It has been a year of mixed fortunes for the Archery Section of the SSC.

At the start of the year Ron Hawkes and Len Brownsell passed their Coaches Course, which meant that we were able to start welcoming beginners to the Club. Throughout the year our members have continued to win awards, including a hoard of medals from the Isle of Wight shoot in February (well done to the eight Archers who represented the Club). Other field shoots and National competitions have also brought in great results for our Archers: Ron Hawkes is the European Popinjay Champion following a competition in France in August this year.

Unfortunately we lost all our equipment following a break-in at the Clubhouse in late July but thanks to the support of the Committee and tireless hard work of Ron and Len, we were able to start rebuilding the Section and now have nine beginners. Thank you also to Pinner Bowmen and the Scouting movement for kindly loaning us equipment until we were able to start replacing our own.

We look forward to our annual Fun Shoots, starting with the Celebration of Agincourt on 20 October (medieval gear, food and a raffle adds to the fun of this evening) … Hallowe’en (glow-in-the-dark skeletons are taken from the closet and dusted down) … and a Pope and Young outdoor shoot in November.

As with many sporting activities, films and television coverage of events influence people’s interest in Archery, so we wait to see how the new Robin Hood film and the build-up to the 2012 Olympics affect our numbers.

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.

Jane Prince - Chair of Section