Hazel Randall, Author at Pellpax Blog

Pellpax Sponsors Family Airsoft Team: Ragna Elites

Pellpax is a company led by a strong ethos of giving something back to the community. Over the last few years, Pellpax has given financial support to shooting clubs, charitable organisations, and talented individuals who are striving for excellence in their chosen discipline. This is just one way in which Pellpax is helping to nurture the future of British shooting sports.

Today, we’re delighted to welcome Jett Pease to our sponsorship family. Jett, who lives with his wife and two daughters in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is an enthusiastic and experienced airsoft player, and will be reviewing many of the airsoft products featured on the Pellpax website. So, before we find out how some of the best airsoft guns on the market fare in Jett’s capable hands, let’s get to know a bit about the man himself.

Jett grew up in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, and this is where he was introduced to the game of airsoft. Jett’s first skirmishes, however, didn’t take place in woodland or wasteland or deserted buildings … they were played out in the family home!

Robert Pease and his three sons, Alan, Jett, and Sean, would regularly enjoy skirmishes around the house, dressed in combat gear, and toting imitation firearms. But as the boys grew, they needed their sport to be more elaborate, with wider spaces, more people, better opportunity to plan and execute complex missions. And so the Pease family joined Hockley Airsoft Arena.

Hockley Airsoft Arena also has an indoor range, and this is where Jett’s younger brother, Sean, enjoys shooting.

“Sean has a learning disability,” Jett explained, “and he’s uncomfortable around unfamiliar people. Sean likes to shoot at the range, where there’s no pressure on him to communicate with strangers.”

In recent times, Jett’s older brother, Alan, hasn’t had a lot of opportunity for airsoft.

“Our mum has a physical disability, and Alan’s her primary carer. He’s still really into the sport, though. He particularly enjoys playing Action RPGs, and also games like Tom Clancy’s The Division 2.”

A family affair

United by their love of airsoft and by strong family ties, Jett, Robert, Alan, and Sean are proud to be the only members of their own airsoft team, Ragna Elites, which is represented, in the main, by Jett.

“When I play airsoft games, I play with integrity and professionalism all the time. It’s a game, yeah, but it’s competitive, and I play like I’m in a real firefight with the enemy.”

Jett looks on airsoft more as a sport than just a fun pastime. Focused on improving his skills and widening his experience, Jett has set his sights on specialised training at the ESA (European Security Academy) in Książ Wielkopolski, a town in Śrem County, Poland.

Jett described the type of training he’d be doing at the ESA.

“I’d like to do the Combined Firearms course, which covers topics like ‘fundamentals of shooting’, ‘weapon maintenance’, and ‘firearms design and mechanics’. You also get taught skills such as ‘speed emergency re-load’, ‘tactical shooting principles’, ‘safety rules’, and ‘shooting with use of cover’.”

Another course that Jett hopes to do at the ESA is Close Quarter Battle, designed for the more experienced shooter. And then there’s Tactical Combat Casualty Care:

“This course teaches you to deal with casualties in an environment where professional emergency care is scarce, and medical equipment is limited.”

Airsoft Weapons of Choice

Although Jett still enjoys the occasional game of airsoft at Hockley, his local game site is now Dirty Dog Airsoft at Shildon, County Durham. His weapons are mainly Colt firearms (such as the KWC 1911 CO2) and Glock sidearms (for example, the KWC G17C CO₂) as backups.

Jett is also a gold member of UKAPU (UK Airsoft Players Union), the not-for-profit, voluntary association for airsoft players who want to protect the future of airsoft.

The UKAPU website says, “By becoming part of this united and official organisation, players can engage in discussion with the government, the press, and others, when airsoft skirmishing comes under threat.”

In the months to come, we’ll be following the progress of Jett Pease as he moves on in the world of airsoft, and Jett will be testing and reviewing some of the airsoft equipment that we sell, here at Pellpax.

You can check out our range of products for skirmishers and airsoft teams in our Airsoft section. If you’d like to know more, feel free to contact us via Chat, email us on [email protected], or just give us a call on 01263 731 585 to speak to one of our experts.

NEW at BSS 2019: Brocock Patagonia

Claudio Flores in action at the ERB 2018

At the 2019 British Shooting Show, in February, Pellpax talked to Daystate’s Tony Belas about the Patagonia, an eye-catching and innovative new semi-bullpup PCP air rifle from Daystate’s sister company, Brocock.

The gun – available to buy at the end of April – is based on an adaptation of one of its predecessors, the Bantam Sniper HR.

Claudio Flores

The backstory of the Brocock Patagonia begins in October 2018, where airgun shooters from all over the world gathered in Mesa, Arizona, to compete in one of the toughest and most prestigious international shooting events.

The Extreme Benchrest Championships – an annual four-day competition with high-value prizes up for grabs – is notorious for attracting the world’s highest-performing shooters and for showcasing the industry’s very best airguns.

Of the top 30 Pro-Class finalists, 12 were shooting a Daystate Red Wolf, and 15 used an FX Impact or Crown. As an interesting aside, Fredrik Alexsson, who, in 1999, founded the Swedish airgun manufacturer FX Airguns, took third place with his FX Impact. Justin Welsh, in second place, also shot an FX Impact.

The overall winner of the event was Claudio Flores, a 35-year-old Chilean, whose living is made through hunting in the mountainous and desert landscape of Patagonia.

Patagonia is an area in South America of approximately 1,043,000 km², which covers a large portion of Argentina and Chile, including the southern end of the Andes mountain range, where temperatures can plummet to as low as -15°C. Via his YouTube channel, Chile Patagonia Airguns, Claudio and his 13-year-old son, Dan, offer the shooting world a glimpse of their unusual way of life through stunning photography and Claudio’s expert airgun reviews.

“Claudio did really well at the 2017 Extreme Benchrest,” Tony told us. “He came to the attention of Daystate and Brocock with his skill and positive attitude, and so he was supported with spares and equipment as he prepared in Patagonia in the months before the EBR match 2018.”

The Brocock Bantam Patagonia

In certain categories of the competition, Claudio shot a Daystate Red Wolf, but for the Extreme Benchrest Challenge he chose the match-winning Brocock Bantam.

Tony told us, “He’d tuned up the Bantam to 58 ft/lbs, and had adapted a 62 cm Red Wolf polygon barrel in .22. Claudio had also made modifications to the hammer, stroke, and secondary chamber. Brocock looked at his modifications and adapted them for production in the Brocock Patagonia.”

Inspired by this proven winning formula from Claudio Flores, the Bantam Patagonia has certainly moved the benchmark in PCP airgun design.

The Brocock Patagonia, which comes out in April, will be available from Pellpax. Keep an eye on our site, or contact us if you wish to preorder.

Pellpax at the British Shooting Show 2019

The British Shooting Show 2019 took place from Friday 15^th to Sunday 17^th February at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

This ‘jewel in the crown’ of the UK’s shooting-show calendar has been bringing together the shooting community and the shooting industry since it was founded in 2009 by the late John Bertrand.

The British Shooting Show offers an opportunity for the manufacturer to meet the end-user; for the publisher to meet the reader and the sponsor; for the distributor to meet the retailer, who has perhaps, until now, been just a voice on the other end of the phone.

On Thursday, 14^th February, a Pellpax team, led by Managing Director, Darren Kirk, headed up to Birmingham with a vanload of airguns, optics, knives, and pellets. Once at the NEC, all the display furniture and set dressing had to be taken to Stand C14 – Pellpax’s temporary home for the next three days – followed by the stock. There was already an atmosphere of excitement in the huge space that was halls Six, Seven, and Eight at the NEC.

Over the weekend, the Pellpax team caught up with old friends and acquaintances, as well as some newer ones. It was an enormous pleasure to meet – for the first time – James Farquharson and his family. Eighteen-year-old James, who is sponsored by Pellpax, was visiting the show with his partner, Niamh, and his parents, Huw and Liz. Over the past year, Pellpax has been following James as he competes in national and international competitions, winning trophies and honing his considerable talent. You can read the latest article on his journey here.

Young shooter James Farquharson with our director, Darren Kirk

Great British Shooting Awards

At the Great British Shooting Awards, hosted by Future Publishing on the Saturday evening, Pellpax was extremely proud to represent Zbroia’s Hortitsia, which was one of five airguns nominated for Airgun of the Year 2019. The Zbroia Hortitsia PCP rifle is currently one of the finest air rifles on the market, available in a wide range of stocks, calibres, and barrel sizes to help maximise its usability and to ensure match-winning accuracy for every shooter.

This rifle, which has an easy magazine drop-in, sensitive trigger, and smooth probe engagement, is a true champion in the world of target shooting, reflecting Zbroia’s four-fold design criteria: accuracy, quality, reliability, and ergonomics.

Many congratulations to Airgun of the Year winner, the Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter. The award was presented by presenter of The Airgun Show, Mat Manning.

To find out more about the Hortitsia, a highly affordable PCP, you can see the product listing here. You can also check out the Ultimate Sporter here. If you need any further help or advice, feel free to phone 01263 731 585, to speak to one of our team of experts.

Overall, we felt it was very exciting to see lots of new products that are about to be launched onto the UK market this coming year, at the show. Keep an eye on the Pellpax blog for news and details of brand-new air rifles, air pistols, optics, and bush-craft equipment.

From the Pellpax team, we would like to say a big thank you to all our loyal customers who dropped by to say hello, and to everyone who came along to meet us for the first time. We look forward to seeing some of you again at The Northern Shooting Show (Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate) in May. Look out for Pellpax – we’ll be there!

Olivia Hill – A Shooting Star

One year on

Olivia Hill with her Norfolk Open Trophies

It was one year ago that Pellpax committed to the sponsorship of Olivia Hill from Marsham, Norfolk. For the past year, Pellpax has contributed financial assistance to this talented young shooter, facilitating a full training programme and attendance at national and international competitions.

For 17-year-old Olivia, these past 12 months have been a time of exhilarating success, bitter disappointment, and, above all, rigorous hard work.

Olivia, a member of the Norfolk County team, the National Scout Rifle Squad, the GB Rifle Talent Squad, and the England Rifle Academy, took up precision air rifle target shooting in 2016, and this bright, ambitious A-level student has quickly become one of the UK’s shining stars of the sport.

In February 2018, Olivia travelled to The Hague, Holland, for the famous Intershoot event – her first international competition – and in the spring of that year, she competed in the British Open Airgun Championships and the English Championships, both at the Bisley National Shooting Centre.

Did anyone pack the insect repellent …?

The summer of 2018 began well for Olivia, when she achieved 1^st place in the Junior Cup and in Ladies’ Class C and Class D at the Norfolk Open in June – her first small-bore competition.

A couple of months later, in August, Olivia survived a turbulent Junior International at the Lord Roberts Centre, Bisley.

On Day One, Olivia was plagued by a fly that kept settling on the end of her rifle; nevertheless, the young Pellpax star qualified in first place. However, later that day, during the final, Olivia found that she was unable to move her sights, as the stalk on the lens holder was too long, preventing any movement. Olivia remembers the incident vividly.

“After the final that evening, Tony Clarke, from Zero Point ESU [Explorer Scout Unit], who was with us, ordered an angle grinder from Screwfix. He picked it up at 7 a.m. the next day, as soon as the store opened, drove back with it, dismantled the lens holder and sights, made the stalk shorter, and put it all back together again. I had just enough time to squeeze in a quick warm-up before being called to the line at 8.30!”

The manic start to the day unsettled Olivia. After knocking her pellets onto the ground, she came off the range to restock and to get her head back in the game. Olivia regained her composure and took Bronze in the Grand Prix and Silver in the team event.

Personal Bests just keep getting better

In October, Olivia won Silvers in 10m Precision Air Rifle and Small-Bore (under 18s) at the 42^nd Scout National Championships at Bisley. Shortly after that, in November, she gave a fantastic performance at the Welsh Open, which was held at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Day One of the Welsh Open saw Olivia qualify with a new competition personal best, and go on to take Silver in the final. Olivia also reached the final on Day Two, and again on Day Three, when she smashed her previous PB in the qualifying stage. There was more cause for celebration when Olivia and her two team mates took Gold in the team competition.

The Surrey Open at Bisley, in December, was a combined meet – a tough competition for junior shooters, who must compete alongside, and against, seniors. On both days of the competition, Olivia earned herself a place in the finals by achieving a position within the top eight in the qualifying rounds.

Later in the month, after an excellent performance at the Norfolk Winter Open, Olivia competed alongside other GB Rifle Talent Squad members at the RIAC in Luxembourg. The RIAC is an annual international event organised by FLTAS (Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Tir aux Armes Sportives). Olivia’s matches went well, including her first ever mixed pairs match with team mate Tom Warren.

And what was the best bit about Luxembourg at Christmas time?

“Fantastic hot chocolate!”

Intershoot, The Hague, Holland

Olivia won Silver with her team mates in the Junior Ladies event at the Intershoot Event

The well-known and extremely popular Intershoot event has been held annually (with the exception of just one year) since 1977. Keen to offer his pupils the opportunity of shooting at international level, the Dutch coach, Stek Geerts, organised this competition in conjunction with friends from abroad. Now, more than 40 years on, the event still embraces the spirit of fun and inclusiveness.

The British team travelled en masse to the event. The party comprised 13 GB Rifle Talent Squad members, two members of the England Rifle Academy Squad, and three coaches.

“There was brilliant team spirit,” Olivia said, “with everyone supporting each other.”

Although Olivia’s matches didn’t go quite as well as she had hoped, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“It was such a great feeling to be shooting with, and against, some of the best shooters in the world. I made some friends from other countries … and I tried my first chicken schnitzel!”

Even better than chicken schnitzel (I think) – the GB Talent Squad Junior Ladies won Silver in the team event. The photograph shows Olivia (centre) with her team mates, Emily Bale (left) and Phoebe Taylor (right), on the podium.

Olivia told me, “This was my first international medal. Hopefully more to come!”

What’s next for Olivia?

Later this month – 22^nd to 24^th February – Olivia will be competing in the British Championships at the Lord Roberts Centre, Bisley.

And after that, there’ll be more competitions and more training. Each time Olivia aims her rifle at the target, she’s taking another step closer to where she wants to be.

“My next goal is to become a British Shooting Academy athlete. And further down the line, I’d like to represent my country and compete in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”

It’s been a busy year for Olivia.

“I’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to all the Great Britain Rifle Talent Squad coaches for their guidance and support throughout the year and at the competitions, those at my local ranges, North Walsham RPC and Norwich City Target Club, who offer daily support, and Tony Clarke, with Zero Point ESU. And I’d also like to thank Pellpax for their ongoing support.”

Coming of Age for Pellpax Star

Key of the Door

It’s hard to believe that, until October this year (2018), James Farquharson – international target-shooting champion, qualified first-aider, and experienced shooting and canoeing instructor – was a minor.

When seventeen-year-old James began sponsorship with Pellpax, we were all wowed by his talent, determination, and maturity. We were taken aback by this lad with an intellect beyond his years. But in October, James (legally) became a man.

So, what’s been happening this autumn? I caught up with James for the latest news. As you would expect, he’s been busy!

National Scout Rifle Championships

In October, James competed in the National Scout Rifle Championships. The competition, which was sponsored by the National Smallbore Rifle Association (NSRA), was held at the National Shooting Centre at Bisley – the UK’s premier shooting venue, and international home of target shooting. James came away with five medals: three Bronzes, a Silver, and a Gold.

Surrey Open Airgun Meeting

The Surrey Open Airgun Meeting takes place each November at the Lord Roberts Centre, Bisley. The Lord Roberts Centre was originally built to host the small-bore shooting events at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. It is now the NSRA headquarters and home to the Association’s 10m airgun and 50m rifle ranges.

The competition was played over two days, and James took first place in the Mixed Sporter event on both days, clocking up a score of 353 on the Saturday and 359 on the Sunday. In the ISSF Junior Men’s Air Rifle, James scored a total of 578.6, although, on this occasion, he didn’t achieve a medal placement. On the Sunday, James was roped into helping out on the range, due to a shortage of range staff.

James takes aim in the prone position, sporting his Pellpax gear.

November: Welsh Open Airgun

The Welsh Open, sponsored by the England Smallbore Shooting Union (ESSU), was held in November at Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.

James told me, “This was my first full ISSF Air Rifle competition, and I was pleased to exceed my goal of 570 on two of my three shoots. It was a really nice competition, and I enjoyed my trip up to Wales.”

Greater London South West Scout Shooting Competition

James’ dad, Huw, has been involved in Scouting since he became a Cub Scout in 1976. Although he never put any pressure on his son to follow in his footsteps, it was a route that James chose to take.

“I guess I have Dad to thank for everything I’ve done, seeing as it’s all been through Scouts!”

Huw Farquharson is the current Secretary of the Royal Kingston Scout Air Rifle Club (RKSARC), and James is webmaster and armourer. For the last four or five years, father and son have been organising Scouts’ annual shooting competitions: the Royal Kingston Scout Open Airgun Competition in March, and the annual Greater London South West Scout Shooting Competition in November. James was pleased with this November’s event.

“Ninety-one shooters attended. Between them, they fired 2840 shots at 568 targets, gaining a cumulative score of 15,092 points!”

An Academic Study

James, who is in the middle of A level studies, has recently completed an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The EPQ, a relatively new qualification that takes the form of a thesis, was devised in 2006 and is highly valued by universities for its rigorous academic content. James’ subject was the psychological and physiological effects of target shooting in the UK.

James’ investigation into the psychological and physiological effects of shooting was based on a study of more than 100 people, each of whom identified themselves as either a ‘shooter’ or a ‘non-shooter’. His analysis took into account the fact that some of the common characteristics and skills of shooters might be factors in their attraction to the sport, rather than a direct result of target shooting. James also highlighted the possibility that shooters, in an effort to contradict unfavourable public opinion, might be (either consciously or unconsciously) inclined to weight their answers towards a favourable conclusion.

However, one particular result stands out clearly: in general, shooters possess a significantly higher level of dexterity than non-shooters. James explains that this could be a predisposition of those who are drawn to the sport; but on the other hand, it could well be the result of regular target-shooting practice. As the dexterity tests were based purely on aptitude rather than self-analysis, James considers this conclusion to be reliably accurate.

“There’s a lot more research to be done on this subject,” James said. “For example, I’d like to make a more in-depth study of aggression levels. The results of this survey showed shooters to be less aggressive than non-shooters. This doesn’t surprise me at all, but I’m really interested in discovering the reasons for this.”

James has a busy year ahead of him. Keep an eye on the Pellpax blog for more news.

Reeds Target Shooting Club

Reeds Target Shooting Club was established more than 100 years ago as part of an in-house sports and social club at Aylesford Paper Mills, which was owned by the philanthropic newsprint tycoon, Albert Reed. Aylesford Paper Mills grew into one of the largest paper-making plants in Europe, and its sports and social club thrived. In the 1990s, however, Reeds International (as the company had become) pulled out of paper manufacture and sold the Aylesford site, leaving Reeds Target Shooting Club without a home.

John Lucas, the current club secretary, and former Reeds employee, describes the Reeds community as “nomads”.

“We’ve been renting space from two other local clubs,” he told me. “But it’s not the same as having your own place.”

Nomads

Reeds has always had a good feel to it, initiated all those years ago by Albert Reed, who believed in fostering a happy working environment for his employees and their families. Remarkably, the homeless club has around 100 members, aged between 10 and 80. There’s also a long waiting list.

Why the waiting list?

“By law,” John explained, “each new member must receive a certain amount of instruction. But we can’t provide this instruction to an unlimited number of people, because we don’t have the available facilities.”

A New Home

But all this is about to change. After years of fundraising, Reeds have entered into an agreement with a sports and social club to build an indoor shooting range on their land. There’s still some way to go before this project can be fully funded, and the members of Reeds Target Shooting Club are working as hard as ever to achieve their goal; in the last two months, £2,300 has been raised for the new range and clubhouse.

At the annual club Christmas dinner, in December, hundreds of raffle tickets were sold, and many generously donated prizes were won. It was the club’s newest recruit, Ben (pictured with Chairman, Andy Reason), who walked away with the star prize – a Pellpax Dragon Kit, donated by Pellpax for the occasion. The rifle, designed with anti-shock resistance and ventilated butt pad, comes with a 3-9×40 scope, pellets, gun bag, and a selection of targets.

Rebuilding

So, what happens now?

“Our next steps are to design the facilities and firm up on the building costs before we submit a planning application. At this point, we’ll have a better idea of how much more funding we’ll need. We can then plan ways of getting it.”

After years of hard work and perseverance, the members of Reeds Target Shooting Club are at last in sight of their goal. We wish them well, and look forward to visiting the new club headquarters.

And Ben … enjoy the Pellpax Dragon Kit!

You can find more details of Reed Target Shooting Club at their Official Website.

Helen George, Paralympic Archery Coach, Talks to Pellpax

In talking to the lovely Helen George, honorary life member of Archery GB, you get the feeling that every twist and turn in her life has been a sort of happy accident. Very little seems to have been planned, and the unexpected has been not so much a case of a dramatic fall into a situation, but more of a smooth slide into it. The wonderful thing about Helen, though, is that as she slides into a new scene, she embraces it wholeheartedly.

The Young Helen

Helen, who was born and brought up in Scotland, took a huge step at 16 years old when she joined the Civil Service and moved to Reading, in the south of England. After about five years in the Tax Office, Helen changed jobs and worked for a short period as a milk recorder. In 1967, and now back in Scotland, Helen joined the Royal Air Force, in Air Traffic Control.

Stationed at RAF Prestwick, in South Ayrshire, Helen took up every sporting opportunity that presented itself. She had the honour of representing the RAF at the Royal Tournament, in a driving event. And she met a very special young man: Tony George.

In 1971, Helen and Tony left the RAF and married. Having been trained in electronics, Tony’s work was with computers. In those early days of information technology, the computer programmer’s life was often a peripatetic one, and for many years, the couple moved around the country to wherever Tony’s work led them; in 1992, they settled down in the north-east of England.

Getting into Archery

One of Tony’s interests was archery (“At that time, I thought it was boring.”), and in the true spirit of matrimonial compromise, Helen took up the sport to keep him company.

“I started doing archery in 1989, and I shot for Northampton County. But after a couple of years, old injuries – ones I’d sustained from other sports – started causing me problems, and it was becoming difficult to shoot competitively. As a competitor, I couldn’t cope with this. Following advice from David Clarke, who was GB Team Manager at the time, I took up coaching. With his help and encouragement, I went up through the coaching grades to reach Senior Coach level with Archery GB.”

During the 1990s, Helen and Tony George enjoyed several short breaks at Bush Farm, a picturesque B&B in the Shropshire countryside. The B&B owner, Ann Webb, was at that time manager of the GB Paralympic archery team and Honorary Chairman of the Para-Archery Committee. Through their acquaintance with Ann Webb, Helen and Tony became interested in helping with para-archery events.

“In 1998, we helped as general dogsbodies at the first ever FITA World Championships at Stoke Mandeville. By the way, FITA is now known as the World Archery Federation. This event piloted the new archery-specific classification system, which is still used today.”

Stoke Mandeville: Birthplace of the Para-Sport Movement

Sir Ludwig Guttmann (1899-1980) was, metaphorically speaking, father of the para-sport movement. He was a brilliant German neurologist and passionate advocate of physical exercise as a means of therapy for injured military personnel. It was Dr Guttmann, a Jewish refugee, who set up the National Spine Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in Buckinghamshire. This specialist unit, opened in February 1944, became the birthplace of revolutionary new therapeutic systems, which focused on the building of physical strength and self-respect.

On July 29th 1948, as the Olympic Games were officially kicked off in London, the very first Stoke Mandeville Games were being held at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Organised by Dr Guttman, this competition was a sporting arena for wheelchair athletes from all over the UK – a harbinger of great things to come. When Dutch ex-servicemen joined the competition in 1952, the event became known as the International Stoke Mandeville Games.

In 1960, Dr Guttman held the 9th Annual International Stoke Mandeville Games in Rome, alongside the Olympic Games, and from then on, the newly named Paralympic Games have taken place every four years. Since the 1988 Games in Seoul, Korea, the Paralympics have been held in the same host city as the Olympic Games, and the two competitions have been united.

Those who were acquainted with Dr Guttmann have told Helen that he was a very determined and forceful man.

Coach and Ambassador for Disabled Archers

By the beginning of the 21st century, Helen and Tony George were well and truly immersed in the world of para-archery.

“In the early 2000s, we were involved in the establishment of visually impaired archery. As the technical delegate for archery, I travelled to Madrid and China in the campaign to bring VI archery into the fold of the International Blind Sport Association.”

As a high-level archery coach, Helen’s expertise was employed in para-development, a scheme that received sponsorship from the Worshipful Company of Fletchers.

“My role was to identify new talent, interview potential candidates for the Paralympic team, and manage training sessions.”

In 2007, Helen became Chair of Archery GB’s Disability Committee, and in 2009, she joined the para-squad coaching team.

In that same year, 2009, Helen teamed up with a colleague, Tim Hazell, and together they founded the Pass-It-On scheme – a training course for coaches, specifically for the coaching of people with disabilities.

“Part of the training meant that coaches had to get around in wheelchairs, which made them aware of doorways, height issues, aching arms, and so on. We’d insist that they spend long periods in wheelchairs, so that they could grasp the full implications of this type of restriction. Anyway, on one occasion, I said to a young able-bodied international archer, who’d been in a wheelchair all day, ‘Are you going to shoot now?’ She looked me in the eye and said, ‘On your bike.’”

With a background in engineering, Tim Hazell was – and still is – skilled in finding solutions to challenges. With a knack for thinking outside the box, he invented bespoke equipment and techniques for his students. Today, he runs his own company, Elephant in the Room, which provides expert training in disability awareness.

After nearly five years, Helen resigned from the squad in order to join the World Archery Para Committee. (Members of this committee must take an impartial role, and are therefore not permitted to be affiliated with a national team.) Working alongside Qualified International Classifiers – who, by the way, are forbidden to assess and provide classification for a compatriot – Helen was involved in rules and classification. She remained on the World Archery Para Committee until 2017.

“After the London Paralympics, in 2012, some of the classification rules changed, and several top archers were no longer eligible to compete in the Paralympic Games. Danni Brown, for instance, was no longer considered disabled enough. In Danni’s case, though, this was partly due to her own hard work; her strength and balance had greatly improved through training.”

The Present and the Future

Helen continues to work hard for the BWAA (British Wheelchair Archery Association), an organisation that promotes para-archery and supports individuals in every aspect of the sport.

Between October and April, the BWAA runs training weekends at Stoke Mandeville. This event is for every disabled archer, from beginners to world champions. Fully adapted accommodation is available at the venue, and top-class coaches are on hand to deliver training sessions and offer expert advice. If you attend a BWAA training weekend, you’ll be sure to run into Helen.

Earlier this year, Helen and Tony received the Archery GB Silver Plaquette Award 2018 for: supporting disabled archery at Stoke Mandeville; promoting VI archery; the Pass-It-On scheme; their contribution to the BWAA, LimbPower, and WheelPower. Helen still plays an active role in the WheelPower Multi Sports Events at Stoke Mandeville.

Helen is currently coaching the talented archer, Ken Hargreaves, who has recently made qualifying scores for the GB para-team. Ken has been using a wheelchair since suffering a spinal cord injury in 2003, and he is accompanied everywhere by his faithful assistance dog, Fred.

“Fred is wonderful,” Helen told me. “If Ken drops anything, Fred picks it up. At the Invictus Games in Toronto last year, Prince Harry gave him a special bandana!”

Over the last 20 years, Helen has contributed hugely to the para-sport movement. She is truly someone who has made a difference.

“The sport’s taken us all over the world, and we’ve made an awful lot of friends through it.”

Mel Clarke, Para-Archery Champion, Talks to Pellpax

It was an enormous pleasure – and great fun – to talk to Mel Clarke, record-breaking archery champion and two-time Paralympic medallist. By the age of 20, Mel had been struck down by two debilitating illnesses, but that didn’t prevent the budding child athlete from blossoming into the superb world-class contender that she has become.

Her story is quite remarkable.

Osteomyelitis

Mel, born and brought up in Norfolk, was a lively, competitive little girl, who enjoyed a wide range of sports, including football, rugby, dancing, and athletics; at a very young age, she was running for her county. But after a serious fall during a dance exam, which led to hospitalisation and surgery, Mel had to come to terms with the fact that her legs would never work properly again.

She was just 11 years old.

As a result of the injury, Mel developed osteomyelitis (a bone infection) in her hip. Her mobility now depended on a wheelchair or crutches. She lost all interest in sport.

“I was pretty much told I couldn’t do sport, because I was in a wheelchair. I was allowed to play table tennis, but I found that boring.”

Finding Archery

In her teens, Mel was a Girl Guide Young Leader, and was helping to run the local Guide sessions. Her life turned a corner at 15 years old, when she took part in the Guides’ have-a-go archery event.

“I liked the way I was treated the same as everyone else. If I missed the target, I had to go and retrieve my arrow; nobody did it for me. Being treated equally helped me to gain independence … and I really enjoyed the archery.”

Four years after first picking up a bow, Mel was competing at international level, winning a gold medal and setting six IPC (International Paralympic Committee) records at the Disabled European Archery Championships in Poland. The year after, 20-year-old Mel became the first European disabled archer to compete in an able-bodied event at international level.

It was 2003, and Mel was competing at the World Archery Championships.

Contracting Lyme Disease

When Mel collapsed at the 2003 World Archery Championships in New York City, USA, it appeared that she was suffering from the July heat. However, Mel’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was rushed to hospital, where she remained unconscious for two weeks, connected to a life-support machine.

The prognosis was grim; doctors did not expect Mel to survive.

Mel was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia, carried by ticks of the genus Ixodes. Mel was now paralysed from the waist down and had lost all vision in her right eye. Her hearing, too, was damaged.

It wasn’t long, however, before Mel was itching to get back to her archery. Doctors, family members, and friends all said that this was impossible and that they wouldn’t allow it. But Mel was a determined young woman, and eventually her persistence paid off.

Being right handed, Mel had previously relied on her right eye for archery, and her blindness in this eye posed problems. Rather than train her whole body to left-handed shooting, Mel began to shoot with her head turned to the right, allowing her to use her left eye whilst drawing with her right arm. This awkward-looking stance has become second nature to Mel, and familiar to her fellow shooters and her fans.

Life goes on

Paralysed from the waist down and blind in one eye, Mel continued to attack life’s challenges with her own characteristic vigour. The additional disabilities that were a result of the Lyme Disease did not deter Mel from resuming her role of teaching assistant at Bignold Primary School, near Norwich. I spoke to some of Mel’s former colleagues.

“She had the ability to motivate and inspire – to build a nurturing rapport with individuals and groups,” Laura Bounden told me. “I’m sure the children were influenced by her determination to achieve her many goals, even when faced with really difficult situations.”

“The children never saw her disability as a barrier,” said Julie Formoy, “because she was able to overcome any barriers she came across.”

Janet Wright, former headteacher at Bignold, said of Mel, “She showed everyone – staff and children alike – that disability in any form does not, and should not, stop anyone from always trying to do their best.”

Mel was now confined to her wheelchair full time – no longer able to get around using crutches.

“Mel’s wheelchair provided added excitement to our days,” continued Mrs Wright. “As well as trying to avoid her as she raced the thing though corridors and negotiated crowded classrooms, she decorated it to celebrate various events at school and in her own life. Flags, Union Jack decals, and flashing lights were quite normal – and Christmas brought out all the glitter imaginable!”

Claire Gabillia summed up the feelings of the whole staff: “We are very proud to have met, worked with, and become friends with Mel.”

Mel worked at Bignold until 2007, when she left to begin full-time archery training in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. To this day, the staff and children of Bignold First School and Nursery continue to follow her career, and Mel is considered to be one of the greatest influences in the history of that little school.

Mel returned from the Beijing Paralympics with a bronze medal. The year after, she won Silver at the World Championships in the Czech Republic. At the 2012 London Paralympics, Mel won Silver, pipped at the post by her friend and fellow British competitor, Danielle Brown.

A combination of shooting, weight work, and wheeling, on top of an old injury, began to take its toll on Mel’s right wrist. During 2015, the pain and swelling in her wrist became so bad that Mel was no longer able to draw her bow. She therefore transferred this task to her elbow, using a bespoke release aid that she designed and built for herself.

“I used a tennis-elbow cup, climbing rope, carabiners … and a bit of initiative! I’m the only person in the world,” she added cheerfully, “who shoots using an elbow and the wrong eye!”

This home-made release aid proved to be so efficient, that Mel built a similar mechanism for her team mate, Jo Frith. Jo, a world-class swimmer, who took up archery at the age of 51, has won numerous medals at international competitions, including a gold and a silver at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Jo is the reigning European para-archery champion.

Due to multiple health problems, including the wrist injury, Mel didn’t compete in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. With the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games in sight, though, Mel’s training is back on track. She shoots 200 arrows a day, six days a week, and works out at the gym on a regular basis.

But Mel always makes time for visits to schools, in her role as athlete mentor. She says, “I tell my story to kids, and talk about not giving up.”

The future

Once again, Mel’s life is changing dramatically, because she is about to become a mother. Mel and her long-term partner, 37-year-old Richard Hennahane (an archer who reached the last 16 at the 2012 London Paralympics), are expecting their first child in December, and the couple are to be married next spring.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve spoken to people who know Mel well, and in every case, their words are full of love and admiration. One of her coaches told me, “She’s so unlucky. If anyone’s going to fall out of a wheelchair, it’s Mel!”

Frankly, I’m amazed at how Mel Clarke has flourished through such overwhelming adversity.

Mel says simply, “You learn to adapt to anything in life.”

Seven Golds for James at Bisley

Success at the NSRA Junior International

James Farquharson was just 12 years old when he first took part in the NSRA (National Small-Bore Rifle Association) Junior International at Bisley. That was in 2013.

This year, James returned for his fifth Junior International, having missed only one event since his first, due to broken fingers and a broken wrist. From what I’ve learned about James over the short time we’ve been acquainted, I’d hazard a guess that the young shooter had been quite ready and willing to compete, despite broken bones!

This year’s Junior International took place from 6th to 9th August and was attended by approximately 150 competitors from seven different countries, ranging from children of 11 years old to men and women of 20.

Incredible Atmosphere

James, sponsored by Pellpax since April, was on top form. The 17-year-old won three Gold medals: 10m Sporter 3 Position, 10m Sporter Standing, and 10m Sporter Standing Grand Prix. In the Grand Prix, James scored 363 ex. (Latin: out of) 400 – a personal best.

By nature, James is a competitive and sociable person, and he thrives on the adrenalin-rich atmosphere that envelopes an event of this kind.

“It’s really hard to explain the atmosphere of the Junior International. I honestly think it’s one of the best sporting events ever, and this year has been the best so far. We always have a closing gathering on the final evening when we’re no longer all trying to beat each other, and it’s so great to get to know shooters from all around the world.”

James has struck up a particular friendship with the South African shooters.

“I got to know some of them really well, and we talked a lot about the differences between the UK and South Africa, and I was really shocked! They couldn’t believe how safe it was here and that people slept with their windows open, and that white people use the bus!”

Another shock for James was that the South African shooters taught him to dance – a shock, because James claims to be someone who can’t dance to save his life!

“They put their music on and just started dancing – and by dancing, I mean, like, full-on, choreographed dances, with each other. Naturally, we all had to have a go! So they spent about an hour and a half teaching us how to dance … I wasn’t too bad!”

After the Junior International, with just a day’s break in between, James took part in the NSRA Annual Meeting.

Bisley Week

Having won three Golds at the NSRA Junior International, James had just one day of rest before throwing himself into the NSRA Annual Meeting, otherwise known as Bisley Week.

Every year, in August, hundreds of shooters compete at the week-long Bisley meeting, making it one of the UK’s largest and most popular small-bore rifle events. With the exception of the war years (1940 to 1945), the Bisley meeting has been held annually since 1922, although, on two occasions, at an alternative venue. Shooters of all standards compete at this event, from beginners with minimal experience to highly skilled, international champions.

Medals

James won four Golds:

• 1st Junior (3rd overall) – Double English Match (120 shots at 50m)

• 1st Junior (3rd overall) – News of the World (20 shots at 50m and 20 shots at 100yd)

• 1st Junior (7th overall) – Daily Mail (20 shots at 50m and 20 shots at 100yd)

• 1st overall – 3P Championship (120 shots at 50m), in which James scored a Personal Best of 1071 ex. 1200

He also achieved …

• 2nd Junior (8th overall) – NSRA Life & Annual Members (20 shots at 50m and 20 shots at 100yd)

• 4th Junior (7th overall) – Weekend Aggregate (60 shots at 50m and 60 shots at 100yd)

To catch up with further news about James Farquharson, keep an eye on the Pellpax website. There’s lots more to come from James!

How to Zero a Scope

It’s all about you

Remember that you are zeroing your air rifle scope for you. If possible, carry out this task over a distance that you normally shoot; use your usual pellets; and focus the lens to suit you. It’s important to zero your scope in windless conditions.

Setting up

Place your target against a secure backstop. Using a steady and comfortable rest – to eliminate as much human error as possible – fire three to five pellets, aiming for the centre of the target. Hopefully, your shots will be in a cluster; if they’re very spread out, try again.

Adjusting the scope dials

There are two adjustments to make: windage (left/right), controlled by the dial on top of the scope, and elevation (up/down), controlled by the dial on the right flank of the scope. Work on one at a time.

Printed on the dials will be instructions. There might be, for example, an arrow indicating clockwise, with the word ‘left’, or an arrow indicating counter-clockwise, with the word ‘up’. There will also be a guide to the increments of adjustment – for example, ‘1 click ¼” 100 yards’. This means that at a distance of 100 yards, each click in a counter-clockwise direction will adjust your sight ¼” upward … or that at 100 yards, each click in a counter-clockwise direction will adjust your sight ¼” to the right.

A shooting scenario …

So, let’s say you’re shooting at 25 yards, and your pellets have landed approximately two inches below the centre of your target. If one click of the elevation dial in a counter-clockwise direction will adjust your sight ¼” upwards over a distance of 100 yards, then at 25 yards, one click will make an adjustment of 1/16”. You’re two inches out, so you need to turn your dial 32 clicks in a counter-clockwise direction.

Once you’ve done this, take a few more shots. If your pellets are landing on a horizonal line with the target, you’re there on the elevation front. If you’re still shooting too low, or too high, repeat the process.

Now, imagine that your shots are landing about ½” to the right of the target. At 100 yards, one click of the windage dial in a clockwise direction will steer your aim ¼” to the left. At 25 yards, one click will make an adjustment of 1/16”. You’re ½” to the right of the target, so you must turn your dial eight clicks clockwise.

Again, repeat this process until you are consistently hitting the target. Be sure to maintain consistent conditions and not to introduce any other variables, such as an alternative rifle rest or a different type or brand of pellet. And always shoots groups of at least three pellets.