The Club Story So Far

Rheged Bowmen started in June 2008. At that time, the founding members, Tim Potter, Jay Potter had been looking for suitable woodland to start a new club for a couple of years. Both had been members of other Cumbrian clubs, but wanted somewhere within their locality that offered 365 days a year access, variable ground and a legal lease. Not an easy task to accomplish.
The woods that the club now has, located near Aspatria Cumbria, were found by Tim and Jay. They started negotiations with the farmer and by June had secured the land. Work then began on raising funds to purchase some target bosses, and a grant from Aspatria council allowed for the purchase of 10 bosses. Tim started a website, and had membership cards printed, and the club was up and running.
Pretty soon the club started to grow and by August there were 11 members. We still hadn't agreed membership fees then, and muddled along for a few more months, attending a few open shoots at other clubs.The woods themselves are on the site of the former Allhallows Coal Mine, which closed in 1927. This has created an interesting area, with predominantly birch woodland. The site had at one time been used by a 4wd club, and an off road course is still there.
Occasionally the local village children use the course for motocross, although this is something that is being reduced, and is restricted to the off road course.Within the woods there are various slopes, a hill and some excellent shots. The woodland alone is large enough to lay two forty target courses, and adding the off road course gives us even more scope to lay interesting and challenging shots.
In April 2009, an inaugural meeting was held at the Letters Inn in Aspatria, and was well attended. Later that month the first AGM was held, and the first committee was voted in. This was followed the following weekend by the clubs first practice session held at the woods, which was well attended and enjoyed by everyone.
The future of Rheged Bowmen looks very good, we have a good membership and are growing continually. The original drive that created the club continues, and plans are being made to raise more funds, and improve our equipment. Tim is hoping to hold the clubs first open competition early in 2010. This will be followed by further competitions. The club will also be starting its own internal league, and contacting other Cumbrian clubs with a view to forming a Cumbria league. All in all the club is going from strength to strength and looks forward to a great future.