Us In Action

International Archery - European Junior Cup 2007
This year Matthew Cole was selected to represent Great Britain in the European Junior Cup.
Click the mug shot to read his account of the event.

National Championships - Lilleshall 2007
Click the mug shot for Matthew's write-up on his participation in this year's Junior National Championships.

December 2005 and it was time for the traditional Havant and Hayling Bowmen Turkey shoot. Field captain Keith Keeping was wearing the traditional reindeer hat, whilst the bosses were set at the traditional series of unknown distances with the equally traditional seasonal target faces.

By way of creating a new tradition, there was community 'singing' led by Pauline Hayler during the shoot. At least they told me it was singing, can someone please teach Pauline some new songs for next time?

This year our traditional turkey target moved gracefully across the archery range on the end of a rope, dodging and ducking arrows from all directions.

But what happened to the traditional winter weather? It wasn't windy, it wasn't cold and it wasn't raining. Had something gone wrong with our planning, was it global warming, or simply a case of traditionally unpredictable British weather.

No one will ever know, but at least we can be certain of one thing, the tradition of the Christmas Turkey shoot will continue in its traditional way next year as is our - err - tradition!

Thursday January 20^th 2005, 20:00h

Sirens wail coming ever closer. A faint smell of burning is detected. Havant and Hayling Bowmen continue to shoot. Meanwhile outside the church hall and a only few yards across the road from where we are shooting, Waitrose Supermarket burns. 150 fire fighters battle vainly to save the building and local residents are evacuated.

Meanwhile back at the church hall the archers continue shooting. However, the faint smell of smoke is rapidly turning into something stronger and one or two intrepid archers poke their noses outside the room. Is it the kitchen? Has the tea boiled dry? No!

As the first tentative eyes peer out of the main door, the smoke fumes pour in. Barely able to see across the car park that is now immersed in a blackened fog of acrid smoke and falling embers, a tentative voice cries out.

"Should we shoot another three?"

Moments later the shoot was over and the evacuation underway. Was there panic? Never! Well not much anyway. With score sheets hastily signed ( I know not why) and the equipment stowed, it was time for a deep breath and run to the cars to bid a hasty retreat.

The first, and hopefully last round of Havant and Hayling Bowmen to be prematurely ended by an emergency exit. Waitrose Supermarket was destroyed but fortunately no one hurt.

Christmas Turkey Shoot - December 2004
Click the father Christmas to see the write-up and photos.

Christmas Turkey Shoot - December 2003
This year the weather was kind and we shoot out doors. Aren't we the hardy ones!

Vectis Open 2003
This year, on our annual pilgrimage to my old home land of the Isle of Wight, we took a slightly smaller contingent of archers than last time. However, its quality that counts not quantity and this was proven when Zoè surpassed all expectations, most of all hers, and won the Archer Supreme award. This meant that she beat all other archers; men included and took the prize for overall best archer in the event. Needless to say there where a few rather embarrassed looking chaps around, serves them right. Practice boys and you might get somewhere!

Below are a few choice shots (excuse pun) from the event.

A surprised Zoè collects her award for being the Archer Supreme.
	An embarrased Zoè is forced to pose with her trophies. Those who decide to win, must always pay the price before the camera.
The diet of a champion? Zoè's pudding.
	The rest of us doing what comes naturally.
Since this was an archery event I thought I ought to include at least one archery photo. Pride of place therefore goes to us Longbow archers. The volley.

'Storm of Arrows' September 2002
This year the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum hosted the second annual Storm of Arrows archery weekend. Click the icon for the photos and write up.

Club Championships 2002 This year's club championships were shot as a Metric II round and despite the rain during lunch we all had an enjoyable day. I even managed to shoot a personal worst, something I am very proud of. Below are some shots from the presentations. (click the thumbnails to expand)
Brian wins the Senior Handicap Trophy and gets carried away in his celebrations. What will Gwyn's husband think?
	Alan wins the Junior handicap trophy, again. We really must do something about that boy! Meanwhile Zoè has lost his trophy.
Brian continues his winning streak and claims the Gents Compound trophy. Once again taking liberties with the Lady P. Shocking! Is there no stopping this man?
	Adrian wins the Gents Recurve, and sets a new standard in...
Wendy wins the Ladies Recurve for the second year. One year away from claiming the trophy? Ha ha, not a chance, those things cost money!
	Zoè wins the Archer Supreme award - show off.

St Dunstan's at HMS Sultan 2002
Click the icon for the photos or here for further information about St Dunstan's Hostel for Blind Ex Servicemen and women.

The 10th Anniversary Vectis Open
Click the anniversary mug for a write-up and pictures.

St Dunstan's 2002
Click the icon for the photos and a write up of the event.

The Turkey Shoot - December 2001
This year's Turkey shoot was held on the top field at the Fort.

Clear skies made for a picturesque shoot, but the biting cold wind had many shivering in their boots.

Lost Arrows! It was a this stage in this traditionally bare bow shoot, that we realised we should have put the net up.

Back on the line again, even colder now and looking forward to the indoor buffet after.

Crookhorn 2001
On Sunday 4th of November eight club members took part in the annual Crookhorn Shoot hosted by the Forest of Bere Bowmen. This is regarded as a prestigious shoot in the local area and so we were pleased to come away with three trophies. We had success in the Gent's Recurve, Ladies Double Portsmouth and the Recurve Team trophy. Well done to all those who took part.

The Trophies

Gent's Recurve Champion -
Steve Browning

Ladies Double Portsmouth Champion -
Zoè Hunting

Recurve Team Champions -
Adrian Cole, Steve Browning, Mark Bailey and Zoè Hunting

The St Dunstan's Shoot 2001
Click the icon for the write up and pictures.

The Vectis Open 2001
Click the icon for the write up and pictures.

The Year 2000 Christmas Fun Shoot (alias - 'The Turkey Shoot')
This year the fun shoot was held as a compulsory barebow event. Unfortunately due to the torrential rain of December 2000 we had to shoot indoors, however this failed to 'dampen' our spirits (excuse the pun).

A selection of some of the targets from the shoot.

Masters of their art. Paul and Keith prepare to shoot. Note the intensity of concentration, eyes transfixed. No doubt trying to find the boss.

Keith, our Field Captain, takes aim.

How the mighty have fallen. In times of old the Longbow wrought havoc on our nation's enemies. Now it struggles to shoot a paper turkey. Truly heartbreaking.

The Coaching Session
The following pictures where taken at Quicks Waterlooville on Saturday 03 December 2000, when Zoè and I met and received coaching from Mr Park, Kyung-rae, President of Win & Win Archery (formerly Korean National Archery Team Head Coach) and Miss Lee, Eun-Kyung who was the 1999 Ladies Archery World Champion. Miss Lee also gave an excellent demonstration of how archery should be done; smooth, relaxed and seemingly effortless whilst drawing a 38lb bow the same weight as mine.

Within minutes of beginning the session, Mr Park had shown me the correct bow shoulder position and in so doing increased my draw length by half an inch, with no additional effort. As with many archers this is an area that I have struggled to master, but thanks to this session I now understand how the shot should feel, and have significantly improved my shooting stability.

Naturally, Quicks were 'quick' (excuse the pun) to point out that Zoè shoots a Win & Win Sidewinder purchasd at Quicks (10 brownie points for them). Mr Park and Miss Lee were both pleased to see this and with Zoè now hitting the 570's for a Portsmouth Round, the bow seems to be working well.

With coaching like this in Korea, the rest of the world doesn't stand a chance.

The Club Championships 2000.

Our first tournament at the Fort. Shot, as you can see, at our range in the Moat.

More from the Club Championships. Scoring the first half of the Western.

Page 1 2