About us

 

The Clifton Hampden Longbow Society was formed in January 2003 by six people over a few beers in the Railway Inn at Culham, Oxfordshire.

 

The founding members of the Clifton Hampden Longbow Society are:

Peter Madden

Derrick Bettis

Richard Lynch-Blosse

Robin Mathews

Ray Timms

Dave Warne

Robert Wallis (deceased)

 

The club is dedicated purely to the enjoyment of traditional English longbows (no sights and counterbalances here!) and is therefore extremely informal. Shoots take place every Sunday morning at 10am (subject to weather conditions) at one of two sites and take approximately two hours. After-shoot drinks are taken in The Plough Inn at Clifton Hampden.

The club currently has 19 active members and although membership is currently closed, visitors are welcomed, with loan equipment and basic instruction available.

Having researched and experimented with various formats, the club now shoots the 'Roving Clout' discipline on a regular basis.

 

The members of the Clifton Hampden Longbow Society are grateful to:

The European School - Culham

Miss Anne Bowditch of Bishop's Court Farms - Clifton Lock fields

for giving permission to the club to utilise their premises for the club's shoots. We would like to remind all members that these facilities are not to be used at any other time, other than at club shoots.

Please also remember that the Clifton Lock site is occasionally grazed by cattle and their comfort and safety are paramount at all times. Members of the public utilise the 'right of way' path through the centre of the field so care should be taken at all times to ensure a safe environment for all.

 

Suppliers:

Steve Ralphs  (Bow and Arrow Man) - Steve gave considerable advice and guidance to us in the early days of the club formation and a number of his bows are used by our members to this day. Steve is renowned for his work with the film industry, providing replica equipment and technical advice for many well known films.

 

Pip Bickerstaffe  - Pip and his team in Kegworth have a well-deserved reputation and he has provided a number of tailored bows for our members with special requirements.

A visit to his 'factory' is an educational experience and is a great opportunity to gain an understanding of the intracacies of making a high-quality, modern traditional bow.