We are experiencing some teething problems with our new venue at Highfields, other than the wet weather! There are no scheduled events for Sunday 10th June and consequently it might be that there is no access to the ground – this is being addressed as a matter of urgency with the City Council.

A belated post.

On Sunday 20th May we hosted our annual (64th in fact) Tournament, which was also a Nottinghamshire Team selection shoot. Due to the tram works and our relocation earlier this year we had already decided to take up the offer from Sherwood Archers of the use of their ground and equipment.

Getting to Southwell for 7am was a bit of a shock to the system, but we had a small band of willing (!) helpers and the range was set up quickly and efficiently. Entries were slightly up on last year and a calm if cold day was forecast.

The shoot went very smoothly. the highlight of the day was that junior international archer Robert Gray showed the men (recurves) how to shoot, led all day and won convincingly. As for Wilford Bowmen, Laura White was third Lady (recurve) and gained points for the Notts team selection, as did Steve Attwood who was 4th Notts (recurve).

Thanks are due to Sherwood Archers for helping us out with a venue and equipment on what was referred to on the day as “Wilford on Tour”. Thanks are also due to Jane and Charlotte for all the preparation and Charlotte, Andy and Joyce, Ray, Terry, Laura and Matt, Ralph, Denis – and Vicky and Martin from Belvoir Archers. Without your hard work this shoot would not have been the success that it undoubtedly was.

The results are available Wilford Rose-Results2012.

Following the move to Highfields the orange sides of the containers that were previously hidden have become glaringly obvious. A work party was organised for this morning to get the everyday container paint in green so that it is a bit less noticeable.

Many thanks to Terry, Pete, Gary and Steve for getting the painting done.

Afternoon, here are the interim results after the first leg of the Notts League shoot (6th May).

Teams scores
Notts League leg 1 interim results teams

Individual scores
Notts League leg 1 interim results pure score

Individual handicap scores
Notts League leg 1 interim results hcap score

As mentioned earlier, we were just pipped into second place.

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.