In memory of the passing of Steve Meredith the shoot was started with the Black Arrow.
Remarkably it was in the presence of Mrs Meredith and her sons Tom and William.
An act of courage on their part and one that Steve, who truly made his Mark in the Fraternity, would have been very proud of. Three of his beautiful Marks were shot in his honour that morning.
"Old Absoly’s" goodly distance a reminder to all that where Steve's Bows could stretch to it - so should we all.
The Duke of Edinburgh had his Black Arrow at Chevening, but the Deer Park was his ground.
A landscape in which he loved tuning up his considerable abilities at carriage driving. So, with the Mark "Aeolus" bearing the silhouette of HMS Magpie as his first Command, up went a second Black Arrow for our long-time host, His Royal Highness. The morning ended with the shot in the "Goose's Eye", which was only just spared by the nearest arrow shot by Gregory Robbins.
The afternoon shoot started with the Shot in the Cloth of Gold at which (unusually for the time of year) remarkable distances were achieved. Then across the pond to the "Finsbury pigeon", onward to "St Martin" and the artistically placed "Three Feathers". A long haul followed to "Town's End" after which a skilful shot was taken out of the woods towards "Martin's Monkey".
Conditions were tough, particularly for our new Archers whose enthusiasm nevertheless seemed to give them wings. After a short hop to "St Botolphus" the last two Marks "Tree in the Lane" and the "Begraues Phoenix" were well scored; testimony to the Fraternity Shooting Members' considerable stamina even toward the end of the day.
Prize-giving was in the only truly welcoming pub Catherine had been able to find. The perfect venue to wrap up a season's shooting. A season that was a reminder that the Fraternity has stood by its Archers as the only Longbow Company wholly committed to shoot throughout the Covid epidemic !
The medal for the Archer of the year 2021 went to the ever modest but deadly accurate Ruth Carty.
First to the Marks for the Gentlemen was David Warne, for the Ladies it was Ruth Carty (again).
At 297 yards John Turton comfortably won the Cloth of Gold, followed by Emma Erry with 248 yards.
Speed went to David Warne and Fiona Oakley. The latter had started shooting only 10 weeks earlier !
No matter what the competition among the Juniors, Leo Soutter demolished all with his firsts to the Marks,
Speed and in the Cloth of Gold.
As the data show the Shoot was of average difficulty - the challenge was in the weather and was well met with much good humour and laughter alongside some sobering moments.
