Last Sunday saw the club hold the first of this winter’s frostbite matches as part of the Winter League where we shoot 3 dozen arrows at a small (80cm target face) at 30 metres. The scores are then put in descending order and used to make up four teams of three archers. Once the teams are worked out the results get emailed to our opponents for the month. It was appropriately named as there was a good frost on the ground when we arrived and temperature wise it was probably one of the coldest days so far. 

Despite the cold there were 30 archers shooting on the day (a record in itself), including many of our newest members, and there were some good scores submitted.

Following a suggestion from Laura, afterwards quite a few of us adjourned to the Wheelhouse just opposite the ground where we took over a corner of the pub, partly in an attempt to get warm but also to socialise. I’ve never seen so many people drinking coffee or hot chocolate in a pub, and Mark didn’t want to move away from the radiator 🙂 Great idea and one that will be repeated.

Well, despite the strong winds and forecast rain (which held off until we’d finished shooting) there were ten people shooting at last Sunday morning’s session. There was one experienced club member, the rest were novices from this year’s beginners courses. Most, in fact, were from the course that has just finished. Fantastic. 

Last Sunday Mimi and Henry were shooting for Notts in the head to head challenge at Derwent Bowmen’s fantastic indoor venue. They both put in good qualifying scores, with Henry having the highest overall score. In the head to head matches Henry was narrowly defeated in the first round, but Mimi went on to win the bronze medal. Well done to both of you.

Also on Sunday Mike T, Mattia, Adam and Steve took part in the “pie and peas” shoot at Bassetlaw Bowmen. A good time was had by all. Steve was third, briefly, until a mistake was noted. As Steve was then out of the medals Mike handed over his raffle prize as a consolation. 

Meanwhile for those just starting out in archery, the main contingent on our late summer beginners course finished their sessions on Saturday afternoon under the guidance of Mike S, Sharon, Sallie and Charlotte. Those that needed a catch up session completed on Sunday afternoon with Mike and Sharon. Mike and Sharon were busy on Sunday morning as well, since they also started a course for a really keen family of four. 

Well done everyone.

Our coaching team gained further depth last weekend as Steve Attwood qualified as a County Coach at the end of an intensive day long assessment process. Steve is at the club regularly so if you want some help from Steve or any of the coaching team, then just ask. We will also be organising regularly coaching sessions over the winter months.

A big thank you to Ilkeston Rotary Club, who have enabled us to buy a “pop-up” shelter for the junior section of the club. The shelter will be used at competitions and give the team somewhere to get together and shelter from the rain and wind that we sometimes get in this country. This will be a big help. Thank you.

Congratulations to Mimi and Henry who won the English Archery Federation Championships held at Bramcote on Saturday. There was some stiff competition and a cold wind, but they overcame these challenges. We’re proud of you.

Due to demand, we are running an extra beginners course starting shortly at Wollaton. Dates are to be confirmed, but we expect to start on either the weekend of 19/20 or 26/27 September. Course details and cost are the same as for the 2016 courses. (see the beginners courses page).

There are a few spaces left, so if you want to take up archery then let Mike Thomason (michael.thomason@ntlworld.com) know as soon as possible.

Well, it’s all over now. Over the weekend the UK’s top archers were in action at Wollaton Park. The recurve bow matches took place on Saturday and the compound matches took place on Sunday. Wilford Bowmen volunteers were actively involved in the running of the event, gaining valuable experience and seeing some great shooting at this international standard event. Thank you to all who volunteered.

The Walled Garden was the warm up venue for those taking part. On Friday evening we had three of the competitors practising with us, and there must be something special about our normal shooting venue as the Naomi and Bryony went on to win gold and silver and Patrick won the gold – all of them demonstrated some impressive shooting.

More details and results here 

We were joined by some of the country’s top archers this evening who were practising ready for this weekend’s National Series finals in Wollaton Park. Impressive! Good luck to all taking part. Some of us will be close to the action as we have volunteered to assist. 

If you’ re got some spare time over the weekend come down to Wollaton Park and see what it’s all about.

We had 20 club members shooting in the third and final leg of the 2015 Nottinghamshire League last Sunday.

We hosted the event, as usual. The work party started setting up the range at 7am. There was a good turnout of club members to help even at that hour, and everything went smoothly so it didn’t take long before the field of 29 targets was ready. Thank you.

109 archers took part. The weather was kind apart from a tricky breeze at times. There were no major delays and the shoot finished on time. Thank you to the archers and the work party that helped cleared the field so quickly and efficiently.

Sallie was the highest scoring lady and Henry the highest scoring boy, and our A and B team were first and second junior recurve teams. We were also in contention in the senior recurve and compound categories. Next year!

Thanks are also due to Beeston Hockey for allowing us to use the bar for the presentations.

The team results are here Notts League 2015 – final team results

The individual pure score results are here Notts League 2015 – final pure score results

The individual handicap score results are here Notts League 2015 – final handicap score results

So, all in all, it was a long busy day for us. Time for a little rest. zzzzzz………