Author: Artemis Archers

This was our third shoot and we hoped for good weather but it did not look good all week, but we consider ourselves lucky we had a very fine morning and early afternoon, and then the rain came. Copied this paragraph from last years report, uncanny eh?

The weather forecast did inevitably create the last minute cancellations but balanced by new requests, leaving us with a very respectable 126 archers walking out.

The course was set comprising of 27 new faces from makers

Normandie Archerie, 5x3D’s, 2x 2D’s & 2x Original Canvasses from Paul Summerfield (Druids). A lot of excitement over them all, being the first time many had seen them. The Iguana up the wall generated some laughter.

The extra 3D Targets this time, excluding Kay’s Boar in the field like Ian’s Badger on the mound were inside the wall (with backstops) hopefully giving more variety and a chance to retrieve your arrows in one piece.

We have had many compliments on the day and after, so a great success.

So a huge Thank You to Catering, Admin, Marshalls, Target Pasters, Work Parties, support workers and Course setters for all your hard work on the day, in the weeks leading up to it and working behind the scenes.

Finally, a big Thank You to all the archers. Particularly Nicola (hard terrain but you did it. Well done), Ian and Brenda who also travelled all the way from the south coast showcasing the exciting new Austrian 3D’s. We enjoyed sharing our wood with you all and for conquering our slope between 19 and 21. Not easy!

Mark Taylor

Secretary

The 40th NFAS National Championships were held at Arley Hall and Gardens in Cheshire.

The weather stayed dry for the most part. The torrential rain came down once most people were off the course on Sunday thankfully. Thanks to the course layers for two testing but thoroughly enjoyable courses and to all involved with the administration.

Congratulations to the following members for their medal placements:

• Scott Stanbury – 2nd Gents Freestyle
• Paul Meeson – 2nd Gents Hunting Tackle
• Kate Meeson – 2nd Under 16 Girls AFB
• Jacob Whitty – 3rd Under 12 Boys Barebow

Final placings for the other Artemis members who also competed:

• Kay-Leona Hodgkinson – 4th Ladies Longbow
• Mark Taylor – 5th Gents Compund Limited
• Helen Surman – 5th Ladies Compound Limited
• Andy Betts – 7th Gents AFB
• Paul Wolliscroft – 8th Gents Compound Limited
• Matt O’Flynn – 11th Gents Barebow
• Emma Whitty – 11th Ladies Barebow
• Evan Surman – 31st Gents Barebow
• Ian Whitty – 35th Gents Barebow

Congratulations also to the Artemis Barebow team (Ian, Emma and Jacob Whitty and Matt O’Flynn) for their 3rd place.

The last chance for practice before the Nationals meant a trip to Sansom wood for Pines Park’s pre champs open shoot. Eight Artemis members arrived for the shoot on a sunny Sunday morning.

We were rewarded with a completely new course of thirty-six paper faces, no walk backs and a very good mix of distances. Not an easy course but a very enjoyable one. Thanks to all at Pines Park archers for a great day.

Well done to:

• Kay-Leona Hodgkinson – 1st Ladies Longbow
• Mark Taylor – 2nd Gents Compund Limited
• Helen Surman – 2nd Ladies Compound Limited
• Paul Meeson – 2nd Gents AFB
• Kate Meeson – 2nd U16 Girls AFB
• Andy Betts – 7th Gents AFB
• Evan Surman – 7th Gents Barebow
• John Pocklington – 8th Gents HT

Full shoot report is available on the NFAS website