From Social Distancing to Social Gathering by Ineke Doesburg
Fosse Company of Archers
A soft ‘twang’, the sound of an arrow being released from the bow, catches my attention when I walk towards a group of about 15 archers. They are all lined up, facing big round targets where they aim their arrows. I notice that the bows do not look like the ones I know from Robin Hood.
They are flashier with bright colours and with stabilizers. When I look a bit closer, I do notice some more traditional bows and arrows too. So, it’s not all titanium, but also wood and feathers.
I speak with Fenella who loves to introduce the club to me. It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon and while we talk archery, we also enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Syston Rugby Club. She tells me that it’s a fair-weather sport and during the cold winter they shoot indoors. Which sounds like a fair compromise to me, knowing the British weather!
She shows me a bow and invites me to have a go at archery myself. Sure, why not, I have done this before but that was ages ago. Even though I only shoot a couple of arrows, I feel I want to get it better every time I release. And that is what archery is about, competing with yourself.
Looking at the other archers and their bows, I realise that this can be quite a costly hobby unless you are like my stepfather who used to make his own archery kit.
Fenella explains that the club has a scheme in place which lets you hire kit and this would also be a great way of trying different types of bows. If you are not sure that this is a hobby for you due to your age or physical state, you might be surprised. The oldest member is 90 years old and you do not have to be fit to start this hobby.
Would you like to become the next Robin Hood?
Get in touch: www.fossecompanyofarchers.uk/
club1012membership@gmail.com