Go For Gold - May 2006

Welcome back outdoors, it's time to dig out the mouldy waterproofs, walking boots and all of last years' excuses for not shooting due to the wind/rain/cold/midges!

Just a reminder re times, Friday 6pm 'til approx 8pm, Sunday 10am 'til 1pm. Outdoors is more work to set up the session, so prompt arrival if possible (Fridays can be tricky as it's such an early start) or if you can stay to pack up, it would be appreciated.

Long Time No See

We are aware that we have a number of members who haven't been for a while; we hope you've just been too busy (life does get in the way of shooting sometimes) and that you are all well. It would be great to see you back shooting or even just pop by to say hello. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Come Back and Have-a-Go Friday 16 June 6pm

This is a session for both current members who haven't been for a while and previous members to encourage further participation in archery. We intend to have silly targets, balloons, food & drink, and coaches and committee available to chat, catch up and give instruction. Please consider coming along, can't promise good weather but can definitely promise good company. There will be no charge for this session.

Outdoor Fees

We are doing the same as last year, members can choose to pay £25 Sen £10 Jun in advance, or £2.50 / £1 per session, up to a maximum of £25/£10. May I continue to fly the flag for pre-payment, as it represents very good value and saves me a heck of a lot of work. If you think you will be at the club 10 times from April to September, please pay in advance. Cheers.

If you choose to pay weekly, could you please mark that you have paid, if I am not there, I can't know where the money has come from. Sheets will be on display from Friday 28 April. Cash in pirate chest as usual.

Junior News

Matthew Maitland has been chosen for the Scottish Junior Team competing in a FITA 900 at Thirsk, in Yorkshire, weekend of 29/30 April. This is always a difficult shoot as it is so soon into the outdoor season, not a lot of time for practice, so we wish Matthew all the best, we're cheering him on.

Competitions

Once again, Penicuik is running a number of competitions this season. Every adult member has been given details with a request for some level of assistance if possible. The sheet is hopefully easy to understand, and I would ask you all to consider carefully how much you are able to support the club. Please return the forms to Dot in the prepaid envelope as soon as you are able, thank you. Juniors are very welcome to assist as well, see Dot if you would like a volunteer form too. Reminder: No club sessions on competition days.

Have - a - Go Sessions

We are kept busy over the outdoor season with a number of community/fundraising events, details as follows:

NATO Reserve Event is on Saturday 13 May

Penicuik in the Park is on Saturday 27 May, 11- 4ish, this is a very busy event, if you would like to help, please see Dot. You would not necessarily have to coach, collecting money and crowd control are very useful skills!! So is dishing out the chocolates for burst balloons!

Fettes Police Event is on Saturday 10 June.

Peebles Ladies Circle is on Tuesday 23 May (to be confirmed)

Assistance is particularly being sought for the NATO and Fettes events. They are both good fun, and do a lot to increase the awareness of archery. NATO is held at Redford Barracks and is a whole day, but committing to even just a couple of hours would be great. For further information or to register your help, please contact Dot on 01968 676545.

Parking at Club Sessions

Most of you will be aware of the problems we have had regarding access to the field, and that we are no longer allowed to park inside the field. The gates are now no longer locked, and other field users have been parking inside, they are doing so without permission from the Council, and we have registered our complaints about this. We are seeking clarification of this issue with Councillors and council employees, but until this is resolved we are asking that all our members park outside on the road. There is only disabled access to the field. Thank you for your cooperation, as soon as we have further information we will let everyone know.

Field Archery at Dalmore Archers

We have an invitation from Dalmore Club near Kincardine to arrange a field archery taster session for members, This would probably have to be on a Saturday morning in May/June. If you would be interested in trying a round of field archery, email Liz. If enough people are interested we'll get details out as soon as we can.

www.penicuikarchers.co.uk

Website up and running. All sorts of stuff on it, please check it out. If you have any ideas of what you'd like to see on the website, email Martin on the site. All comments welcome.

Coaching Calendar

We are finalising the coaching calendar for the outdoor season. This lists all club events/competitions as well as identifying who is duty coach when. We hope this will be useful to archers as well as our coaches. It will be sent out when ready, and displayed in the container.

Just a few reminders re safety.

We must always ensure boundary tape as well as signs are in place at club sessions. Remember the FAST rule, if something seems to be unsafe whilst shooting, shout fast, come down from shooting and remove your arrow from the bow. Better to be safe than sorry. Lost arrows - Shooting may only continue for two ends if there is a lost arrow, at that point all shooting must cease and all archers assist with the search.

Hope to see you all soon, good shooting.