Author Archives: Rob Jones

Thermal mug by lifeventure
Jan 18 2017

Equipment Review – Thermos Mug

Thermal mug by lifeventure

Thermal mug by lifeventure

Very quick equipment review to start the new year, on something I hope will help keep you warm on those cold winter shoots. Thermal mug by Lifeventure, we got ours from Cotwolds outdoor shot http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/lifeventure-thermal-mug-d3432028
A warm drink in a small thermos flask will serve you well to lift your spirits on a cold day and an be used in summer months to keep a drink cold.
These are small enough to fit in the water bottle holder (65 x 65 x 160mm) on our quivers holding 300ml of liquid. There are relatively inexpensive and there are other manufacturers who produce similar products. One thing I would suggest is avoiding those that come with handles as they are a bit harder to carry on a quiver belt.
We’ve been using these for a few years and found they have worked well for us and keep the drink hot for a few hours about 3-4 hours. In fact I use one for travelling into work and found it good for keeping the coffee warm while waiting on the train station.
Thermos mug

Thermos mug seal

They are pretty robust which is good as I’ve dropped the one I use foe work more than once and have a sizeable dent in the bottom, but still works. The are  made of stainless steel and of course have an insulated wall, being pretty watertight with a seal on the lid.
 I tend to have a flask with hot fruit cordial on my belt and a larger flask of spicy soup in the car when it is really cold. The advantage of having a fruit cordial is if it goes cold its still drinkable unlike cold coffee or tea.
Overall 7/10 would be good if they could keep content warm for longer but still not bad for the money. For some more advice on staying warm in the winter have a read of my earlier post here.
Thanks for reading.
Jan 12 2017

End of 2016 and questions for 2017

I don’t feel that I can say 2016 ended on an archery high note for Sharon or I.

Despite through the year we were placed at several shoots and with both of us securing placings at the NFAS National Championships again this year. We feel pretty low archery wise.

So why is this the case?

Simple, In December we were sent a formal letter from the club committee, informing us we have had our club membership for 2017 refused, in effect thrown out of the club. So despite our efforts in winning medals, reroofing shelters and setting courses at the club, we weren’t wanted. As is so often the case the rumours in the archery grapevine have already started as to what has caused this. Don’t worry I’m not going to have a whole soap opera style hissy fit or start throwing accusations. What’s done is done.  So Why did happen or trigger this?

There were a number of reasons cited in the letter but in short  we’d upset long standing members of the club by our actions and behaviour, having an over-officious attitude possibly when setting course or doing safety checks. We don’t know and since there is no appeal we can’t find out.  These members had complained in writing over several months to the committee. Apparently they also believed we wanted to take over the club. I’m not going to cite the entire contents of the letter but I think you have the feel of it.

Why didn’t they just talk to us in person or committee mention the concerns rather than leave it to this final action? Who knows, guess only they do. 

What I do know is the end of the 2016 found Sharon and I clubless and thinking long and hard about our future in archery. Sharon has been very hurt and upset by the whole thing, as have I. 

We’d both like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who when they heard or read our Facebook posts and comments have offered support. Not forgetting those who have called or spoken to us directly. Please  believe me when I say we both appreciate it greatly. 

The whole thing has left me feeling numb and second guessing myself. You try your best to contribute and support your club, but I now wonder whether our actions were wanted. You do your best to set a good standard of safety and support to all members, new and old, but is it seen as a threat? As I’ve said I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and second guessing myself. It’s also made me question any future role in any club, society or whether being a panda is better plan.

Why a panda ? Well it’s a phrase I heard from a fellow archer some years ago.

Eats, shoots and leaves: a Panda doesn’t look to do anything else other than turn up, shoot their bow round the course and leave or in short just turn up and shoots without the complications or involvement. Guess it is a good way to avoid being hurt. 

Normally at this time of year  I would be looking at the shoot calendar working out which ones to book on but not so sure now.

So 2017 is a year we start clubless and unsure whether any club would now want us as members having been thrown out of a well established previous club. It’s also made me want to step back from archery. Sharon is still passionate about archery, wanting to get back out shooting. I’m less comfortable with the thought of this right now. There are many people who I miss seeing but have in the back of my mind the thought that some of the supposed friends weren’t or maybe weren’t as honest as we thought. Also wonder what people will have heard about us, after all we’ve effectively been thrown out of a club for our behaviour. 

It is said that memories last far longer than the events which trigger them and I am cursed with a long memory .

Thanks for reading. Good luck to all in 2017.

stream running through valley
Dec 6 2016

Shoot Report – Bowmen of Bude

Catering tent at Bowmen of Bude

Catering tent at Bowmen of Bude

Sorry all for the delay in posting this shoot report. There is little doubt that Bowmen of Bude have a lovely ground, situated on a quiet wooded hillside a stones throw from the coastal town of Bude. This was the first time we had visited the club.
stream running through valley

The stream running through valley

Admin and catering for the shoot was situated in what appears to be an abandoned orchard.  Luckily it wasn’t a windy day as we might have done a few impressions of Isaac Newton being bumped on the head with occasional apple.
Admin at Bude through the orchard

Admin at Bude through the orchard

As it was the weather was kind to us being bright and warm, allowing for some lovely views and photos.
Target 1 second time round, Sharon shooting 3d

Target 1 second time round, Sharon shooting 3d

We would be joined by Chris shooting hunting tackle and Sandra in ladies longbow for our jaunt round. it’s always a good laugh shooting with Sandra and this was no exception.
Chris and Sandra sorting cards

Chris and Sandra sorting cards

All the marshals were very friendly and helpful, chatting with archers throughout the day. I also think they did enjoy watching archers shoot some of the longer shots set out on the course. Especially the elk and grizzly bear.
The 3D grizzly bear from red peg

The 3D grizzly bear from red peg, yes it is that far away.

Chris walking back from white peg Tfor the 3D grizzly bear

Chris walking back from white peg Tfor the 3D grizzly bear gives you an idea of distance.

The course was challenging thanks to clever and extensive use of the hillside and slopes , something they have in abundance.
Bowmen operated  a handicap system on the day which I’m not sure about. Each class is allocated a handicap which is added to your total score.
Chris on white peg shooting the 3D elk

Chris on white peg shooting the 3D elk

Sharon forcing me to pose for my shot on elk

Sharon forcing me to pose for my shot on elk. Managed to hit it with first arrow.

Personally I’d rather know what others scored in other classes without any handicap  but since the score called out includes the handicap level and you don’t know what the different classes handicap level is it’s hard to make sense of. I know they have since published a full listing on the Field archery news UK site.
Rob trying to judge distance to a shot

Rob trying to judge distance to a shot

The course  would be a twice round 18 with a slight difference. The organisers had set each of the 18 targets as a predator prey, meaning the first time round you shot the target that was the predator and second time you go for the prey. This I thought was a good way of organising a twice round whilst still making it challenging. Though I guess if you are a gap shooter it makes the second time round a bit easier .
Rob trying to judge distance for 3D bear

Rob trying to judge distance for 3D bear

I  think the only thing I felt spoilt an otherwise very enjoyable shoot was the end and placing ceremony. All visitors ie those outside of a set postcode were allocated into one class independent of gender or shooting style. The handicap is applied and then places calculated  with there being a 1st, 2nd and 3rd awarded. This meant that despite shooting a higher score in gents afb I didn’t win the class and instead got third in the visitors class. Very strange way of doing things.
I don’t feel this is fair or would encourage others to attend. I also wonder if it is fair to locals as they don’t get to know how they fare against visitors. Image if you had shot a personal best and then found someone else had been recognised as being the winner on the day.
When I mentioned this to the organisers they said it was because it was the South West crown. If that’s the case give 1st, 2nd and third as normal and then award the crown separate. The Welsh and Scottish Champs don’t do this so why south west? Just my thoughts though.
Though I didn’t like the visitors element which I think spoilt the ending, in all it was a good day with a challenging course and great company.
Thanks for reading.