Photographs

The SPTA [Society for the Promotion of Traditional Archery] St. Edwin's Day Shoot [12 October].

The St Edwin's Shoot organised by the Society for the Promotion of Traditional Archery [SPTA]. St Edwin is another English Saint ignored by Rome but who the English have venerated all the same! [Edwin was born in 585AD into a Celtic pagan royal family,in the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, he married Ethelburga, daughter of king Ethelburt of Kent. He was a Christian king, having being converted through the work of Augustine of Canterbury. Edwin was married on the conditions that Ethelburga be allowed to continue her Christian faith. Eventually Edwin himself became Christian and was baptised by Paulinus in 627. Just over 100 years later the Venerable Bede, one of Englands finest historians, writing in his Ecclesiastical History  records that Edwin was a fine warrior and an honourable man.] The shoot was open to all archers who shoot English Longbows [Andy Wellings & Derek Smith]; American flatbows   [Andrea Beddard] Primitive Bows [Alex Smith], and recurves with wooden risers. Instintive style, no sights. Wooden arrows with feather fletches only. The shoot comprised a gallimauffrey of toxological delights: a short field shoot; popinjay [with plastic ducks] shot using flu-flus; Moving target shot from Wooden Olive; A clout style long distance into a massed ranks of French archers and pikemen; speed shooting and flu-flus into a dustbin.

Please click on the thumbnails to view the photographs at a larger size.

Alex showing that despite having to ride Wooden Olive backwards ['cos he's left handed] he can still hit 5 out of 6 moving targets	Despite the rain a good turn out	The French archers' join us for tea	It could have been grouse for supper!
Alex, Andrea and Derek check their scores [and if all arrows are present and correct!]	Andy goes for a partridge in a pear tree	Andrea has a go too	Alex climbs the tree to check the scores
The Flight of Arrows	The Archers prepare for the finale