White Mark Bowmen

Club Information

White Mark Bowmen was founded in 1977 and for 18 years had a field archery course in the grounds of Whirburn Castle near Watlington. During that time the club hosted various major competitions including the EFAA Spring Tournament and the U.K. Championships. Several club members also won World and European titles as well as many National honours. Sadly a change of landlord saw us leave our well known and well liked range in 1995 and it wasn't until April 1996 that the club found a new home in Archers Wood at Wooburn Common.

Our present shooting range is set in ten acres of broadleaf woodland with good, adjacent carparking. The range, consisting of a four target practice area and a fourteen target course, is open for use every day to members and their guests. Guests must all be EFAA members and a visitor's fee of £3 a day is payable.

Club fees are presently £20 per annum and £10 for juniors and cubs. Family membership is £40 (two adults and two junior/cubs at one address). Subscriptions run from January 1st to December 31st. White Mark is affiliated to the English Field Archery Association and as such requires all club members also to be members of the EFAA for purposes of insurance. EFAA fees are currently £20 per annum for adults and £10 for juniors and cubs.

The club members meet informally at the range once a month on a Saturday. This is usually the second Saturday in the month but check the event calendar. Also, on Wednesday mornings, there is gathering of the ‘Wednesday Crew’, a non-exclusive group of recreational archers.

Organised shoots take place on the fourth and, occasionally, the fifth Sunday of the month (a list of shoots can always be found in the club hut and here). A work party is held the day before the shoot commencing at 2pm. It is hoped that members will attend whenever possible.

General Rules

1. Log your guests into the Visitors’ Book and put the fees in the ‘desk safe’ in the club hut. All your guests that wish to shoot must be EFAA members unless you are accompanied by an EFAA qualified instructor.
2. Keep the club hut locked if it is unattended.
3. If you are the last person to leave, make sure that the club hut and loos are locked and, if the stables are unattended, close and lock the entrance gate.
4. Never leave a combination lock open. Prevent the theft of the lock or disclosure of its code by closing it again through its chain or staple and scrambling the numbers.
5. Please be respectful to our neighbours, those on the golf course and walkers using the public footpath.

Shooting Rules

1. Carry your membership card in plain view when using the range.
2. You may use the range for casual shooting except when there is:
   1. An organised shoot or competition in progress. The program of such events is published in the club hut and here.
      The practice area is closed during these events.
   2. A maintenance work party on the range. Work parties normally take place starting at 2pm on the afternoon prior to an organised event.
3. If you need to retrieve arrows from around or behind a target, first place your bow or some easily visible piece of equipment in front of the butt to alert other archers.
4. Always use the designated paths around the course. The perimeter path can be used in either direction but paths leading away from targets are one-way only
   – DO NOT retrace your steps to the previous target.
5. Be aware that during Have-a-Go sessions or Beginners’ Courses there will be novice archers on the range. Please show consideration for them.
6. When you finish shooting ensure that, on all targets, you leave the face in a reasonably central position and the butt covered.
7. Do not smoke or leave litter on the range.
8. Please make a note on the white board in the hut of any damage or hazards you discover on the course.