The Fraternity of St George is a longbow organisation affiliated to the British Longbow Society and has a course laid out at Godinton Park in Kent. They run have-a-go training days and Paul McCarthy recently took Caitlin and Michael to try it out.

After a morning’s tuition they had an afternoon shooting at the Roving Marks in the parkland surrounding the house. Shots were taken in artillery form (all loose together) and individually, through hedges , over trees (though one of Paul’s arrows remains at Godinton having not quite made it over a particularly tall oak) and across ditches at the various traditional “marks” set in locations in the grounds.

The scoring system is a bit like clout but with 3 scoring zones counting 12, 7 and 3 points. Paul managed to score a total of 12 by the end of the shoot but was soundly beaten by Caitlin (shooting shorter distances) who scored 22. Unfortunately even the short distances were a little too far for Michael to score, but all three thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Photo of Caitlin and Michael try out longbow