The week had been building up to our Open Competition, Sunday. Early in the week saw the “Johns” marking out the range to Archery GB regulations. First time the club chairman had been allowed to return to Rockingham Forest Park (@RFP) after his surgery. Then Wednesday and Friday evening sessions that suddenly became very popular as everyone realised, they needed to check sight marks, and get a bit of practise in, club members were in good spirits, although Friday evening was hot hot hot.
Early morning saw a bleary-eyed Pete, our Tournaments Officer and man in charge of the competition, arrive at RFP with the dawn chorus. With caffeine and enthusiasm, he started the set up for the day. Working party arrived and by 8-30am everyone who was helping had a bacon roll arrive from the Command Post and those competing were already trickling through and signing in. Just the one hiccup, no Kai on the target list or signing in! Somehow, in among the admin, his entry details had been lost ( but he’s Griffin family and so was able to laugh it off as Pete juggled to get him entered)!
Behind the waiting line, Archers were setting up their kits and chairs, with an assortment of gazebos and tents, large umbrellas and the like in preparation for the day. The official AGB Judges agreed the range and Assembly was called at 9-45am. A colourful assortment of bows and archers populated the shooting line for “sighters” and the competition had begun. There were novices taking part in their first competition and veteran archers who had competed for years, but everyone is equal on the shooting line.
As the sun beat down there were archers using bucket hats to literally scoop water and pour over their heads to keep cool, others had wet towels around necks, shoulders or over their heads. Water, tea and coffee, was available to those who wanted it. Sunscreen was essential and shade became a necessity in between ends.
The first distance was complete and everyone was ready for their lunch break, the judges got the most delicious looking ploughman’s lunch from the Command Post, the work party were provided with options of a burger or a panini. Our Chairman John, and Di, arrived at the end of lunch, John would be acting as Lord Paramount, ready to hand out medals and awards.
The second distance passed quickly and the chatter at the waiting line was now in full force, shooting line and target friendships had been forged and a unique to Archery feeling of camaraderie had taken root.
Raffle time as the scores were sorted and the range started to be taken down. Even Di and John won a prize, so lots of fun!
Uniquely Griffin, as scores were added up and it was discovered that Oliver had beaten Kai, despite Kai’s best efforts at sabotage, that Steph had gained Gold by 1 point in her category,
Amy won her first Gold, and gained a 252 score out of it too. Peter W got a deserved Silver with John Loveridge from Parkfield getting Gold. Sara gained a classification out of her score and all of our entrants did amazingly. It was hot, it was many of their first competition, so WELL DONE EVERYONE.
During the awards ceremony it was discovered that gold medals had been labelled a silver on a couple of awards, this was soon remedied, and then we ran out of gold medals. So, an IOU and a plastic gold medal had to suffice. Luckily John was Lord P and his usual witty banter kept everyone smiling. Its what makes us Griffin, we are never phased, we just get on with a smile.
Before long everyone had disappeared and the field looked beautiful again in the late sunshine. Lots of memories and photos on the gallery.
With everything the Griffin family have been through, this was a great achievement. Let’s do it again, but without the heart attack, broken legs, new baby, bypass surgery, moving house, and everything else that has impacted on this year! Griffin Archer family pulled it through xxx