Les Kent Clout Shoot

The weather looked decidedly gloomy as we entered into Harrogate. Roads wet from a previously heavy downpour, and light rain falling onto the windscreens meant that the field where the clout shoot was to be held on was sure to be waterlogged. Our fears of the field being flooded in several parts turned to reality as we entered the car park.

Archers pitched their tents wherever a reasonably un-flooded area on the tent line (and further back) was available. Ian determined to show his allegiance to Lancashire with his 6’ x 4’ Red Rose of Lancashire flag set about erecting his flag pole. Unfortunately the pole snapped! After being dissuaded from climbing a Rugby goal post to place it at the top, the flag ended up being draped at the back of his tent. Maybe a good idea since the vast majority of archers were of the White Rose County!

The drizzling rain stopped as we ate our tasty Barbequed Sausage and Bacon barm cakes provided by St.Georges Archery Club, hosts of the shoot. Sighters proved just how much energy those Sausage and Bacon barms provided by means of Tracey hitting the 180 Yards target instead of her own at 140 Yards!

As the shoot progressed through the day intermittent drizzle haunted the Archers, and the grounds were churned to pure mud. This didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Archers, who continued to shoot with the unique happy friendly attitude that all Clout Archers seem to have.

 As normal in situations like this, the rain stopped, and the sky’s brightened up just as the shoot came to its end.

Peter Gregory, who organised the shoot on behalf of EBOR Archers, calculated the results (no computers here) whilst the raffle was held. Raffle out of the way, Peter emerged with the all-important results. As usual, although High Elm were the minority, our Archers walked away with trophy’s, and medals. Tracey came a very creditable second in the Ladies Longbow. Ian did well competing against a very large contingency of Longbow Archers, but did not make it into the awards arena. Jack shooting compound for the first time at clout, came first winning both a trophy and a medal.

Special thanks go to Peter Gregory (organiser of the shoot, and a true unheralded ambassador to archery).