blob of jam or sim- ply from being rather a fine shot, both are most welcome here! Ricochets, Barnes-Wallis classics, lucky legs, tree shots, “in-off”s, wind-assisted, carried into the target by well-paid woodland creatures, Robin Hoods, Pickering Awards (AKA the Pines Park Special!)… ALL are welcomed with open arms! Good shooting & please do share! You’re worth it ;-) Hels 82

This shot was executed by mighty Mike of Brothers in Arms at Purbeck Archers’ 13th October 2019 Jurassic shoot, where he commented that there were “some interesting shots (the ones we missed), If this feature is new to you, they are my unique way of celebrating but a good day, and thanks too for sorting the weather out!” He told me – “Yep.....!! Another one Helen Suzanne Cohen-Quinn... I just don’t seem to be able to actually hit a target!!!!” :-) :-) I replied – “Mike Schofield - that's clearly in it, perhaps off”s, not your preferred choice of location but it's definitely Robin Hoods, Pickering Awards (AKA the Pines Park Special!)… in ;-) ;-) xx He replied – “In my defence, it was a serious downhill, across a valley, which most of the group blanked!” 83

This [clearly ‘played for and got’] shot was expertly performed by Pines Park’s very own Rob at Duvelle Bowmen, where he also took 1st place in Gents Barebow, winning the Dan Doxey Memorial Trophy (and his lovely wife Maureen scooped the Bronze in Ladies Barebow, hurray & well shot M xx)! A day of 2 halves methinks…!! ;-) Rob surmised: “Maybe one for Helen Suzanne Cohen-Quinn??!!!!” My response: “Perhaps good sir ;-) xx” 84

‘played for and got’] shot was expertly performed by All you need to do is email me, Hels, on [email protected] or get in Pines Park’s very own Rob at Duvelle Bowmen, where he also took touch via Facebook or the FAN UK website, including the following information:- 1st place in Gents Barebow, winning the Dan Doxey Memorial Trophy * Your name and club (if applicable) (and his lovely wife Maureen scooped the Bronze in Ladies Barebow, * Name of the archer whose shot/s are being nominated * Where and when the pictures were taken * Any information you feel will boost your nominee’s chances of being inducted! * You CAN nominate yourself if you wish - no problem at all!! Our FAN UK Embroidered Patches are available for you to buy! Our beautifully embroidered “Field Archery News UK” sew-on patches feature a pale cream background, our distinctive black logo and ruby red edging. Lovingly crafted for you they are superbly detailed and 65mm in diameter. ~ Only £3 each including postage & packaging (UK & worldwide) ~ To own yours simply go to http://fieldarcherynewsuk.wixsite.com/fanuk/patches or email [email protected], stating the quantity of patches you would like, your name and your address with full postal/zip/area code please. Once payment has been received your patches will be on their way to you. 85



We at Briar Rose Field Archers would like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 12 months. From those who attended out inaugural shoot in 2019 to those who have just said hi at local shoots. 2019 saw us host our inaugural NFAS open along with a couple of other smaller club shoots, all thanks to the support of the archery community. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish all archers a fun and enjoyable 2020. We hope you all have success in the New Year and look forward to seeing you in 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 87

FAN UK would like to FAN UK would like to FAN UK would like to introduce you to the terrific introduce you to the terrific introduce you to the terrific “Off the Arrow Shelf! “Off the Arrow Shelf! “Off the Arrow Shelf! Rob Jones - fellow field archer has taken some rare time out to let us know about his superb work… here is what he had to say and share (thanks Rob!): Where did it start? The name \"Off the Arrow shelf\" was actually the easiest part of the process. Normally trying to think of something creative is pretty tough but at that time I was shooting American flatbow in the NFAS and for those who aren't familiar with that bow style it has an arrows shelf cut into the bow rather than an arrow rest. \"Simples\" as certain meerkats say. Initially it started as a bit of an experiment in blogging. My day job at the time was supporting online learning, so I was reviewing different software, but needed something to write about to make it easier to review and field test. Ideally I wanted something I knew a little about to make the writing easier. I had started field archery a few years before, so it seemed the obvious choice. I didn't think that some eight years later it would still be going or have grown to what it is now. Meeting readers I get really humbled when people say they read the site or find it useful. I remember the first time I was approached by archers at shoots saying \"I read your blog\" and another who I recall saying they had had it recommended to them which completely threw me. At the last shoot I was at an archer said \"Oh, you’re Rob Jones. Thanks for the help on the post\". Why continue? There isn't that much UK based material on field archery, though there are a few video producers like Richard Head Longbows, Wolfie, Grizzly Jim, who have been putting out some great material. But I've always said I have the perfect face for radio, so the idea of producing video content where I'm in front of the camera never appealed. I'd like to say a thanks to Grizzly Jim here who has given me more support than he probably realises - cheers Bud. The site has grown and I realised fairly early on I wanted to take it a lot more seriously. I felt I needed to 88

produce something that other field archers might find useful, whether this be on their personal improvements, equipment reviews or shoot reports. Initially it was shoot reports I thought would be the driver and of most interest to others. I had started shooting a lot more NFAS competitions and wanted to offer my view of the events, rather than just the results that are published on club and national websites. Looking back at this it's hard for me to believe there are over 130 of these shoot reports now going back over the last few years. Speaking to people I know these reports have encouraged some archers to try new shoots, further afield. fellow field archer has taken some rare Recently one of my most popular articles has been on target boss repairs and how to do it. I'm in the process of doing some 3D repairs so that will generate an article or two. I set time out to let us know about his superb work… myself a personal target of an article every week to ten days, though recently this has slipped as coaching and life gets in the way. So I find less time to do my writing. I've also been doing a lot more reading round coaching and especially target panic and coaching Where did it start? The name \"Off the Arrow shelf\" was actually the easiest part of the for improvements. I've also just become a coach trainer in the NFAS so am now helping train future coaches. Over recent years I've included more and more coaching and development it has an arrows shelf cut into the bow rather than an arrow rest. \"Simples\" as certain ideas for archers. This is partly because its something I am very interested in myself and believe it isn't as easy to find as people need. Personally I think a lot of newbies get disheartened with archery when they hit a plateau and can't find ways to improve, so get bored or frustrated. I wanted to try and produce some material that newbies and experienced archers might find helpful. The articles have covered everything from ideas on course laying, to techniques for improving your shooting. I'm about to put some material out about target panic which I'm hoping will help people. I know some people have found some of the coaching tips useful. Over time I've chosen to expand the site to cover other social media platforms including shoots saying \"I read your blog\" and another who I recall saying they had had it Tumbler, Instagram, Twitter with the latest being a Facebook page. That way I can try and get the message out that field archery exists and there are resources out there for people much UK based material on field archery, though there are a few video producers like who want to develop. I have to say I'm not an expert in using social media and get a bit disheartened at times with it, especially when you read some of the armchair experts promoting their views and opinions. Sometimes in a very aggressive or negative way. As for the future ? I'd like to do more reviews on archery related stuff but being able to afford stuff cheers Bud. The site has to review isn't always easy. I also tend to test things out over quite a long time, sometime to the point of tested to destruction. Whether they be walking boots or wood stain for arrow 89

cresting. I'm not affiliated or sponsored by any company, so I'm completely independent. Pretty much everything I review is bought by me with a couple of exceptions. If someone sends me something to review I'll test it out and write the review, good or bad. I'll let them read it before being published so they can offer feedback and comments. If they object, wanting to change it to fit their needs and not be as honest as I would like, I pull it - plain and simple. Don't get me wrong I'm more than happy to review equipment but being honest in a review is very important to me. I also hope to continue to produce coaching and improvement materials, for newbies and experienced archers out there. There is so much that could be said to help people. My better half always says that helping people is hardwired into my personality. As always thanks for reading. https:// offthearrowshelf.com/ https://twitter.com/ offarrowshelf 90

plain and simple. Don't get me wrong I'm more than happy to review equipment but being honest in a review is very important to me. I also hope to continue to produce coaching and improvement materials, for newbies and experienced archers out there.

ARCHERS AND TARGETS ALIKE, BE MERRY, BE BLESSED, SHOOT SENSIBLE, SHOOT STRAIGHT. Magén Klomp, Fairbow Nederland Wishing readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May you have 2020 vision and Aspire to great things. \"Wishing all the FAN UK fans a very happy holiday season. Don’t forget to show kindness, walk in nature, spend time with kids and animals and worry less; & shoot your arrows straight, as always.\" Ana Aldred, Managing Partner - The Archery Shop 92

\"We would like to wish all our customers ARCHERS AND TARGETS ALIKE, BE MERRY, BE BLESSED, and friends a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year\" Heritage Longbows & Heritage Archery Centre Hi Hels, We are sending our personal Christmas wishes to you and FAN UK. It is a brilliant magazine with a wide variety of articles on all aspects of field archery and we always enjoy reading it. Andrea Beddard-Smith & Alex X Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all FAN UK readers from Paralian Laser! May all your 2020 medals be custom! To all archers of whatever organisation or style, Pentref Bowmen wish you the very best wishes this festive time of year. Irrespective of ethnic or religious background, from one group of archers to another, straight arrows and \"Wishing all the FAN UK fans a very happy holiday season. happy shooting. Don’t forget to show kindness, walk in nature, spend time with kids and animals and Although difficult, we at Rednex have Ashcombe Valley managed to get a red nose on Ruckus Archers would like the boar... Happy to wish all FAN UK Holidays from all readers a very Merry Christmas and an of us at Rednex, archery-filled 2020. we can't wait to May your arrows fly see you in April! straight and true. 93





Hi Helen, Hope you like what we have been up to in central Queensland! Here are some photo’s of this years CPL (Cerebral Palsy League) archery tournament which was held in October and the medal presentation held on 18th October 2019. Early this year we set up the archery cerebral palsy league and the local club at Hervey Bay and we competed and won against them. Next year we are bringing Bundaberg CPL on line also. From John Hans OAM Peace International Archery Club, Australia P.S. Those in the purple shirts are from Hervey Bay :-) :-) 96

Early this year we set up the archery cerebral palsy league and the local club at Hervey Bay and we competed and won against them. Next year we 97



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Hi! Can you tell us who you are and where you're based? Mandarin Duck is based in China, our factory is there and our marketing teams and distribution centres are located in CN, NA, and the EU. We are a group of people who love archery, hunting and handicrafts. In the beginning, MD-ers were some big fans of Chinese traditional hunting skills and leather crafts. Now more and more people have joined us and we share the fun and joys of great equipment, skills, and crafts all around the world. What products and/or service does Mandarin Duck offer? We manufacture bows and handmade leather works. When were you founded? Mandarin Duck was founded in 2015, Nanjing, China. Where did the name come from? One of our founders was born and lived in Ohio before he moved to China 5 years ago. When he was a boy, he always practiced his archery and hunting skills in his backyard. When he saw a pair of very beautiful Mandarin Ducks passing by, he hit the bullseye of his target for the first time. So when we decided to start this company, he chose this name and hand drew that logo we are using now. 100