GNAS All British Championships at Ballywater Park

Here are some photographs and a report by Janet Lloyd detailing their experiences at the 2008 All British Field Championships.

 

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2008 GNAS All British Field Championships

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Report by Janet Lloyd

All British and Open Field Championships 2008 at Ballywalter Park Co Down Northern Ireland.

A group of Long Bow Archers from Friskney Bowmen set out on Thursday at noon, heading for Birkenhead to Belfast ferry terminal. The group consisted of Janet, Joe, Richard Lloyd and Alan Blythan. We arrived well in time for our 10.30 pm crossing, even though we needed to be there 2 hours before departure. The crossing was like a mill pond and we were allocated a cabin even though we had not booked one so that was a bonus. We had supper and breakfast on board, so we ready for our adventure.

The weather this morning is better than when we left Birkenhead because it had just started to rain, but now the sun is out so let us hope that is the way it stays all weekend. We drove down to Portaferry which is where our B & B was looking for the archery course on route. We found both places then went and found a place to have a cup of tea. Afterwards we went back to the archery course and we meet fellow archers who like us had gone for a practise. All was going ok to start with until we heard crack and a bang and it was Richard’s bow it had broke into pieces and we mean pieces it was like kindling for a fire wood. Everyone started to make enquiries for him to see if anyone had a spare longbow, one was found but it would not arrive until Saturday morning so we thought at least that was solved so at least he would be able to shoot. Then Paul Clark arrived from Panther Bowmen and he had a spare bow and he said that Richard was most welcome to use it so that is what he did. We would like to say a big thank you to Paul for the use of the bow. We finished our practise and went back to Portaferry for dinner. Saturday morning the sun is still shining and we arrive at the shoot. We await call up so we can be lead out to the course. We are on the marked course to day. It was very original to say the least, with so difficult shots and some pretty and interesting shots. Difficult because of the up and down shots. Pretty and interesting because we were shooting around a stately home garden so we had shots across lawns, up on tree trunks and across ornamental ponds. Also amongst the Rhododendrons of many species. So there were lots of different colours in the garden. The unsighted archers finished about 2 hours before the sighted archers. So we were away in to Newtownards for dinner. After dinner we return by the coast road on the Strangford Lough side of the peninsula. We had stops on the way so that our new ‘David Bailey’ (Alan) could take photos.

Sunday morning the sun is still shinning so we are in for another great day of archery. Today we are to shoot the unmarkeded course which is in the woodland behind the main gardens. So the course today is a challenging in different ways today. Targets on stands behind fallen trees about 3 feet off the ground with dead areas in front of the target. Down hill shots ones across small valleys. But we only lost one arrow for sure and that was Alan whilst Joe can not remember if he took 7 or 8 arrows out on course on Saturday. I know I took out 12 and brought back 12 both days how good is that for me. At the end of the shoot we had to move to Ganaway for presentation. They had it at the Boys Brigade Hostel here so they use the sports hall. Results Joe 2nd Alan Richard and I 2nd and then Joe and I won the married couples trophy using a handicap system. Team England came 1st even though none of us was on the team. We said our goodbyes and then went for dinner. We all went back to our B& B.

On Monday the weather was still sunny, we just spent the day sight seeing and after dinner Richard and Alan went in to Portaferry to The Fiddlers Green to try out the local hospitality.
On Tuesday morning we departed Portaferry and made our way back to Belfast for a 10.30 am crossing. Today even though the weather is misty and damp the crossing is still like a mill pond. The worst part of the journey was on the M62 were it was foggy. We arrived back in Boston at around 11.15 pm. Alan then left us to finish his journey from the east coast of Ireland to the east coast of England.

A good weekend was had by all. Here is to the next 2 day shoot in 2 weeks time.