Hungerford Archers

Hungerford Archers is a longbow archery club based in the small market town of Hungerford, which is located on the Berkshire - Wiltshire county border in southern England. Its shooting ground is the sports field of the John O'Gaunt Community Technology College.

History & Notability

Formerly called Hungerford Longbow Club, it was founded by the late Bob Maslin in 1995, and was renamed in 2005. The club originally used the Hungerford Town F.C. Field as its shooting ground, later moving to the larger field at the John O'Gaunt school.

Hungerford Archers is a "longbow only" club and does not permit the general use of "compound bows" or crossbows. The reason for this restriction is that more powerful compound can permanently damage targets, whereas longbows are unlikely to do so. Members are allowed to use recurve style bows if they wish.

Activities

Members meet on Sunday mornings and occasionally on Wednesday evenings in the summer, weather permitting. Practise consists of shooting at standard straw archery targets. These are typically placed at 30 yards for juniors and novice shooters, with additional targets placed at 50, 60 or 80 yards for members who are more experienced and have more powerful bows.

As the majority of members do archery as a pastime rather than regular competition, the meetings and shooting are of a relaxed nature with little competition between members. There is no "ranking" within the club that compares one members skill to another.

The members also undertake a form of archery known as Clout archery, where the target is a circle on the ground at long range (about 180 yards) that the shooters must drop the arrows into using a high trajectory.

At least once a year the club holds a "fun shoot" where all members may come for an extended meeting that encompasses a barbecue and a specially laid out challenge course of shooting. This may include life sized models of game, wand targets, unusual targets such as hanging footballs and targets that require the use of "floo floo" arrows, which are specifically designed not to fly straight.

Hungerford archers are also present at many local events, especially school fetes, allowing young people to experience the sport of archery and sample shooting at close range. Some of the clubs more experienced members also act as representatives by competing in competitions and events, such as the annual Western Meeting at Bowood House.

Membership

The club currently has a wide range of members. Membership is open to both sexes and to children upwards of 7 years old. The club has equipment that new members can use such as bows, arrows and armguards, however if intent on becoming a long term practitioner of the sport members are encouraged to obtain their own equipment. Club rules require that at least one parent of a Junior member be present during shooting, although it is common for a parent to also be a member, which simplifies the situation somewhat.

Members are encouraged to also join the British Long Bow Society (BLBS). Members are as such required to adhere to BLBS guidelines while shooting, especially those related to safety. Information on safety guidelines and advice in obtaining equipment is readily available from the club.

New shooters are allowed to attend 1 meeting free of charge during which they may receive tuition from existing members if they require it. After this a nominal fee is charged for each subsequent meeting attended unless the person chooses to become a member.

If the annual membership fee is paid then the new member may attend as many meetings as they wish free of charge.