history

Cambria Bowmen was founded in September 1975 as an extra social activity at HMS Cambria, Royal Naval Reserve at Cardiff Docks. The original membership was made up of 60% naval reservists and 40% non reservists. There were 10 founding members. Only Alan Grimshaw remains in the club.

In 1981, when HMS Cambria moved to Sully, the club became open. The first indoor venue after HMS Cambria was Gwaelod-y-Garth community centre, where the club stayed for 3 years. This was followed by a short period at the STAR leisure centre at Splott, which was not very successful. Since 1988, the club has shot indoors at Rookwood Hospital Gymnasium. The club then moved to the indoor range of Llandaff City Bowmen at St Fagans until recently. The club now shoots at Ilan Community Centre in Rhydfelin.

The first outdoor venue after HMS Cambria was a spare patch of ground at Cyncoed College of Further Education. The club then rented storage space in Llandaff City Bowmen's Equipment Hut and had the use of their field on thursday nights. The club has been based at Creigau for the outdoor season for the last 15 years.

The club grew slowly in the early years because the only qualified instructor was Alan's wife, Beth Grimshaw with Alan learning the ropes of instructing and coaching. When the membership became keener and more proficient the element of competition were introduced. The usual indoor rounds were shot plus the club's own RRADCT (the Rodney Rodent Archery Darts Challenge Trophy). The trophy was a Subbuteo FA Cup which was anonymously donated. The rules were that any two members can challenge any other two members, normal darts rules applied or any variation decided mutually.

Over the years, Cambria Bowmen has built up a reputation as a friendly club, welcoming new members and visitors alike who come to shoot with us.

What has proved to be very popular with other clubs and, indeed, Cambria itself, is our annual BBQ shoot in September, even though it marks the end of the outdoor season and it isn't record status, it still brings a record number of entrants every year who thoroughly enjoy the day.

To find out location of the club, click here.

Click here for Shooting times

Click Contacts for committee members details if you have any questions.