Archery group bank on target for success
THOSE walking the Southern Upland Way should be warned to listen out for the 'twang' of arrow hitting board.
THOSE walking the Southern Upland Way should be warned to listen out for the 'twang' of arrow hitting board.
For a new archery group, named the Southern Upland Roving Archers (SURA), have set up five venues across the eastern end of the 212 mile walk for its members to enjoy.
The club was set up by archery fantatic Mick Cowen of Westruther, who was initially uninterested in the precision sport.
He said: "Two years ago Ettrick Forest Archers (near Selkirk) kicked off and my wife joined having enjoyed archery at country fayres. I 'poo pooed' it but we both wanted to share a hobby so I started and loved it."
Mr Cowen gave a talk on archery to Friend of Kelso Museum last year and it was there that the idea of setting up a seperate club was born.
He helped fund its launch by selling items at on-line auctions, with no cash coming from funding organisations.
Mr Cowen added: "Ettrick Forest are part of the British Longbow Society so they can only use Victorian bows as part of rules and regulations.
With our group, you can use only bow, such as Victorian, flat, American and Indian.
"We will also have the facility to shoot target, field, clout, wand and roving mark archery."
Among the 23 members already signed up is a fletcher who will show members who to make arrows and a bowyer will guide participants in the art of making the bow.
And Mr Cowen believes the experience can be satisfying as well as good for your health.
"There was no classroom for making arrows at Ettrick forrest, no one sat down and showed you how to do it but we are offering this.
"I was a heavy smoker but spending time fletching arrows keeps my mind right off smoking. It is relaxing, soothing and good exercise out in the field using every muscle, even your toes, when you begin using the arrows.
"Julie Plunkett is a fletcher from Leitholm who sponsored our annual fun day last year when we paraded through Leitholm with two pipers.
"We also have a bowyer called Fred Bates. He is from Darlington, and carves 'et manu et corde' onto each of his bows which means 'With both hands and heart'."
Other activities through the year include SURA's debut in the World Wand Championships in Durham and their own inaugural shoot will see archers from Teesside, Oban and Ettrick Forest arrive to compete in the Borders.
A group of Territorial Army Volunteer Reserves also plan to tackle archery with the Southern Uplanders. "Civilians teaching soldiers will be a bit different!" said Mr Cowen, "But hopefully we can pick up one or two extra people for the club who want to take up archery as a hobby."
SURA's regular training days are: Winter - Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm; Summer - Tuesdays 12pm to 8pm, Saturdays 12pm to 8pm.
Current, lapsed and potentially new archers are invited to email southernupland@msn.com or telephone 01578 740205.
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Saturday 18 May 2013
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