This annual shoot was started by Ken Gray who ran Mayflower’s Junior Club prior to his death in 2002. Ken wanted this shoot to act as a gentle introduction for junior archers who were new to the sport and had not yet attended a tournament. The format has always been relaxed with an average score system adopted for each team which adjusts scores for compound archers allowing all to compete together.
Behind the light hearted atmosphere however is a strong competitive spirit and each team manager is plainly looking for a good result. This year’s shoot was supported by junior teams from Epping, Rayleigh, Braintree, West Essex, Colchester and Mayflower.
Our thanks to Michael and Maggie Pearce for their usual good humour in judging the event and encouraging our young archers, many of whom were at their first ever tournament. Michael was sporting his now customary hideous socks (see photo) and enthusiastically announced the World famous Balloon Shoot which followed the main event.
The winning teams and averaged scores were:
1st – Colchester (421.50)
2nd – West Essex (319.00)
3rd – Braintree (341.00)
4th – Rayleigh (339.00)
5th Epping (293.00)
6th – Mayflower (241.75)
The big qustion is who wears socks like this?
Lots more photos available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ecaaarchery/albums/72157677101872564
Robert Markham