How it all began: Back in early 1982, a group of like-minded persons got together to discuss the setting up of Northampton's first field archery club. Peter Bond and Peter Hartwell had already done some ground work and found us Coneygree Plantation, which the landowner was prepared to let us have the use of. We walked the wood, looking at possible lanes, (when we could see over the waist high nettles!) and started clearing. what a job that was! We used sickles, home made sythes, swords - yes swords, staffs, spades garden forks, hedge slashers and billhooks, and probably other things that I've forgotten. What a pity we never thought to hire petrol driven strimmers, it would have made life so much easier in the first few months. We bought our first lot of straw bales in January 1983, put them out, panicked a lot, and finally held our first open shoot in February 1983 (we collected £17.66p)
15.06.83 First ever have-a-go stall (at Misterton Hall)
10.07.83 First ever have-a-go stall at Castle Ashby
01.08.83 Timber purchased to build hut (it's still in use)
18.12.83 First time we sold food at shoot 19.02.84 First ever Rose Bowl Trophy shoot
21.09.84 First ever Halloween Challenge Shield
21.04.85 First ever Founder Members Trophy shoot
14.06.85 First time we thought to hire a petrol strimmer !
24.05.86 Caravan purchased
July 1986 - UK Championships held at Coneygree Plantation
06.07.88 First time we brought training equipment
25.06.89 First have-a-go stall at Holdenby House
10.05.91 First beginners course recorded
14.12.91 First time we give out sherry/mince pies at Christmas
November 1999 First ever Life Member created!
Joe Joyce Founder Member, Honorary Life MemberMember