'˜You just focus on the target and de-stress' - aiming for success with the Gosport Bowmen

With a thud, they embed themselves, scoring different points according to their position.

The bowmen who fired the shots are not Robin Hood-type figures or even medieval actors, but ordinary people taking up the sport of archery.

The Gosport Bowmen has been a well-established club since 1979 and invites people of all ages and abilities to have a go at archery.

With a wide range of ages, from Owen Jones at just 12 to fellow bowman Peter Judge, who is 82, members meet twice a week to practise and improve their skills.

But the group also gives members the chance to make new friends, build strength physically and mentally and test themselves to hit the centre of the target as often as they can.

Recently relocated to the new Bay Community Hub, a sports hall opposite Bay House School, the group has a 30m shooting range - one of the biggest in the area.

They used to be based within Bay House School, on Gomer Lane, but they grew out of the facilities.

When the new sports hall opened last year, Gosport Bowmen moved in and have been using it since September.

The new, bigger halls means they can cater for more members, something they are keen to do.

Elaine Barnett, from the club, says: ‘Our membership is definitely growing.

‘It has been really great over the past couple of years and now we are keen to get more younger people involved.

‘We can cater for more people now with our new space and anyone of any ability can join. At the moment, we have a member in a wheelchair who is completing the beginners’ course and anyone aged 11 or older can become a member.

‘You don’t have to be strong or sporty and I think that’s what makes archery so attractive to different people.

‘It doesn’t matter if you cannot do physical sports and any abilities are welcome. We have men, women and children who all take part. We even have one lad who has Aspergers who we help get involved too.’

The Gosport Bowmen meet twice a week on a Wednesday and Friday evening. During the two-hour sessions on a Wednesday, the club has a more formal meeting with members using scoring sheets. They use the time to get a personal best or a particular score.

Wednesdays are also the night when the members compete against other teams nationally by submitting their scores and comparing them with other leagues.

Then on Fridays the sessions are more relaxed and casual, giving members the chance to help each other and practise.

For those wanting to have a try, Gosport Bowmen do offer taster sessions.