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High Cross open shoot 17th May 09

It seems to be becoming a tradition for us to experience winds and rain at our opens. Third time lucky? Well actually no…the wettest yet!
108 archers were booked in and nearly a dozen archers with brains decided to stay at home. They at least got ready in the warm, to watch Robin Hood Prince of Thieves again in the evening. The cold and wet ones that were left decided that Robin would not have shot that well in the rain and needed more practice. The big question that was not decided was who is the best looking Marion in all the Robin Hood films. This was followed by deciding the films are only watched to see Marion and criticise the archery equipment. So you can see despite damp conditions we kept up a goodly ritual of smutty comments.

The wet conditions proved no match for the company, who trudged round admiring distant views of the Malverns peeping through the misty veils. No Elgar was heard but the wind shrieking through the tops of the Poplars once again brought homely thoughts of feet up round a good log fire. Fortunately once off the car park field, conditions are very sheltered and calm conditions could be revelled in.

The High Cross dames strove to keep up a plentiful quantity of home made cakes, pasties and bacon butties.

Steve had set up a dart board part way round, to alleviate archers of a quid, instead of a raffle. Three unmatched arrows with practice bows. Top score was 2X triple 17’s and a double 17 …excellent…and worth a bottle of Jamisons.

The High Cross collection of 3D’s has now expanded to 7, profit from this shoot will hopefully purchase a few more by next time? Mike had placed a nice long downhill shot which had a few people fooled. This time it was one of Devises Bowman old 2D tigers against the butt. Next time there is potentially an even longer shot and we discussed making a huge Brontosaurus to shoot at; so ideas on construction would be gratefully received. Most targets were in the shorter and more commonly shot ranges, overnight nettles made sure archers were more than keen not to miss.

Our thanks go to all who attended and hope you all had a good time despite the weather. Our next shoot will be in October before we are back to GMT and possibly some dry weather.

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