Killingworth Archers have been around for 25 years or more, shooting at the same outdoor venue in all this time. Called 'Longmeadows', when the club started it was truly a long meadow and existed on it's own surrounded by farmland.
Over the years the land was sold off or converted to housing and this has resulted in the shooting direction changing. Where we once shot east, we now shoot to the North, towards the North Sea.
We share the site with the 'Boy's club'. Even this has changed in our time of 'political correctness' . The 'boy's club' is now a 'young persons club' and the basic pitches have had a 'make-over' and the footballers have a new 'exhibition' pitch. Much of the improvement was funded by a lottery grant which allowed a new Pavilion to be built including changing and shower rooms, a small kitchen and a couple of offices.
Some time after the 'unofficial' opening of the building the club was invited to the official opening which, as always seems to happen, had to be the coldest spring day we could imagine.

However, when the time came most of us were at work, toiling for pennies, but the club managed to form a band of members who were there to give the best welcome we could manage. After the introductions we were to give a small demonstration so we mustered every bow possible. It's strange how the longbow still seems to hold an enduring attraction and Ron was encouraged to tell all about the magic stick!

As you can see everyone looked cold but in time the Duke came over and was introduced to some of the more influential members of the club. George, one of the founder members, Kath and Charlie who have been members since Longmeadows were meadows, and Edna hidden away round the back.

Eventually, after the demonstration, which I may add, extended far beyond the time we expected it to, we all went off to the 'pavilion' and a little bit of warmth. After so long shooting at these grounds it would be desirable to stay there for the duration, but things never stay the same and the houses encroach ever closer. However it did provide one of those days to remember for the club and it's members.