The News Page
AGM
This years AGM to be held April 12 at 19.30 at the corner house, Frome. Everybody welcome and we hope for a good turnout. Come along and have your say about the club and where you would like to see the club going over the future years. Tell us what we need to improve on its your say.
All positions up for re-election
Chairman...
Secretary......
Treasurer & membership officer....
Competitions Officer.....
Club Coach...............
Grounds Officer..............
Membership & Records Officer........
Child Protection officer
Social Secretary & Public Relations.......
Website Coordinator........
Equipment Officer.........
Longbow Representative......
Junior Coordinator......
Events Officer............
Hope to see you all there
Flatbow shoot
We were down on numbers today but it is getting near to christmas and people have things to do. We were going to be joined by mrs jess but she decided to stay in bed with what we heard a bit of a hangover. Martin never made it as he bought a book of archery excuses and used the lot (Only kidding mate hope your knee gets better soon). Looking forward to the next one on the 15th Jan and hopefully numbers will be back up.
Postal League
You can follow the results of FTA and our position in the league on the somerset county archery website
http://www.somersetarchery.co.uk/
then click on the postal tab on left hand side.
Shoot a Longbow Day
“Absolutely fantastic afternoon and I am a convert!”
“Especially enjoyed having a go at the clout shooting!”
“My thanks to the brotherhood of wood. I didst much enjoy my time amongst the very ‘casques that did affright the air at Agincourt’.”
With the longbow, what you see is what you get. Its freedom is addictive. It allows you to shoot an arrow in numerous different stances, with various anchor points. It does not need assembling or sights. It is reputed to be one of the most difficult bow styles to master, yet known as the most fun to shoot. One thing it does require however, is that you regard it with respect.
Maybe that was why a significant amount of the FTA membership decided to come along to the Longbow Experience afternoon on Saturday 8th October, when FTA Longbowmen gave up their bows so that members could feel for themselves the magic of full compass wood and bodkins.
A Victorian Target Shoot was first on offer, allowing people to get to grips with the weapon. Piemaster Vic, FTA’s resident Bowman was there to guide and advise as were Yeomen Dan, Jamie and John. And soon the targets were getting regularly thumped and all who had gathered seemed to want something more.
A whistling arrow heralded the Clout. This long distance archery is perfect for the Longbow; it is certainly what it excels at. It was definitely a hit with all present that afternoon, only bested by the stunning array of luncheon on offer.
Throughout the afternoon, FTA’s celebrity bowyer Mr Jim was on hand to offer an insight into bow making. He kindly brought along a few staves showing the various stages that wood goes through to become a Longbow.
Fletcher Jon gave a first class tutorial in arrow making before the medieval archery of ‘Splitting the Wand’ and the ‘Turk’s Head’ were brought out onto the field to conclude the afternoon's entertainment.
Many thanks to the men, women and children who shoot the Longbow, that gave up their Saturday afternoon, so all members could try the legendary bow that is often in the shadow of something with stabilisers (even wheels!).
And many thanks also to all who came along and supported the event and apologies to them if they were hoping to see our Chairman Bryan in
tights as Robin Hood. He has promised to attend the next ‘Shoot a Longbow’ day and show us the art of stringmaking.
Now, to the photos…
Come along to our Fun Day
To mark the anniversary of Agincourt, the growing number of FTA Longbowmen have organised a rather special event: ‘Shoot
a Longbow Fun Day’. Between 12 – 4 pm Saturday 8th October.
- Practise medieval archery with the traditional Turk’s Head and the Wand.
- Learn how to make your own arrows or possibly your own bow.
- Shoot the bow that made England great and discover where the modern bow originated.
- Learn how to shoot and hit the mark without a sight.
- See our Chairman as Robin Hood!
Traditional food and drink will be provided.
This event is free of charge.
Frome Cheese Show
FTA's Have-a-Go Archery at West Woodlands Showground was a huge success thanks to newly appointed Events Officer, Flatbow Jon and his merry band of helpers. Mr Jon worked tirelessly for many months to produce a professional and fun stall that was hugely popular with all. The day raised £250 which goes someway to paying for our celebrity bbq which we hope to see in all its glory at the Club Championships next week (Sunday September 18th).
Flatbow Jon is already working on his new project entitled, Flatbow Jon's Flatbow Challenge, which surprisingly gives members the chance to enter a
flatbow competition. If you own a Flatbow then please sign up, as the event is packed with fun and prizes - a FTA first.
New Members
Welcome to Kieron Giles, Bob Davis, Femke Davis, Pat Baughan, Ken Baughan, Sanjay Joshi and John Faulkener, all of whom have joined in the last two months. That brings the number of club members up to 66. Wahey!
Kingston Archery Club come to the rescue
Saturday’s Clout was perilously close to abandonment as polished armour, under the Fleur de Lys banner, blinded Frome Town Archers. Luckily, Kingston Archers returned this weekend to help defend the Lower Chatley hedges against the invading Gaulish knights. Standing side by side, both clubs raised their bows and loosed brave bodkins at the enemy. Morale was high, smiles were wide and arrows true, as man, woman and child took arms against the French nobility. Even Mr Michelle was there with her new bow built by FTA member Mr Jim. Kingston Archer Mr Richard and his merry band thoroughly enjoyed themselves and if they come again, they just might get refreshments! That is, of course, if we have lessons in using Mr Oliver's lava rocks as well as the mower. Photos supplied by Jamie Hunter Images.
Olympics at the FTA!
Archery is on target to cause a quiver at the 2012 Olympics, and FTA coaches also felt a tremble this week as they were visited by an Olympic Gold Medallist. Rower, Rowley Douglas was coached by two – yes, two - FTA coaches in his attempt to try thirty Olympic and Paralympic
sports over the next year. Club coaches Chris Gilburt and Ian Crook said, “Despite not having tried archery before, Rowley picked up the technique quite quickly and was soon shooting competently at 40 yards!”
To learn more about what the Olympic star is up to, then visit Rowley Douglas.
Request for useful Junk!
If you have any of the following waiting to be thrown out. please donate it to FTA instead. We are looking for:
Wheels - 8"ish in diameter.
Leftover external paint - to be used for benches etc.
Spare wood - for repairing stands (will need to be over 4ft in length).
To donate, just leave them at the field to the left of the Clubhouse. Many thanks.
New Members!
Please welcome two new Longbowmen to FTA: Mr Michelle and Mr John. Now, there is something really quite special about Mr Michelle. Not only has she become part of the long tradition of Longbowmen here at the FTA; she has also had her longbow built by our very own Mr Jim.
Our very own Bowyer's Blog
Club member Jim Haynes has been making his own bow. Discover the adventures of a bowyer, here at Jim's Bows.
The Ancient Woolverton Arrow 2011
With FTA Chairman, Mr Bryan Joyce keeping a watchful eye over events, the 3rd Ancient Woolverton Arrow was a huge success. This barebow competition, devised by Mr Phil, is fast becoming FTA’s biggest tournament with both beginner and advanced archers; recurve, flatbow and Longbowman standing shoulder to shoulder on the shooting line. Jon Godden shooting his Flatbow won the much sought AWA for First Gold and a trophy for Most Hits; Alex Brennan with his Recurve had the Highest Score; Jacob Morray-Jones won the AWA Junior National; and Lloyd Goodridge won the AWA Junior Short National. The Club Chairman Bryan Joyce awarded trophies to the jubilant winners (although Mrs Godden isn't so happy as she has to look at her husband's AWA trophy for a whole year!) Thank you to everyone who helped in the organisation, the running and the BBQ. A special thanks goes to Richard Sutcliffe who was forced to cook locally-sourced burgers and sausages on lava rocks and Sabs for baking a fantastic cake. Photos?
Invasion!
To find the FUN at frome town archers, ask Mr Vic. What time is it, Mr Vic?
St George's Day celebrations
Once more unto the breach as Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps and steal A hit, a very palpable hit as did Mr Phil this day. For a truly spectacular photograph of this wond'rous day click here.
the AGM.
Thanks to everyone who attended the FTA annual general meeting 2011. Exciting is not the word. We even dared to ignore protocol and discuss items not on the agenda. Whatever next? Longbows?
Field Archery.
Anyone interested in seeing how the club fared at the Chippenham Archer's Field Competition, please see Results of the Field Event Taster 19/03/2011 at Chippenham Archers.
Club Rivalry.
Thank you to the Longbowmen of Kingston Archers, Richard, Liz, Chris, James and their supporters who made the recent Clout very enjoyable, indeed. Click here to view some very excellent photgraphs of the event