Gloucestershire Area

[Stace]

When I was looking for club in Cornwall last year, I received great advice from the members of this forum so I'm hoping I can rely on you again.

From April onwards I'll be leaving the seaside town of Penzance for the Cirencester area and need to find myself a new club.

Can anyone recommend any around the area that will welcome a compound archer (wouldn't like to join a longbow favoured club!) with ambitions to enter competitions. A good coaching set up would be a bonus too.

I've done a little research and have found the following:

Black and Gold Archers
Bowmen of Minchinhampton
Cheltenham Archers
Chippenham Archers
Churn Valley (although I'm unsure that they exist now)
Deer Park Archers

I've read what I can about them and they all seem like reasonable clubs to join but can anyone give me any first hand information.

Perhaps there's a club that I've forgotten that I could consider.

Many thanks in advance.

[tel]

You seem to have done the legwork!
We shoot at B&G tournaments - nice club, nice folk, definitely worth a look.
Cheltenham same as - have a word with andrew.paterson of this forum (he's the tournament organiser there) and let him tell you how wonderful their new ground is Attached to Cheltenham racecourse and "large enough to hold a target tournament and a clout at the same time".
I have shot with members of the other clubs you mention, and they are all typically friendly archers, but I don't know their home grounds so can't compare.

[Stace]

Thanks for the reply tel,

I also forgot to add in the original post that I would prefer a club that has it's own ground where I can shoot any time of the day (breaks in work etc)

[chemistry]

How about joining us at Bath Archers?

A mix of recurve, longbow and compound (admittedly with recurve in the majority and compound in the minority).

Easy access off M4, own field, club house, etc. so you can go along when you wish. Regular shoots on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Also, have an excellent field course at nearby woods too (although I'm yet to shoot that myself).

Most importantly, nice bunch of people, whatever your choice of bow.

Drop me a line if you want more details (I believe our website is currently down whilst it is being upgraded...).

Chemistry

[h20vrrq]

I rejoined Cheltenham Archers last year after a gap of 10+ years. I could have gone to nearer clubs, but Cheltenham have a great ground with permenant range all year round & great views. New club house is being constructed on the new ground (still on the racecourse) and the whole set-up looks excellent. During the 'darker' months, indoors is twice a week at local school.

We dont have many compound archers, but all archers are very welcome.

[Adam]

Deer Park are well worth a look. They have plenty of ourdoor space, their own (new) field course and good arrangements for the indoor season too. Very enthusiatic and well run club IMO.

If you want to contact them pm me and I'll let you have an appropriate email address.

Adam

[Stace]

Chemistry and h20vrrq,

Thanks for the replies. I'll certainly look into both of those although I am looking for a club that has some decent compound archers to learn from. With the majority being recurve, a darksider may be frowned upon.

Adam,

You have a PM, thanks.

[chemistry]

Stace,

No problem.

Don't let my comments dissuade you though.

First, you won't get frowned upon as a compound shooter; it's really not that sort of club (plenty of good natured sledging, but nobody will give you a hard time just because of what you choose to shoot, complian your compound chews up the bosses, etc.). I've shot next to the compound posse on many occasions and there is never a problem.

Second, there are some good compound archers in the club, and remember that I only shoot FITA style so for all I know the field course I chock a block with first rate compounds!

Only way to find out is to drop down and see us - organised (!) shooting takes place every weekend, from 2pm Saturday and Sunday.

PM me if you are half convinced and want more info. I can pass on directions and/or contact details for the various comittee members if needs be.

Whatever you decide, happy shooting...

Chemistry

[spavo]

Sorry to hear that you are leaving AOTW & DCAS, come down and visit us left in cornwall on your hols REDRUTH DOUBLE FITA 4th & 5th August would be a good time.

[Old Bloke]

Hey Spavo!!!! So you are on here!!?!! How is the wild west these days?
I'll be on the Target circuit when the better weather blows in....see you in September then?

Dave.