Frostbite trophy shoot goes ahead
Despite being arranged at fairly short notice, there was a respectable turnout for the midwinter Frostbite Trophy Shoot on Tuesday 28th December 2021 with 15 club members competing for the Jack Grogan Trophy.
An overcast sky and an initial hint of rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the assembled archers as they completed the frostbite round (3 dozen arrows at 30 metres).
When the scores were added up the medal winners were Graham in 3rd place, Jimmy in 2nd and Alex in 1st place. In addition to his medal, Alex took home the trophy.
Very well done to all.
Indoor shooting commences at new venue
The evening of Wednesday 3rd November 2021 was the first opportunity for HEA members to shoot in the club’s new indoor venue at Formby High School as the previous week’s session had been dedicated to working out the best way of suspending the new backstop netting, which was purchased thanks to a grant from the Allianz Sports Fund
While shooting their Portsmouth rounds (5 dozen arrows at 20 yards), club members were favourably impressed by the light and airy feel of the hall and the ample room behind the shooting line.
During the evening, club member Pete T helpfully tested the arrow-stopping properties of the new net by shooting an arrow into it. Clearly, there’s no problem!
Neck and neck finish for end-of-season clout
The weather was kind for HEA’s Ken Harris clout on Saturday 30th October 2021 with the forecast showers failing to put in an appearance. Thirteen archers had fun shooting three dozen arrows at a clout (in this case a French flag) placed at 100 yards during the event marking the official end of the club’s “summer” season.
It was a closely fought contest during which club member Andrea (seen on the left) distinguished herself by twice managing to shoot an arrow through the flag.
After the points were totalled, Ralph came in 3rd place with a score of 80 taking the bronze medal, Andrea was 2nd with 81 points taking silver, but Graham took the gold with 82 points, taking home the Ken Harris trophy.
A bigger hall needs a bigger net
The change of HEA’s indoor venue from a small village hall at Ince Blundell to a large sports hall in Formby meant buying new backstop netting. Wednesday 27th October was the first opportunity for HEA members to see how large the club’s new purchase really was by laying the new net out on the floor of the sports hall at Formby High.
Measuring 25 metres in length and weighing in at a hefty 42 kilos, the new backstop net required some effort to get it suspended from the four netball hoops bought for the purpose, with the old net layered in front. The hope was that, after an evening’s practice, raising the net would be easier the following Wednesday at the official start of indoor shooting.
Just practising!
With the approach of the winter shooting season, some HEA members have been getting their eye in at 20 yards using 60cm target faces. Mike G is pictured here having achieved the kind of accuracy with his recurve that will stand him in good stead when it comes to shooting Portsmouth rounds indoors.
A jam-packed September course
HEA’s September beginners course was particularly well-attended with sixteen trainee archers completing the three weekend sessions to earn their certificates.
The course followed the customary schedule: week one began with instruction by coaches Mike and Graham in barebow archery (without sights) with the trainees shooting at targets set at a distance of 10 yards,
The session was rounded off by an opportunity for the group to try clout archery, that is, aiming towards a distant peg, or “clout”, in the ground rather than at targets.
Week two introduced the beginners to shooting with sights and long rods at 20 yards. In week three the course attendees took part in a tournament, shooting 3 dozen arrows, either freestyle (with sights) or barebow, again at 20 yards.
After the presentation of chocolate tournament prizes and course certificates, the beginners ended the afternoon by shooting at balloon-covered targets. Good fun was had by all.
10 complete latest beginners course
Saturday 10th July 2021 was certificate day for the 10 trainee archers who completed HEA’s beginners course having attended all three Saturday sessions.
Beginning in the first session with an introduction to barebow archery (without sights) at 10 yards, the course attendees progressed in week two to using sights and then long rods, shooting at 20 yards.
In week three the trainees took part in an archery tournament, shooting three dozen arrows at 20 yards in the bowstyle of their choice – barebow or freestyle (with sights). The course attendees were split into three teams with the juniors as team captains.
After presentation of prizes and certificates, the new archers took part in the traditional burst-the-balloons free-for-all.
252 Challenge success
Two club members enjoyed success in May and June during this season’s first two 252 Challenge weeks. Both archers earned their badges for completing a 252 round (three dozen arrows at the archer’s chosen distance) by scoring more than the required amount for their bowstyles.
First to earn a badge was Ralph, shooting for the first full season with his compound bow. During the May 252 week, Ralph was successful at 60 yards, scoring more than the required 280.
The next badge-earner was Jim, shooting barebow. During June’s 252 Challenge week, Jim scored more than the required 189 barebow score at his chosen distance of 40 yards. Jim is pictured here in a particularly lighthearted moment during May, having managed to shoot through the pole of the target flag.
So, congratulations to our first 252 badge winners of 2021.
Socially distanced shooting resumes
Saturday 10th of April 2021 was the start of HEA’s eagerly anticipated outdoor season as club shooting resumed at Altcar under covid-safe conditions.
Targets were set up on the more open part of the range where the grass was shorter, but it was still long enough to require mowing along the shooting line.
With the four targets set at 30 metres, archers were able to shoot a 3-dozen round or simply practise their aim and shoot a load of holes in the wipe-clean target faces.
Due to the current restrictions, range capacity is necessarily limited with archers being required to book their shooting slots in advance. In all, 13 archers were able to shoot, split between two separate afternoon sessions.
Let’s hope the good weather holds so that more of our members get a chance to shoot.
