Mayflower Archers
Billericay, Essex
Mayflower Archers 20th Anniversary
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Mayflowers Archers celebrated their 20th Anniversary by holding their first ever Open Shoot on Saturday 28th June 2008
This page tells you all about the event, including the final preparations, the day itself, all the results, some fanatastic pictures and a host of quotes and thanks yous.
Final Preparations
Although Steve and other members of the club had been preparing for months to stage this event, the final preparations for the day began on Friday morning. All the essential components for the shoot (Bosses, target faces, rope etc) were retrieved from the 2nd container. Then the arduous and backbreaking task of raking and collecting the grass cuttings began. It was all hands on deck and, by the end, the field looked great. Other jobs included Roger and Cindy adding warning signs and hazard tape around the field boundary (gamely carrying on during one of several squally showers). All the distance markers were moved up the field and new lines painted. This was to allow for the addition of a “tent zone” which proved so useful on the day. Faces were added to bosses (under the trained and exacting eye of Matt Webb). New guy ropes were created and fingertips burnt while trying to melt the cut ends over barbeque flames!!
On Saturday morning, the work party were out in force at 7:00am, getting all the targets in the right positions. Marquees and tents were erected and archers soon began to arrive, setting up their own tents
A great atmosphere soon began to develop (aided no doubt by the bacon rolls and hot drinks provided by the catering team).
The Shoot
The tournament consisted of Albion and Windsor rounds with some special rounds for the younger archers and beginners.
After some opening words from Rob Markham and Steve Fenton, the Lady P (Claire Stanford) and judges (Graham Sibley and Mike Pearce) were introduced to the crowd then shooting commenced.
The day began with a disaster for young archer Rebecca Willson of local club HNA, who’s Longbow snapped whilst at full draw during the opening sighter arrows. Rebecca is representing the England Junior Archery Team at this months Euronations tournament in Wales, but fortunately has a couple of spare bows! It is rare to see a bow explode in such spectacular fashion, but moments later a second traditional Longbow being shot by senior Mayflower archer Martin Blay snapped whilst at full draw. Perhaps the ghosts of archers past from the village green were making a point!
The day was broken nicely by a comfort break after the first distance and lunch after the second distance. The catering crew kept us all happy with burgers, sausages and bacon in a variety of bread-based products! Luckily, the weather stayed glorious all day and there were quite a few sunburnt faces by the end of the day. The day ended with the raffle (accompanied by some heckling from certain sections of the crowd) then the handing out of the various awards (with Lewis Jones being the recipient of several) before people began to drift away. The work party quickly began to clear everything away, leaving the field looking like nothing extraordinary had ever happened!
After some opening words from Rob Markham and Steve Fenton, the Lady P (Claire Stanford) and judges (Graham Sibley and Mike Pearce) were introduced to the crowd then shooting commenced.
The day began with a disaster for young archer Rebecca Willson of local club HNA, who’s Longbow snapped whilst at full draw during the opening sighter arrows. Rebecca is representing the England Junior Archery Team at this months Euronations tournament in Wales, but fortunately has a couple of spare bows! It is rare to see a bow explode in such spectacular fashion, but moments later a second traditional Longbow being shot by senior Mayflower archer Martin Blay snapped whilst at full draw. Perhaps the ghosts of archers past from the village green were making a point!
The day was broken nicely by a comfort break after the first distance and lunch after the second distance. The catering crew kept us all happy with burgers, sausages and bacon in a variety of bread-based products! Luckily, the weather stayed glorious all day and there were quite a few sunburnt faces by the end of the day. The day ended with the raffle (accompanied by some heckling from certain sections of the crowd) then the handing out of the various awards (with Lewis Jones being the recipient of several) before people began to drift away. The work party quickly began to clear everything away, leaving the field looking like nothing extraordinary had ever happened!
Results
A close battle was fought for the Gentleman’s Olympic bow category between Blue Arrows archer Alan Munson and Mayflower’s Michael Judd. Munson managed to steal first place from Judd wining by just 6 points with a score of 806. For the Ladies, Mayflower newcomer Wendie Stevens lead from the start wining with a huge score of 858, beating Munson’s score for the men by 50 points. Wendie has been shooting for less than two years and shows great promise, already shooting for the County Team.
In the Compound Bow category (Rambo style!), Mayflower’s Warren Stroud won with a score of 926, beating Mayflower veteran Mitch Vaughan who managed a score of 908 for second place. Ladies Compound winner was Rayleigh’s Sandra Neal with a score of 856.
Fortunately some Longbows survived the day, with top score of 250 going to David Willson of HNA.
A special junior round was held for the youngest archers with 10 year old Jonah Elvidge from Mayflower securing 1st place with a score of 371
Full Results from the day are here.
Full results from the day can be found here
In the Compound Bow category (Rambo style!), Mayflower’s Warren Stroud won with a score of 926, beating Mayflower veteran Mitch Vaughan who managed a score of 908 for second place. Ladies Compound winner was Rayleigh’s Sandra Neal with a score of 856.
Fortunately some Longbows survived the day, with top score of 250 going to David Willson of HNA.
A special junior round was held for the youngest archers with 10 year old Jonah Elvidge from Mayflower securing 1st place with a score of 371
Full Results from the day are here.
Full results from the day can be found here
Photos
Quotes and comments
Steve Fenton (Organiser)
"I think it was December or January at one of our meetings that Rob mentioned it was Mayflower Archers 20th Anniversary. We all agreed it would be fitting to celebrate by holding a friendly competition and invite local clubs along for the fun. The intention was to run this in an informal manner but at the same time, run as a competition so we asked Graham Sibley and Mike Pearce to be the judges and Claire Stanford to be Lady Paramount. Roger Glover, Robert Markham and I got our thinking caps on and proceeded to organise this competition. After a few months of planning and hard work the day had arrived and to say that it had exceeded our expectations would have been an understatement.
I think the photos of the day tell the story so, if you were not there, you will get an idea of what last Saturday was all about. Many thanks to everyone who supported this event and special thanks to the members and friends of Mayflower Archers who worked so hard in making this such a success. Without their commitment this could not have taken place."
IAN POW (Chairman)
"I was really pleased with the organisation and implementation of the anniversary shoot. The work that everyone involved did was a huge factor in a very successful day. A special thank-you must go to Steve Fenton who worked tirelessly for months preparing for this day. It was really good to see the shoot suported by so many people from both Mayflower and other clubs.WELL DONE EVERYBODY...!"
MIKE PEARCE (Judge)
“Thanks for inviting me, both Graham and I thought it was one of the most enjoyable shoots we have had the privilege to officiate at for many years.
Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to everyone at the club for doing such a fantastic job of your 1st open outdoor tournament.
I think that in my role as general member I can talk for everyone there and say that we all had a great day, see you soon.
ROBERT MARKHAM (Vice Chairman)
“What a fantastic job our Steve Fenton did in organising one of the most enjoyable days at archery I have had over the last 19 years, even though I wasn't shooting!!”
RACHEL ELVIDGE (Club Secretary)
“What a fantastic day!!! Very well done to Steve and everyone who helped out, especially the glamorous WAGs! I think you should all be very proud”
ROGER GLOVER (Club Member)
“Thanks also to all members of Mayflower, wives, partners, friends etc for making the event run smoothly.”
MITCH VAUGHAN (Club Member)
“From a competitor's point of view, agree whole heartedly that it was a great day. Even the weather came out pretty well. All of the support staff deserve a big "THANK YOU". That includes all "WAGS", Organisers, Work Party, Maintenance, Cooks, Judges and anyone else I might have forgotten.”
PAUL MURRAY (Club Member)
“Just wanted to add my thanks to everyone too!!! A fantastically well-organized, and most of all, FUN day !!! I couldn't've had a nicer way to pop my competition cherry (so to speak)!! I've just taken a look at the pictures on ECAA, and can honestly say that it is a fantastic advertisement for Mayflower Archers !! Everything looks so professional - an amazing testimonial to everyone involved!!!!! WELL DONE and THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
TONY KING (Blag Shag/Stag)
"What a wonderful day, couldn't have been better. Most relaxed shoot I have ever been to in 8 years!!! Could you pass on my thanks to Martin Blay? A real Gentleman for letting me use a target after everyone had gone home. Look forward to being invited back in the future.
"I think it was December or January at one of our meetings that Rob mentioned it was Mayflower Archers 20th Anniversary. We all agreed it would be fitting to celebrate by holding a friendly competition and invite local clubs along for the fun. The intention was to run this in an informal manner but at the same time, run as a competition so we asked Graham Sibley and Mike Pearce to be the judges and Claire Stanford to be Lady Paramount. Roger Glover, Robert Markham and I got our thinking caps on and proceeded to organise this competition. After a few months of planning and hard work the day had arrived and to say that it had exceeded our expectations would have been an understatement.
I think the photos of the day tell the story so, if you were not there, you will get an idea of what last Saturday was all about. Many thanks to everyone who supported this event and special thanks to the members and friends of Mayflower Archers who worked so hard in making this such a success. Without their commitment this could not have taken place."
IAN POW (Chairman)
"I was really pleased with the organisation and implementation of the anniversary shoot. The work that everyone involved did was a huge factor in a very successful day. A special thank-you must go to Steve Fenton who worked tirelessly for months preparing for this day. It was really good to see the shoot suported by so many people from both Mayflower and other clubs.WELL DONE EVERYBODY...!"
MIKE PEARCE (Judge)
“Thanks for inviting me, both Graham and I thought it was one of the most enjoyable shoots we have had the privilege to officiate at for many years.
Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to everyone at the club for doing such a fantastic job of your 1st open outdoor tournament.
I think that in my role as general member I can talk for everyone there and say that we all had a great day, see you soon.
ROBERT MARKHAM (Vice Chairman)
“What a fantastic job our Steve Fenton did in organising one of the most enjoyable days at archery I have had over the last 19 years, even though I wasn't shooting!!”
RACHEL ELVIDGE (Club Secretary)
“What a fantastic day!!! Very well done to Steve and everyone who helped out, especially the glamorous WAGs! I think you should all be very proud”
ROGER GLOVER (Club Member)
“Thanks also to all members of Mayflower, wives, partners, friends etc for making the event run smoothly.”
MITCH VAUGHAN (Club Member)
“From a competitor's point of view, agree whole heartedly that it was a great day. Even the weather came out pretty well. All of the support staff deserve a big "THANK YOU". That includes all "WAGS", Organisers, Work Party, Maintenance, Cooks, Judges and anyone else I might have forgotten.”
PAUL MURRAY (Club Member)
“Just wanted to add my thanks to everyone too!!! A fantastically well-organized, and most of all, FUN day !!! I couldn't've had a nicer way to pop my competition cherry (so to speak)!! I've just taken a look at the pictures on ECAA, and can honestly say that it is a fantastic advertisement for Mayflower Archers !! Everything looks so professional - an amazing testimonial to everyone involved!!!!! WELL DONE and THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
TONY KING (Blag Shag/Stag)
"What a wonderful day, couldn't have been better. Most relaxed shoot I have ever been to in 8 years!!! Could you pass on my thanks to Martin Blay? A real Gentleman for letting me use a target after everyone had gone home. Look forward to being invited back in the future.