Spen Valley Back from the Brink

Max · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-06, 04:18 PM

Popped down to see some old friends from Spen Victoria Archers (West Yorkshire) the other day and found a little tale of survival against a seemingly terminal event - the sudden loss of a shooting field.

In February this year, Spen Victoria were unceremoniously evicted at short notice from their cricket club home (of the same name) near Cleckheaton, by a list of extortionate demands for cash and shooting restrictions from the main club committee. It looked like the end of the club, but against all odds and with the help (in no small part) by a local farmer and a handfull of members, the club seems to have found a new and better life. So far they have a flat field near Hunsworth, an equipment container and plenty of enthusiasm.

The club will change its name to Spen Valley Bowmen at the end of the summer season, but the name Spen Victoria may yet live on through a handful of compound archers who (it is understood) have reached a private agreement with the cricket club to shoot early Sunday mornings.

Well done to all those at Spen who kept the faith and put in a lot of hard work.

Cakemeister · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-06, 05:23 PM

Well done Spen Valley for surviving in difficult circumstances- you are not alone! One can only guess at the petty politicking & shenanigans that have gone on behind the scenes. Are any of them AIUK members or is there some way we can help them out?

Pete

sky_high30 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-06, 07:45 PM

Merlin will back me up on this one - in one of the flying magazines (Pilot IIRC) there's an "airfield watch" type section. Basically it details any planning threats to airfields, what the current situation, changes of ownership of airfields etc. Wonder if it'd be a good idea to set one of these up around here, as a seperate board/forum?

TJ Mason · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-06, 09:52 PM

It's good to hear they've survived. I know some people at Spen, and it's always seemed like a nice club. It shows how vulnerable archery clubs are, since few of us have our own grounds, but it also shows how resilient we can be.

Dave · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-06, 11:09 PM

Good to hear they've pulled through

We had a similar thing happen at P&S last year; the club had shot at Samlesbury Hall in Lancashire for around 100 years and we were bumped off our field when the Hall decided they could get more rent for it... well, the official reason was insurance blah blah blah....

Good news is we finally started to shoot on our very own field today

Furface · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-06, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sky_high30

Wonder if it'd be a good idea to set one of these up around here, as a seperate board/forum?

I suspect it would be a lot briefer to have one of "safe" grounds. I suspect we at Adel are fairly typical. Reasonable facilities, but oppressed by other users of the grounds, particularly ********. Not actually being thrown out, and nothing better to move to, but no feeling of belonging where we are, with an annual two months of members' dissatisfaction as "rearranged fixtures" take our range. To my mind, facilities are the greatest challenge facing our sport in the UK

#7 (**permalink**) 08-05-06, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furface

"rearranged fixtures" take our range. To my mind, facilities are the greatest challenge facing our sport in the UK

It seems to be a problem to most clubs these days. However the only problem Spen now face is a rather large Bull in the field who I would not mess with. He has a look on his face like " Did you spill my pint? Or, Who are you looking at?

So far it's been a nice way to spend a Saturday morning. The farmer seems like a nice chap. As long as he is happy I can't see there ever being a problem, not a ******** in sight or any passing public..Could be archery heaven. Good luck to them and very well done for sticking with it.

ChrisR · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-06, 12:33 PM

As a member of Spen Victoria, soon to be Spen Valley Bowmen thanks for your supporting comments. It has been a real worry for us starting a new outdoor competition season with no venue. Thanks to the hard work of a number of members and the dipping into pockets to make it happen we now have field with real potential, Oh and an occasional bull!
We only see the club growing from strenght to strength, growing in numbers and ability. The main advantage we feel is we have sole use of the field, not haveing to share with other sports, or groups. Yes the farmer has to earn a living with beasts, but he seems very understanding to our needs.
Say hello when you see us on the shooting line and make our new club feel part of the wide community of archers.