Greetings my fellow toxophilites!

Welcome once again to your monthly dose of gossip and scandal!

This year’s event will take place on the above date and cowards amongst you will be gratified to know it will be a Portsmouth round. None of those small 40cm faces you all know and fear! By the time you are reading this edition all active Club members will have received a hand out which contains all the details you will need to know. I a-wait with baited breath for a flood of hand – outs to be returned to me by the closing date.

A SAFETY ISSUE

I would like to bring to your attention an incident which took place on Saturday 16th of January .I had been doing things in the outside store and when I came back into the hall I found Scott with 6 broken arrows. After speaking to him he informed me that while he was shooting his target boss fell over due to the fact that the centre staff had put the boss up vertically. On reflection it was not just the staff to blame but ourselves. How often do you check that your boss is OK? Do not assume that they are always put up correctly. To that end as I have stated at recent Club sessions BEFORE you put your 60cm target face on check that your boss and stand have been put up correctly, if they have not then fix them. If you have problems, then see someone else for help or advice. Thankfully, Scott was not too concerned once he had knocked back a couple of double Ribenas! I have also spoken to the Centre Manager and asked him to inform his staff on this matter to hopefully ensure that this does not happen again

A WONDEROUS EVENT !!!!!!!!

Saturday the 16th was also a notable occasion. As I was doing things in the outside store I was un-able to do the whistle signals. However, without being asked, David N picked up the whistle and took over the duties. Well done that man! Have a double Ribena on me!

On a slightly more serious note I was informed that at one Saturday session a junior was allowed to use the whistle. It is better from a safety point of view that it should only be a senior member who should do this as there are usually enough of them in attendance. As I have said before if no one is willing to do this then a rota will be made up for whistle duties with all seniors expected to take a turn when requested. It should not just be myself, Billy or David R doing this all the time nor should I have to ask people either. So there!

CANCELLED CLUB SESSION

On Saturday the 27th of this month there will be NO ARCHERY. This is due to boxing tournament, which is taking place that night. Sorry for this late announcement as I only heard about it on the 13th by chance.

LASSWADE INDOOR OPEN – SUNDAY 7TH MARCH 2010

I am sure you will not have forgotten about this shoot. All I am asking is that some of you will help to get the range set up on Saturday the 6th and also help in getting everything put away after the shoot on the 7th. In addition, we would like you to donate prizes for the raffle. Thank you.

TOURNAMENT REPORTS

EASTERN AREA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ( UKRS) (600) 17TH OF JANUARY 2010.

This years Area shoot was attended by eight Lasswade members shooting a Portsmouth round and between them they gained 3 trophies and 4 medals which is one of our best results for many years.

The results for our members were as follows. I have listed their placing and their overall placing if visitors scores from the North and West had been factored in.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (SRS) (600) 24TH OF JANUARY 2010

Two of our brethren entered this shoot through in the “Wild West of Scotland”. I said two members entered although in reality only one made it. The other sleepyhead missed 2 alarms and therefore did not make it. The name of the offender eludes me but I seem to remember he is tall with a nearly bald- head and glasses and he shoots a compound bow. Do you know who this is? If you do, send your answers on a postcard to the usual address by 01/04/10.

The first name drawn will win an all expenses night out (*) with this gentleman who is very “open minded”. Therefore the single result was as follows:-

* Webmaster Note - By all expenses this means "coming out of Donalds pocket"

Gareth was also second overall in the boys group and just missed out the top spot by 1 point.

P.S. On closer inspection the mystery gentleman is not as bald as I thought. He just keeps his hair cropped!

OBAN AND LORN OPEN (NRS) (600) – 31ST OF JANUARY 2010

Another shoot through in the West but at least it was a nice peaceful non – record status Portsmouth Round. This was again contested by Gareth and even Mummy Fleming took part! Gareth took the U16 Boys Recurve cup with a score of 552. He also shot in the afternoon session but only his morning score counted. However, his afternoon session score of 562 was a new personal best for the Portsmouth round. Well done!

Not to be out done Adelle came 1st in the Ladies Recurve group winning a nice silver cup with a score of 516. Not a personal best however. As she probably tells her pupils often enough, MUST DO BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (WRS) (600) – 7TH FEBRUARY 2010

Although this shoot was once again held at Lasswade, it was run by Norrie and Elayne McLean of Penicuik Archers. The entry for Lasswade was down 50% on the Area shoot in January and I can’t think why unless it was something to do with the fact that the target faces are only 40cm.

In addition, as these are the Senior Championships any junior or novice who can get an entry has to shoot as a senior as the SAA usually have a separate U21, Novice and Junior shoot earlier in the season. However, this did not deter our members.

The placing for our members were as follows with Phil and Gareth also shooting in the afternoon session as well although only the morning scores counted.

As I said although our entry was down it was good to see a few newer members making the effort and I hope that they will continue to better themselves in time.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2010

FEBRUARY
Saturday 27th – No Archery.

MARCH
Sunday 7th - Lasswade Indoor Open. Round – DOUBLE FITA 18M.

Wednesday 10th - Optional Coaching Session.

Saturday 13th - Indoor Club Championships. Round – Portsmouth (You lucky people!)

Wednesday 24th - Optional Coaching Session.

So endeth the 170th Chapter.

Donald