ARCHERS from Braintree celebrated their 60th anniversary with a field shoot at their new venue.
The Braintree Bowmen, who have recently moved from their base at Cressing Temple Barns to the Blake End Craft Centre in Braintree, went down to the woods to celebrate 60 years of the club earlier this month.
The anniversary party was the first time that the club were able to use 3D targets in their new surroundings.
"It was certainly a busy day," said Neil Day, 53, who joined the club two years ago.
More than 150 people turned up and 20 of the new 3D targets of animals of various sizes were placed in the surrounding woodland.
"We were shooting anything from two yards to 60 or 80 yards. It was quite an adventure. And the response we have had is very good," said Neil.
He joined the club when he decided it was time to pick up a hobby.
"I had a number of health problems and I was becoming a bit of a couch potato, then I was going through a website about sports and came across archery and thought I should give it a go."
After embarking on a beginners' course, Neil decided archery was a sport he was keen to pursue.
"I needed something to do in my life and that's the reason I took it up, but I have been told that I'm a fair archer.
"It was a case of it being quite a precise sport. With football, most people can kick a ball – don't get me wrong, what some players can do with a football is quite amazing – but for me it's like playing golf, you're always battling yourself. It's about a personal challenge."
And while the likes of Neil are relative newcomers to the sport, Owen Hull, 90, is one of the founding members of the group, although he no longer plays because he's "too old".
"It's the only sport I ever looked forward to.
"I didn't like football, cricket or any other sport," he said. "Naturally, I miss it, but I'm too old to play nowadays, although I still see my mate Wilfred from the club every week."
With a new clubhouse and with a growing number of junior members, the club seems likely to prosper for another 60 years yet.
