Acorn-tastic!

Last Bank Holiday Monday the Club put on its 57th Acorn tournament, and the first tournament since the relaxing of the Covid restrictions.

We had over 100 archers from clubs as far afield as Sevenoaks and Exeter, (with one archer visiting from Greece!) which was great to see.

The weather was probably what you would expect on an August Bank Holiday – grey, overcast and cold with a tricky wind – but a least the rain stayed away! and it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for a return to proper competitive archery at GAC.

The day started with bacon butties for breakfast courtesy of the snack van, and a lot of catching up with old friends before the mayor of Guildford was invited to shoot the opening arrow of the tournament (a tradition almost as long as the Acorn tournament itself!)

The mayor did very well, and received a well-deserved cheer from the assembled archers before the whistle went for sighters, and serious business got underway. The first 6 dozen arrows were shot at the longest distance (80 yards for those shooting the Hereford) and completed in time for lunch, when there were burgers and hot dogs to be enjoyed.

The standard of shooting throughout the day was very good, and the work party didn’t have too much to do, and the final arrows were shot by around 5.30.

Once all the adding up had been done and equipment packed away, there was a raffle, expertly hosted by Steve Tully, which filled the time until white smoke emerged from the Box to signify that the results were ready

The results were announced by Tournament Organiser, Kevin Molloy with trophies and medals given out by the Lady Paramount, Joanna Robinson. There was a great deal of Guildford success as well;
– Acorn Team Trophy; 1st Place – Matt Sharpe, Richard Fitzgerald, John Bedford, Kirsty Young
– Barebow Pairs; 1st Place – Tony Fry and Steve Angove
– Junior Team Trophy; 2nd Place – Holly Linfield and Meghan Robertson
– Gents Barebow; 3rd Place – Tony Fry

Well done to them, and all the 13 Guildford archers who competed!

There was also a great turnout of GAC members volunteering to help – the preparation on Sunday night was done in record time, and the set up on Monday morning was complete before the first archers arrived. A HUGE ‘Thank You’ to everyone that helped, in whatever capacity – many hands did make light work!