Welcome to

Keynsham Archers

KEYNSHAM ARCHERS ... WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DO WE DO?

We are a friendly, target archery club based in Keynsham, between Bristol and Bath.


We meet regularly to shoot outdoors at our range based within the grounds of Keynsham Rugby Club.


Formerly known as Bristol Bowmen and Golden Phoenix Archers, the club was renamed to Keynsham Archers in 2018 in recognition of the fact that the club has been based in Keynsham since the 1980s.

  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

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  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • Come along and join us for:

    Taster Sessions

    Beginners' Courses

    Club Shooting

    Button
  • How do I join in? What if I'm already an archer?

    The club sometimes organises Taster Sessions for people to "have a go" and understand if archery might be for them.

    Or, if you've taken part in a Taster Session with us or at another venue and think that you'd like to become an archer, then the best way to join our club is to sign up and take part in a Beginners' Course.


    Details of our next Beginners' Course and Taster Sessions can be found on the Start Archery & Beginners Courses page.


    Have you had a break from archery for a while, or are you an existing archer who's just moved to the area? Then we would love to have you join us.


    So, if you're an existing or returning archer and would like to shoot at Keynsham Archers, then please CLICK HERE to fill in our Returning Archer form. We will then contact you to arrange a date for a brief range safety assessment session.

    You will also need to provide proof of your Archery GB membership, if you are a current member.

    If it's been some time since you last shot regularly and you're feeling a bit rusty, we'll be happy to give you the opportunity to work with the clubs’ coaches for a welcome back refresher session. The coach will work with you to remind you of anything you may have forgotten to help ensure you are ready to return to shooting.

  • What sort of people is archery suitable for?

    Archery is suitable for children and adults of all abilities from all walks of life - at Keynsham Archers you can can come along and try archery from the age of 10 onward.

    However, we do ask that for children aged 10 to 15 that an adult parent/guardian takes part with the child and for juniors (aged 16 to 17) that an adult is present.

    Remember, we run Taster Sessions if you and your family would like to give archery a go....


    Archery is one of the most inclusive and accessible sports, so there are many opportunities for disabled people to get involved in archery. The best way to get started is on one of our 'Taster Sessions' or Beginner's Courses.

  • Do I need to buy my own equipment?

    The club has equipment  (bows, arrows & all other relevant equipment) that you can use during your beginners course and for your first few months of shooting if you join the club... like many sports you can spend almost as much money as you want on equipment and gadgets!


    For that reason we suggest that new members don't eagerly rush out and buy their own kit. It is much better to gain a few months further experience, which will also build up your strength, before visiting one of our very helpful local archery stores.

    Plus you can ask any club member for some sensible advice and they may even let you try out their bows!

  • Membership Costs

    A full year's membership to Keynsham Archers costs the following: 


    Non-Disabled Archers: 

    • Seniors (25+) - £140
    • Unders 25s (18 -24) - £95
    • Under 18s (10-17))  - £65

    Disabled Archers: 

    • Seniors (25+) - £80
    • Unders 25s (18 -24) - £75
    • Under 18s (10-17))  - £55

    *These costs include membership of Archery GB (the National Governing Body), Grand Western Archery Society (Regional Organisation) & Gloucestershire Archery Society (County Organisation).

    This ensures that you are fully insured for shooting at Keynsham Archers


    New members also receive a Keynsham Archers club shooting shirt and an embroidered club badge for their quiver.

     

    The Archery GB and Keynsham Archers membership year runs from 1st October to 30th September and joining part way through the year may result in a reduced amount being calculated. 

  • Our Clubs' History

    The club as we know it today, has been through a number of changes in both name and location throughout the years.

    Andy Nelson was a member of the club from 1978-1996(?) and during that time he held the positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. He was also a coach.

    Andy has very kindly scoured his memory and compiled this history of the earlier days of the club. So, as of September 2023, following is the information he has been able to recollect:


    I believe the Club started in around 1952, as Stoke Bishop Archers or Stoke Lodge Archers. They shot on the Stoke Lodge Playing Fields until around 1975 when I think the Council either put up the rent or gave notice. The Club sought a new ground and ended up moving to Harvey’s Sports Ground, Norton Lane, Whitchurch (Google now labels this as the home of Bristol Barbarians RFC). Harvey’s as in the Bristol Cream Sherry which used to have its Head Office and some manufacturing on the estate on Whitchurch Lane.


    The “deal” with Harvey’s was that the Club would provide free instruction and free membership for a reasonable number of Harvey’s employees (but they’d still have to pay GNAS (now Archery GB), GWAS & GAS fees). In practice, I can only ever remember one senior, plus his son, who joined through this route (plus a handful of others who went through the beginners’ course).


    We were given notice by Harvey’s in around the mid – late 1980s and that’s when we found Keynsham RFC as our new hosts. The fit was pretty good in that we were looking for Sunday afternoons and a weekday evening. I suspect it was useful to them too, as they could claim multi-sport use – which became more important as the years went by. When I left the Club (small children, no time) there were investigations going into securing the piece of land to the east, with a view to establishing field archery there.


    As an indoor venue, we used the Crypt of St Paul’s Church, Coronation Rd, Southville. It was the indoor venue when I joined, but ceased a year or so before I finished. I do remember that a much more commercially minded committee was running the church by then and had increased rents quite significantly. In the old days, the vicar was delighted that somebody was opening up the place and getting some air into it. The replacement indoor venue was a school hall but I can’t remember where!


    The Club used to host an Open Tournament each year (end of June I think). If my memory is correct, I think we had around 20 targets of York & Hereford plus a couple for afternoon National round.


    The Club had a number of trophies but, by far, the most impressive was (hopefully still is, unless it’s gone missing) “The Fletcher Cup” which was a (solid I think) silver Rose Bowl Cup. I think this was presented to the winner of the annual Clout Competition. This trophy was donated (well, on loan, as the agreement was we had to write each year to inform the company of the name of the winner), by Robert Fletcher & Sons of Bristol who I think made paper and paperweights.

    Other trophies I recall were the John Alcock Cup, The Crypt Cup, The Wadman Trophies (M & F).


    The most notable member was Mark Blenkarne, who represented GB in the 1980 Olympics (finished 4th), and was British Champion for six years.


    Andy Nelson, Sept 2023

  • Any other questions?

    If you can't find the information that you are looking for then feel free to ask via the contact form on the Contact, Location & Weather Page.


    Club rules and other important information can be downloaded from the Club Rules and Documents page

  • Privacy & Safeguarding


    Should you have any concerns regarding the Safeguarding of any child or club member then please report it to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (Part of UK’s National Crime Agency) by clicking HERE

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