We Are Canterbury Archers
A friendly AGB affiliated club that welcomes all bow types* and ages from 10 upwards.
* Crossbows are not allowed.
Canterbury Archers have been shooting at various sites around Canterbury since 1955, with the club holding its 60th Anniversary celebrations in 2015. We are currently based at the Archbishop's School in Canterbury which is a great setting with a fantastic backdrop. You can't get much better than Canterbury Cathedral!
Current membership stands at over 140 and includes adults, juniors and para archers. One of our members represents GB in international competitions, one junior is on track to represent GB and several members have shot for Kent.
The club holds beginners courses two times a year in June and August and cater for all levels of Archery. We particularly welcome family members who help to promote a friendly and warm atmosphere.
A birds eye view
Photos and videos courtesy if Kevin and his drone.
Meet the President
Bill Hornsby
Club President
We were delighted to welcome Bill as our new president at the 2022 AGM. His introduction to Canterbury Archers by way of a ‘Have a Go’ at his daughters’ school fête, followed by a beginners course in the late 1980s.
Bill gives freely of his time to support others and says that his greatest achievement in archery remains being able ‘to pass on something of the enjoyment I have derived from the sport over the decades to those who come along to the ‘Taster Sessions’ and Beginners’ Courses’.
Bill is usually seen shooting recurve but has a fondness for the
flatbow and longbow too. For him, there are just ‘too many
cams and Allen keys on a compound!’.
Our Origins
The history of Canterbury Archers
The Club was founded in March 1955. Practice equipment was purchased and the opening shoot was arranged for the 1st May. The season progressed with 'good attendance and satisfactory progress by the inexpert and practice by the few more expert archers'.
The feature of the first year was the First Prize and Handicap shoot on the 2nd October. It is interesting to read the names of some the early prizewinners. These include Mr E.G.(Gerry) Heath, a well known authority on the traditional bow, author of many books regarded as standards in Archery and Miss Sylvia Hogbin, whose name lends itself to a locally held tournament in Kent.
There are two booklets written by E.G. Heath which record the first 10 years of the club and these make for interesting reading. They are kept in the Local Studies Section of Canterbury Library. They are well worth reading if you are interested in the history of the early days of the club.
A more comprehensive account of the first 25 years of the club was written by Gerry Heath. The Life and Times of Canterbury Archers is a witty and amusing account filled with anecdotes and details of the full and varied programme of events available to the Canterbury Archer.It describes a venture into film making during the winter months and copies of the films are stored at the offices of the GNAS.There were many occasions when the club visited local fairs and fetes to entertain the visitors and this proved to be a regular source of valuable income.
Fundraising at Canterbury Archers
Canterbury Archers has supported many charities over the years including RNLI, JDRF, Cherished Memories, Help for Heroes, Pilgrims Hospice and RBL. The club hosts a number of charity events throughout the year with all shooting fees and any other donations going to our charities.
Instead of buying Chrsitmas Cards to send to each other every year, our members donate money to Demelza House instead and sign a joint card at the club.
Every year, the club holds the Fred Noone Memorial Shoot to remember our oldest member Fred who sadly passed away in 2017. A donation is made to Combat Stress in his memory.
The Little Stanley Cup runs every year and is a shoot to raise money for GOSH, who continue to provide fantastic care and support for the Stanley, the son of one of our members suffering from Crouzon Syndrome.
It's never you support the parents of children with cancer. The club makes an annual donation from funds raised from our Two Way Longbow Shoot in July.
