Local tourist attraction Kedleston Hall is a lush, vast and scenic location ideal for tourists on a relaxing day out. Of course on this day, Derbyshire Archery Club have set up shop in the back garden, fittingly referred to as the 'Great Lawn.' A club that meets twice weekly for practice shooting at the Neales Sports Ground, there's no set member age and the same can be said for the turnout today. Grandparents, couples, teenagers and children are among those waiting to have a go with a bow and I was among them. Putting the arm guard on my right arm, it meant I'd be holding the bow in my right arm. I'm ambidextrous to a degree, so it wasn't until I shot my first arrow did I realise "that's not right..." - the bow shook far too much in my right hand and the arrow missed the target - but got the grass alright.
 | | I start off with the wrong arm! |
The initial lesson in archery with your guide takes you through the basic steps - standing inline with the target, how to grip the bow and string (three fingers), clipping in the arrow, pulling the string back to your chin (all the while keeping your bow arm straight pointed at the middle of the target) then aim a little south of the centre of the target as the arrow apparently rises a little in flight. Release the string and the arrow is on its way. | "I'd highly recommend it." | | Sophie Donoghue |
Speaking to some of the many that attempted the archery, 12-year-olds Sophie Donoghue and Jessica Stewart remained positive about the experience. Jessica was a rookie to the experience but Sophie had been involved before with several other clubs. "It was a lot easier when I did it at school - the shorter targets are easier than the longer targets." She said and highly recommended it to others. Richard Price, 20, was another of the attendees who despite also having operated a bow and arrow before found it more difficult with the equipment at the day's event. When asked would he have another go, he optimistic replied "Why not?"
 | | ...But end up a pro! Well, sort of. |
My own attempts were of varying success - after the initial floored arrow and subsequent changing of the bow arm, I got one on the inner blue ring, one of the inner red, the next two on the outer white and the last back in the red. I would have liked of course to score the yellow, but it was my first attempt - I'll have to have a go again sometime. | 
