| Archery Section Annual Report - November 2007 |
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Chair's Report Firstly, I would like to thank all Committee Members for the invaluable support this past year: Bernie, Ronnie, Ron, Paul, Len, Rob … and a special thank you to Rob who has been unable to come along to the Club too often – his willingness to take on our role of CPO for the Section was greatly appreciated and by the end of this meeting we hope to have elected a new CPO. I am pleased to be able to say that the past year has been one of better fortune for the Archery Section of the SSC :- Ron Hawkes was awarded a “Services to Archery” certificate for everything he has done to build this Section back up after a series of mishaps. The number of beginners we have welcomed has been amazing. I am delighted that not only did they complete the 6-week course but many have stayed on to become Sports & Social Club members. Many thanks to Ron and Len for running these courses over the past year. Ron and Paul have been instrumental in building up our amount of equipment and we have recently added three more training bows and two 3-Ds to our inventory. Our Celebration of Agincourt on 19 October (medieval gear, food and a raffle added to the fun of this evening) raised a healthy profit for the Club. Thank you Bernie for organising the fun shoot and to Libby for helping me with the food. Our Fireworks Event was well attended. Thank you to John for running this and to everyone who came along to support it, including Rosemary for helping with the food. We enjoyed a Pope and Young outdoor shoot this time last year and, despite the atrocious weather, gallant volunteers were dispatched to retrieve arrows to save too many people getting wet. We also enjoyed a couple of mini field shoots and other activities. I would like to encourage everyone to get more involved in the Club – maybe help out on a Bar rota … put forward a suggestion of what YOU would like to see here … come up with an idea and get us all to ‘have a go’ (safety permitting!) … On behalf of the Archery Section I would like to say “thank you” to the OLA and the OLSSC for their support this year and to Andy Forward for the marvellous outdoor shooting facilities we benefited from during the summer months. Other Agenda Items Election of Officers Existing Officers have agreed to stand, subject to your approval. Please vote, nominate and second accordingly:- Most of the existing Officers were re-elected and two new Officers were elected to replace outgoing ones, who leave with our thanks. Chair’s Award One new addition to our AGM this year is the annual presentation of the Chair’s Award. This is not related to shooting ability but is awarded by the Chair to someone who has made a large contribution to our Section. To give you some idea of how difficult this decision was for me to make, especially with it being the first year, just about everyone was up for it :- Me! I ruled this suggestion out immediately, but thank you to those who suggested me! The thought was much appreciated and I hope to continue to represent and support you in the role as Chair of Archery/Secretary of SSC. Paul / Bernie Paul has spent many hours on our behalf sourcing and repairing equipment at no or low cost. Between Paul and Bernie, not only have they organised shoots, but they have also crept surreptitiously around the Club on both shoot nights and at weekends ‘just because they saw something that needed doing’. Our equipment is extra-securely locked away and only ‘known people’ have access to it. Thanks must also go to Paul for sourcing our new safety net and for initiating a work party to install it. Without them, things wouldn’t work as they do! Thank you Paul and Bernie – you are both invaluable to this Club! Ron / Len Two main players in organising and running our Beginners’ Courses. Following the break-in in August 2006, Ron set about sourcing and replacing good value-for-money equipment, as a result there was only a one-week delay to the start of our Beginners’ Course. Superb efficiency, great teamwork and much to interest our newcomers – displays and talks about different styles of bows and arrows … factual information and answers to just about any question thrown at them all added to the education and interest. They supported our Junior, Chris Ford, in gaining a place in the London Youth Games. All their work has been rewarded by the fact that most of our former Beginners now attend on a weekly basis and, not only shoot on a Friday evening, but also seem to enjoy staying on and socialising. Ron and Len thank you – I don’t know what we would do without you! Chris / Bill Not here tonight, but I think I can speak on behalf of everyone who has participated in their Fun Shoots: we have been excited by shooting themes and scoring schemes throughout the year. Assisted by Chris and her Art Group, Bill’s Jubilee Fun Shoot was, let’s say, something of a challenge. Bill deserves a special mention for rallying us all to sing ‘God Save the Queen’ whilst retrieving our last end of arrows … A number of us did notice, however, that we had to award him ‘6 cheers’ as he appeared to miss the first 3!! Chris and Bill have also helped change OLSSC’s drinking habits. Before, we were renowned for Fuller’s Beer in pint glasses … now Magner’s or Strongbow Cider in ½ pints, wine glasses or even straight tumblers are vying for position over the counter. Their sense of humour and contribution to Club Fun Shoots has been enthusiastic, dynamic … and much appreciated! Mick and Ronnie Everyone knows Mick and Ronnie and how much they contribute to the Club. Their love of Archery and the freedom to go on weekend shoots since they have had their caravan means that we don’t see as much of them as we would like to, but they both bring to the Section a wealth of experience and enthusiasm which is willingly and humorously shared with younger members (including me!). They are extremely keen to encourage both new and existing members to go on field shoots, often offering to take them personally … and to ply them with home-made bread pudding and mulled wine. Ronnie - your willingness to help with bar duties and Mick - your amazing leathercraft skills are just a couple of the reasons why you are an asset to this Club. Freda’s Team Freda - a willing supporter and provider of great nibbles and munchies – Peter for your tireless entertainment (who says that men can only remember one joke!) – Rosemary for your ability to produce wonderful food - Jake and John Paul for being real gentlemen with our younger members. Zuhair Zuhair must get a mention here for his constant willingness to provide us with a regular fix of CHOCOLATE. Thank you Zuhair for your generosity – with expressions such as ‘A balanced diet is a chocolate in each hand’ … ‘Friends are like fancy chocolates – it’s what’s inside that’s special’ and ‘Save the World – it’s the only planet with chocolate’ – one can’t help enjoying the pleasures of such a healthy diet, especially when delivered with a friendly smile. Eileen Eileen is not a member of the Club but should be … She is not an Archer but has contributed much of her own time and money to provide food and raffle prizes for special events. She seems to enjoy our company – must be our crazy sense of humour! Eileen, thank you on behalf of the Archery Section … I would like to welcome you as a member of the SSC. The Leigh Family Well, what can I say about the Leigh Family? They came along to one of our Beginners’ Courses and, like many others … stayed! Not only could their collective Record of Achievement boast that they often win our fun shoots (and raffle prizes), but that they are ambassadors for Fair Play – good at winning, losing … and just participating. Other Experiences and Qualifications include : bar duties, catering, inter-personal skills (the younger Leighs have formed a major part of our Junior Section), Entertainment Organisers, Manual Handling Officers and Pyrotechnicians (or should that be Pyrotechnomaniacs?). Many others here tonight have all these skills but to have five members of the same family makes the Leigh Family worthy holders of this award for its first year. So basically, I would really, honestly like to present the Chair’s Award to everyone in the Archery Section, including anyone who I haven’t singled out individually. Everybody has contributed to this Club in no small way and I would like present the first Chair’s Award to … the Leigh Family And finally … OLSSC AGM is on Thursday 10 January 2008. Please come if you can. Website – Please do visit oldlyonians.org and if you have problems getting through to that website address, Google Jane Prince Archery and you will find the same link (embarrassingly for me!!). Date for Carol to visit with her Archery Shop – food will be provided … 21 December 2007 – please bring along cash, cheques and/or credit cards! |