To think archery has no place on a public playing field?

[IroningThrone]

I live in a village with a large public sports/playing field - it has grass tennis courts, football pitches and such marked out. Dogs are allowed and I've always used it to give my dog a good run around (he's on a 50ft bright pink lead, not running loose. I tend to stick to the edges near the hedges so I'm not disturbing anyone!)

Walking today and just been shouted at by man setting up archery targets. They're set out so 1/3 of the field is now unusable. I'd planned to loop round the full field (as shown by the blue line- red dot is where he was setting up. Blue blob is where I entered the field!) He also wasn't shooting at the time so I'm not sure why he felt the need to shout at me that I couldn't go that way!

It's a public field with multiple access points - aibu to think that archery belongs somewhere where the access can be more controlled? A kid could quite easily run in from the side access and right across where he'd plonked himself!

I’d probably have taken his photo and reported him to the council / possibly 101. If he’s isn’t using any protective measures like a backdrop, fencing off the area he is using he’s potentially endangering the public.

So he's on a public playing field and has set up in one corner, away from the road/footpath as is always recommended for shooting sports.

To be fair, no matter where he set up, you would have crossed his path because you go around the perimeter. You could have walked across the middle of the field.

Did he shout at you aggressively or did he call a warning? We do archery and are always careful to ensure we do the same, far corner, away from other sports etc.

YANBU. I'm not one of those "log it with the police, now" posters, but in this case I'd probably call the non emergency number and ask them to come and tell him that arrows are a dangerous weapon and not appropriate to use on a public playing field, or there could be a nasty accident if someone accidentally gets in the way or he misjudges a shot.

There's also access from the corner where the two dots are - so potentially someone could come in that way and cross into the danger zone without meaning to!

He clearly hasn’t watched Ghosts….

It doesn’t sound safe at all.

Who owns and manages the field?

I'd take up issues of fair and appropriate use with them in the first instance

The parish Council owns it.

It's like golf - it's finally been banned on our local playing fields because of selfish morons whanging balls across it.

I'd absolutely take photos or videos and call the police and the council. This is a bloody dangerous thing to be doing in a public space without a proper exclusions zone.

Thanks - will have a chat with the parish Council first I think.

Definitely speak to the Parish Council - it's not illegal to do archery in a public space, but you do need permission from the land owner - I can't really imagine that the Parish Council will have given permission for such a dangerous activity to take place in a public park - it sounds nuts!

If the parish council may have given permission. If they are the landowner then can give permission for whatever they want. They don’t have to make their land open to the public all the time, they are perfectly entitled to allow users to block some of it off for use.

I'm an archer (although haven't shot in ages) and this is insane. There are so many rules around delineating the area that pedestrians and people shooting are in. You need to have signs everywhere for example. I can't imagine doing it in a public area. I've only shot in a private field (middle of nowhere), sports hall, sports field with fences. I would definitely complain to the council, I would potentially tweet to the local police as it's not an emergency as such but possibly could lead to an injury.

I'm an archer too and this is incredibly unsafe. It needs signage, better blocking and preferably some major backstop netting too. I do field archery so we shoot in woodlands, and the forestry commission (who own the land) do regular checks to ensure we are keeping up with signage. On shoot days we have to put up additional signs on all the access points.

He clearly hasn’t watched Ghosts

Yes, it needs Pat on the case!

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The field is 100% still open though. They could close and lock the gates but they're wide open. No warning signs or anything!

This is a police matter...he is breaking the law. I know someone who took a bow and arrow onto a public area to practise loading it. He was arrested and charged with endangering the public

I would of just given it a wide birth
tbh take a dog for a walk on a 50ft lead is ridiculous how can u be in control of a dog 50ft away tethered or not .not to mention dogs pissing and shitting on playing fields would of bother me more

Even soft archery would be a bit stupid. I'd call the Police so they can have a word.

And of course he's under control - he's trained to voice commands! I like him on a lead because you hear of loose dogs being stolen unfortunately. He's also not shitting on the field because he'll only go at home. And if he wees it's on the hedges and well away from the pitches!

It's not a police matter. Speak to the council to see if they allow archery on the playing field. It would only be a police matter if they were actually firing arrows without proper controls to stop people crossing the target range whilst shooting is taking place. They don't have to fence off any area, provided they control access in some manner, shouting warnings to people - and more importantly, stopping shooting if people ignore the warnings - is perfectly sufficient.

Basically, you can shoot on public land provided you do not endanger people or property. By definition, if an area is clear of people and property (however that clearance is maintained) they cannot be endangered.

Dotjones 'shouting warnings' is far from sufficient. If someone were injured 'but I shouted a warning' would hardly constitute a reasonable defence.
OP I'd call 101 and/or the council to report your concerns. I don't know if it's a Police matter or not, but they may take an interest as it's it's causing members of the public to be concerned for their safety, and have a word with the people involved. I doubt the council will do anything tbh

@Dotjones it's absolutely a police matter. Just like someone practicing with a katana in public. These are weapons, irrespective of intent.

Using a public location without adequate means of keeping the public safe is far too risky. The methods you're describing for clearing an area of people and animals is far too simplistic when compared with the level of risk.

Thanks for the input. I'm going to speak to the parish Council first then depending on what they say may speak to 101 as well. It's a club apparently but there was only one man there today.

Hello. I have just been made aware of this post by one of my members.

My Name is Greg and I am the Secretary of Heugh Bowmen Archery Club as well as the Secretary of the Sports Field.

First of all May I point out although the land remains the property of The Hospital of God, the land is leased and maintained by Greatham Sportsfield Association and thus private. Access to the public is allowed if and when we allow it. We are entitled to close of the whole field to anyone at anytime however we want to share the field space with the community and therefore do not close off all access.

Archery is permitted on the land and has safety boundaries and overshoot. Signage is placed at the gates outlining private land and warning of archery in progress. Other signs get placed at the sides of the cabins when actively shooting.

I would invite you to email me and the committee ([email protected]) and we can discuss this further or I can attend the field and show and explain our procedures.

regards

Greg