Watch this web site for details of the next course or contact our secretary Mr Ty Cruddas on 01455 632015 for details. Or e mail tyandlis@hotmail.com

Beginners to the club can use the clubs basic equipment until they feel it is time to purchase their own equipment, new or second hand.. The nearest archery shops are Quicks at Sapcote and Merlin at Loughborough. Recurve archery "sets" range in price from 120 to 480. Compound bows are slightly cheaper than recurve bows but accessories (sights, arrow rest etc) are more expensive. The beginner will usually start with a recurve bow which is at the lower end of the poundage scale. (Ladies will usually pull between 26 to 36 pounds whilst gents usually pull between 36 to 42 pounds) Thus an upgrade to heavier limbs and arrows to suit usually takes place after 1 to 2 years in order to reach the maximum distances shot. (80 yards for ladies, 100 yards for men).

Compound bows have different "cams" which dictate the amount of energy stored by the bow. The high energy cams usually require the peak bow weight to be held for longer before the "let off" comes into affect. The "valley" is usually much shorter as well and the shot is fairly "explosive"

Longbows are made of wood and thus there is no guarantee that they will not break. Laminated bows usually store more energy than one of wood (self) bows. A draw weight ranging from 40-55lbs will be necessary to shoot long distances without too high an arrow trajectory.

Beginners should avoid buying very cheap arrows, as they bend too easily, or pure carbon arrows, as they fly faster, they splinter easily and cannot be found with a metal detector. (It is a good idea to buy spare nocks and fletchings when purchasing arrows).

Experienced archers are always willing to offer help and advice upon request, and usually know someone selling suitable second hand equipment.