Tag Archives: thank you

Aug 8 2014

Some sad news – passing of Roy Bickerstaffe

This week I received some sad news from my old clubs (Black Arrow) chairman Kevin Bunting, concerning the passing of a well know archer and fellow club member Roy Bickerstaffe.

Kevin has put these words together and asked I share them with the wider archery community.

Roy Bickerstaffe - perfect style

Roy Bickerstaffe – perfect style

It is my sad duty to advise you of the death of Roy Bickerstaffe after a short period of rapidly declining health. Roy started the ‘Derby Carriage and Wagon Welfare Archery Section’ in March 1965 (was this the longest archery club name ever?)

Roy shot both target and field in those days and was very proficient in both, swapping with apparent ease between the classic target ‘Freestyle’ and ‘Heavy Tackle’ as Hunting Tackle was originally known.

Roy involved himself in all aspects of the sport: administration, coaching and, of course, shooting.
 
In 1970 the BFAA merged with the EFAA and soon Field Archery as we had known it was changing and not for the best.  Roy with a few others decided that enough was enough and with the hindsight afforded by their experience of the BFAA and the benefits of a clean sheet of paper, founded the NFAS in 1973. This gave field archers the wonderful opportunity to again engage with the sport as they wanted.  True, the NFAS migrated down a path they may have strayed somewhat from Roy’s vision but there is not a single true field archer that does not owe Roy and his band of merry men and women a debt of gratitude for what we all enjoy today.
 
Roy could talk for hours on a wide range of subjects and frequently did and there are many who have missed appointments, meals, loved ones and sleep as they tried without success to prompt an end to the dialogue or rather, monologue.  But one thing is for sure….that all who benefited from time with Roy was the richer for it.
I’d like to pass on my condolences to all the Bickerstaffe family. Though I only met Roy a couple of times when I first started shooting as Kevin says he had a wealth of experience that he was always willing to share.
Thank you, Roy  for all the work and effort you  made to a hobby I have the privilege to enjoy.
Thank you for reading.
Jan 18 2013

snow, snow, and some more snow

This has nothing to do with archery and simply a series of pictures of my walk home on Friday. The UK doesn’t get snow that often and in turn often suffers from not always being prepared.

The weather forecast had been predicting snow for a few days but it still caused problems. Despite this many of us managed to get to work. Having said that I did head in prepared with my winter walking gear (walking boots, lined trousers, hot drinks etc)

The first picture is taken at the train station at about 7:30 am when I had walked there from the house, not too bad yet.

taken on way to work

taken on way to work

8:30 am and here are the next photos taken from my office window, it had only just started to fall any amount

8-30 am

by 9:40 Birmingham was seeing heavy snow fall

9-30 am, note the snow on cars

View from office at 9:30 am, note the snow on cars

 At 1 pm an email went out saying managers could allow staff to go home early due to weather. My next train was at  2 pm so I headed to the train station, and this was where these were taken.

university station from walkway

university station from walkway

university station from platform

university station from platform

Unfortunately because the previous train had been cancelled when the 2 pm train arrived (late) it was already packed and no-one could get on. Option left was to wait for the 3 pm train or catch a different train and have about a 3.5-4 mile walk home via country lanes.

Me being me I chose to walk and in some ways so glad I did. Okay so walking 4 miles in snow might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but to put it simply I love cold weather. It also gave me an opportunity for a country walk and this is where these photos were taken.

Starting walk home

Starting walk home

snowy train

snowy tree

snowy lane

snowy lane

snowy field

snowy field

And finally got home. Have had about 4-5 inches (10-12 cms) of snow since 7:30 am

20130118_160814

Just like to say a big thanks to all the workers and volunteers who have kept UK going, whether it be rail service, gritting roads, meals on wheels or emergency services, thanks.

Hope you like them and for those of you out in the cold, keep safe and stay warm, thanks for reading.