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Come and Try Day 2025
We held our annual Come and Try Day on Saturday 2nd August.
With plenty of volunteers on hand we set up the field in well under an hour.
The event was well attended, many arrows were shot, plenty of teas and cakes were sold, and much fun was had.
After the event we took it all down again, the retreated to the bar for a well earned post Come and Try Day drink!
And we’ll do it all again next year!
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2025 Beginners Course
Beginners Course #1
Was held over two weekends in 2025 at
Old Deer Park, Kew Road
Richmond, Surrey TW9 2AZ
A very happy beginner 
Beginners ready to shoot 
Beginners warming up 
Some 2025 Beginners 
The Beginners Course Crew -
24th Annual Pagoda Shoot
Albion / Windsor
Was held on Sunday 13th April 2025 at
Old Deer Park, Kew Road
Richmond, Surrey TW9 2AZ
Setting up for the Pagoda Shoot 
The set up crew 
Judge checks equipment 
Briefing before the shoot 
Archers shooting on the line 
Scoring at the targets 
Electronic scoring devices 
The medals and trophies to be won -
150th Anniversary
The Royal Richmond Archery Club’s 150th Anniversary celebration weekend took place over the weekend of 8th and 9th July 2023, with an ‘Archery through the Ages’ themed fun shoot, picnic and social on Saturday, and a fun Mini Wand and Cloud shoot on Sunday.
Saturday morning started with a set up – many thanks to all the kind souls who arrived early to help put up all the weird and wonderful targets!
The day’s shoot started with a speech from Chairman Varney and a volley of whistling arrows, in memory of Chairman Alan Want and Equipment Officer Alan Cumbers, who both passed away this year.
Archers nock your arrows…
…draw and hold…
…and let loose!Despite a couple of rain showers in the morning, the temperamental July weather decided to smile upon us and the first Fun Shoot whistle sounded in glorious sunshine. The theme of the shoot was ‘Archery though the Ages’ and there were many wonderful costumes in evidence!
Everyone who took part got the chance to shoot at 3D targets as well as the familiar bosses, there was a moving target too, and all had a go at shooting longbow, many for the first time.
We might be primarily a target archery club but judging by how keenly everyone took to the (saw) horse during the ‘mounted’ archery challenge maybe we should be looking into some sort of partnership with the local polo club?
Following the shoot, the social afternoon commenced with Alex Skinner (who has been a club member since before our centenary!) giving out the prizes to the best archers and best costumes – well done to all winners. Next a letter of congratulations from His Majesty King Charles III was read.
Many archers old and new and a few long unseen came to chat, mingle and reminisce. The appropriately named veteran Dave Archer was there in his RRAC blazer, embroidered with gold thread (I want one of those!) entertaining us with many stories of archers and celebrities!
The festivities continued into the evening with a picnic, including a very special cake 150th archery themed cake. Many thanks to all who brough all the yummy food, salads, bakes, pastries, cakes, meats, nibbles and the most amazing trifle and pavlova. Special thanks also goes to Mark Garraghan, Nigel Meakins and Alan Willsher for not giving up on the BBQ and saving the sausages with some creative fire making sills.
Sunday 9th July 2023
The weekend concluded on Sunday with a chance to try a different kind of archery – a Mini Clout and a Wand. These were open to all bow types apart from compound (due to overshoot, apologies compounders!) with prizes awarded by bow type.
Well shot to all the archers….…..and well shot to all the contributing shooters for their photos: Marek Borzecki, Nigel Meakins, Robert ‘RB’ Benjamin, Richard Jennings, Annabel Clark, Andy Hawkins, Kevin (who he?) Varney, Sabi Padrtova and any others who (like the targets) we may have missed. -
Alan Cumbers
March 1945 – February 2023
For a second time in a week I find myself approaching you with very sad news.
I have to inform you of the passing of our dear friend Alan Cumbers.
Alan passed away peacefully last Saturday after a long-term illness.
Those who remember Alan prior to his archery retirement knew him as a generous, kind, dedicated and above all big-hearted man. He was famous for his potent mulled wine and boozy sherry trifle. Alan loved the club and for many years served as our Equipment officer. For most of us, his spirit is still very much present in the clubhouse and he will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to his daughter, his family, friends and loved ones at their time of loss.
Kind regards,
Kevin Varney
RRAC Chairman
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Alan Want
July 1940 – February 2023
It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that our dear friend and former chairman Alan Want has sadly passed away.
Alan will be greatly missed at RRAC as he was an important part of the club for almost 30 years. He was instrumental in making the club what it is today both as a member and later on as a chairman for over 18 years. Alan was a true gentleman with a good sense of humour and would always take time to listen and support others.
It was an honour to have Alan as our club member. RRAC will miss him immensely and it will not be the same without him.
Heartfelt condolences to his wife, his family, friends and loved ones at this extremely sad and difficult time.
Kind regards,
Kevin Varney
RRAC Chairman