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!

Not mentioning that the archery club was marked on Google maps was her only mistake

She also asserted wrongly that the land was owned by the Parish Council, and failed to mention the large signs at the main entrance.

If everyone entered where they where meant to at the gates not cut thighs that have been made by children and others who shouldn’t of she would of seen the signs.

personally I’d be locking the gates blocking the cut though and it would be bye bye to using the field shame but if people going to be silly about a place they don’t actually have to be allowed to use then lose it.

As a member of the club in question for more than 20 years i can say that the club is one of the friendliest welcoming and safe clubs with members of all ages we have perminent signs up at designated entrances and place other signs at areas where someone may choose to enter the field through bushes and trees ( these gaps that have been made are actually only accessible by seperate private land). Saftey is at paramount in our club and has been externally risk assessed ensureing our club and sport is as safe as possable.

We welcome any questions from the public if anyone sees us shooting plz come over and have a chat we are all genuinely friendly ppl

We just hope that if ppl see us shooting that they do not ignore us or the signs and walk behind the targets

We often rope the field of dispite not needing to due to its size and private status and some ppl still ignore and climb over the barriers.

We do everything we can to offer a safe friendly environment for ppl to come and enjoy the sport of archery maybe we will see some
of you down having a go in the future.

I suppose I thought that as she's local she'd have walked round the area and seen the main entrance at some point, even if not on that specific day. Just like she looked at the map

Realise that might not be the case.

The club secretary did say that they fix gaps every time a new one is made - hope that's true

Yeah its true as well as this if someone came through the gauze bushes, where the range is, is well over the minimum distance required to stop shooting

I’m sorry you got this. There is no excuse and no one has the right to demand anything, the thread obviously developed and people just wanted you to respond to myself and like you said you were at work so unable to respond.

Oh Trish is a lovely person and very well known in the village, if you haven’t met her yet you should. She’s very active in interests in the village and recently been given a fundraising role at our AGM.

Also the person who informed me was a member of my club who lives the otherside of town.

In her defence she did say she was told by someone else. But none the less it was disingenuous to start a thread knowing the club was listed there.

Yes but once again she said she didn’t enter via that route. The builders who built the new houses created an entrance at the back of where we stand so she wouldn’t see. However upon entering the main road you would see a big sign and she probably goes past it several times a day as it’s the only way in and out of village.

Oh Christ there's a real Trisha? 😩🙈 Just picked a random name, never met her!

Haha you will undoubtedly meet her. She’s also very vocal on matters regarding the village.

She has two dogs herself and does walk on the field but she’s aware when we are on and generally stays away. It’s purely a transitional thing if you’re new to the village.

The village also had to get used to us when we moved over and we understood it may take a while for people to get used to us being there. We are not opposed to you walking your dog just cut your full field lap to half (when we have targets out) and I’m sure you’ll be ok.

Obviously when you don’t see anyone there use the full field. Yes we pay for it but I personally would like people to use it. Just clean up after yourself and we do the grass cutting.

Also you may use the tennis courts for free if available. Normally it gets more use when Wimbledon is on or very good weather. Occasionally you’ll see kids playing football or some dog walkers inside. I’d prefer they weren’t in there but if no damage is done or mess left we are generally happy to let them use it.

Thanks for the additional info. It's hard to find things out when you move to a new village! I'm typically out there at 4:30-5am due to work. Always pick up my dog's poo (though she typically goes in the garden at home) and have picked up random poos (and rubbish) that I see.

Thanks for keeping things clean.

There is a team of volunteers in the village who clear litter and a lot plant around the village which makes it nice.

if you go to the community centre they often have green bags and litter pickers if you want to use them instead of your own items.

There is a Facebook group for litter and for the village as well. And don’t be surprised if people Dont class you as local. If you weren’t brought up in the village sometimes they just ignore you. We get it all the time lol.

I'll meet you in Finsbury Park, around 1590, for a quick shoot around the archery course there if you like. Obviously, being the 16th century, your long bow will fit right in!

@CaptainThe95thRifles....

That's more convenient geographically, but temporally challenging. Especially as it's only 1549...

I'm not sure Finsbury Park is so well stocked for targets and archery practice in 1549, so you might have to hang on a couple of monarchs to get the full experience

Roped off to prevent entry to the shooting area.

The woman knew there was an archery club there... because she took the time to scribble out the name of the club on the map she posted.

So shouldn't the thread be titled "AIBU to walk my dog through an archery club?"

PS. I grew up in Greatham, I remember when that wasn't even a sports field! We used to dive off the nearby WW2 pillbox onto piles of hay... happy days

Yeah but anyone can put anything on Google maps. There's a bargain store next door to me on the map- but in reality it's just houses.

Summary for the late comers....A woman was wrong.

Well yes you would biased in that direction @RobinHood1 ... you're an archer!

(She was wrong)

Ok everyone. The matter has been explained to the OP and explained she was new in the village. Yes questions may remain but its now been several months so I would regard this matter as closed. We have offered the OP to attend on days we shoot so she can further understand the process on range safety. That offer is open to anyone on here who lives in the surrounding areas and you are more than welcome to have a taster in archery also.

lastly.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 😁

Happy New Year Greg! Inspired by this I've signed up for an intro course with a local archery club, I'll either love it or hate it!

Great to hear Kitty!. 😁

There are many disciplines to try. You will often be shown a Barebow first (basic bow with no sight) then perhaps a sight added making it a freestyle recurve (as commonly used in age Olympics).

If you wish to go more traditional and no frills you may want to consider Longbow or Horsebow or the American flat bow, so many to choose from.

I started with a Barebow then Recurve and now I have a Compound.

Also Archery has many others things you can do within the organisation. I have become a Coach, Welfare Officer, Judge, Treasurer and within the last year the Secretary. All of which I still do. I would encourage you to help your local club should you join one. They will be very grateful. 😊

The tone this thread has taken makes me feel quite uneasy. I read it when it originally came out and it left a bad taste in my mouth at that point as well.

It was established that the entrance the OP takes into the field was not labeled with appropriate warning signs and that this was dangerous.

I feel uncomfortable that the person running the archery group repeatedly mentions the fact that she is 'new to the village' and lives in one of the 'new builds'. Even his pompous 'we consider the matter closed' feels like he is silencing the OP.

I personally would not consider the matter closed until the dangerous entrance has proper warning signs or is closed off. I also think GregJP owes the OP an apology and a 'thank you' for bringing this possibly dangerous situation to his attention.