Saturday 13th April saw the annual Awards Dinner at The Royal Oak.

Pat co ordinated the awards with most of us being delighted to receive some bling in recognition of our various feats of cleverness on the archery field.

Food was excellent. This year we took the functions room, allowing a game of skittles to follow the dinner, won by Andy.

Three touching arrows!

Now shift your point of aim and you’re sorted…

New Year’s Eve saw Ledbury play host to the County Winter Clout.

Wet and miserable weather did not deter the faithful and a good turnout gave the field turf a good aeration.

Saturday, 30th September, saw the third Memorial Clout in honour of Geoff, who died during lockdown due to a tragic accident.

Over 20 entered the two way clout over nine ends. Lovely weather and virtually no wind. The only real hazards were the cow pats at the ends.

Archers were categorised into woody arrows and non-woodies.

Woody champion : Chard

Non-woody champion : Lyndon

Overall winner? Would you believe it? A draw!

Saturday 19th August was the annual summer fun day.

Sir Slashalot led an entourage of flags to attack the clouters, then we shot at the Agincourt figures before retiring to the barn for a barbie.

Sir Slashalot only took three direct hits, one from Dan C and two from “Honest” Malcolm, who had just retired from the competition having been counting all his arrows to the totals!

Clouting honours went to Chard (wooden arrows) and Alicia (newfangled arrows).

Target shoot went to … someone please remind me.

The pigeons were very resilient this year, however, Martin pulled off an amazing trick shot getting three with one arrow!

Sunday 13th August saw Ledbury AC host the County Championships.

Sunday 6th August saw Rachel over in Oxfordshire competing at the Archery GB 50+ National Championships.

It was the first (mostly) dry competition day for weeks.

The qualification round was a WA60 and Rachel shot a new personal best with a GMB classified score. This put her as number one seed going into the final head to head shoot off. Rachel lost the first set but took the next three to win 6-2.

Rachel is officially National Ladies (50+) Longbow champion!

Saturday 22nd July was possibly the wettest day in archery history but whilst sensible folk were warm and dry indoors, Justin, Dan and Rachel were braving the elements at Deer Park Archers in Cheltenham.

The qualification round was a WA720 at 50m for barebow and compound and 70m for longbow. Scores were much affected by the appalling weather but all 3 qualified for the head to head shoot offs in the afternoon. Sadly Justin got knocked out at the quarterfinal stage but Dan and Rachel blasted through to the finals.

Gold for Dan in the gents barebow and gold for Rachel in the mixed longbow.

Justin is pretty modest about his achievements but this is one he should be shouting about. He has just finished third at the National Tour event in Evesham!

The weather was rather blowy so he’s not pleased with his score but this is a rare photo of him almost smiling.

Other people who were on the podium over the weekend included Bryony Pitman, Penny Healey, and Ella Gibson – all ranked in the world top 3 for their bowtype.

Brilliant job, Justin!

80 yards this time…

Putting Pat in a crisis as she’s running out of gongs to award him.

Well done, Joe.