Archery maitenance

As I work at Rosliston Forestry Centre on a "As needed" basis, I thought it about time the bows were looked at. 17 in total & all had a damned good safety check. This I do at least twice a year. As I am not the only user of the equipment ,but the only user to have the knowledge of how to repair/replace the strings. Of the 17 bows, only one needed a string rebuild, as the end loop was all nice & furry, also the centre serving was looking tired. All strings were re-waxed & new nocking points were fitted. There is a beginners' course due to start 7th May, so the bows need to be safe.

I do have a problem with some of the "Instructors" there...
Equipment left lying around, no arrows put away , just dumped in a cupboard, bracers, finger tabs anywhere but where they should be, and so on.

The trouble is, these "Instructors" are multi sport instructors, a little basic knowledge of a sport, & they think they know it all. An "Instructors course" was set up last month, where 6 young adults were trained in the art of archery instruction. What gets my goat, is that some of these "Instructors" had never shot an arrow before the course, & then getting an instructors qualification After one week of instruction . Would you know how to run a session with a mix of children & adults who had never shot before, with the knowledge that all equipment was in safe working order, and run it safely after a weeks course: bearing in mind, that a session may not come up for a month or two??? I doubt it, I know I could not!

At least, I am paid to do these checks, something I do not get at the club.

Picked up an e-mail today from Swadlincote Gun Club, inviting me to go & view the place. This is in response to a challenge from their Ladies team issued to our club. I'm looking forward to this. Don't know what will be expected of us... guns against guns, or guns against arrows, Either way, it gorra be good ;-)

Should have been shooting today in the "Burton Round". But sad to say, my back was off this morning. I hoped that a walk to Swadlincote, over the fields might have eased things somewhat, the walk did, but not enough. There are new compound shooters (new to the Dark side that is), I could shoot against, giving me some competition. We, Carol & I went to the field yesterday to get our sight marks for the distances, we came away feeling good, & looking forward to the shoot today. Ah well, such is life
I WILL BE BACK

Went shooting today. First time since we ended the indoor season. We needed sight marks for 50yds. So, as the weather was suitable, we went for it. My first three arrows went way over the top, I must have been set for nearer 70mtrs .Two arrows down the line was enough to stop me shooting more. Last thing I needed was to look for arrows. Long story cut short, I got the sight mark, & 6 in the gold SUCCESS.

Things are getting interesting. Our archery club has received a challenge from the local gun club, Ladies team. More than that, I know nothing, I have sent a mail to the clubs' contact asking for more info'. So far, there are three members in BBA who are interested in taking up the challenge (all of us men) More on this as & when.

Another cold day

Saturdays' Hen Party shooting into the wind. It was just as bad as Friday was. I called to see the "Crop Circle" to see what, if anything had been done, just a few more bricks is all

It is not looking good for the 7th May, when I start my new course. It's not the building that I'm bothered about, it's the surface we have to shoot/walk on...No grass, just bare earth (or mud)

A COLD DAY IN THE FOREST

5 For a Fiver. This is an activity session where people pay £5. to participate in various activities; Archery, Various Laser shooting activities, both indoor & out. Kite making, Sumo wrestling, Bouncy castle, Climbing wall & I believe other activities.
Needless to say, I had the archery. The shooting range has been moved to the Paddock, where we were exposed to a strong, very cold wind. I'll be glad when we are back in the "Crop Circle", at least, it is sheltered from the wind.
We were not too busy due to the weather, & a change in local school holidays (we border 3 counties) but we were kept on the go, most of the day. The main customers were children, no surprise there then, a few Mums were encouraged to shoot, which gave a few kids a good laugh, & some big shocks to others...Well done Ladies :-)
I started at 11:00 by setting up & was on site until 17:00, I was not too warm I can tell you. BUT, I did enjoy myself. My next session is a Hen Party later today...could be interesting.
Perhaps more on this later.

Shooting line

Storm ahead
A bit late, but better late than never. Open Day at BBA Saturday 12th April looked a bit gloomy weather wise, but the wannabes still turned up to "Have-a-Go" I was somewhat surprised to see that the charge had doubled from £1.00 -£2.00 a bit naughty that methinks. But who am I to say? I was not at the original meeting. The session was quite well attended. A few people I expected did not turn up, but we had to leave at 4 So I could have missed them.. I think there might be some new starters for the beginners' course which starts soon. Talking of beginners courses, I shall be starting my own 7th May, a six-week course at Rosliston Forestry centre.
Police Armed Response Unit.

The course like BBA's works out at £5.00 per hour. I have in the past been accused of "Robbing" the club of income by running my own courses. But my response to that was that if I did not run courses, the club would now be poorer by several members. Well that is all in the past now I would like to think.

If you want to see the rest of the pictures (Thank you Laura) you can find them here straight from the camera untouched

I have recently been dragged into "Facebook" by invitation. Trouble was, it took a long time before I was able to respond, at least six weeks I think. Well, I'm there now, let's see what happens

Before I go The "Crop Circle I shoot in at Rosliston, is being altered There is a new building going up, & it looks like it's gonna be a big'un... Indoor shooting perhaps. Crossbows have been mentioned as well. The building will be multi purpose with a stage it seems. Watch this space

This I liked when I saw it. Came across this whilst looking at tiscali photo's thread page

Just two of our residents . Might save these for making my own Christmas cards

Had a shock this morning, looked out of the window, expecting to see wet roads due to the rain we were having and this is what I saw. Strange, the roads are clear, the driveways are also clear, but the decking at the back of my house is 2-3inches under snow. The local bird population must be extra busy right now, they are having to feed extra mouths as well as feed themselves. We have a Robin family in a box right next door to our back door & we have a family of Blue Tits in their little box under the Wysteria