For news about competitions, please see the 2008 competitions page.

With the weather having been very wet, we're now at the stage where the ground is partially flooded, so apart from raising all the equipment off the ground, no-one seems to be going up to the ground. However it won't be long now before the days start lengthening and we know that summer is a-coming once again.

Remember in July and we were filmed by Available Light Productions for a Teachers TV programme? The post production has been completed and it is now available to view on the Teacher TV web site. One of our members is in the opening credits with our main section being entitled 'The Archers' and is at the very end, starting at around 12 minutes 20 seconds.

26 December - We welcome our first new member for some time Greg Smith. Rather than set a new record on the day he joined, as so many of our juniors have done in the past, he bagged himself a trophy.

26 December - Our second annual Boxing Day shoot. Very cold, but bright and sunny with Michelle Francis doing double duty, both running the soup kitchen and donning the pointy hat as Lady Paramount. This year we had lots of trophies, so many that everyone who shot the full round got one. And the winners were (left to right in the photo):

• Worst white - Rob Morgan.
• Most golds - Roger Hobbs.
• Highest score by a junior - Greg Smith.
• Best gold (Francis family trophy) - Sinclair Parkinson (for the second year running).
• Lowest score for the first 18 arrows - Steve Ludwell.
• Lady Paramount - Michelle Francis.
• Most reds - Andrew Francis.

27 December - Happy birthday web site - two years old today.

Congratulations go to:

• Mark Pollard for setting a new 2008 overall indoor record, reducing his handicap by three points and classifying as F (12/12).
• Bob Taylor for reducing his indoor handicap by four points (12/12). For reducing it by a further one point and classifying as G (19/12).
• Paul Wilcox for reducing his indoor handicap by two points (05/12).

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With the weather turning wet and cold, not much outdoor shooting has taken place, so it's largely the weekly indoor sessions that have been keeping us going.

However, there is one very important piece of news, the new county record listing for Gloucestershire has been released. Cast your mind back a year to when Harry and Mark Dare first started shooting and were pacing each other step for step. On 26 October Harry set a new county record which was in time for the annual update on 1 November. One month later Mark set the same record, in a different group, but missed the update which meant that we've only just had the record confirmed. So a very special congratulations to Mark Dare for setting two county records. Two records? Yes. Although he was shooting in the junior gents under 14 barebow group, it was also the record for the under 16 group, so he gets that as well. What's more he's beaten his own records since then.

Still on the subject county records, when the list came through it shows Harry now holds seven in the junior gents under 12 recurve group, four of which are also under 14 records as well.

Unfortunately the County website has yet to be updated, but I've been through and altered our gents' recurve and gents' barebow pages to show the scores are county records. Well done to both of you, you're really flying the flag for the club.

Please note, although county double records upwards we don't, we only credit the record for the group it was obtained in, so you will sometimes see lower scores in the next age group up. Likewise County keeps distance records for metric scores, we don't, so three of Harry's County records don't show on our listings.

Congratulations go to:

• Harry Francis for setting a new overall 2008 record with his first ever indoor score (23/11).
• Rob Morgan for reducing his indoor handicap by four points (14/11). Then reducing it by a further six points (21/11). For reducing his handicap by a further two points and classifying as D (28/11).
• Mark Pollard for gaining his indoor starting handicap and classifying as G (07/11).
• Bob Taylor for getting his indoor starting handicap and classifying as H (21/11).
• Craig Thompson for reducing his indoor handicap by one point (07/11).
• Paul Wilcox for getting his indoor starting handicap and classifying as D (21/11).

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3 October - The first indoor shoot of the season and the first time at our new venue. And a new overall club record was set by Frank Bath with his longbow.

12 October - Welcome to our first new member of the month Liz Ewins.

18 October - Welcome to our second new member of the month Rodney Luton who last shot some 40 years ago. He says the equipment has changed a lot since then.

Congratulations go to:

• Neil Abraham for reducing his handicap by one point (12/10).
• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2008 and club indoor records (03/10). Then doing the same again with an outdoor round (18/10). For gaining his indoor starting handicap and classifying as G (24/10).
• Mark Laphan for setting a new group 2008 indoor record. He now has the same 2008 record in two different age groups (17/10).
• Rob Morgan for getting his Indoor starting handicap (17/10).
• Craig Thompson for reducing his indoor handicap by one point (03/10). Then reducing it again by an astounding eight points (10/10). For reducing his indoor handicap by four points and classifying as E (24/10).

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With the closing ceremony music of the Bejing Olympics barely having faded from our ears, we are being encouraged to think ahead to the 2012 London games. At least businesses are.

Business Link South West, the government agency set up to help businesses in the region, wanted a photograph to accompany their press release encouraging companies to register for contracts for 2012.

The remit was for one of their staff to be in a suit and photographed with equipment from one of the sports represented in the Olympics. So, one Thursday morning towards the end of August, three of them came to our ground and spent an hour or so taking photographs, earning the club £20.00 in the process.

Once the press release was issued, they sent us a copy as well, hence why this is in September's news, not August's.

The photo is a link to a large sized version of the image they chose. Read the Business Link's press release (PDF: 50.8 KB).

7 September - Today should have been our club championship. Ho hum, we've been rained off. We'll try again next Sunday.

10 September - Welcome to our first new member of the month, Hossein Tavakoli. Well actually he is a returnee to the club, last having been a member around three years ago. Welcome back into the fold Hossein.

14 September - Our postponed club championship. With especially ordered beautiful weather, handicaps tumbled, records were set and new classifications gained. The full write up, including the results, is on the 2008 competitions page, the congratulations are below.

16 September - Only Steve Ludwell could so spectacularly turn a potential disaster into a triumph. What did he do? He left his sights at home, so was not going to shoot, then Frank suggested he shoot barebow instead. The result, new overall 2008 and club records and third class to boot.

21 September - None of our gents barebows were able to make the championship the previous Sunday. Rather than leave the trophy sitting in the box for another year, they shot for it today. The results are on the competitions page at the end of the list.

Congratulations go to:

• Neil Abraham for getting his starting handicap and qualifying as Archer (21/09).
• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2008 and club records (28/09).
• Elizabeth Evans for setting a new overall 2008 record (14/09).
• Jay Felton for reducing his handicap by one point (14/09).
• Melanie Hilton for setting new overall 2008 and club group records with her first ever scoring round (14/09).
• Mark Lapham for setting a new 2008 group record (14/09).
• Steve Ludwell for going barebow (by accident), setting new overall 2008 and club records and getting his first barebow third class score.
• Sheena McCullagh for setting new group 2008 and club records (14/09).
• Rob Morgan for qualifying as second class (12/09). For reducing his handicap by one point (14/09).
• Samantha Morgan for qualifying as second class and reducing her handicap by one point (14/09).
• David Nash for classifying as Archer (14/09).
• Ben Pollard for setting new group 2008 and club records and reducing his handicap by two points (03/09).
• Alexandria Stradling for setting a new overall 2008 record with her first ever round as a member (14/09).
• Graham Stradling for setting a new overall 2008 and club records with his first ever round as a member (14/09).
• Hossein Tavakoli for setting a new 2008 overall record with his first round since rejoining and getting a second class score into the bargain (14/09).
• Paul Wilcox for setting a new overall 2008 record with his first scoring round as a member (14/09).
• Bob Taylor for reducing his handicap by one point (14/09).
• Clive Wilkins for setting a new overall 2008 record (14/09). Then doing the same again on a different round (26/09).

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6 August - We have our first ever first class longbow archer in either club. After Sheena stole first blood at the end of July, Frank Bath excelled himself with his first three rounds this month. All were new overall club records and all were first class, the latter one 59 points over the score he needed. Well done, this is an achievement that can never be taken away from you. So who will be the second? Sheena has two first class scores and Doug has one. And then they'll have to do it all over again as they try for Bowman.

15 August - Question: When are first class longbow archers like buses? Answer: When you don't see one for years then three come along together. OK, to be accurate, it took nine days to go from never having had a first class longbow archer in either club to having three. Sheena classified on 14 August, with Doug just missing out, so they shot again today, Doug moved out a distance and got the third score he needed with ease, doing it on the penultimate end. This makes Sheena the first lady first class longbow archer in either club and Doug the first first class longbow archer in Bristol Bowmen.

Meanwhile Sheena virtually doubled her score from the previous day and so claimed the first ever longbow bowman score in either club. She also managed this in the penultimate end.

Not to be outdone in the spectaculars of the day, Sinclair shot for the first time in four months and for the first time ever from his wheelchair, just missing out on what would have been his third second class score. However, he did get his first 54 end, yes six golds at 50 yards and would you believe it, this was also in the penultimate end.

After high fives all round, the last end was unsurprisingly shot in a somewhat euphoric state. Congratulations all.

21 August - Welcome to two new members, father and son Mark and Benjamin Pollard. Both have been shooting indoors for some time, at what will be our indoor venue this winter, and have decided to come and join us shooting outside. In keeping with the tradition started last summer, both set new records on their first shoot. They were both shooting the same round, Benjamin set new group 2008 and club records and Mark set matching overall ones. Well done both, this is an achievement that can never be taken away from you.

25 August, Bank holiday Monday - One of those rare days in archery when everyone scoring achieves something momentous, classification wise. Seven of us shot, five scored. Mark and Benjamin Pollard both classified as Archer, Mark getting his first third class score, Benjamin his second. Michelle and Rob Morgan got their first third and first second class scores respectively. Sheena McCullagh classified as Bowman with the longbow, the first in either club. She is now bowman in two different disciplines. Oh, and considering it was a bank holiday, we had very nice weather as well.

28 August - Welcome to two new members, father and daughter Graham and Alexandria Stradling. We ended the evening by singing 'Happy birthday' to Alexandria for tomorrow.

31 August - Another two new members Melanie Hilton and Neil Abraham. Welcome to you both.

We also did the monthly best gold competition and it was won by none other than new member Neil Abraham. Well done to you, I'm sure that is a first within the club.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2008 and club records and getting his first longbow first class score (02/08). For doing the same again and getting his second first class score (03/08). For making it a hat-trick, so qualifying as first class and reducing his handicap by two points in the process (06/08). For setting new overall 2008 and club records (14/08). For beating those same records (20/08). For setting new overall 2008 and club records on a different round (24/08). For beating those records (30/08). And doing the same again (31/08).
• Doug Cretney for beating his own longbow records, gaining his starting handicap and submitting his first first class score, which was also his second second class and third third class score (03/08). For qualifying as second class (06/08). For setting new overall 2008 and club records, reducing his handicap by two points and getting his second first class score (10/08). For setting new overall 2008 and club records (14/08). For setting new group 2008 and club records, reducing his handicap by one point and qualifying as first class (15/08). For setting new group 2008 and overall club records and reducing his handicap by two points (17/08). For taking up Frank's tongue-in-cheek challenge, going out to 100 yards (a jump of 40 yards), getting a first class score and setting new overall 2008 and club records (21/08). For setting new 2008 group and overall club records (22/08).
• Jay Felton for reducing his handicap by two points (30/08).
• Ben Francis for setting new group 2008 and overall club records, reducing his handicap by one point and qualifying as first class (06/08). For setting new overall 2008 and club records and reducing his handicap by another point (17/08).
• Harry Francis for setting new group 2008 and club records (03/08).
• Nick Griffin for setting new group club records, reducing his handicap by two points and getting his second second class score (17/08). For reducing his handicap by one point and qualifying as second class (22/08).
• Sheena McCullagh for beating her own longbow ladies 2008 and club records and getting her second first class score (02/08). For setting new overall 2008 and club records and qualifying as longbow first class (14/08). For virtually doubling that score, reducing her handicap by three points and gaining her first bowman score with the longbow (15/08). For reducing her longbow handicap by one point (20/08). For beating those same records again, reducing her handicap by one point and getting her second longbow bowman score (23/08). For beating those same records again, reducing her handicap by a further point and qualifying as longbow Bowman (25/08). For reverting back to recurve and setting new 2008 and club records (27/08). For beating those same records and reducing her handicap by one point (29/08).
• Michelle Morgan for gaining her starting handicap and classifying as Archer (02/08). For reducing her handicap by one point and setting a new 2008 group record (16/08). For reducing her handicap by one point (20/08). For setting a new 2008 group record, reducing her handicap by three points and getting her first third class score (25/08).
• Rob Morgan for taking the overall 2008 record from his wife, which she had set 26 July, and setting an overall gents record in the process (02/08). For reducing his handicap by four points and qualifying as third class (14/08). For reducing his handicap by one point (23/08). For reducing his handicap by two points and getting his first second class score (25/08). For setting a new club gent's record, reducing his handicap by two points and getting his second second class score (30/08).
• Samantha Morgan for getting her first second class score which was also her second third class score and she still doesn't have a starting handicap yet (02/08). For qualifying as third class and getting her starting handicap (16/08). For setting a new overall 2008 record (22/08). For beating that same record, setting a new group club record in the process, reducing her handicap by two points and getting her second second class score (23/08).
• Tim Morgan for setting a new overall 2008 record (22/08). Then beating that record (23/08).
• Pete Moore for submitting enough scores to change his non-classified into second class (28/08).
• David Nash for reducing his handicap by one point and getting his second third class score (17/08).
• Ben Pollard setting new group 2008 and club records with his first shoot with the club (21/08). For getting his first third class score (22/08). For getting his starting handicap, classifying as Archer and getting his second third class score (25/08). For reducing his handicap by two points and qualifying as third class. Not bad for having been a member less than a week (27/08). For setting new 2008 and club group records and reducing his handicap by one point (31/08).
• Mark Pollard setting new overall 2008 and club records with his first shoot with the club (21/08). For getting his starting handicap, classifying as Archer and getting his first third class score (25/08). For getting his second third class score (27/08). For qualifying as third class (29/08). For reducing his handicap by two points (31/08).
• Bob Taylor for getting his starting handicap and qualifying as Archer (21/08). For reducing his handicap by three points (31/08).
• Nic Vangorph for setting a new club group record (16/08).
• Clive Wilkins for setting a new overall 2008 record (14/08). Then doing the same again with a different round (17/08).

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Welcome to two new members Paul Wilcox and Bob Taylor. Paul actually joined at the very end of June, so was too late to get in that month's section.

20 July - We finally got around to doing a monthly best gold again. We've lost so much shooting to bad weather, that we've missed this the last few months. However, it was very windy today, so when the call came to leave all golds in the targets, not one club member shooting a 'proper' distance had actually got an arrow in the gold. But Pete Moore, having finally got himself a replacement riser, an old design and identical to the one that snapped on 1 April 2007, had several in the gold at 20 yards. Therefore, much to his embarrassment, and purely by default, he won this month's best gold.

Normally we don't include the beginner's in the best gold, but as eight year old Alexandria Stradling had a gold as good as, if not better than Pete's, we gave her a medal as well.

Meanwhile, Harry has been competing today. He changed to an older group at the end of last month, so now, aged just 12, he is competing against young men up to one year eleven months older than he is. Due to the wind everyone's scores were down, however, Harry won his age group. Congratulations young man.

23 July - We've been filmed. Available Light Productions are currently producing a series of science programmes to be broadcast on Teachers TV. The programmes are aimed at junior school children and we were involved in the one about the use and development of muscles. They wanted longbows, as younger children think of that shape as the definitive bow, so Frank, Pete Moore and Sheena duly obliged. Once the show is broadcast, it will be viewable on the internet, so we'll link to it from this page.

We also welcomed another new member Simon Weathrall-King.

26 July - Over the years the classification system has changed many times and we've never had many longbow archers at all. This allowed Sheena McCullagh to become the first person in either club to submit a first class longbow score. Not bad considering she was using borrowed arrows (thanks to Frank) and the bow is 35 years old in September (the same age, to the month, as Frank). It was also the third round she needed for her starting handicap.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2008 and club records (02/07). For doing the same again (12/07). Then yet again and reducing his handicap by three points (13/07). For setting new overall 2008 and club records (16/07). For doing the same again (20/07). And yet again (24/07).
• Doug Cretney for submitting his first longbow score, which was a third class and setting new overall 2008 and club records (13/07). For beating those same records and submitting his first second class score which was also his second third class score (26/07).
• Ben Francis for setting new 2008 group and overall club records and getting his first first class score (20/07). For getting his second first class score (23/07).
• Harry Francis for changing age groups and immediately setting new overall 2008 and gents' club records (13/07). For beating those same records (26/07).
• Gareth Love for setting a new overall club record (13/07).
• Steve Ludwell for reducing his handicap by one point (13/07).
• Sheena McCullagh for eventually getting around to shooting the longbow she'd been given, setting the first ladies club record and getting a second class score in the process (16/07). For getting her second longbow second class score (19/07). For setting new group 2008 and club records and getting her first longbow first class score, which also qualified her as second class and gave her a starting handicap (26/07).
• Pete Moore for shooting his first round with his new riser and setting a new overall 2008 record (27/07).
• Michelle Morgan for setting new overall 2008 and ladies club records (26/07).
• Rob Morgan for getting his first third class score with his first round (03/07). For getting his starting handicap and classifying as Archer (19/07). For reducing his handicap by one point and getting his second third class score (24/07).
• Samantha Morgan for getting her first third class score (26/07).
• Tim Morgan for setting a new overall 2008 record (26/07).
• Craig Thompson for setting a new overall 2008 record, reducing his handicap by two points and getting his second second class score (17/07).
• Paul West for reducing his handicap by two points (13/07).
• Toby West for reducing his handicap by one point and qualifying as second class (13/07).
• Clive Wilkins for setting a new 2008 overall record (13/07).

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We start the month with a very special congratulations - Frank and Tansy Bath have once again become parents. Kelsey Amber Elizabeth Bath (see photo on the right) was born on Wednesday 28 May 2008 at 11.20 am at St Michael's Hospital weighing an impressive 8 lb 6 oz. Mother and baby doing well and are back home. Apparently Kelsey has already settled into a night routine, only waking up once, at 3.00 am, for a feed.

25 June - No new members all month and then four come along together, welcome to Michelle, Rob, Samantha and Tim Morgan. Our first complete family.

26 June - The Jelly Bow Challenge at Coastal Archers. Frank, Ian, Sheena, Steve and Rob (as in Morgan who only joined the club last night), made up the team. Ben M should have shot, but was injured, so came down with us to support. Does anyone remember rule 7, cheating is allowed? On that theory, Sheena claimed a 'reasonable adjustment' under the DDA on Ben's behalf and shot his arrows as well as her own. And as they had seven arrows each with them, she was actually shooting 14 arrows per end. Somehow or other Frank managed to score 54 per end for most ends, as did everyone else on his target.

Unfortunately the weather closed in and as the score sheets were turning to papier maché, the competition was abandoned after the first four dozen (or in Sheena's case eight dozen). Steve was the only one who kept his hair dry, he shot most of the round wearing a shower cap with little ducks on it.

And after all that, the winners were eventually decided on the club with the greatest number of whites, so we didn't win. Not that it matters, it was great fun and we raised £170.00 for Wraxall Children's Hospice. For results, news links and the You Tube video, see the 2008 competitions page (scroll down to challenges).

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2008 and club records and reducing his handicap by one point (04/06).
• Mark Dare for setting new overall club and group 2008 records (01/06).
• Jay Felton for setting a new overall 2008 record (07/06). For getting his starting handicap and qualifying as Archer (21/06).
• Harry Francis for setting new group club and overall 2008 records and reducing his handicap by two points (08/06). For equaling his records set the previous week and reducing his handicap by a further point (15/06).
• Nick Griffin for setting new 2008 and overall club records and reducing his handicap by two points (07/06). For setting a new group club record, reducing his handicap by a further two points and getting his first second class score (29/06).
• Gareth Love for setting a new overall club record (01/06).
• Sheena McCullagh for reducing her handicap by one point and qualifying as recurve first class (04/06).
• Craig Thompson for reducing his handicap by three points and getting his first second class score (12/06).
• Nic Vangorph for reducing his handicap by one point and getting his second second class score (08/06). For qualifying as second class (29/06).
• Paul West for reducing his handicap by one point (29/06).
• Clive Wilkins for beating the 2008 overall record he had set the day before (01/06). The two rounds together set a new overall 2008 and club Gents double round record.

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We are now in our summer hours, so have our mid week evenings and Saturdays back and already records are tumbling and handicaps being vastly reduced.

5 May 2008 - We have our first new member of the month. Welcome to Jay Felton.

9 May 2008 - Another new member. Welcome to Emma Harper. Emma brings yet more diversity to the club, she shoots a North American flat bow.

10 May 2008 - Our third new member of the month. Welcome to Roger Hobbs, who joins us from Cleve.

24 May - New members four and five. Welcome to Kay Bowen and Niall Allsop.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2008 and club records (07/05). For doing the same again with a different round (18/05).
• Andrew Francis for setting a new overall 2008 record (11/05). For beating that record and reducing his handicap by one point (17/05).
• Harry Francis for beating his own club and county records set on 27/04/08, reducing his handicap by three points and getting his fourth and final arrow award score (05/05). For setting new group 2008 and club records (11/05). For doing the same again and reducing his handicap by one point (31/05).
• Des Fullerton for reducing his handicap by three points and qualifying as third class (05/05). For reducing his handicap by yet another three points and setting a new overall 2008 record (07/05).
• Leah Griffin for setting new 2008 and club group records, reducing her handicap by five points and gaining her third class, which was also her first second class score (03/05).
• Nick Griffin for beating his own overall 2008 and club records and reducing his handicap by one point (03/05). For setting a new overall club record, reducing his handicap by two points and gaining his first third class score (10/05). For getting his second third class score (16/05). For setting a new overall club record, reducing his handicap by two points and qualifying as third class (18/05).
• Trevor Lapham for beating his own overall 2008 record (05/05). For setting a new overall 2008 record (11/05).
• Sheena McCullagh for setting new overall 2008 and club records (05/05). For deciding to reclassify at recurve and setting new ladies 2008 and club records and reducing her handicap by one point (07/05). For setting new overall 2008 and club group records, reducing her handicap by a further point and gaining her first first class score which was also the second of her second class requalification scores (10/05). For beating those same records, reducing her handicap by a further two points and gaining her second first class score which was also the last of her second class requalification scores (31/05).
• Ben Mitchell for setting a new overall 2008 record equaling his own overall club record set last September (07/05). For setting new overall 2008 and club records (08/05).
• Craig Thompson for reducing his handicap by three points (10/05).
• Paul West for qualifying as third class (18/05).
• Toby West for reducing his handicap by one point, beating his own overall 2008 and club records and getting his first second class score (05/05). For beating those same records, reducing his handicap by four points and getting his first first class score which was also his second second class score (18/05).
• Clive Wilkins for setting a new 2008 overall record (31/05).

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5 April 2008 - Harry shot at Chippenham today in the first day of their two day British Record Status shoot. He went there hoping to get the first of the scores that he needs towards his arrow award (the junior equivalent of Master Bowmen). He shot a Metric III and needed a score of 781. And H being H did it with ease scoring 839. In the process he has taken the overall club gents record, which was set by an adult, in October 1991.

He now needs another three arrow level scores to claim the award and these can all be done at the club and he's got until his birthday in June to do them. The scores needed for Master Bowmen, and hence arrow awards, are designed to be achieved by the top 4% of archers only and don't forget, he's been shooting for less than a year. That's some going.

6 April - Horrible weather, cold and snow, so why is everybody doing so well? Is it the psychological fact that summer is a-comin'? Harry went back to Chippenham to shoot in the second day of the competition. That's two 12 dozen rounds on consecutive days. With the weather conditions having been what they were today and let's face it pure tiredness, especially considering his age, you'd expect H to have scored less than yesterday wouldn't you?

So did he get his second arrow award score, or did he miss it?

Silly question really, this is H we're talking about. He beat yesterday's score by 45 points. The county records are only updated once a year, but his score today was 30 points higher than the current county record. And the combined scores from the two days are being submitted for a regional record.

Meanwhile, back at the club, Toby classified as third, Nic got his first second class score and Frank got his second third class score with his longbow, just missing second class by a handful of points. Paul also got his second third class score. Des got his first third class and reduced his handicap by a huge eight points. And as for Leah, she beat her own club group record by a massive 193 points getting her first third class score in the process and she only joined the club last week.

9 April - It's official, Sheena is now the first ever Bowman in Golden Phoenix Archers. She said that she felt that she could do nothing wrong today. She added 60 points to the record she'd set the day before, scoring 97 more than she needed for her third Bowman score. Although it was only a six dozen round and shot at the club, rather than in competition, her handicap for the round was that needed for Master Bowman.

13 April - The joint Easter and Midsummer shoot. A good many club records were broken and a good time appeared to be had by all. For a full report, see the 2008 competitions page.

26 April - Happy birthday to Mark Lapham, 14 today. This means he changes age groups and unfortunately it also means he drops back to second class.

27 April - Harry and Clive shot in the Cleve UK Record status Rose award competition. We're still waiting to hear how Clive did, but Harry was shooting in a age group above his own, ie Under 14, and he came second out of five. He beat the County record by over 130 points, got the third of his arrow award scores with over 170 to spare and qualified for his first Rose award, the black, completely bypassing the white. Not a bad day's work. Oh, and he won the raffle as well.

It seems to do the rest of the club good as well. On a day with several rain breaks, handicaps still tumbled and records were smashed, see below for details.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall and 2008 club records, reducing his handicap by three points and getting his second third class score with his longbow (06/04). For classifying as third class with his longbow (11/04). For setting new overall 2008 and club records, reducing his handicap by two and getting his first second class score (13/04). For reducing his handicap by a further point and getting his second second class score (16/04). For qualifying as second class (18/04). For setting new overall and 2008 records and reducing his handicap by a further point (27/04). For setting new overall 2008 and club records (30/04).
• Mark Dare for setting new group 2008 and club records (13/04).
• Harry Francis for setting a new overall gents' club record and getting his first arrow award classification (05/04). For beating his own records set the day before and getting his second arrow award score (06/04). For setting a new group 2008 record (13/04). For setting new overall gents records, getting his third arrow award score and reducing his handicap by one point (27/04).
• Des Fullerton for setting a new 0verall 2008 record, reducing his handicap by eight points and getting his first third class score (06/04). For reducing his handicap by a further three points and getting his second third class score (25/04).
• Leah Griffin for beating her own club group record by 193 points, setting a new group 2008 record and getting her first third class score (06/04). For getting her starting handicap and classifying as Archer (13/04). For setting a new 2008 group record, reducing her handicap by a massive eight points and getting her second third class score (27/04).
• Mark Lapham for setting a new group 2008 record (27/04).
• Trevor Lapham for taking an overall 2008 record from his own son (27/04).
• Steve Ludwell for qualifying as third class (20/04).
• Nick Griffin for doing the same as his daughter (13/04).
• Nicky Leeper for setting a new 2008 group record (13/04). For beating that same record and reducing her handicap by one point (15/04).
• Steve Ludwell for getting his first third class score (16/04). For getting his second third class score (17/04).
• Sheena McCullagh for beating her own overall 2008 and club records by 59 points, reducing her handicap by two points and getting her first ever Bowman score (04/04). For beating those same records, reducing her handicap by one point and getting her second Bowman score (07/04). For beating those records yet again, this time by a further 60 points, reducing her handicap by another two points and classifying as Bowman (09/04). For setting new 2008 ladies and overall club records (13/04). For setting new overall and 2008 records and reducing her handicap by a further two points (25/04).
• David Nash for setting a new group 2008 record, reducing his handicap by one point and getting his first third class score (27/04).
• Sinclair Parkinson for getting his first second class score (06/04). For reducing his handicap by one point and getting his second second class (13/04).
• Craig Thompson for qualifying as third class (13/04).
• Nic Vangorph for reducing his handicap by two points and getting his first second class score (06/04).
• Paul West for reducing his handicap by two points and getting his second third class score (06/04).
• Toby West for getting his starting handicap beating his own overall 2008 and club records and classifying as third (06/04). For beating those same records and reducing his handicap by one point (27/04).
• Clive Wilkins for setting a new overall 2008 record (27/04).

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2 March - Our first ever improvers session. Pete Moore worked with existing members concentrating on breathing techniques. Everyone said how much they enjoyed the session and look forward to the next of these monthly events.

19 March - The last indoor shoot of the season. We said good-bye to Brislington Enterprise College, which has been our indoor venue for many a year. The school is being rebuilt and the gym is being demolished. Next season will see us move a couple of miles closer into Bristol as we have booked The Park in Knowle West.

22 March - Ho hum, Bank Holiday weekend and the ground is a morass. We lost last Sunday to the weather and have now had to postpone the Easter Tournament (see the 2008 competitions page for details).

30 March - The postal Frostbite for Golden Phoenix Archers. Due to the weather and the commitments of members we moved the Frostbite to a Sunday for the first time. Unfortunately this meant that we lost several of our usual shooters, but it did give club members who can't shoot mid week a chance to take part. After all that is what archery is all about - Trueheart, Union and Courtesy. The four who made the team this month were, Andy Friend, Sheena McCullagh, Nicky Leeper and Frank Bath.

We also welcomed our first new members for quite a while, father and daughter, Nick and Leah Griffin. Like so many of our juniors Leah is following tradition, she got herself a group club record on her first shoot as a member.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new overall 2008 and club records (02/03). For setting new indoor overall and club records (05/03). For beating his own records set on 2 March and classifying as Archer (09/03). For beating his own indoor records set on 5 March (12/03). For setting new overall and 2008 records, reducing his handicap by five points and getting his first third class score with his longbow (30/03).
• Doug Cretney for setting new overall 2008 and club records and putting in his second second class score (02/03). For classifying as third class and getting his starting handicap (09/03). For reducing his handicap by one point and qualifying as second class in only his fourth shoot as a member (30/03).
• Ben Francis for classifying as second class (02/03). For setting new overall 2008 and club records and reducing his handicap by three points (09/03).
• Andy Friend for setting a new overall 2008 record (30/03).
• Des Fullerton for getting his starting handicap and classifying as archer (24/03).
• Leah Griffin for setting a new group club record (30/03).
• Nick Griffin for setting new overall 2008 and club records on his first shoot as a member (30/03).
• Mark Lapham for setting a new indoor group record and reducing his handicap by three points (05/03). For beating his own record of the previous week and reducing his handicap by a further two points (12/03). For doing the same again and this time reducing his handicap by four points (19/03). And for the last two weeks he's beat his dad as well. Nice one Mark. For taking a club group record that has stood for just shy of nineteen years, reducing his handicap by two points and qualifying as first class in the process (30/03).
• Nicky Leeper for setting a new 2008 group record (30/03).
• Craig Thompson for reducing his indoor handicap by four points and moving up one classification level (19/03). For reducing his handicap by two points and getting his second third class score (30/03).
• Paul West for getting his starting handicap and qualifying as archer.
• Toby West for changing to barebow and with his first score setting new overall 2008 and club records and getting his first ever third class score. Now that's what I call style. Then smashing those same records by over 70 points, getting his second third class score and he doesn't even have a starting handicap yet (30/03).
• Matt Zeale for setting a new 2008 group record on his last week as a beginner (09/03).

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The floods have gone, but still the ground is too wet to shoot outdoors, so it's indoor only for the time being.

10 February - Yippee, the ground is dry enough to shoot outdoor. On a beautiful clear and quite warm day around fifteen archers returned to the line.

Along with the new/changed classifications that came into effect on 1 January, a new class of Archer was created. Honours were split, but we now have the first ever 'Archers' in either club. Well done Craig and Steve, this can never be taken away from you.

21 February - The Postal Frostbite for Golden Phoenix members. Just like in January, very strong winds, but we're now getting used to that and put in a score 199 higher than January. The four who made the team this month were, Marian and Lance Whitelegg, Nicky Leeper and Sheena McCullagh.

24 February - Today was chosen for the 'best gold' award. The end was called at random and who should win it but the youngest archer shooting. Toby West only turned 10 years old last week. The photo shows him pointing at his winning arrow.

Last year we went through a spate of people joining and setting new records with their first ever round. That trend looks like it's set to continue this year. Doug Cretney not only put in an overall club record, but it was a second class score as well. I think that must be a record in it's own right. Well done to you.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting new indoor overall club and 2008 records and gaining his indoor starting handicap and classification (06/02). For setting new overall club and 2008 records (10/02). For changing bow type and setting new overall 2008 and club records (24/02).
• Doug Cretney for setting new overall 2008 and club records and getting his first second class score, all on his first shoot as a club member (24/02).
• Mark Dare for setting new 2008 and club group records and putting in his third barebow first class score, so qualifying as first class (17/02).
• Andrew Francis for reclassifying as second (24/02).
• Ben Francis for setting new overall club and 2008 records, gaining his first third class score and reducing his handicap by one point (10/02). For setting new 2008 and overall club records, reducing his handicap by two points and putting in his first barebow second class score (17/02). For reducing his handicap by one point, submitting his second second class score and qualifying as third class (24/02).
• Harry Francis for reclassifying as junior bowman (24/02).
• Leah Griffin for setting a new 2008 group record while still on the beginners' course (17/02). For going out ten yards further and doing the same again (24/02).
• Nick Griffin for setting a new 2008 overall record while still on the beginners' course (17/02). For going out ten yards further and doing the same again (24/02).
• Mark Lapham for reducing his indoor handicap by one point and classifying as F (06/02). For setting a new overall 2008 record, equaling the existing club group record, gaining his first first class score and reducing his handicap by a huge five points (10/02). For reducing his indoor handicap by two points (13/02). For getting his second first class score and reducing his handicap by one point (17/02). For getting a second class score, so qualifying as second (24/02).
• Nicky Leeper for setting a new 2008 group Frostbite record (21/02).
• Gareth Love for setting a new overall 2008 Frostbite record (21/02).
• Steve Ludwell for classifying as Archer (10/02).
• Sheena McCullagh for setting new overall 2008 and club records (13/02). For setting new overall 2008 and club Frostbite records (21/02).
• Ben Mitchell for setting new indoor overall club and 2008 records, reducing his handicap by two points and classifying as C (06/02).
• Craig Thompson for setting a new 2008 group record, classifying as Archer and reducing his handicap by one point (10/02). For beating his own 2008 group record by 40 points and reducing his handicap by two points (17/02). For reducing his handicap by one point (24/02). For going out an extra ten yards, reducing his handicap by three points and getting his first third class score (27/02).
• Paul West for submitting his first third class score and setting a new overall 2008 record in the process (24/02).
• Toby West for winning the best gold medal (24/02).
• Lance Whitlegg for setting a new 2008 group Frostbite record (21/02).
• Marian Whitlegg for setting a new 2008 group Frostbite record (21/02).
• Matt Zeale for setting a new 2008 group record while still on the beginners' course (24/02).

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1 January - Happy New Year everyone. And what a blistering start it was to the year. Nine archers shot and everyone, except Ian, who decided to shoot an Indoor round for practice, put in a score equal to or above their current classification. Even Hugo did it and that was shooting ten yards further than he normally does and in temperatures 20 odd degrees below the heat he's used to in Trinidad.

Records tumbled, including Harry beating his own County Record, and handicaps were reduced, see the congratulations section. But that doesn't tell the whole story; Ben Mitchell became the first person ever in Golden Phoenix Archers to submit a Bowman score.

Today was the first day of the new barebow classifications, both Mark Dare and Sheena are currently ranked as second class, but under the new scheme both shot to first class. As there is only one category for juniors, Mark now has five and a half years to make it to Junior Bowman.

The other thing that happens at New Year is that if you didn't do three classification scores in the previous year, you loose those you did do, so Nicky lost her two third class scores. Undaunted, she submitted one today. Remember in June last year when Pete Wakefield shot the flag? Well Nicky went one better. This time when we got to the targets we found the flag on the ground with the arrow through it in two places, front to back then back through to the front. As soon as I have the photo, I'll put it on the web site.

3 January - We have our first new classification of the year. Taking advantage of the new barebow classes, Sheena has shot on three consecutive days, so qualifying on the first day possible. By definition this makes her one of the first in the UK to do so.

6 January - We have another new classification. Nicky has shot three times this year and all three scores have been third class.

12 January - Flood warning. See the photo. It came out of nowhere and was around a foot deep in the container. The photo is also available as a Jigzone jigsaw puzzle.

13 January - Elizabeth is 18 today - happy birthday. She now changes group to adult ladies and unfortunately drops back to unclassified.

31 January - The Postal Frostbite for Golden Phoenix members. Having been flooded out for most of the month, it was today or not at all. Rain for the first part and very strong winds all the time resulted in us submitting a very low score. The four who made the team this month were, Marian and Lance Whitelegg, Gareth Love and Sheena McCullagh.

Congratulations go to:

• Frank Bath for setting the first ever indoor barebow record in either club (16/01). For beating his own records of two weeks before (30/01).
• Ruth Coleman for setting a new indoor 2008 group record on her last week as a beginner (16/01).
• Mark Dare for setting new overall 2008 and club records and getting his first barebow first class score and all on the first day of the new classification scheme (01/01). For getting his second first class score (06/01).
• Andrew Francis for setting a new overall 2008 record and reducing his handicap by one point (01/01).
• Harry Francis for setting new overall 2008 and club group records and beating his own county record (01/01).
• Emma Harper for setting a new indoor 2008 group record on her last week of the beginner's course (30/01).
• Mark Lapham for setting a new indoor 2008 group record and reducing his indoor handicap by two points (09/01). For beating his own 2008 indoor group record and reducing his handicap by three points (23/01).
• Trevor Lapham for setting a new overall indoor 2008 record and reducing his indoor handicap by two points (09/01).
• Ian Lassman for setting a new overall 2008 indoor record (16/01).
• Nicky Leeper for setting a new 2008 ladies record, reducing her handicap by one point and getting her first third class score (01/01). Then beating her record from the day before and getting her second third class score (02/01). For doing the same again, so qualifying as third class and reducing her handicap by one point (06/01). For setting a new group 2008 Frostbite record (31/01).
• Gareth Love for setting a new 2008 overall Frostbite record (31/01).
• Sheena McCullagh for setting new overall 2008 and club records and getting her first barebow first class score and all on the first day of the new classification scheme (01/01). Then doing the same again with a different round and getting her second first class (02/01). For beating the records she set the day before and so classifying as first class (03/01). For setting new 2008, ladies and overall club Frostbite records (31/01).
• Ben Mitchell for setting new overall 2008 and club records, getting his first bowman score and reducing his handicap by two points (01/01). For beating his own overall indoor club record, setting a new 2008 overall record and reducing his handicap by three points (23/01).
• Craig Thompson for setting a new gents 2008 record and reducing his handicap by two points. For beating his own 2008 record and reducing his handicap by one point (06/01). For getting an indoor starting handicap and classification (30/01).
• Marian Whitelegg for setting a new 2008 Frostbite group record (31/01).
• Lance Whitelegg for setting a new 2008 Frostbite overall record (31/01).

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