For news about competitions, please see the competitions page.

December

7 December - The start of the year saw the ground turn into a Slimbridge-esque lake and the end of the year looks like being the same. So far this month we've had no outdoor shooting, but the seagulls are enjoying themselves swimming around.

On a brighter note, you may remember that at the end of November Lance achieved a six gold end, the first ever member of Golden Phoenix to achieve it. The photo on the right shows this feat in all it's glory, along with Lance looking justifiably happy.

11 December - It's Pete Wakefield's 18 birthday today. He now changes from junior to adult. Happy birthday.

16 December - At last, the lake has drained. Just as well, with the sudden drop in temperature, it would have turned into a skating rink. Frozen hands and frozen toes, but the hardy ones turned up and shot. Not that anyone did particularly well, but it was lovely to be back out shooting.

And we welcomed the first new member of the month, Craig Thompson.

20 December - The postal frostbite (which certainly lived up to it's name) for Golden Phoenix members. Only four people could make it, so by default, they were all selected for the team - Lance and Marian Whitelegg, Ben Mitchell and Sheena McCullagh. Unfortunately November's scores have not yet been posted on the county web site.

No sooner had that appeared on our web site than November's results were published. They on the competitions page.

21 and 23 December - Harry is after more country records. This will need confirming by county, but it looks like he has added the Short Western to his list of triumphs.

26 December - Our first Boxing Day shoot. It was milder than it has been, but slightly breezy. Sinclair Parkinson won the best gold. Andrew Francis set up his camping stoves and provided us all with (very) hot soup, hot dogs and nibbles. Hugo's back from Trinidad and his mum brought a delicious chocolate cake for afters.

27 December - Happy birthday web site - one year old today.

Congratulations go to:

• Ruth Coleman for setting a new indoor group 2007 record with her first ever scoring round and while still on the beginner's course (19/12).
• Andrew Francis for reducing his handicap by one (30/12).
• Harry Francis for setting new 2007 on club group records and what looks like a county record into the bargain (21/12). Then smashing those same records by 95 points (23/12).
• Emma Harper for setting a new indoor group 2007 record with her first ever scoring round and while still on the beginner's course (05/12).
• Mark Lapham for reducing his handicap by two points (30/12).
• Gareth Love for getting an indoor starting handicap and classification (05/12).
• Sheena McCullagh for reducing her barebow handicap by one point (23/12).
• David Nash for reducing his handicap by one point (23/12).
• Sinclair Parkinson for winning the best gold medal on the Boxing Day shoot (26/12).
• Craig Thompson for reducing his handicap by three points (23/12). Then doing the same again (30/12).
• Nic Vangorph for reducing his handicap by two points and submitting his first second class score. (30/12)
• Lance Whitelegg for beating his own Frostbite record for the second month running (20/12).
• Clive Wilkins for reducing his indoor handicap by one point (05/12). For reducing his indoor classification to C (06/12).

November

Gloucestershire have confirmed that Harry's shoot on 26 October is a County group record. It didn't remain the record for long though, Harry added over another 50 to the total on 4 November. Scores are submitted at the end of the month, so there's a fair chance Harry will beat it again before it's submitted.

7 November - Andy Friend has made it a double. On the first ever shoot of Golden Phoenix Archers, he gained a new classification, making him the first ever person in the club to do so and now he has become the first ever club member to gain an indoor classification. Well done. Those feats can never be taken away from you.

14 November - Ben Mitchell now has a double. The highest ranking Golden Phoenix recurve archer both indoor and outdoor. Consistency is everything and so he gets a special congratulations, all three scores that he submitted to gain his indoor classification were identical.

16 November - This month's postal Frostbite for Golden Phoenix members. The four who made it into the team this month were Ben Mitchell, Lance and Marian Whitelegg and Gareth Love. October's results are now out and on the competitions page.

22 November - Lance Whitelegg has achieved a first for Golden Phoenix; the first person ever to get a six gold end. He did it on the penultimate end of a New Western. The wheels have been set in motion to have this ratified by the GNAS. A huge congratulations to you Lance, both on achieving this and being the first in the club to do so.

25 November - Remember all through July when Mark Dare was matching what Harry had done throughout June? Well he's at it again. It still has to be confirmed, but it looks like Mark has set a County record as well, same round, different group. Mark is shooting in the Under 14 Junior Gents barebow category. Once it is confirmed, the link will go on this page.

And we welcomed the first new members of the month, father and son, Paul and Toby West. Welcome aboard.

Congratulations go to:

• Mark Dare for setting a new group 2007 record (25/11).
• Andrew Francis for reducing his handicap by one point and getting his second second class score (16/11). For doing the same again and so classifying as second class (30/11).
• Ben Francis for reducing his handicap by one point (25/11).
• Harry Francis for beating his own 2007, club and county group records and reducing his handicap by one point (04/11).
• Andy Friend for being the first person ever in Golden Phoenix to getting an indoor handicap and classification (07/11).
• Paul Kobbe for getting an indoor starting handicap and classification (14/11). For reducing that handicap by two points (21/11).
• Mark Lapham for getting his first second class score which was also his first third class score in the next age group up and reducing his handicap by one point (04/11). For getting an indoor starting handicap and classification and beating his own 2007 indoor group record (14/11).
• Trevor Lapham for getting an indoor starting handicap and classification (14/11). For reducing that handicap by one point (28/11).
• Nicky Leeper for setting a new group 2007 record, gaining her first third class score and reducing her handicap by four points (02/11).
• Steve Ludwell for reducing his handicap by two points (02/11). For reducing it by another point (04/11). And again (11/11).
• Sheena McCullagh for gaining her barebow starting handicap (30/11).
• Ben Mitchell for gaining an indoor starting handicap and classification (14/11). For setting a new overall club record and reducing his handicap by two points (15/11). For beating his own Frostbite records (16/11). For beating his own 2007 and overall indoor club records and reducing his handicap by five points (28/11). Then beating his own overall outdoor record the day after and reducing his handicap by two points (29/11).
• David Nash for reducing his handicap by one point (11/11). For reducing his handicap by a massive four points and getting his first third class score (25/11).
• Sinclair Parkinson for qualifying as third class and reducing his handicap by two points (02/11). For reducing his handicap by two points (09/11). For getting his first second class score and reducing his handicap by another two points (11/11).
• Marian Whitelegg for setting new group 2007 and overall club records (12/11). For beating her own Frostbite records (16/11).
• Lance Whitelegg for setting new overall 2007 and club records (06/11). For beating his own Frostbite records (16/11). For being the first person ever in Golden Phoenix to achieve a six gold end award (22/11). For reducing his handicap by one point and setting new overall 2007 and club records (26/11).
• Clive Wilkins for gaining an indoor classification and handicap, shooting his personal best and setting a new overall 2007 record (20/11).

October

Due to various technical hitches, eg forgotten attachments, Mr Record's Officer's hard drive corrupting and so on, two very notable achievements that should have clipped September have come forward onto October. The congratulations themselves are down in the September section, but briefly, Hugo is safely back in Trinidad and we have a score from him, his first Junior Bowman and several records into the bargain, and Ian has reclassified as first.

5 October - A few weeks ago we were contacted by Guy Kingston, the owner of Agincourt Productions, who are making a film aimed at small businesses. Now if you want to explain the concept of setting targets, do you stand in front of a series of charts, or do you go down to an archery club?

The day of the filming couldn't have been more perfect for archery, beautiful blue skies and hardly any breeze. Four club members turned up to help and in two hours earned the club £50.00. We got Guy looking like he knew what he was doing with a bow and arrow, but don't tell anyone, it was actually a club member taking the shots of the arrows hitting the target. As requested five arrows scattered and one on the edge of the gold. Why? To allow for the analogy of how closely you'd hit your target.

If you want to see examples of Guy's work, the first of the links above has two video clips in it.

10 October - Today we gained another first class archer, well done to Ben Mitchell. That makes five in total. It was also the first indoor shoot of the season and the first time ever Golden Phoenix Archers had shot indoors, so several records set.

14 October - Our first new member of the month. Welcome to David Nash and like so many of our new members this year, he set new group 2007 and club records on the day he joined.

24 October - We've never had a film crew at archery before this month, at least not that anyone can remember, then two come along in the same month. This time we were helping a lady doing a degree in Fine Arts. As part of her course work she needed to choose a design for an instillation and decided to let the archers do the choosing for her. She brought along six designs, which we pinned to the bosses at 50 yards and six of us shot at them. The winning design was the one with the most holes in it after we had each shot a dozen arrows.

Originally it looked like being just five of us, but young Harry was persuaded to join in the fun and even up the numbers. It was 10 yards further than he'd ever shot before and he was having to sight on the clouds, but he enjoyed it so much, he decided to stay at that distance for the proper round. And Harry, being Harry, bagged himself the club group record which had stood since 30 April 1995.

26 October - Both clubs always shoot on equal terms, but when it comes to postal competitions, we are in two different counties, so today, members of Golden Phoenix gathered to shoot their first club postal, the Frostbite. The top two scores, plus the top two handicap adjusted scores are submitted each month. Out of the seven members that shot the four scores that were submitted were Lance Whitelegg, Ben Mitchell, Nicky Leeper and Gareth Love. As we find out the results each month, they will be posted on the Competitions page.

Harry shot as well, the same round as two days before. He added nearly another 100 to his score. This has yet to be confirmed, but it looks like he's taken the age group county record as well. Keep your eye on the Short National. The current record was set on 4 April 1994.

Congratulations go to:

• Sarah Farrance for reducing her handicap by one point (03/10). For setting a new 2007 group record on her first ever indoor shoot (17/10).
• Andrew Francis for reducing his handicap by two points and getting his first second class score (28/10).
• Ben Francis for reducing his handicap by one point (07/10).
• Harry Francis for setting new 2007 and club group records (24/10). For annihilating those same records (26/10).
• Andrew Friend for setting new overall 2007 and club records on the first indoor shoot of the season (10/10). Then doing the same again on another round (17/10).
• Mark Lapham for setting a new group 2007 record on his first ever indoor shoot (17/10). Then doing the same again with a different round (31/10).
• Gareth Love for reducing his handicap by one point (05/10). For reducing his handicap by a further point (17/10). For getting his first second class score and reducing his handicap by another one point (31/10).
• Steve Ludwell for going out an extra ten yards and reducing his handicap by four points in the process (03/10). For reducing his handicap by another two points (14/10). For reducing his handicap by another point (31/10).
• Sheena McCullagh for setting 2007 and club group records on the first Frostbite shoot (26/10).
• Ben Mitchell for setting a new club record, getting his second first class score and reducing his handicap by two points (05/10). For classifying as first (10/10). For setting overall 2007 and club records on the first Frostbite shoot (26/10). For setting a new overall club indoor record (31/10).
• David Nash who on his fourth week as a beginner, beat his own group 2007 record by 75 points. Not a bad improvement in one week (07/10). For setting new group 2007 and club records on the day he joined the club (14/10).
• Sinclair Parkinson for getting his starting handicap (14/10). For reducing his handicap by one point and gaining his second second class(28/10).
• Peter Wakefield for reducing his handicap by one point, qualifying as second class which was also the qualification for third class in the next age group up (03/10). For setting new group 2007 and club records on the first indoor shoot of the season (10/10).
• Lance Whitelegg for changing club, beating his own 2007 record and setting a new overall club record in the process (15/10). For setting new overall 2007 and club records and reducing his handicap by four points (22/10). For setting overall 2007 and club records on the first Frostbite shoot (26/10).
• Marian Whitelegg for changing club, so becoming the first ever female compound archer in Golden Phoenix, and on her first shoot in the new club setting new overall 2007 and club records, reducing her handicap by one point and getting her first second class score. That's some going Marian (08/10). For getting her second second class score (12/10). For setting a new 2007 group record, reducing her handicap by one point and classifying as third (22/10). For setting 2007 and club group records on the first Frostbite shoot (26/10).
• Nic Vangorph for reducing his handicap by one point (14/10).

September

2 September was competition day. And what a day it was. Mark Dare equaled his group club record that was set ten years ago and Harry took the overall club record that was set in June 1991. The handicap reductions and records are in the congratulations section as usual and the results are on the competitions page.

6 September - We have another first class archer amongst us. Congratulations Lance, that takes us up to four.

23 September - Nearly at the end of the month with no new members, then two come along together. Welcome to Ben Francis and Sinclair Parkinson. Sinclair used to shoot with us as a junior and has decided to return after moving back into the area.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting a new club record, reducing his handicap by three points and getting his second third class score (05/09). For qualifying as third class (06/09).
• Mark Dare for equaling the club group record, setting a new 2007 group record and reducing his handicap by one point (02/09). For setting a new 2007 group record, reducing his handicap by one point and qualifying as second class (09/09).
• Sarah Farrance for setting a new 2007 group record, reducing her handicap by two points and getting her first second class score (06/09). For setting new 2007 and club group records, the latter of which had stood for over ten years, getting her second second class score and reducing her handicap by three points (12/09). For qualifying as second class (19/09).
• Ben Francis for getting his starting handicap (23/09). For reducing his handicap by two points (30/09).
• Harry Francis for setting new overall 2007 and club records and reducing his handicap by three points. He scored 36 golds out of 72 arrows (02/09).
• Martin Friend for setting a new 2007 group record (02/09).
• Hugo Montgomery for setting new group 2007 and overall club records, reducing his handicap by a whacking five points and gaining his first junior bowman classification, which was also his first first class score in the next age group up.
• Mark Lapham for setting new 2007 and club group records (05/09). For reducing his handicap by one point (16/09).
• Ian Lassman for setting a new overall 2007 record (02/09). For reclassifying as first class (30/09).
• Nicky Leeper for reducing her handicap by one point (02/09). For setting new 2007 and club group records and reducing her handicap by three points (16/09).
• Steve Ludwell for reducing his handicap by three points (06/09). For reducing his handicap by another point (19/09). And doing the same again, this time with a brand new bow (21/09). And doing it once more (23/09).
• Ben Mitchell for setting new overall 2007 and club records, reducing his handicap by one point and getting his second second class score (05/09). For qualifying as second class (06/09). For setting an new overall club record and reducing his handicap by one point (16/09). For setting a different overall club record (19/09). For making it a hat-trick of overall club records in consecutive shoots for three different rounds. This time it was an overall 2007 record as well and he reduced his handicap by three points in the process (21/09). For four new records in a row, this time 2007 and overall club ones and gaining his first first class score and reducing his handicap by one point (28/09).
• Pete Moore for setting new 2007 and overall club records and reducing his handicap by two points (02/09).
• David Nash who on his third week as a beginner, grabbed himself a vacant group 2007 record (30/09).
• Sinclair Parkinson for gaining his first third class with his first submitted score (30/09).
• Nic Vangorph for reducing his handicap by one point and qualifying as third class (16/09). For reducing his handicap by a further two points (23/09).
• Peter Wakefield for setting new 2007 and club group records (05/09). For setting new 2007 and club group records, getting his first second class score, which is also his first third class score in the next group up and reducing his handicap by three points (12/09). For getting his second second class score, which is also his second third class for when he turns 18 and reducing his handicap by one point.
• Lance Whitelegg for qualifying as first class (06/09). For setting a new 2007 overall record (13/09).
• Marian Whitelegg for setting new overall 2007 and club records and reducing her handicap by one point (03/09). For reducing her handicap by a further point (06/09). And doing the same again (13/09).

August

Nic has finally sent a photo of his baby daughter, Ella Ruby, who is now a month old, so, as promised, I've posted her on the web site.

The weather at last seems to have caught up with the fact that it's supposed to be summer. With such good shooting conditions a whole crop of new records have been set and we have another Bowman in the club. Well done Clive. He actually managed it on 31 July, but didn't get his score in in time to hit July's news.

5 August - Our first new member of the month, welcome to Gareth Love and as per recent tradition, he set new overall 2007 and club records on the day of joining, taking the former from Harry and the latter from Frank. And it doesn't seem to be just those joining the club that set records with their first shoot. Both Frank Bath and Pete Moore changed bow type and set new overall 2007 and club records.

8 August - Another new member, welcome to Tamlin Gilbert. He didn't shoot today, so no chance of a record.

Mark Dare classified as first tonight and just like Harry did in June, made it in eight rounds of becoming a club member. Unfortunately this is where their paths are likely to diverge as Mark changes age group next week.

The proposed new classification levels have been issued. They certainly looks interesting as they include classifications for barebow. Sheena always said that if these were brought in, she'd revert to barebow, so tonight, for the first time in three years, she gave it a go, and shot to three handicap points better than first class.

12 August - Harry shot in his first competition on Sunday 12, (see the competitions page for the results) and set an new overall club record, a record which had been set on the day he was born.

Meanwhile, back at the club, Mark put in a bowman score. He so wanted to do at least the one before he changed groups and he did it. Well done.

16 August - Yesterday was Mark's twelfth birthday and he chose to come and shoot. Unfortunately, as he has now changed groups, he's dropped back to third class, but he did enjoy his surprise birthday cake.

Hugo seems to be getting the hang of our British weather. He's put in three scores since joining, the first was a third class, the second a second class and tonight a first class. If he keeps on going at this rate, he's going to have a whole crop of badges to take back with him to Trinidad.

23 August - And we welcome our third new member of the month, Steve Ludwell.

End of the month - Hugo has gone back to Trinidad with three classification badges. Well done young sir. Let's hope he continues to submit his scores and we may just be giving him his Junior Bowman badge when he comes back over at Christmas.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2007 and club records with his first ever round with a compound (05/08). For setting a new overall club record (15/08). For getting his starting handicap for the compound (16/08). For beating his own club record, getting his first third class score and reducing his handicap by four points (29/08).
• Mark Dare for getting his third third class in the next age group up. This means that he will go over to his next group in two weeks as third class (01/08). For gaining his second third class and reducing his handicap by three points (05/08). For classifying as first class and reducing his handicap by one point (08/08). For reducing his handicap by a further point (10/08). For reducing his handicap by two points and putting in a Junior Bowman score, which is also a second class score in the next age group up (12/08). For beating an existing 2007 group record with his first round since changing group four days ago (19/08). For beating his own 2007 record, reducing his handicap by one point and getting his first second class score in his new age group (26/08).
• Elizabeth Evans for setting new 2007 and club group records (01/08). For setting a new 2007 ladies record, beating her own group club record, getting her second third class score and reducing her handicap by one point (25/08). For setting new 2007 and club group records, qualifying as third class and reducing her handicap by three points (26/08).
• Sarah Farrance for setting a new 2007 group record and getting her second third class (02/08). For beating her own 2007 record, getting her starting handicap and qualifying as third class in one go (30/08).
• Andrew Francis for classifying as third class (11/08). For reducing his handicap by one point (15/08). And again (16/08). For setting new 2007 and overall club records (24/08). For reducing his handicap by one point (30/08).
• Harry Francis for winning his group at the competition in Bath and setting new overall 2007 and club records in the process (12/08). For beating his own 2007 group record (25/08).
• Andrew Friend for setting new 2007 and overall club records (03/08). For setting a new overall club record (05/08). For taking the overall club record back from Ben (10/08). And then beating it again (11/08). For setting a new overall club record (30/08).
• Tamlin Gilbert for setting a new 2007 group record on his last week as a beginner (02/08). For reducing his handicap by one point (11/08). For setting new 2007 and overall club records and reducing his handicap by one point (23/08). For beating his own records (30/08).
• Brian Hunt for setting a new 2007 record, reducing his handicap by two points and getting his first third class score (01/08).
• Nicky Leeper for setting new group 2007 and overall club records and reducing her handicap by two points (12/08). For going out a distance and setting new 2007 and club group records and reducing her handicap by one point (19/08).
• Gareth Love for setting new 2007 and club records (05/08). For setting a new club group record and reducing his handicap by two points (08/08). For setting a new overall 2007 record and reducing his handicap by three points (09/08). For setting a new overall 2007 record and reducing his handicap by three points (15/08). For reducing his handicap by a further point (19/08). For again setting new 2007 and overall club records, the second time this month. The latter was taken off Sheena from when she was a member of Bristol Bowmen (23/08). For setting new 2007 and overall club records and getting his second third class and reducing his handicap by two points (26/08). For qualifying as third class (29/08).
• Sheena McCullagh for setting new group 2007 and club records and reducing her handicap by one point (03/08). For setting a new 2007 group record (04/08). For going barebow to test out the proposed new classification system and shooting to higher than first class will be (08/08). For sticking at barebow, going out to 80 yards and putting in another (proposed) first class score (10/08).
• Ben Mitchell for reducing his handicap by four points and getting his first third class score (02/08). For reducing his handicap by a further point and getting his second third class score (03/08). For qualifying as third class (04/08). For reducing his handicap by a further three points (05/08). For setting a new overall club record and reducing his handicap by two points (09/08). For setting a new overall club record (24/08). For getting his first second class score and reducing his handicap by one point (25/08).
• Hugo Montgomery for getting his first second class score, which was also his second third class score (12/08). For getting his starting handicap and putting in his first first class score, which is also his second second and third third, so classifying as third (16/08). For getting another second class score, so classifying as second and reducing his handicap by one point, all on a soggy summer's afternoon (18/08). For getting his second first class and reducing his handicap by two points. Is he going to have three badges to take back to Trinidad with him? (25/08). For qualifying as first class and reducing his handicap by one point (26/08).
• Pete Moore for setting new overall 2007 and club records with his first ever round with a longbow (05/08). For setting a new 2007 record (12/08). For getting his starting handicap with his longbow (19/08).
• Nic Vangorph for getting his first third class score and reducing his handicap by two points (19/08). For getting his second third class score and reducing his handicap by a further point (26/08).
• Clive Wilkins for getting his second bowman score (30/07). For beating his own 2007 record, reducing his handicap by one point and classifying as Bowman (31/07). Then beating his record again (02/08). Then doing it again and reducing his handicap by one point (09/08).
• Lance Whitelegg for beating his own 2007 and club records (17/08). For doing the same again, reducing his handicap by one point and gaining his first first class (27/08).
• Marian Whitelegg for beating a group record that has stood for 16 years, setting an overall 2007 record and getting her starting handicap for the compound and her second third class score (17/08). For beating her own records, reducing her handicap by 5 points and qualifying as third class, not bad for one days shooting (24/08). For beating her own records and reducing her handicap by a further two points (27/08).

July

Yet again the weather has made for some dismal shooting conditions, but we have seen some triumphs as well, so I'm going to start the month off with a special congratulations and that goes to Nic and Kerry Vangorph who on 7 July became first time parents. Ella Ruby arrived at 9.14 am weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces. As soon as Nic lets me have a photo, I'll put it on the web site.

Harry's been at it again. When a junior gets to within a year of changing age group (or becoming an adult) their scores not only count towards their current age group, but also determine what classification they will be when they move to the next group. Currently everyone of our junior members is in this 'double counting' stage. Harry entered it on 30 June. In the first four rounds he shot since then he's already qualified as second class and only needs one more first class. To go over as Junior Bowman he'll need to move out a distance, but to have already got this far and still within two months of joining the club is some going.

Right at the end of June we welcomed a new member, Mark Dare. Unfortunately it was so close to the end of the month that he didn't make it into the news page, so, somewhat belatedly, welcome to the club Mark. And in keeping with our recent tradition, submitted his first ever score and got himself a 2007 group record.

At the beginning of July we welcomed another new member, Brian Hunt.

18 July - Another new member, Ben Mitchell and obviously a stickler for tradition, on his first shoot as a member he took both the 2007 gents record and the overall club record from Frank.

Mark Dare also seems to be one who likes keeping in step with others in his group. Just like Harry did in May, Mark's second shoot as a member was third class and his third shoot second class and two records to boot.

21 July - We were invited to set up our targets at the rugby club's charity summer romp and had a great time. We raised £34.75 for the club and the same again for the charities. Two of our junior members, Mark and Harry, shot. Both set new 2007 records and Harry beat his own club record.

22 July - Mark Dare has done it again. He's still keeping up with Harry, gaining his second class within five shoots of becoming a club member. It's unlikely that he's going to be able to keep pace with Harry much longer as he can't shoot as often and jumps up to the next group in three weeks.

24 July - It seems that people are not content with joining and getting club records with their first score, we now have people changing bow type and doing it. Marian has changed to compound. She and Lance submitted scores today and both set new 2007, group and overall club records.

25 July - Tonight we welcomed another new member to the club, Hugo Montgomery, our first 'international' archer. Hugo lives in Trinidad, but spends quite a lot of time in Bristol, so he now has membership in two different countries. Shooting in the Gents under 12 section, Hugo got off to a good start, especially considering he had to adapt to our rounds, our scoring system and our climate. While it wasn't particularly warm tonight, we only had a gentle breeze, yet Hugo told me it was the first time he'd shot in wind, even though he shoots outdoors at home.

26 July - Our fourth new member of the month joined tonight, Sarah Farrance, and like so many of our recent joiners she set new 2007 and club group records with her first round. And it was third class as well. Well done Sarah. Mark Dare has risen to the challenge again. He's still keeping up round for round with Harry and put in his first first class score. Will he make it to first class before he changes age group?

29 July - Hurrah, we're back up to three first class archers. Clive Wilkins has finally given in and submitted his scores, one of which was a Bowman.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for reducing his handicap by one point (11/07).
• Mark Dare for getting his first third class score and setting a new 2007 group record with his first ever round (15/07). For doubling the number of arrows shot, setting new group 2007 and club records and getting his first second class score, which is also his second third class score (18/07). For increasing his score of 15/07 by 93 points, so setting a new 2007 group record and getting his starting handicap and submitting his second second class score, which was also his third third class meaning that he is now third class (21/07). And the day after reducing his handicap by two points and classifying as second class. This was also his first third class score for the next age group up (22/07). For getting his first first class score which is also his second third class score in the next age group and reducing his handicap by 3 points (26/07).
• Elizabeth Evans for taking her own club and 2007 records, reducing her handicap by two and gaining her first third class score in the process (08/07). For reducing her handicap by a further point (15/07). For going out 10 yards further and setting new 2007 and club group records (22/07). For setting new 2007 and club group records (29/07).
• Sarah Farrance for setting new group 2007 and club records and getting her first third class score on the day she joined the club. She was shooting 10 yards further and with a two pound heavier bow than she'd ever shot before (26/07).
• Andrew Francis for reducing his handicap by two points (07/07). For reducing his handicap by a further three points and gaining his first third class score (14/07). For reducing his handicap by one point and getting his second third class score (29/07).
• Harry Francis for beating his own club and 2007 records and reducing his handicap by one point (08/07). For shooting his first 12 dozen round and setting a new 2007 overall record (14/07). For beating his own records set on 08/07 and reducing his handicap by a further one point (15/07). For beating his own club and 2007 group records and taking his 2007 record back from Tamlin (21/07). For getting his third first class score in the next age group up. This means that when he changes groups in 11 months, he'll be first class in that group (22/07).
• Andy Friend for taking his own 2007 and overall club records and getting his second reclassification score of the year (08/07). For shooting his first 12 dozen round of the year and setting new 2007 and overall club records in the process (14/07). For regaining his second class and setting new overall 2007 and club records (27/07).
• Tamlin Gilbert for setting a new 2007 record. He took the adult gents from Mike and the overall from Harry and he's still only a beginner (19/07).
• Brian Hunt for getting a starting handicap (08/07). For reducing that handicap by two points (13/07). For setting new 2007 and overall club records and reducing his handicap by a further two points (19/07). For beating the 2007 overall record set by Nic on 01/07 and reducing his handicap by three points (25/07).
• Ian Lassman for setting a new 2007 overall record (08/07).
• Sheena Mccullagh for setting a new group 2007 record (14/07).
• Ben Mitchell for shooting a 12 dozen round and setting a new group 2007 record and he's only a beginner (14/07). For joining tonight, getting his starting handicap and setting a new 2007 gents and overall club record (18/07). For setting a new club group record and reducing his handicap by two points (25/07). For setting new 2007 and overall club records and reducing his handicap by five points (26/07). For reducing his handicap by a further point (28/07).
• Hugo Montgomery for getting his first third class score on the day he joined (25/07).
• Nic Vangorph for setting a new overall 2007 record and reducing his handicap by three points (01/07). For moving out a distance and reducing his handicap by a further one point (15/07).
• Lance Whitelegg for setting new 2007, group and overall club records (24/07). For doing the same again and reducing his handicap by four points (30/07).
• Marian Whitelegg for doing exactly the same (24/07). For doing the same again and gaining her first third class score (30/07).
• Clive Wilkins for setting a new 2007 overall record, getting his first Bowman score of the year, so gaining his first class and reducing his handicap by one point in the process (25/07).

June

The month has got off to a blistering start, temperature and archery wise.

Have we discovered the new Robin Hood? Our youngest member, 10 year old Harry, decided not to bother completing his third class before going straight for his second class. Between 30 May and 6 June, he shot four times, the first was third class, the last three second class. I've never known anyone do it so fast. Well done young sir. And he doesn't seem to be content stopping there. On Saturday 9 June, he went out another distance and took a club age group record that has stood for over 11 years.

16 June - Well done Harry. Tomorrow is the four week anniversary of Harry completing his beginner's course and joining the club and he has just qualified as first class. To put it in perspective, the classifications are designed so that 90% of people reach third class, 65% reach second class and 40% reach first class - eventually. And 'eventually' is the operative word. To do it in four weeks is phenomenal, I really have never know anything like it, you are a rare talent Harry and I suspect June 2007 is a month that you will never forget.

17 June - We had 16 members and beginners shooting. It's difficult to say how many of each as Nic Vangorph became a member half way through the shoot. Welcome to the club Nic. Didn't stop young Harry from beating him though. Talking of which, Harry continues his meteoric rise. Only the top 15% of people reach (Junior) Bowman. Using borrowed limbs, four pounds heavier than his own, Harry put in a score four handicap points above Junior Bowman level. Let's hope the weather holds, he stands a real chance of getting every club level classification within one calendar month.

20 June - We welcomed a new member, Michael Jones, this evening. On the day he started his beginner's course it was very windy and so it was this evening for his first club shoot. Even though we set the targets up so that the wind was behind us, no-one shot as well as they usually do, but that didn't stop Harry putting in his second Junior Bowman score. Peter Wakefield also did something none of us have ever seen before. The wind suddenly lifted his arrow, so that he shot the flag above the target. Instead of passing clean through, his arrow lodged in the flag and snapped the pole in two, so that when we got to the target, the flag, with the arrow still in it, was lying on the ground. See the photo on the right.

21 June - Our first Thursday club shoot and what a way to start. It's official. Harry is now the highest ranking archer in the club. Tonight he got his third score and so qualified as Junior Bowman. What should have taken years to achieve, Harry has done in four and a half weeks. There is no higher classification at club level. Third, Second, First and now Junior Bowman, all within the month. Congratulations Harry, now I know June 2007 is a month you will never forget.

23 June - Today we tried a nine dozen round for the first time this year. Harry excelled himself smashing long standing records to smithereens (see below). Two others set new club or group records.

And there's some news about Pete Moore. After being bow-less for nearly three months, it's his birthday today and he's got himself a brand new bow, a longbow no less. He's already been added into the stats page in this new discipline, now all we need are some scores from him. A couple of people have asked me why he's changed, well he's into the whole medieval chivalry thing. He once said to me he wished he could have been a knight in the middle ages. I can believe it, his choice of job has him charging around on his trusted stead saving damsels in distress from fire breathing monsters, he works for Avon Fire Brigade.

24 June - Glastonbury may be it's usual mud bath, but for the second day running, by the time we started shooting the skies had cleared and we had lovely weather all afternoon with rain returning in the evening after we'd finished. We welcomed our third new member of the month, Nicky Leeper, who in keeping with what seems to have become a tradition over recent months, bagged herself a club record on the day she joined. Well done Nicky. Clive has finally been persuaded into handing in his scores, both first class. One more of those and we'll be back up to three first class archers.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall club and 2007 records (03/06). For taking his own gents' 2007 and club records and reducing his handicap by three (06/06).
• Elizabeth Evans for taking her own 2007 and overall ladies' records and getting a starting handicap (03/06). For moving out a distance and setting new age group overall and 2007 records and reducing her handicap by four (10/06). For taking her own club and 2007 group records and reducing her handicap by two (17/06). For setting a new 2007 group record and ladies' overall club record and reducing her handicap by three points (24/06).
• Andrew Francis for setting new gents' overall and 2007 records and reducing his handicap by two (02/06). For breaking those same records and taking them as club records and reducing his handicap by three (03/06). Then doing the same again, but this time reducing his handicap by two (06/06). For setting a new gents 2007 record and reducing his handicap by three (09/06). For taking his own 2007 record and reducing his handicap by two (10/06). For going out to 60 yards and reducing his handicap by two (17/06).
• Harry Francis for setting new overall club and 2007 records, getting his starting handicap and his second third class and first second class score in the process (02/06). For smashing his own records, reducing his handicap by seven, gaining his third class and getting his second second class score (03/06). For reducing his handicap by a further two and gaining his second class (06/06). That's quite a month you've had so far Harry. For reducing his handicap by a further three points, gaining his first first class and setting a new club and 2007 age group record (09/06). For taking his own records that he'd set the day before, taking the 2007 record in the process, getting his second first class score and reducing his handicap by a further three points (10/06). Then getting his third first class score and so qualifying as first class and all within four weeks of completing his beginner's course and joining the club (16/06). For going out to 40 yards, setting a new 2007 group record, reducing his handicap by three and, best of all, getting his first Junior Bowman score (17/06). On a very gusty day he still managed to score well and got his second Junior Bowman (20/06). For getting his third JB score and so qualifying as Junior Bowman and reducing his handicap by one point. A tremendous well done Harry, that's the full set of badges in less than a month (21/06). For changing to a round with three dozen more arrows, reducing his handicap by one point, setting a new overall 2007 record, more than doubling the group club record that had stood for 13 years and beating the overall club record by over 30 points. The latter was set by an adult gent and had stood for 16 years (23/06). For shooting yet a different round and taking the overall 2007 record off one of the adult Gents and setting a new group club record (24/06).
• Andy Friend for setting new overall club and 2007 records (02/06). Setting a new overall club record on a different round (03/06). Setting new overall club and 2007 records (16/06). And doing the same again on a different round (23/06).
• Brian Hunt for setting a new gents 2007 record on his second session as a beginner (24/06).
• Mark Lapham for setting new club and 2007 age group records and reducing his handicap by one (03/06). For going out to another distance and setting a new 2007 group record (17/06).
• Ian Lassman for setting a new 2007 overall record, reducing his handicap by one and getting his first reclassification score of the year.
• Nicky Leeper for taking her own 2007 ladies record, still as a beginner (03/06). For setting a new ladies 2007 and a new overall club record on the day that she joined (24/06).
• Sheena McCullagh for taking her own 2007 group record (16/06). For setting new ladies' 2007 and club records on a three dozen longer round than she normally shoots (23/06).
• Ben Mitchell for setting a new overall 2007 record on his second session as a beginner (24/06).
• Nick Vangorph for taking the 2007 gents record off a club member while still a beginner, his mother will be so proud of him (03/06). Then on the day he joined and gained his official handicap, he set a new group 2007 record (17/06). For setting new overall 2007 and club records and reducing his handicap by three points (30/06).
• Peter Wakefield for setting new 2007 and overall club records (02/06). Then setting new gents' club and 2007 records on a different round (06/06). For setting a new overall 2007 and age group club record (09/06). For going out to 60 yards, setting new 2007 and club group records and reducing his handicap by two (17/06).
• Clive Wilkins for setting a new 2007 and overall club records (03/06). Then setting a new 2007 record. This time on a round with which he could put in a first class score, which he did, for the first time in years (10/06). For beating his own record set two weeks previously, submitting a second first class score, so reclassifying as second class for the year (24/06).

May

With shooting now so frequent, I'm going to do one set of congratulations, in alphabetical order, at the bottom of this section and add in achievements and dates as the month progresses.

The first evening shoot of the year got us off to a good start. We gained a new member, Peter Wakefield, and saw Todd for the first time in several months.

Todd turned up with an animal target face (a deer) and had to put up with a fair amount of ribbing about shooting Bambi. However Todd didn't have it all his own way. Bambi fought back. He popped out one of the target pins, so just as Todd released an arrow, Bambi, with all the grace of his kind, twisted in mid-air. Result, the arrow missed him and landed in the straw boss where moments before he had been standing peacefully.

19 May - Saturday shooting got off to a very blustery start with only three archers present. Unbelievably in the conditions, they each took their own 2007 record, two took their own overall club records and the third took her own overall ladies record.

20 May - We welcomed two new junior members, Elizabeth Evans and Harry Francis and went metric. It's not very often people join a club and on their first shoot set new club records, but all three of the juniors who've joined this month have done it. Well done all of you, no-one can ever take that achievement away from you. Many others, including beginners set club and/or 2007 records.

Bank holiday weekend - Saturday, we welcomed our fourth new member of the month, an adult this time, Andrew Francis. Obviously not wanting to let the juniors, including his son, be the only ones to set a new record on the day of joining, Andrew bagged himself an adult gents club record. Well done to you. Many of the others present also set club and/or 2007 records.

Sunday, rained off (no surprise there, it is a bank holiday after all).

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting a new 2007 and club record (06/06). Setting new 2007 and club overall records and reducing his handicap by a further 2 (20/05). Jumping out 20 yards further than he'd ever shot and reducing his handicap by 1 in the process (23/05). Setting a new gents club record and reducing his handicap by a further 1 (26/05).
• Elizabeth Evans for setting a new 2007, ladies and overall club record on the day she joined the club (20/05).
• Andrew Francis for setting a new 2007 overall record on his first week as a beginner (20/05). Jumping out 20 metres further than he's ever shot and setting a new adult gents club record on the day he joined the club (26/05). Then he bought is own bow, set a new club record and got his starting handicap (30/05).
• Harry Francis for setting a new 2007 group and overall gents record on the day he joined the club (20/05). Then smashing his records by 81 points and getting his first third class score in the process and he doesn't even have a starting handicap yet (30/05).
• Andy Friend for setting a new 2007 and club record (06/05) and then beating those same records (19/05). Setting a new overall club record (20/05). Setting a new 2007 record (23/05). Setting a new 2007 and overall club record (26/05) and doing the same again (28/05).
• Mark Lapham for setting a new 2007 group and overall club record and reducing his handicap by a further 2 (20/05).
• Trevor Lapham for setting new 2007 and club overall records (20/05).
• Ian Lassman for setting new overall club and 2007 record (06/05). Then doing the same again with a different round (26/05).
• Nicky Leeper for setting a new 2007 ladies record on her second week as a beginner (20/05).
• Sheena McCullagh for taking her own 2007 and overall ladies record (19/05). Setting a new 2007 and overall club record (26/05). Setting a new ladies 2007 and ladies overall record (28/05).
• Peter Wakefield who on his first shoot as a member beat his own 2007 record and took Frank's overall club record (02/05). Then he bought his own equipment on 05/05, shot with it for the first time, took his own records and got his first third class score, reducing his handicap by three (06/05) and then did exactly the same again (19/05). Then he trashed his own records again, this time by 30 points, reduced his handicap by a further 3 and classified as third class (23/05). So he changed rounds set a different club record and reduced his handicap by another point (30/05).

April

Oh, the vagaries of the British weather. Sunday 1 April was dire with very strong winds, even so one of our juniors reduced his handicap by 2. But by the time we reached Good Friday (06 April) we had the first truly warm shooting day of the year. In near perfect conditions records were set, handicaps reduced and a reclassification gained.

Congratulations go to:

• Mark Lapham for reducing his handicap on one of the windiest shooting days of the year.
• Frank Bath for going out to a longer distance and in the process reducing his handicap by 3 and setting both a new 2007 and overall club record.
• Andy Friend for setting a new 2007 record.
• Sheena McCullagh for setting a new ladies' 2007 and ladies' club record and regaining her third class, all on only her third shoot of the year. Now she needs another two second class scores to regain that one.
• Marian Whitelegg for reducing her handicap by 2 and setting a new 2007 record.

And there is one commiseration as well - Pete Moore for having the riser of his faithful old bow snap at full draw on 1 April. Luckily no-one was hurt and amazingly, the arrow scored 5 at 60 yards. I don't think we can blame this one on the bad weather though.

The good weather continued throughout the Easter weekend:

Congratulations go to:

• Ian Lassman for setting a new 2007 record on his first outdoor shoot of the year (Easter day).
• Lance Whitelegg for reducing his handicap (Easter day).
• Frank Bath for reducing his handicap by a further 4 and setting yet another new 2007 and overall club record.
• Andy Friend for beating his own 2007 record set on Good Friday.
• Sheena McCullagh for again setting a new ladies' 2007 and ladies' club record.
• Marian Whitelegg for setting a new ladies' 2007 record.

Mid to the end of April - And still the good weather continues:

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting a new 2007 record (15/04).
• Elizabeth Evans for setting a new age group 2007 record on her last week as a beginner (29/04). Like Pete on 15/04, it's a pity Elizabeth wasn't already a club member as this would have been an overall club record as well.
• Andy Friend for beating his own 2007 record (16/04) and setting a new club record (22/04).
• Martin Friend for setting a new 2007 record in his age group (15/04).
• Mark Lapham for reducing his handicap by a further 4, getting his first ever third class score and breaking his own 2007 record in the process (15/04). Also for reducing his handicap by a further 3, breaking his own 2007 record and getting his second third class score (22/04).  And yet another 2 off his handicap, that's a massive 11 this month, breaking his own 2007 record and becoming third class (29/04).
• Ian Lassman for regaining his second class (22/04).
• Mike Jones and Pete Wakefield for absolutely annihilating the previous 2007 records for this round (15/04). Both got the record in their age group with Mike taking the overall 2007 record. And this was only their fourth week as beginners. Just a pity Pete wasn't already a club member, it would have been an age group club record as well.  Then Mike beat his own 2007 record (22/04).  They jumped out another distance, Mike took Frank's 2007 gents' record and Pete took the overall 2007 record.  And they're still only beginners (29/04).
• Sheena McCullagh for regaining her second class and beating her own ladies' 2007 and ladies' club record (16/04) and setting another new ladies' 2007 and ladies' club record (18/04).
• Lance Whitelegg for gaining his second class (16/04).

March

• Congratulations to Christine Hobson for gaining her Archery Leaders qualification.

We're not doing very well with the weather this year. 4 March was rained off, however Sunday 11 saw sunny weather and two new 2007 records set. Some members even managed a mid week shoot and another 2007 record.

• Congratulations go to Frank Bath, Trevor Lapham and Lance Whitelegg.

Then on Sunday 18 March:

The north wind did blow, although we didn't quite have snow, so what did the archers do then?
They turned up and shot, but scored not a lot, mainly missing the gold rings, poor things.

Two club members and two brand new beginners turned up. If you can shoot safely in weather like this, you can shoot in anything. We kept the beginners, 17 year old gents, down to a short distance because of the wind, but they both did exceptionally well.

Congratulations go to:

• All four of you for braving the elements.
• Peter Wakefield, one of the beginners, for getting at least one end of six golds and many more of five golds and one red. Well done.

February

Sunday 4, the first mild(ish) shooting day of the year, brought six archers to the line. Handicaps tumbled, reclassifications were gained and a new overall club record was set for Golden Phoenix Archers.

Congratulations go to:

• Mark Lapham for knocking a massive eight off his handicap in one go. Mark had a starting handicap of 99 and shot today to an 83. (Meanwhile dad Trevor reduced his handicap by one. Come on Trevor, keep up with your son.)
• Andy Friend and Lance Whitelegg for regaining their third class.
• Frank Bath who joined today and bagged himself a vacant club record and all before he even has a starting handicap.
• I can't leave our sixth archer out, so - Chris Hobson for completing her second week of the beginner's course.

We have our first new classification of the year, gained on Sunday 18:

• Congratulations to Trevor Lapham on getting third class.

January

January 1 dawned bright and clear and saw three of our more hardy souls out shooting. They managed to complete 4 dozen rounds and so set the first of the 2007 club records.

• Congratulations to Lance Whitelegg for being the first club member of the year to submit a reclassification score equivalent to his current classification.
• Commiserations to Andy Friend who just failed to do the same. Never mind Andy, you've got another 364 days in which to do it.

Rain then proceeded to turn our ground into something that would have looked more appropriate at Slimbridge. We managed to sneak in one final shoot on Sunday 28. This time Andy's fortunes changed, so:

• Congratulations to Andy Friend for getting a reclassification score.
• And welcome to our first new members of the year, father and son combo, Trevor and Mark Lapham.

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