FAQs

If I have not shot before, or have only shot very occasionally (e.g. at country fairs, in the guides, scouts or at school) how do I learn the sport?

Ashcombe Archers runs beginners’ courses twice during the year (Spring & Autumn) for people who wish to take up the sport of archery. The courses are advertised on our website and on our Facebook page. We can accommodate up to 12 beginners on these courses and enquiries are taken on a “first come, first served” basis. We rely solely on adverts on our website, Facebook page and word of mouth.

How much does it cost to be a member of Ashcombe Archers?

Annual AVA Fee – £70 (Adult) £ 35 (Under 18’s)

Members of Ashcombe Valley Archers are also required to join the National Field Archery Society (NFAS). Their current annual fee is £20 for Adults and £10 for under 18’s.

What do I get as a Member?

Members are given access to our shoot ground 365 days a year, where a permanent course of 3D targets are set out in woodland and field locations. We also have a practice range with targets set at various distances to hone your skills.

We are currently testing the waters for an intra-club competition. This offers members the chance to experience an competition-style shoot, with some friendly faces and less pressure.

Also, providing there is enough interest from members, our Club Coach, with the help of other, experienced members, will look to host an “Improvers” course. This is aimed at members who have previously been on one of our beginners courses and wish to learn more about shooting mechanics and equipment maintenance and repair. Ready for when they are buying their own equipment.

Can I shoot your course without being a member?

In order to be allowed to shoot our course, for insurance purposes, you must be a registered member of the NFAS (Full or Provisional) or as part of our Beginners Course. Provisional members of the NFAS can only shoot when accompanied by a member who has had a current  Full membership of the NFAS for a continuous period of two or more years. Visitors from other NFAS clubs or independant members of the NFAS can shoot at our club as a visitor paying a £5.00 for each visit.

What type of fletching should I use to ‘shoot off the shelf’?

Always use feathers and not plastic vanes, firstly feathers will compress as they move along the shelf if they touch the bow, and secondly plastic will wear the shelf cutting a groove in it.

What does ‘spine’ mean?

In simple terms the spine describes the bendiness of an arrow, for carbon arrows spine is measured in thousands of an inch and is the defelection at the centre of an arrow resting in two points 28″ apart with a calibrated weight hanging from the centre of the arrow. So a 500 spine means 1/2 inch deflection, the bigger the number the larger the deflection. The higher the poundage of the bow the lower the spins should be, there are tables available on the internet to give guidance, they are not absolute rules. for an Aluminium arrow the number on the arrow such as 1816 is the diameter of the shaft (first two digits) and wall thickness (last two digits), there are charts available to determine the correct arrow for a given bow weight. Wooden arrows are rated to the poundage of the bow e.g. 40/45. If in any doubt talk to a coach or your favorite archery shop for advice.