1 Aug/Sept 2014 Autumn is not far away but what a great summer we have had although as I write its absolutely hammering down with thunder and lightning (very very frightening) overhead. But we do need the rain to fill up the water butts for the gardeners amongst us but lets hope it knows when to stop. Page 2 Calendar. The equipment at Firle will be moved to Seahaven Academy on the 28th of September and help will be required please. ( That s Tideways Schools new name. ) Chairman's report. C ha ir m an s R ep o rt July 2 01 4 T his ye ar s su m m e r b ash, de sp ite th e falte rin g sta rt we h a d with th e first d a te, w as a gre at e ve nt. W ith ab ou t 9 0 pe op le at te n din g, it cle a rly sh o ws th at the m o ve a wa y fro m th e C hristm a s p a rty t o th is su m me r e ve nt w a s th e righ t th in g to d o. A s a lwa ys w ith e ven ts of this size th ere is a lo t of w ork to d o, a nd this ye a r w as n o exce p tion. T ha nk s to Ja ckie, Jill a n d Liz for arra n gin g th e fo od, raffle an d p rizes. M a n y th a nks to S e a n an d Nig el for sorting o u t th e coo k ing a nd T e rry fo r h is w ork on th e sh oo tin g lin e an d E m m a f or th e qu iz. T h an ks to Ro y for sup p lyin g th e wo o d, m a in ly fro m H o wd e ns I thin k, wh e th er th ey kne w it o r n o t! T ha nk s also to all th e pe o ple w h o he lp ed se t up a n d ta ke do w n th e field, an d to th o se wh o m u cke d in o n th e d ay with all th e ot h er jo bs th at n e ed e d do ing. A s o f writin g th is th ere a re thre e m e m be rs, S im o n, R o y a nd P h il, a b ou t to d o th e ir Le v e l 1 coa ch in g co urse fina l ass essm e n t. I wish th e m th e b e st o f lu ck. Ja i S cud d er
Behind the line 2 August September Calendar DATE DAY EVENT TIME LOCATION COMMENTS 1 AUG FRID CLUB NIGHT BBQ 6-8 FIRLE BRING YOUR OWN FOOD 6 AUG WED JUNIOR CLUB 6-8 FIRLE 9 AUG SAT LONGBOW BARE- BOW COMPETI- TION 1.15 PM FIRLE 13 AUG WED JUNIOR CLUB 6-8 FIRLE 20 AUG WED JUNIOR CLUB 6-8 FIRLE 24 AUG SUN SELBY COM- PETION 2 PM FIRLE 27 AUG WED JUNIOR CLUB 6-8 FIRLE 31 AUG SUN HORSE TRIALS HAVE-A-GO 8 AM FIRLE PLACE HELP REQUIRED PLEASE 5 SEPT FRID CLUB NIGHT BBQ 6-8 FIRLE BRING YOUR OWN FOOD 7 SEPT SUN NAC SUMMER CHAMPS 10 AM FIRLE 13 SEPT SAT LONGBOW PORT/ STILTON COM- PETION 2PM FIRLE 14 SEPT SUN SELBY COMPETION 2 PM FIRLE 20 SEPT SATUR- DAY LONGBOW PORT/ STILTON COM- PETION 2PM FIRLE 21 SEPT SUN FIELD SHOOT 11 AM RONS WOOD 27 SEPT SAT EQUIPMENT TO BE MOVED TO SEA- HAVEN ACADEMY FROM FIRLE 12AM FIRLE TO SEAHAVEN ACADEMY HELP REQUIRED 28 SEPT SUN BURNTWOOD COM- PETION 10.30 AM FIRLE
3 On the line Jackie Oxley say's Albion matches Our away match to Ditchling was very enjoyable with ten archers shooting for Newhaven producing some very good scores. Ditchling provided an excellent tea at the end of the afternoon. Disappointingly we lost against them, despite a very good team score of 3144 - Ditchling scored 3355 with 2 of their Recurve archers shooting an impressive 838 and 848 respectively. Our Longbow team scored well and there were no Longbow archers from Ditchling. Scores from Ditchling/Newhaven match Name Bow type Hits Gold Score ADJ Total Phil Reay Barebow 108 25 690 +180 870 Giles Conn Barebow 97 23 605 +180 785 Jai Scudder Compound 108 66 876-100 776 John Tatnell Barebow 97 16 533 +180 713 TOTALS 410 130 3144 Name Hits Golds Score Ken Cobby - Longbow 70 6 342 Terry Skinner - Longbow 64 6 298 Our Home match was on Sunday 6 th July but unfortunately the other team, COAC, were not able to get a team together and therefore did not come along. We had to shoot the round in order to get the points and had a very enjoyable shoot despite the lack of competition. Scores from Newhaven/COAC match Name Bow type@ Hits Golds Score Adj# TOTAL Jai Scudder C 108 71 890-100 790 Terry Skinner C 108 59 864-100 764 John Tatnell B 101 16 572 +180 752 Mike Betts R 107 18 665 665 424 164 2971
4 Jackie Oxley say's Selby postal tournament The July shoot was on Sunday 27 th and there was a good turnout of Recurve/Barebow archers. The team scores were: Newhaven A Mr/Mrs/ Archers Name Hits Score Golds X s Mr Chris Jones 71 501 10 3 Mr John Tatnell 72 478 4 2 Mr Mike Betts 70 470 5 1 Totals 213 1449 19 6 Newhaven B Mr/Mrs/ Archers Name Hits Score Golds X s Mrs Verena Betts 69 420 1 - Mr Richard Sandles 62 415 8 4 Mr Nigel Oxley 61 345 1 - Totals 192 1180 10 4 We are doing well in this year s postal tournament with Newhaven A at the top of their Division, which should be helped by their score this month which was again just below the threshold for the Division. Newhaven B are second in their Division and won this month s match against Winchester by a considerable 648 points more than they scored. The Compound team are top of their Division as well at the end of June. The Longbow team are currently bottom of their Division but the division placings are very close with only 154 between the top and bottom teams. The next Selby postal match is on Sunday 24 th August starting at 2pm at the field. Adults and juniors and all bow disciplines are very welcome. The field is also open to archers who wish to shoot a different distance than the Selby (3 dozen at 50 metres, 3 dozen at 30 metres).
5 Jackie Oxley say's Summer Party 2014 The Party finally went ahead on the second date of Saturday 12th July. It was a lovely sunny and warm day with around 90 people attending, plus dogs! We shot in teams at a full size target with quarter segments, then at battleships pinned to the target and finally competed in archery darts. Team prizes were handed out, sweets were eaten and bubbles blown! A magnificent BBQ followed by indulgent cakes was enjoyed by all present and we then held a raffle. Everyone was given one ticket and there were numerous prizes including archery items donated by Quicks and Aim Archery, alcohol, smellies, alcohol, chocolates and more alcohol! Five or six large teams then competed in the quiz with two teams getting joint 1st place each getting a large tub of chocolates. The weather forecast for overnight was for rain so no-one camped at the field but a few stalwarts stayed until 10pm toasting marshmallows, chatting and having a few drinks. Here are some photos from the day.
6 Lynda Hill say's August 2014 Summer is really upon us now and I hope you are all having fun and taking part in lots of archery competitions. For those of you who have only recently joined our club, do come along and participate in some of our club matches - they are a very good way to learn how it works shooting at a more formal type of event. You don't have to do the longer distances. Lots of people come along to shoot 30 yards/20 yards just for the experience. Even going to other clubs, while it may seem rather daunting at first, you will always be welcome and I have only ever come across fellow archers who are friendly and enjoy a bit if banter (off the line of course!). That's something I often hear about our club. How friendly everyone is. The banter we often share; the laughs too. Archery needs to be serious because bows and arrows can be dangerous things, but it can also be great fun and a great personal challenge too. Four years ago, when I started, I couldn't even dream of shooting 50 yards, let alone the 80s and 100s I do now. We are all shapes and sizes, dress in varying degrees of fashion - or not, wear funny hats and welly boots - even onesies with bunny ears. ( not me ED) But for the most part we all have a wonderful time and look forward to a once, twice or even thrice-weekly archery fix. (And then there's BBQ night!!) Do check the calendar for upcoming club events and matches. ( Page 2) If you are new, you may not be able to help out at the Firle Horse Trials Have-A-go, but you can give support to those of us who are able to be on the line, at the same time you will remember your first try. (31 st August Firle Place) Theres lots of other stuff going on well worth a visit. Likewise, if you want to see how a big competition is run, look out for the area events and come along just to watch. They really aren't as frightening as they sound. Until next time. Lyn Catch my blog sometime - www.lynsarchery.net
7 Steve Linsdell say's
8 Steve Linsdell say's Coaches Corner 3 Equipment Maintenance Strings this is the first in a series on equipment maintenance, which obviously is required to ensure that you get consistent and improving scores. These are only overviews and I am sure many archers will challenge the thinking but as with anything in life that is not law, use the info as you please, but if you wish to discuss further let me know. Firstly Strings, at your beginners course you would have been told how to store your string because you need to keep the twists in a string because this is how the Nocking point position is maintained for the bows bracing height. Actually there are a number of issues that affect the strings performance and these are:- Type of Material, Number of Strands, Serving, The Nocks, Wax, Bracing Height. The Quicks Catalogue and any On-line Archery web-site will define the available string material. In days of old it would have been linen or hemp which would stretched very quickly, but today we use Dacron, Kevlar, Fastflight, BCY450 etc. Older Bows, longbows and low poundage recurve bows tend to use Dacron but this is a stretchy material so checking the nocking point / bracing height is required frequently. Most Archers were using Fastflight which is a stronger material but not recommended for Longbows, but many Longbow Archers have not had a issue using it. For high poundage bows, Fastflight or BCY 450 are recommended. For a recurve bow the length of a string is defined by the length of the bow minus 3.5 inches (88mm) and it is this reduction in length that gives the bow its shape. For longbows the string normally only has a loop at the top and a clove hitch for the bottom so you make the string long enough plus extra to suit. A compound has its strings made specifically for that bow because of the cables and wheels. Number of Strands. Depending on the poundage of the bow, defines the number of strands, there are tables on websites and the coaches are likely to have the info hidden away if you wish to make your own string. The lighter the bow the lower number of strands to use, but equally your string must have some body so that the Arrow nock will clip onto it. If your Arrow Nocks are to big for you sting, bulk up the nocking point with dental floss. Sometimes archers reduce the number of strands in a string to speed up the flight of an arrow, but this does introduce some risk of the string stretching faster than normal. Serving. The serving in the middle and around the loops is important to :- 1. To protect and strengthen the string when it comes into contact with physical entities (Limbs / Fingers/ arrows) the material used is usually cotton and can be any colour that is available. It is also used to bulk out the string for the Arrow nock to clip. A good test is to load an arrow, hold the bow so the arrow is pointing to the ground and just tap the string and the arrow should fall to the ground, if you wish to have a demonstration, talk to a coach at the field. The Nocks. The nocking point can be indicated using propriety specially made Metal/Rubber nocks but these can tear your tab or fingers and pinch your arrows if not fitted correctly and they are also fiddlely to move when the string stretches. Masking tape is a good temporary measure although some of us use it permanently, but by far the best is to use Serving string or Dental floss with Super-glue, the down side comes when you have to adjust the nocking point. Every Archer will have their own preference so it is your choice.
9 Coaches Corner 3 Wax. I have already stated the importance of stowing your string to retain the twists, a well waxed string would retain its twisted if done correctly. You rub the string with Bees wax and then using a piece of leather or shammy, rub the string to ensure the wax is melted into it, this will then hold the twists when the wax dries. A string is best waxed on an assembled bow. Bracing Height. Firstly all bows have a manufacturer bracing height and you should record this for prosperity or until you sell it. This bracing height enables the bow to work at it most efficient force, which is why you are advised to check the Bracing height before and after shooting. When putting a string on a bow for the first time, put ten twists in the string leave the bow strung for at least 24hrs to that the initial stretch can be taken out. Then measure the bracing height and adjust to that which is recommended for the bow. The bracing height is likely to be a range of about on inch, play with it to see how you arrows perform and listen to the tone of the bow. If it clatters then go back to your previous setting. If it clatters in the first place then definitely try adjusting it. Finally, it is worth having a spare string or two in your kit, just in case one breaks, it does happen. If you are prepared, the impact to your days shooting would be minimal because it would already be set up. I have never actually found any definition of how long a string lasts, but if you have more the twenty twists, then this would be getting close. Illustrations care of Bow Sports Archery (cb) See you at the field for question time.. Your Club Coach, Steve
10 Alan Smith say's Just to inform all you new archers that we also train and compete in Longbow Archery as well as recurve and compound, and our section has been going really well this year at competitions, winning a great amount of medals and records for the club, mainly Ron Floor, Steve Chapman, Pam Chapman, Ron Smith, Ken Coby and others just to name a few including myself, we go off most weekends all over the country for competitions, this is why you may not know us as well as the other Archers in the club. I personally would like to obtain two grand master bowman scores by the end of the year (fingers crossed) one score I am really pleased with is a Western score off 633 which I believe is the best in Sussex and maybe a National Record. Maybe you can find a few of the Longbow Archers training most days, especially Wednesday hoping for that perfect score, come and have a chat if you want more information about the Longbows, (we don't bite) Hope to see some off you at the Longbow/barebow competition later this month. Alan Smith A typical training session. Watch this! Look at that!! What I cant see it!!!
11 From the tea shed For sale. Ann and Graham Yeldon have a couple of things for sale. Green NAC Fleece. Size 13 Junior but would fit a ladies size 10-12. Unused and unworn - 8.00 Target Butt Quicks Cat No QT21. It is 65 cm square. Compressed foam. Totally unused. Cost 49.50. For sale for 25.00 Behind the tea shed My kind of jokes. I bought some HP sauce the other day. Its costing me sixpence a month for the next two years Tommy Cooper HP Famous quotes. The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter. Winston Churchill Are you going to come along quietly or do I have to use ear plugs Spike Milligan That s it edition 15 completed thanks to all who contributed (cb)