Alex turns 18 in a few days so the Junior County Championship which was held this weekend (10 June) was Alex's last one.
The day was bright and sunny though there was plenty of wind but Alex battled through and took the win on the York Round.
He then came back the next day for the Senior Championship (11 June) and shot the York again but this time against the Seniors for the first time - and Won that.
Well done Alex - has the Essex Junior and Senior Championship been held at the same time by the same person before?
Alex Body has been shooting well recently and at the Noak Hill Westerns it looks like he had a very good day.
It was blustery and we have thunder just before the start of the shoot but Alex overcame the conditions and shot a new PB.
It also is a new County Record (subject to ratification) for the New Western of 714 which beats the previous record which had been held for over 30 years by Richard Selway at 708 since 1983.
Congratulations Alex and I'm sure this is not the last time PBs and records will go this year.
Archery GB has announced the National Squad that will represent Great Britain at major international events and show the world the quality and competitive nature of Archery GB's preparation and support programme!
The nine athletes have each proved they are capable of scoring at an internationally competitive level, as per selection documents published on the Archery GB website.
The squad is a mix of experienced internationals and new faces and offers huge potential to move forward and be competitive on the international stage.
The squad members are: Olympian Naomi Folkard Sally Gilder Bryony Pitman (Bryony is still eligible to compete as a junior.) Ashe Morgan Kieran Slater Olympian Patrick Huston Tom Hall Michael Judd Alex Wise (Alex is still eligible to compete as a cadet)
Tom, Michael and Alex are making the step up to the National Squad.
David Tillotson, Director of Sport at Archery GB, said: "I'm delighted to announce the new squad. I do believe that the scores these archers have latterly begun to show will enable us to be competitive throughout 2017, building towards the World Championships in Mexico in October.
There is an exciting blend of youth and experience within the squad but all have proven that they deserve to be there and are ambitious to take this opportunity. As with all squads, I will be reviewing standards and performance throughout the season to ensure we achieve our goals."
Louis Gladwell, President of Holdens Archers sadly passed away at his home on 28th February 2017.
Louis was a founder member of the club which was formed in 1975 along with his wife Lorna and their good friends Alan and Kitty Hatfield. He became Chairman in 1982 which was a post he retained until 2012, when he then became Honorary Life President.
When Alan and Kitty passed away, Louis initiated the August Bank Holiday Hatfield Memorial Shoot, which is now in its 34th year. The annual shoot has raised thousands of pounds for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity which is now known as Bloodwise.
Becoming a qualified archery instructor, Louis brought many people into the sport both through lessons at the club and as a coach at Brentwood School.
Louis was a man who brought solutions to any problems helping to propel the club to be one of the largest in Essex at its peak, one which often benefited from his many contacts in the local community.
Outside of archery Louis was a successful local business man, running his offices supplies and services business in Brentwood and Billericay.
His other great passion was music, where as a semi-professional singer he performed under the stage name “Ray Lewis” with the five-piece band “Gentlefolk” from 1975 to 2010 and more recently as part of the duo “A Touch of class”.
He was an active supporter of many charities and organisations continuously raising funds for Bloodwise, Brentwood Stroke club and Brentwood Drum Corps.
He is survived by daughter Lesley and three grandchildren.
He will be sorely missed on the “shooting line” and by all his many friends and archers in Essex.
Louis Arthur Gladwell
The funeral of Louis Gladwell will be held at
Bentley Crematorium, Ongar Road Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood CM15 9RZ, on Tuesday 28th March at 2.00 p.m.
A reception will be held afterwards at Ashwells Country Club Ashwells Road, Brentwood, CM15 9SE.
Louis family have requested family flowers only, but would appreciate donations to Brentwood Stroke Club or Saint Francis Hospice Havering.
