Audco Archers are celebrating their 50th anniversary and cordially invite you to join them for a have-a-go session at their “Big Weekend” event.
On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June Audco Archers we will be taking part in the Archery GB “Big Weekend” where we will be holding regular have-a-go sessions that are open to all. The event will be open both days from 10.00am until 4.00pm. This event has been supported with a grant from Newport Town Council that has enabled the club to purchase some grass matting; the matting will open up the shooting range to people with mobility issues. Archery is a performance sport that can be enjoyed by everybody, young/old, able bodied/disabled; the only thing liable to stop you trying – is you!
Audco Archers started back in the mid 60’s. The name Audco comes from a valve manufacturing company that was based in the town until 1999, when the factory closed and production was relocated elsewhere. Back in 1869 William Scott Underhill built a factory to manufacture specialist valves for the chemical and oil industries. Originally built in St Marys Street the factory was later relocated to Audley Avenue. In 1955 the company was bought by Serck and the business was renamed Serck Audco. The business was a major employer in the town and in the 1970’s employed nearly 1200 people. Like all big businesses of that era they provided a lot of facilities for their employee’s, one of which was a sports field; which was located directly across the road from their manufacturing facility in Audley Avenue. Three employees approached the management and asked if it would be possible to set-up an archery target on an underutilised part of the field, to which the management agreed. This was in the early 1960’s – the men mowed a strip of grass, put a target at one end and so began Audco Archers.
Originally the club was only open to staff, or family members of staff, who worked for Serck Audco; this effectively made it a ‘closed’ club. However, after a short while it was realised that in order to grow the club they would have to allow membership from outside of the Serck Audco business. So, in 1968 they opened their doors to other people who were interested in trying archery and so began a new era for Audco Archers.
The club continued to shoot on the original Audco sports field until 2011, when the land was sold to a developer. The club spent most of the following years shooting outdoors at Newport CE Junior School until in 2017 an opportunity arose for them to move to their new home – Strine Brook Farm – just off the A518 near the Mere Park Garden Centre.
Over the past 50 years the club has produced a number of highly successful archers, some going on to achieve both national and international success. Audco Archers have a membership that currently stands at just over 80 members; their ages ranging from 8 to 80 (plus a bit). And, in this our 50th year, we would like to open our doors and let local people experience first-hand just what it is like to shoot a bow and arrow.
So if you want to know why shooting a “Robin Hood” is expensive, what is meant by an ‘archer’s paradox’ or even why longbow archers have a tassel on their belt, pop along during one of the days and all will be revealed. We are certainly looking forward to seeing you.
If you would like to know more about the club, our beginners courses or are just plain curious why not visit our website.
