Contents: EXCLUSIVE! SHOOT REPORTS 4 COVER COMPETITION WINNER! 14-15 Whitefriars Bowmen 11/02/2018 6-8 FAN UK introduces: PEACE 38-39 Oakwood Bowmen 18/02/2018 INTERNATIONAL ARCHERY CLUB INC. 46-47 Company of 60 - 18/03/2018 20-22 FAN UK introduces: DRUK PREMIER 54-55 Broadland Bowmen 11/03/2018 LEAGUE ARCHERY by Tsencho Dorji 61-62 Muttley Crew Archers 18/02/2018 28-31 FAN UK FEATURED ARCHER: 94-95 Aurora FAC 01/2018 Michaela Lake!! 42-44 FAN UK introducing presents TWANGERS ARROWS REGULARS with John Potter 10-13 The Bowyer’s Diary 25 by Derek Hutchison A Superb Cartoon or two for you! NEW FEATURES 36 Archery on the Big Screen 68-70 Making Progress in Field Archery 40 “Arrows with John Beavis”, Part 2 by Jake Downey 56-59 “A Journey in Archery” 78-80 “Shooting up a field… Clout” by Mitch Vaughan by Sue Kenworthy 64-66 Clout Archery Basics Part Two 97 Bow Review by Phil Peak 84-85 Hoods & Maids 87 The Lyrical Stylings of Mr Barry Johnson SHOOT INFO/ENTRY FORMS 5 Regent Archers Summer Shoot 22/07/2018 UPDATES 16-17 Raven Field Archers 88-99 Agincourt Update by OH Boyd 29/04/2018 92-93 Quiz Time!! 32-34 Scottish Field Champs and AFA Open 98-99 Club Locations Directory 14 & 15/04/2018 48-51 SCAS Field Archery Championship 28 & 29/04/2018 PHOTOGRAPHY 72-73 Dunbrody Archers 100 Arrow Shoot 30/06/2018 & 01/07/2018 COVER SHOT Doc Smith/Joe IFAF Ireland! 76-77 Longbow Heritage’s “Jim’s Jungle 18-19 Cover Comp Runner-Up: Jaunt” 30/06/2018 & 01/07/2018 Mark Service 81 Magna Carta FAs Summer Shoot 26-27 Cover Comp Runner-Up: 22/07/2018 Jason Powell 86 IIAC Killygarry Archers 63 Cover Comp Runner-Up: 25 & 26/08/2018 Pete McGiffen 90-91 2018 South West Challenge 74-75 Mark Service 28/07/2018 - 05/08/2018 96 Cover Comp Runner-Up: Doc Smith 103 Cover Comp Runner-Up: Rob West REAR COVER Cover Comp Runner-Up: John Hans Oam 2
A very warm welcome to the April/May 2018 issue! Your editor, Hels. This issue has been an incredible pleasure to compile for you all - we have got some awesome features for you and I truly hope that you enjoy them all! FAN UK is still the ONLY multi-association field archery publication... all of the societies together in one place, just for you - please do share us with our fellow field archers & help the FAN UK family grow. We’re now on Issue 14 - a massive thank you to you all for reading!! You can still buy our beautiful fully-embroidered FAN UK patches and you can also Donate if you would like to show your support/appreciation for FAN UK and to help me keep it free for all to access. If you would like to contribute shoot reports, club info & contacts, photos, event calendar dates or other articles I would love to hear from you and, as always, please email [email protected] to do so or you can get in touch via the FAN UK website, our Facebook or on Twitter. * FAN UK is produced purely for the love of field archery * The Editor reserves the right to edit any submissions received. 3
Our front cover competition winner is... JOE IFAF-IRELAND!! This terrific photograph was taken by Doc Smith. It features John Shiel shooting downhill at a standing bear target beautifully placed at the foot of a waterfall at Killygarry Archers, Cavan in 2017. A massive THANK YOU to everyone who entered the Cover Competition for this issue. You will find the Runners-Ups’ pictures & credits dotted around the pages of this edition as recognition and thanks for their participation & support. If you think that YOU have a photo for the next front cover then please keep an eye to the FAN UK Facebook page & the website for entry details... 4
Regent Archers’ Summer Shoot 22 July 2018 nd 40 mixed 3Ds & hessians Catering (NFAS members only) Contact:- [email protected] A massive THANK YOU to everyone who entered or 01262 401738 / 07505 122749 have a photo for the next 5
FAN UK is proud to introduce Peace International Archery Peace International Archery Peace International Archery Club Inc., Australia... Club Inc., Australia... Club Inc., Australia... Hels spent some time getting to know the lovely John Hans Oam of Hels spent some time getting to know the lovely John Hans Oam of Peace Archery & he was extremely generous with his time, Peace Archery & he was extremely generous with his time, putting together the following article for us all - enjoy! putting together the following article for us all - enjoy! Dear Readers, First let me say it is an honour to be writing this article in such a prestigious archery magazine. Before I start I will tell you a little of my history: my name is John Hans OAM (and if you are wondering what the OAM stands for, it stands for the Order of Australia Medal which was awarded to me by the Australian Government for services to the sport of archery and my work with the disabled.) I have been shooting now for 54 great years and I am the founder and President of Peace International Archer Club Inc which started archery tag course. in about 1982 in Rockhampton Central Queensland, Australia. I have served in many board positions within Archery Australia and have written most of the Early last year the club relocated to a new Policy and Procedures for Archery Australia also. ground - some 28,000 square metres which But that’s enough about me, now let’s talk gives us the capacity to have a dedicated about how coaching the disabled came to being learners area, full 90 metre main range in my life and the life of the club. which currently is 50 metres wide practice It all started about twenty six years ago when a field area, Field course, 3D course and what teacher at the local special school called saying we call the fun zone which has numerous novelty targets; we are also building a standard that some of the children were talking about a Robin Hood film that was shown on television and expressed an interest in trying archery and he wanted to know if I could make this happen for the children. This was something that I nervously agreed to do; we started with five children aged around 13 to 15 years old and these students only had mild to medium cerebral palsy and down syndrome. Well - I have never seen a more eager and enthusiastic group of children and what was meant to be a “come and try” one-off lasted for almost six years. We would start each school term with a new group of children on one of my days off, when 6
enough to handle this increase so a new plan had to be made and this was to train the carers from the organizations. This solved a number Peace International Archery Peace International Archery of problems - the main one being the clients Peace International Archery were more comfortable with their own carers so they settled in quicker. When the carers were comfortable in teaching their clients we then cut keys to the club for the different organizations so they may access the bows Peace Archery & he was extremely generous with his time, and targets and then they can use the club Peace Archery & he was extremely generous with his time, grounds whenever they like. the term finished (about every six weeks) I would then go to the school and present certificates to the children in that term, in front of the entire school. During this time, the Cerebral palsy League in Rockhampton heard about this and wanted to start a few adults also which I agreed to so my days off were spent teaching archery to this wonderful group of people. During this time I was working as a supervisor working with unemployed people on work projects around the city until I had a job offer from the Cerebral Palsy League We have also started getting larger degrees of Rockhampton’s day service, this is where adult disability and have had to learn to adapt both sufferers of cerebral palsy and down syndrome style and equipment as, in most cases, you can come to learn life skills such as cooking, basic throw the coaching manual out the window and computer, sewing, craft and basic numeracy we have come up with some strange methods and literacy skills; and it is here that the archery to enable these clients to shoot. for the disabled grew into the ever expanding program that it is today. Today we have around 105 disabled using our club grounds for archery each and every week all year round from four different disability agencies. Needless to say my days off were not for the children. This was something that I What we have found over the years is that, in time, archery has helped with their concentration levels and their coordination off lasted for almost six years. skills (which at the time surprised quite a number of people including a physiotherapist) and we are constantly having to think outside 7
the box to enable these guys & girls to shoot each July all the organizations come Now or to - at the very least - feel the exhilaration of together with their clients to compete in an shooting a bow and arrow. archery tournament called the Cerebral Palsy League Archery Tournament in which the archers compete for perpetual trophies, medals and prizes followed by a sausage sizzle, this has turned out to be a great event in which everyone looks forward to and we have now added a staff challenge. It is hoped that by the end of next year we will be seeing around 200 clients per week as we are continuing to train more carers from the organizations and we have had further enquiries from new organizations. The program is constantly evolving and I am currently working on a coaching manual for the disabled using our clients as case studies, documenting their disability and the solutions to enable them to shoot. I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The enjoyment I get from the faces of these guys and girls when they release their first arrow is amazing and they have accomplished something people never thought possible - proving that, given the chance, they can accomplish more than we give them credit for. Good shooting, Good shooting, Good shooting, John Hans Oam. John Hans Oam. John Hans Oam. 8
Now each July all the organizations come together with their clients to compete in an It is hoped that by the end of next year we will be seeing around 200 clients per week as we are continuing to train more carers from the I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The enjoyment I get from the faces of these guys and girls when they release their first proving that, given the chance, they can
Del The Cat’s “Bowyer’s Diary” ~ Back to Basics Part 2 - Triumph or Disaster? ~ by Derek Hutchison (AKA Del the Cat on various archery forums!) After about a month of seasoning, a week of which was on a hot radiator, the roughed out Hazel ELB stave had a substantial sideways bend. It wasn’t a convenient bend at one point, but it could be rationalized as two straight limbs each meeting a central 1’ section at different angles. Steam bending was needed to straighten it. JT (my bowyer’s apprentice) hadn’t done or seen any steam bending so I had to show him the set up, which is fiddlier than one might think. Like a lot of things, it’s the jigging up and preparation that takes the time. Steam is provided by a wallpaper steamer, with the steam being fed into an old 5L plastic container wrapped round with random bits of old insulation, bubble wrap etc to keep the heat in. This has a hole at either end so it can be threaded over the bow, to provide localized steaming where it is needed. The big advantage with this is that the bow can be clamped up to a jig and bent while the steam is being applied and if it’s clamped up firmly one can measure “Jigging Up” how far you are bending. The jig is two long pieces of 4x2 screwed together to form an L . Plenty of off-cuts of timber and clamps allow a bow to be held solid, but spaced off about 1” from jig. One end is clamped (at two points) and the other left free to allow the steam box to slip over it. Once hot enough, the free limb can then be pulled in the required direction and clamped. I’ve had people say they’ve had no luck with steam bending but I can guarantee it’s because they haven’t got it hot enough for long enough. You can leave wood soaking in hot water for as long as you like, it won’t bend! It has to be steam - and don’t be fooled into thinking clouds of water vapour are steam! Steam is invisible and can do serious damage so take care. To avoid losing heat, I have cut down the flexible pipe from the steamer to about 3’ length; I’ve also slipped a length of pipe insulation over it. It’s an immutable law that demonstrations never work, we also tend to forget some of what we’ve learnt. I’d got JT to feel how hard it was to pull the limb across before we steamed it (it took both hands to squeeze it across anywhere near the side of the jig). 10
After half an hour of steam I cockily said “try it now”… it was still stiff! Panic not, I know this works, it just needs longer. So why hadn’t it become soft like a noodle in 30 mins? Well, it’s a thick section at the grip, if that had been a wafer thin slat it would have rapidly become pliable. You can try it yourself with a thin slat of wood ( say ½” x 1/16”… or 12 x 1.5 mm if Before you prefer) dipped into a kettle of boiling water for a minute, this sort of thing is out Hazel ELB stave had a substantial sideways bend. It wasn’t a convenient bend at handy for craft work. As a rule of thumb it needs an hour per inch of thickness but it depends on the type of wood and how dry it is (green wood has a higher moisture content which will conduct the heat into it much better). After an hour the limb could be squeezed across with one hand and was clamped up. We allowed the steamer to continue until it had boiled dry and switched itself off. We gave it time to cool down and undid the clamps, it sprang back a fair bit, but had taken out most of the bend (the gap from jig to limb was originally 135mm and was now 65mm). It was obvious that we also needed to do the second bend at the other end of the grip. Having seen the first one JT was pretty much able to get it jigged up and ready to do that one. However, we wanted to cram in as many basic techniques as possible and manage our time. The how far you are bending. The jig is two long pieces of 4x2 screwed together to form stave was straight enough to cut in some nocks and try it on the tiller with a long string. Using a tile saw After JT cut grooves across the back of each tip (the sides are untouched, this maintains maximum width for any sideways adjustment later). Pulling to about 50# showed the stave wasn’t flexing much, but one limb was much I’ve had people say they’ve had no luck with steam bending but I can guarantee it’s stiffer. I think he expected more movement, but I said “too stiff is good as it shows we because they haven’t got it hot enough for long enough. You can leave wood soaking haven’t screwed up yet! Too weak is when you have a problem”. While it was steaming for the second bend we had a good old natter, ate tea and fooled into thinking clouds of water vapour are steam! Steam is invisible and can do toast and shot one of my crossbows at 10 yards into the safety of the garage. We clamped up the second bend ( the gap between jig and limb was 65mm) and once To avoid losing heat, I have cut down the flexible pipe from the steamer to about cooled and unclamped we could see it was slightly over bent (gap now 25mm, so that’s 40mm of bend), but that’s a good thing! I reassured JT that it would probably relax back a bit over night, and if that failed, a little gentle warmth would let it come back a little. That was it for our session of bow making therapy. Sure enough, the next morning it had crept back 11mm and was now perfectly in line. 11
A week later we had another session and JT sat on the shave horse with a spokeshave taking wood from the belly of the stiff limb. His initial use of the spokeshave was rather tentative nibbling off short shavings, but as time progressed I could hear the change in sound as he was taking off long confident curls of wood. I’d been fitting horn nocks onto a Yew flight bow and pretty much left JT to get on with it. Putting the bow back on the tiller and pulling it to 50# (we’ve revised the target draw weight up by 5#) showed the left limb now flexing nicely and maybe even a tad weaker than the right. This raises a useful point. I always put the bow the same way round on the tiller, upper limb to the right, and I use a ring on the long string to adjust its length (by repeatedly treading the string through the loop) I keep the ring to the right too. This precaution can prevents you inadvertently working on the wrong limb. Similarly, if you have a tea break, check the bow on the tiller again, it’s very easy to remove wood twice from the JT spoke shave same spot and overdo it. This stave is particularly tricky as it has a bend at the grip which makes it want to slide off the tiller unless pulled from dead centre. We’ll address that issue next time when the bow is braced, the work progresses, the draw length increases and the tiller becomes more critical. Hopefully next session we’ll be getting close to a full draw and it will be looking much more like a bow. “50 at 24” 12
Next session:- We’d set ourselves the target of getting the bow braced and pulling evenly to about 20”. That all went remarkably well with JT using spokeshave and rasp to ease off the upper limb and then bracing it. With some more work easing off the upper limb it was looking good up and down on the tiller eventually reaching about 23” at 50#, and just needed a little more work before fitting horn nocks. One dilemma was a patch of rot on JT Hazel Flex the side near one tip, leave it alone or shorten the bow? The game plan was to narrow the tips ready for the horn nocks and see how it looked. A question arose, when is it too late to reverse the bow on the tiller if you decide the upper limb is too stiff? Well to show what happens we tried the bow the other way and it looked horrible, but in his enthusiasm JT also pulled it 55# and asked about going even heavier. “That’s the road to hell!” I opined and reminded him that we’d already upped the target weight to 50# from 40-45#. I noticed the bark popping off mid limb on the upper limb, which shows it’s bending more there than elsewhere and examining the bow closely showed 2 nasty diagonal compression fractures, otherwise known as chrysals on the belly. Now I hate chrysals with a passion but they are preferable to a smashed bow. It was a bit of a sickener as the tiller now looked way off with the upper limb weak. Never mind, press on! There’s nothing to lose now, let’s ease off the lower limb a tad, get it strung and shoot it! With some trepidation I found a suitable string and we gave it a go. I was expecting it to have all the cast of a Chrysals Christmas pudding, but it banged out the arrows hard and fast! Taking some measurements afterwards, revealed a couple of inches mid limb where it was about 1mm thinner than either side. So, neither triumph nor disaster but a good learning exercise in when to slow down, change to a finer rasp and spend more time looking and checking. He made a shootable bow, which is quite an achievement and now he’s planning the next one. JT FD 13
Whitefriars Bowmen Shoot Report 11 February 2018 th After the last fiasco with the weather in December this time the archery gods smiled on us and although cold there were light winds and sunshine. Our course setters provided a very popular shoot attracting many positive comments from all participants. Our catering team of Dave and Sarah Cassell provided excellent food and service, keeping good movement of archers round the course. Thanks to all who came and we hope to see you again soon. Our next 3D shoot is on the 8 April 2018 so if you would like to take part then please th contact Bob Bruce at [email protected] or on - 07802 758211. Results (40 targets):- Hunting Tackle Gents Hunting Tackle Ladies Club Score Club Score Steve Rand Invicta 698 Clair Parfit Aurora 398 Tony Smith Kings Forest 616 Denis Oates Noak Hill 598 American Flatbow Gents Kevin Cook Oakwood 580 Adam Browning Aurora 602 Neil Gamble Totem 560 Kevin Button Priory 536 Kevin Pyle Tendring 510 Mathew Cook Oakwood 372 American Flatbow Ladies Alex Tyler Oakwood 560 Sandra Meek Kings Forest 476 Longbow Gents Colin Rose Totem 620 Mike Ashington Longbow Heritage 568 Carl Gibbard Salcey 542 Keith Sharpe Priory 500 Ian Martin Oakwood 470 Longbow Ladies Rosie Potter Kings Forest 408 Barebow Gents Ken Sparham Aurora 688 Martin Joy Aurora 680 Guy Van de Walle Aurora 658 Peter Whitaker Whitefriars 648 (Set Course) Paul Rose Whitefriars 538 Paul Gostick Whitefriars 490 Petr Kwiczala Noak Hill No Card Mark Svensson Magic Dragon Ret 14
Barebow Ladies Club Score Christine Smith Kings Forest 526 Kathy Jones Noak Hill 476 Robyn Parker Priory 260 Barebow Jnr Boy Brandon Brown Noak Hill 450 Primitive Gents Roy Easton Noak Hill 458 Bowhunter Gents Club Score Craig Jones Noak Hill 772 Danny Brown Noak Hill 662 Bowhunter Ladies Olivia Morgan Totem 500 Compound Limited Gents Andrew Knott Oakwood 710 Unlimited Gents Daniel Rae Kings Forest 940 Barry Rampling Kings Forest 880 Gary Harvey Kings Forest 866 Ron Potter Kings Forest 794 Darren Smart Whitefriars 788 David Stone Avalon 778 Andy Williams Salcey 740 Ken Haynes Noak Hill 682 Freestyle Gents Richard Green Noak Hill 854 Freestyle Ladies Karen Howard Noak Hill 662 15
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Pictured: Sean Quelch Pictured: Sean Quelch Pictured: Sean Quelch @ Broadland Bowmen, 17th February 2018 @ Broadland Bowmen, 17th February 2018 @ Broadland Bowmen, 17th February 2018
FAN UK spoke to Tsencho Dorji and he told us all about DRUK Premier League Archery... The following article is based on the DRUK Premier League Archery Tournament/ championship structure. DRUK Premier League Archery tournament (DPL) is a private archery tournament organizing company in Bhutan. Archery is the National Game/Sport of Bhutan. With modernization people had switch to compound bows and aluminum arrows. Our game is played at a distance of 140 to 150 meters (153 yards) which means the targets are kept at a distance of 140 to 150 meters apart from each other on the ground. Our targets are made of soft wood (pine wood target sample pictured). The target is based on standard size:- Colours should be white, yellow, red and blue Height: 107 cm Width: 28 cm The “Gorthig” (or bulls eye): diameter should be 6cm Bulls eye should be at its center point marked at 30cm from the crown of the target Our 2017 tournament ended in July and 67 teams across the country participated. Each team consisted of 5 archers. Every team had to play 45 league rounds. Here is how it all works: 1 league round consist of 15 rounds and it has to be played among three teams. After a league round, qualified teams enter the knock out round. 81 teams qualified to play the knockout round. After the knockout round, 27 then enter the quarter final. If there are less than 81 teams in the league round, qualified teams will directly enter the 1/4 final 20
escaping knock out round. 9 winning teams from quarter finals then enter the semi-finals and the 3 winners from the semifinals will then reach the final. Eventually the final match is played among the 3 “champions”. The 2017 final match was played at our National Archery Ground and was live telecasted across the country. During the tournament it was a big celebration! There was live championship structure. DRUK Premier League Archery tournament (DPL) is a private dancing and more than 1000 people gathered at the ground to witness the game. The organizer donated a cash prize of Nu. 300000 for 1st winner Our game is played at a distance of 140 to 150 meters (153 yards) which means the team, Nu. 200000 for the 1st runner-up and Nu. 100000 for the 2nd runner-up (1 British Pound = 88.82 Nu. [Bhutanese Ngultrum] - 04.03.2018). How the game is played:- It’s played among 3 teams for 15 rounds. The game finishes at 7 points. 7 points is equal to 1 game set, so in 15 rounds the team with the highest number of points and sets wins the game. In case of all or two teams scoring the same points, then they all end up playing ‘penalty’. In penalty, each archer should play one arrow and the team who scores the most points will win the game. In every round archer will get two arrows to shoot at the target. Most of the Bhutanese archers don’t use accessories. People don’t trust or believe you even if you hit many targets using accessories. They consider that it’s the accessories that made him a good archer so most people avoid using accessories. In some tournaments the organizers don’t allow using accessories at all. The archers aim at the target from the end Our 2017 tournament ended in July and 67 teams across the country participated. point of the arrow. Bow in full draw they Each team consisted of 5 archers. Every team had to play 45 league rounds. Here is how use kiss button to maintain the position. The colourful scarf on the lower body indicates the total number of targets that he hits. When you get a single hit, you get one scarf. If it’s double hit, archers get knockout round. After the knockout round, 27 then enter the quarter final. If there 3 scarves at a time. are less than 81 teams in the league round, qualified teams will directly enter the 1/4 final 21
A good archer is loaded with many scarves around the hip by the end of the day. The green scarf which is running diagonally is the identification of archers - usually there is a number in printed on it and based upon it an umpire will keep the record of the day/ tournament. To the left here is a picture of an archer shooting at a standard archery range. The green wall in the picture is actually a safeguard, so that when an archer is shooting, the players at the field should get behind the wall for safety. The man pictured to the left is the best archer of 2017. He shot 55 karays (hits) in 45 rounds. He won Nu. 50000 as prize. The green scarf with no 2 printed is the identification of archer. In our tournament we use this scarf that has to be hanged from your hip. This archer is using trigger and self-modified sight. The dress he is wearing is our national dress of Bhutan. The archer pictured to the right is playing (shooting) with fingers but he is using a sight. 22
around the hip by the end of the day. The number in printed on it and based upon it The green wall in the picture is actually a In our tournament we use this scarf that has
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Pictured: My lad Gabe shooting his Pictured: My lad Gabe shooting his Pictured: My lad Gabe shooting his yew English Longbow with his Grandad, yew English Longbow with his Grandad, yew English Longbow with his Grandad, Mike O’Sullivan. We are all Delamere Archers. Mike O’Sullivan. We are all Delamere Archers. Mike O’Sullivan. We are all Delamere Archers. Gabe is 9 and has been shooting for 4 years. Gabe is 9 and has been shooting for 4 years. Gabe is 9 and has been shooting for 4 years.
FAN UK would like you to meet European Silver Medallist WA 3D 2016; 2015-17 British Ladies Champion and World Masters Barebow 4-time gold medallist in WA Field, IFAA Field, WA Combined Indoor & WA Target/H2H... Michaela Lake! Michaela Lake! Michaela Lake! 28
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Oakwood Bowmen Shoot Report 18th February 2018 by Mel Horne. A crowd of 92 Archers shooting in the woods on a dry and Sunny winters day. Perfect! I would like to say many thanks to all our guests and members for attending and the wonderful feedback/ comments on our first shoot of the year. Richard Narey and his team set a great course of 1 arrow @ 2 X 19 3D targets, as usual a couple of cheeky yet achievable shots kept us on our toes. Every last detail went according to plan. We had special visit from Alfie Allen and Dave Arnold, Alfie as many of you know is extremely unwell and it took a huge effort for him to visit, we were thrilled he could make it… and for a time it seemed just like the old days for us all. The Catering team Anne and Ray Tunstall cooked up a storm with another superb homemade menu of delights, hats of to those guys. We look forward to seeing all our Friends again in March. Happy shooting everyone! 38
Oakwood Bowmen Shoot Report Gents AFB Gents HT Steve Rand 768 Mark Jones 764 Neil Gamble 696 Rick Bellars 700 Kevin Cook 644 Adam Browning 688 Gents LB Gents BB Colin Rose 748 Martin Joy 780 Mark Allen 660 Ian Desforges 756 Carl Gibbard 616 Ken Sparham 632 Gents BH Gents CL Dave Arnold 610 Duane Williams 876 Jim Gillespie 444 Andrew Knott 812 Peter Tricker 804 Gents UL David Stone 844 Gents FS Andy Williams 820 Doug Shaw 830 Graham Birch 772 John Smith 652 Gents PV Mitch Hill 624 Phil Marr 344 Ladies HT Mel Horne 576 Ladies AFB Ladies LB Jan Beckham 556 Bridget Bellars 476 Olivia Morgan 476 Amanda Thompson 468 Julie Lawless 408 Clair Parfitt 436 unwell and it took a huge effort for him to visit, we were thrilled he could make it… and for Emma Winning 276 Jose Allen 416 Ladies BB Nicky Desforges 648 Linda Lehane 432 Vicky Motchman 384 Ladies BH Sue Birch 698 Ladies FS Lisa Lord 628 Junior HT Merry Thompson 452 Junior BB Poppy Lord 448 39
~Arrows with John Beavis~ In this issue we are looking at the TYPE-7 and the TYPE-6... The type-6 has caused confusion among many of us archers as to it’s use for quite some time - some believe it was used for cutting rigging on ships during warfare at sea. To put this into context: 1) an arrow will spin in flight; 2) rope will flex when hit; 3) sail rigging of the period was up to inch thick and 4) no heads of this type have ever been found in archaeological excavations. The type-6 is a hunting head clear and simple, mainly used for hunting small mammal, including birds in flight. The two points give a large hitting area which increases the possibility of a hit. The type-7 is more commonly known as the needle bodkin. There are generally only two variations within this type, ignoring the length for the time being. The ones held in the London museum all have square needles, the ones found at Urquhart Castle are diamond in shape. Lengths of the London pattern vary from 120mm right up to 211mm, a formidable head indeed. Some believe this to be a fire arrow but I have to side with the archaeologists and the curators that none have been found showing signs of fire damage. In contrast, plenty have been found on battlefields where advancing infantry and horse riders would have been so clearly a battle arrow. The needle being smaller in diameter than a chain mail link penetration would be deep whether you had chain mail on or not. The Urquhart finds are quite uniform, most are 110mm in length allowing a few millimetres either way; they are Diamond in shape and have a wider needle than the London pattern. It is believed that the diamond shape would cut the chain link when passing through and tests have shown this to be the case. Again, penetration was deep. 40
head indeed. Some believe this to be a fire arrow but I have to side with the the diamond shape would cut the tests have shown this to be the case.
FAN UK introducing presents ~ Twangers Arrows ~ Hels caught up with owner & Master Fletcher - John Potter - and he shared all about the business, his influences & archery… here’s the scoop! Firstly, I’m married, I have 4 children and I live in Hinckley, Leicestershire. I have been seriously into history from around the age of 7; mainly the medieval period. At first it was the brutality of the period that caught my attention the weapons, torture and methods of execution; then this turned into wanting to know more about the people that were to suffer such a fate. With this came famous battles and on and on, but the archers were of little interest as the humble bowman had no shiny armour or a big gruesome battle axe! But, as the years passed, the bowmen pushed themselves to the forefront of my interest. From this point I read and read articles books, watched documentaries and films and what I noticed was differing accounts on the subject, so for want of a better understanding I decided to teach myself how to use a longbow. My early days of self education were... Well, painful to be honest as I did not know what I was doing. I had no idea what the cock feather was for or how to tie a bowyer’s knot. I got better and safer to those around me with time. A few years later I joined the living history group based at Bosworth Battle Field Centre and this is where I met the man who changed my life to a degree - Mick the Fletcher aka Mick Manns. I had no idea who he was or that he was a well respected Master Fletcher, but I saw him planing an arrow and I said “If I tried that it would come out triangular”. One day I just went up to Mick and said, \"When you have time would you show me how to make an arrow?\" I thought about half an hour would be all it took! Mick told me to come and see him in a bit as he was busy. Later on he called me over and said “How about I put you through a proper apprenticeship?” - that was how it all began. The apprenticeship was hard. When Mick showed me some of his work and said “This is what you will have to achieve”, my thoughts were: \"Who am I kidding?!!\" Mick, an old RSM, also said to me - \"I'm a grumpy old bugger and I will shout and chuck your work back at you but that is just who I am.\" Mick is not a man who suffers fools or timewasters. All through my apprenticeship Mick was a true gentleman and a fantastic Master, he used to refer to me as \"the boy\". He always had time for me and both Mick and his wife 42
always welcomed me into their home. I started going to some of Mick's history events where we demonstrated fletching and tried to educate the public. Mick encouraged me to do my own events which I did it was also at this point when friends started to ask me to make them some arrows. This is where Twangers Arrows was born. I had noticed at some markets the arrows being sold where not only dreadful but to be honest damn right dangerous and a complete rip off. I wanted to provide a quality product at an affordable price. I passed my masters with the Craft Guild and sales picked up as people started to trust both me and my arrows. I have recently been taken on as a freelance history interpreter at Bosworth Battle Field Centre as well as continuing work for other history companies. At Twangers Arrows I use the traditional methods I have been taught through my apprenticeship for making medieval, Victorian and modern wooden arrows. This sometimes means using the tools that were used in the fletching process all those years ago. When a new customer contacts me sometimes we From this point I read and read articles books, watched documentaries and films and what spend a lot of time messaging each other; this is to I noticed was differing accounts on the subject, so for want of a better understanding I build up a true picture of what THEY want and NOT what I can just sell them. We must be doing something right as they do come back to trade with us. My early days of self education were... Well, painful to be honest as I did not know what I was doing. I had no idea what the cock feather was for or how to tie a bowyer’s knot. I love what I do, whether it is educating the public or trying to inspire the students to take an interest in history. Making the arrows is very rewarding, A few years later I joined the living history group based at Bosworth Battle Field Centre especially using the traditional tools, planes, handsaws et cetera. I remember the first time I used a small hand plane and a shooting board - I thought to myself, you are using the tools they did I saw him planing an arrow and I said “If I tried that it would come out triangular”. One day to do the work they did. Remove present surroundings and you are feeling, smelling I just went up to Mick and said, \"When you have time would and hearing the past. Now you can't get closer to our history than that. you show me how to make an arrow?\" I thought about half an hour would be all it took! Mick told me to come and see At Twangers Arrows we make, basically, all wooden arrows. A lot of the work we do is for him in a bit as he was busy. Later on he called me over and the heavy bows, but lately we have a lot of requests for lighter arrows and target arrows. said “How about I put you through a proper apprenticeship?” To see someone shooting something I have made and to see that they love it… well, it is a very satisfying and proud moment. Pictured above - Traditional Tools his work and said “This is what you will have to achieve”, my thoughts were: \"Who am I kidding?!!\" Mick, an old Pictured right - Customer Orders at you but that is just who I am.\" Mick is not a man who suffers fools or timewasters. All through my apprenticeship Mick was a true gentleman and a fantastic Master, You can find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Twangers- Arrows-1477028789272674/ 43
I am never happy with a set of arrows until they are complete; then I look at them and it is VERY hard to let them go. I understand that an arrow is only a working tool and that they won’t last forever; they are not a piece of art and they are made to be used; BUT a lot of attention goes into a handcrafted arrow. As for when it comes to arrows for myself, I love making the differing profiles of the medieval period - barrel, chested and bobtailed - to see the way that the arrows react. One of my main interests in archery is to try to understand the medieval enforced Sunday practice by trying to recreate it. My favourite bow is, of course, a self Yew bow. At the moment I have a 130 lb bow that is breaking me in! What timber do I mainly work with? Ash, Beech, Cedar and my preference is Aspen, when I can get it. Where did the company name come from? The reason for the name “Twangers Arrows” is two-fold: firstly, I didn't want anything too serious or pretentious, more something that said we had a sense of humour; secondly, a friend on the living history camp used to say whenever I turned up - \"Here comes Twanger\". What about the future? Well, in December, Master Mark Stretton and I were involved in a project that happened on-site at Bosworth. I cannot say much as it is all under copyright but there will be a new display at the visitor centre and a small book is going to print. I was very proud of being involved in the project..... watch this space for news. Also, my son Jake - who is training to be a chef - has asked if I will teach him fletching .. so Twangers will be taking on our first apprentice !! 44
I am never happy with a set of arrows until they are complete; then I look at them and it is VERY hard to let them go. I understand that an arrow is only a working tool and that they won’t last forever; they are not a piece of art and they are made to be used; BUT a lot of attention goes fold: site at Bosworth. I cannot say much as it is all under copyright but there will be a new display at the visitor centre and a small book is going to print. I was very proud
Company of 60, Shoot Results ~ Open Shoot, 18 March 2018 ~ Despite the Son-of-Beast-from-the-East causing many no-shows on the day, 45 hardy archers still enjoyed shooting our woods in a beautiful carpet of 3 centimetres of snow. The 3Ds looked resplendent in their toupees of snow and our new ‘Barn Door’ 2D hessian proved particularly amusing when a number of people could not hit it! Back at the club hut, the warming chilli con carne proved to be in particular demand. With the majority agreement of those shooting ,we dispensed with the usual medal-giving ceremony in favour of getting people back into their warm cars and back off safely home. We promised results will be published on the website and medals sent to the winners by post. As usual our thanks go to our Lorraine Thorne and the catering team, course layers Mark Stockton and Martin Shadbolt and the work-party and marshals. Shaun Bateman, Company of 60 Events Officer The Full Results:- Gentlemen Primitive Ladies Longbow Laszlo Varga Independent 392 Claire Parfit TFA 190 Nick Gentle COPRA 236 Robert Taylor Holmbush 220 Gentlemen Longbow Roy Wareham Templar Bowmen 496 Ladies Hunting Tackle Ben Knight COPRA 458 Linda Palmer Raven 268 Rob Slatem Bridgewoods FAC 434 Andrew Weekes Muttley Crew 384 Gentlemen Hunting Tackle Sam Furze Templar Bowmen 328 Roger Massey Archers of Battle 668 David Curwen Ratpack 578 Gentlemen American Flat Bow Ken Payne Magic Dragon 568 Andy Doyle Invicta 528 Tony Barnatt Archers of Battle 534 Phil Adams Raven 508 Peter Eldridge COPRA 476 Adam Browning Aurora 410 Alan Benson Magic Dragon 460 Bob Moore Bridgewoods FAC 444 Gentlemen Barebow Terry Rendle Magna Carta 402 Terry Stevens Invicta 650 Ben Ringshaw Fleet Ibex 616 Gentlemen Compound Unlimited Dave Andrews Cloth Of Gold 572 Richard Searl Independent 702 Roy Fisher Bridgewoods FAC 558 John Badcock Archers of Battle 638 Glenn Bolton Bridgewoods FAC 528 Paul Skippins COPRA 518 Peter Humphrey C.O.L.A 486 Franco Del Vechio Independent 434 46
COMPANY OF SIXTY RESULTS:- Club Handicap Competition: Lady Gent Maggie Bremner Jim Timberlake shows on the day, 45 hardy Club Results: Ladies Longbow Gentlemen Longbow Maggie Bremner 398 Alan Ruffle 384 Back at the club hut, the warming chilli con carne proved to be in particular demand. Gentlemen Barebow Gentlemen Hunting Tackle Jim Timberlake 608 Antal Dubondi 356 Gentlemen American Flat Bow Ian Nuttall 452 As usual our thanks go to our Lorraine Thorne and the catering team, course layers Chris Harwood 370 th Our next shoot is our Bluebell Shoot on 13 May and we hope to see you there! 47
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