Chairman's Report

It has been a another difficult year for the members but with fingers crossed the future looks much brighter now as the covid restrictions are lifted and shooting can hopefully return to pre covid levels, we do recognise that there is still some apprehension about distancing but we have put systems in place to ease any concerns. The installation of the matting has proved a great success and has allowed us to shoot out doors throughout the winter, and they will now be a permanent feature and I would like to thank the members who have cleaned and relayed them this year. I know that some members felt that the measures we took during the pandemic were a little draconian but we had to follow the guidance laid down by the government and Archery GB and in doing so,(plus with all our protocols in place) we were one of a handful of clubs that could shoot during most of the pandemic.

The good news is that our field has been declared a permanent green space and all the previous planning permissions have been rescinded which is one major hurdle removed from our request for a new 30year lease for Appley which will allow us to seek funding for upgrading the facilities and possibly a new indoor range, we have met with a council official and our request is being discussed by the relevant councillors and once we can get an agreement in principal we can proceed with the legal side and secure a long term future for the club, but to achieve this aim we must prove to our landlord that we can maintain the field and buildings to a good standard and therefore we will have to continue to raise funds and network at various events on the Island to show that we are indeed financially capable and will not be a burden to the local authority.

I would like to thank you all for hanging in there over the past two years and especially the officers and committee for working hard behind the scenes to enable the club to function as it has, and to the members who have given up there own shooting times to coach under difficult conditions at the beginners courses because without new blood the club will not survive.

May I wish you all a good summers stress free shooting season.

Stuart Dyer(Chairman)