David and Heather’s Holiday and the Olympian Games

Not only did David and Heather enjoy this year’s holiday in the lovely area of Shropshire, but they also competed in the famous Wenlock Olympian Games Archery Tournament. These Games, the inspiration behind today’s modern day Olympics, were started 160 years ago by William Penny Brookes and his motto was “I want every grade of man to take part in my Olympian Games”.  But ladies only had one race – “the old ladies race“, which they raced for one pound of tea. Did Heather get a 1lb of tea? Of course not – she is not old! (Phew – think I got out of that one.)

The BBC TV programme, Country File, this week featured Much Wenlock; and explained more about the Games, focusing on Archery. The show indulged in some name dropping that I would be proud to drop into conversations on the world of toxophily.  Alison Williamson comes from Shropshire, and is the only person to have won medals at both the Wenlock Games and the Olympics. She won a bronze at the 2004 Athens Games, and also represents GB at the London Games. We wish her and the team all the best. Alice Cotton and Amanda Slack who shot (and won) at Wenlock this year, also appeared on the show. If you would like to catch up with this week’s Country File click here.  You have only a few days left to watch.

Heather and David may not have won any medals, but I am quite sure we are all proud of them for entering the Olympian Games this year.

Pam


An unruly archer receives admonishment from a familiar judge

 Footnotes – Wenlock and Mandeville  London 2012  Archery mascot pin badges are still available from John Lewis (online) and other reputable outlets.

Please share your archery holiday stories on the web-site by contacting David and Heather.

 

Disaster Strikes at Hollowell

What’s Left of the Gazebo

 

Our have-a-go at Hollowell was abandoned at the last minute after disaster struck on Friday 6th July.  We had the volunteers, all the Club’s equipment had been checked, arrows were fletched and gazebo marked up for easy erection. The crew arrived and everything went together, but you can’t account for the British weather. There had there been torrential rain, and even so it should still have happened. But – after all the hard work wind struck (again), destroying the whole set-up. Thanks to all who helped – NAC soldiers on. (Further write-up later from Leigh).

 

 


The aftermath – and still there are smiling faces

“A Walk in the Park” at Wootton

Rockingham’s Steam Transport and Family Show was cancelled due to ground conditions after this year’s persistent inclement weather.  NAC had hoped to be there to put on our Have-a-Go. However the club had also been approached by our county’s Archery GB rep. to provide a similar input at Wootton’s “Walk in the Park” on the same day, Saturday 30th June. The cancellation at Rockingham,  several phone calls and some swift re-arranging by our now flexible club, meant that it would could oblige the request for Wootton. A miserable wet start to Saturday morning greeted our volunteers arriving at 8am to prepare our range. The rain thankfully  was short lived and apart from a further downpour towards the end of the day, the event went very well with crowds of potential archers having-a-go.  A remarkable number of our club members  came along to help –  and a splendid time was had by all. Thanks to all who supported us and also to Ronnie for the photo.