Last Sunday (6th May) we were in action again at the first leg of the Nottinghamshire Inter club league, and the Oregon Challenge. Our team was Mike Thomason (compound) and Laura White, Chris O’Neill, Terry Holden and Steve Attwood (recurve). In the recurve teams the result was very close, we were just two points behind Bingham and just five points in front of Burton Joyce. Individually Laura led the way with the highest Ladies score overall.

All to play for at the next two legs on 10th June and 12th August.

Congratulations to Mike Thomason who passed his Level 1 coach exam yesterday. The assessment started outside in the appalling weather (heavy rain, strong wind and low temperatures), but partway through moved indoors courtesy of Custom Built Archery.

The existing team of coaches – Denis Beresford, Ralph Hornibrook, Steve Attwood (Level 2) and Charlotte Attwood (Level 1) is further strengthened by the skills and experience that Mike brings with him.

Congratulations Mike.

On Saturday 28th April we took part in the Town and Gown challenge organised between Nottingham Sports Clubs and the University. The overall result across the 14 sports that took place was, unbelieveably, a draw, with the final volleyball match deciding the outcome. As far as the archery match was concerned the university fielded a strong side, we enjoyed ourselves, but came second. There is already talk of practising ready for next year’s event.

At last after months of exploring possibilities, a few set backs and some last minutes hitches (including lots of rain and the transport lorry for the container getting stuck on a boggy field) Wilford Bowmen have relocated to Highfields Sport Ground, next to the Tennis Centre.

Denis shoots the first arrow at Highfields

On 22nd April, in betwen the showers, we held the inaugural club shoot at Highfields. Denis Beresford shot the very first arrows. Denis has been involved in archery in Nottingham for longer than anyone can remember and he is probably the oldest active archer in Nottinghamshire – some say he taught Robin Hood! Denis has been a guiding hand for the club over many years, during which there have been name changes from ROF (1948) to Civil Service archers and then Wilford Bowmen. Denis is still a coach and a Judge, so it was fitting that he mark the opening of our new ground.

The rest of us dodged the raindrops, shot a quick round and went off to find somewhere dry.

Club members at the opening of the new ground.