Newsletter - National Field Archery Society

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6 ‘The Master’ I FIRST met John Whitmore at the Woodmen of Arden in 1971 A.D., it being the British Longbow Society's annual clout shoot in the Midlands (Meriden). The BLBS in those days had 161 members - the secretary being Thomas Wright, Count Stainer, CB Edwards and Edward G Heath (not the politician but well known author of 'The Grey Goose Wing' etc), Richard (Dick) Galloway - props manager for films such as Robin Hood and Kirk Douglas in The Vikings (Dick presented me with the prototype for Kirk Douglas's viking helmet), also Godfrey in 'Dads Army' and Val Valentine were well known script writers, who both wrote extensive essays on archery. I myself was shooting a Slazenger Longbow - being amazed I was being out-distanced by said gentleman. I was at an age of the strength of a lion - John came to my rescue, loaning me a longbow of his own manufacture to whit later he said: “It's yours. Pay me when you can.” So at shoots I always paid John's entrance fee (50p in those days, which would equate to £10.00 today). In 1972 John had the inspiration to do Roving Marks - with Fred Lakes tutorage to history and custom and practice thus we met at the George Inn, Leigh Sinton, Worcestershire, and later in Roger Trow’s parent’s pub in a church yard in Blackpole, near Worcester, to formulate Roving Marks. Our first open Finsbury Roving was held at Woodlands Farm, Loxley, in March 1974. John Whitmore, Captain to the Mark, with the following: Roger Trow, Michael Leedham, Brian Hulme, Roger Whitmore, Roy and Beryl Bickerstaffe, Ron Harvey and Ron and Eileen Palmer. When NFAS was founded by Roy and Beryl Bickerstaffe etc, I am pleased to remember the Finsbury Roving Marks were encouraged and insured by the then NFAS and held several shoots every year till the first decade of the 21st century under the umbrella of NFAS. John organised our first meet at Woodlands JOHN WHITMORE by John Holder Farm, Loxley, by the good grace of Joe Elliott. John often recited his adventures whilst serving his National Service in the Army in our colony in British Honduras, South America, later renamed Belize, shooting longbow after alligators/crocodile and other game, and also when on patrol, once making their way to the torrential waterfalls just perfectly portrayed on television. Upon completing his tour of duty he brought the idea of Field Shooting back with him, establishing Severn Valley Yeoman Foresters. John, with his twin brother Roger, were always a joy to shoot with and dispensed a dry wit, pleasing and beneficial. In January 1973 John inspired to re-enactment i.e. Plantagenent Society, practising at Woodland Farm - thence to his first venue at Warwick Castle, having practised - one man at arms had an arrow on a spring lashed to his torso. John shot the recipient, revolved and fell on the ground with the arrow popping up. The St John's ambulance crew ran onto the field thinking he had been shot (what fun!!!) John Whitmore shot at shoots all over the country - of diffuse discipline in all weathers; last but not least at Frankley Bowmen's clout/field shoot in November 2011. John won the Clout and he said to me, I quote: "John, would you mind picking up my arrows, I can't bend these days," to which I concurred happily. John won the Clout and, with myself still shooting the longbow he presented to me all those years ago, he received a Westminster Bodkin with cheers. Little did we know this was the last time we would shoot with 'The Master'. As Caesar said after the Battle of Philipli 'sunt lacrimae rerum lacrimae' THERE ARE TEARS FOR SUCH THINGS HE HAS LIVED Captain Finsbury Roving Marks John David Emmanuel Holder
Bickerstaffe Bows Finely crafted, high quality wooden English Longbows. We only use the very best quality materials in the manufacture of our bows. Most of the woods that we use have been used to make English Longbows, for at least 150200 years. We make both Wooden Longbows and also Wooden Flatbows in many different Traditional and Primitive designs. We have added some videos to the website, why not take a look? E-mail: pip@bickerstaffebows.co.uk Web site: www.bickerstaffebows.co.uk Tel: 01509 673863 Coffee Break Quiz Test yourself with the General Knowledge quiz set by George Hampson... 1. What was The Times newspaper first known as in 1785? 2. Who is the patron saint of Gravediggers? 3. Which company was the first to introduce teabags in 1952? 4. How many public enquiries were held before the M25 was given the go ahead? 5. Which boxer said: “Know what I mean ‘Arry”? 6. Which day of the week is named after the god Thor? 7. How many sides does a parallelogram have? 8. What can be a box or part of the body? 9. What does WRAF stand for? 10. What animal is shown in the painting ‘The Monarch of the Glen’? 11. What part of a garment is a raglan? Compiled by George Hampson 12. In which resort was Fawlty Towers set? 13. In what country is Pecorino cheese made? 14. What is Wiener Scnitzel? 15. What is Terry Wogan’s real first name? 16. What part of a Cola tree is used to flavour drinks? Answers below George Hampson Poulter Guys Bowmen 12. Torquay 13. Italy 14. Veal 15. Michael 16. Nuts 6. Thursday 7. Four 8. Chest 9. Women’s Royal Air Force 10. A red deer stag 11. A sleeve Answers: 1. The Daily Universal Register 2. St Anthony 3. Tetley 4. 39 public enquiries 5. Frank Bruno 7
Page 1: National Field Archery Society News
Page 4: 4 CONTENTS 6. ‘The Master’ John
Page 10 and 11: Noticeboard Cumbria Challenge 2012
Page 12: 12 Her Perfect Shot LOUISE Winters
Page 15: Committee Noticeboard No 1 Coach Co
Page 18 and 19: THE warmth of early summer brings o
Page 20 and 21: ARCHERY IN THE MOVIES No 22 "FLAME
Page 24: Archery as a Pastime BELOW you will
Page 28 and 29: Leo Reeves Thornbury 548 448 996 8
Page 31 and 32: UNLIMITED Gents Tony Hunt Lyme Vall
Page 34 and 35: 1st April - Ashcombe Valley 112 ARC
Page 37 and 38: National Field Archery Society Appr
Page 40 and 41: In order for archers to be able to
Page 42: 42 Osprey Weymouth DT3 4BU Mr Colin

Newsletter - National Field Archery Society

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