In Memoriam
JEAN ARMFIELD
23 May 1943-19 July 2022
It is with very great sadness that we bid farewell to Jean Armfield. She has gone to her happy hunting grounds, full of her beloved bears, cats and all the other wildlife and plants she loved.
It’s so difficult to put into words anything that will do justice to Jean. She was so many things to so many people. This is just a small token of who she was.
Jean was a member of BAC for over 20 years starting off at the Sidcup ground and she carried on shooting into her 70s. Longbow of course. Jean was a very fine field archer, excelling at the differing distances. Jean was part of the Bromley contingent that used to travel to France to compete in the annual field archery competition – shooting and having fun. She liked to use her Franglais every so often to correspond with some of us. The French were confused by the spelling of her name and thought she was a man until they met her! She did compete and often came back with prizes.
Jean played a huge part in running the club. She kept a large and thriving junior club going for many years, giving the youngsters a gentle, guiding hand. A number of them went on to represent the club at the London Youth Games (held annually) competing against other junior archers. Jean also gave the older members the benefit of her experience, “Hold your longbow like you would a suitcase!” Advice I have never forgotten.
She used to feed the foxes and crows at the club ground. The crows hung around in the early morning waiting for their sausages or the odd sandwich cast off! Jean was well known for having several breakfasts and the local wildlife population benefitted from that. Jean always said there are pixies and fairies at the club ground. Evidence of that is in the fairy rings that appear after it rains. She was known to do a rain dance if we needed it.
Jean was on the committee for many years not only running the junior club but also managing the membership lists and renewals. It was often an onerous task organising the fees and paperwork for what was at one time nearly 150 members. At times she could be heard muttering, “Bluddy (sic) men!”
We could always count on her for catering duties at club shoots. She used to cook up a storm to feed the masses, spending many hours at the stove beforehand and organising everyone. Jean’s nocturnal wanderings would have been an advantage when getting things finished. She used to send emails in the wee small hours to some of us about any random thing that sprang to mind. She was a prolific correspondent and had email pals all over the place. Jean cared about people and liked to keep in touch to make sure we were all OK.
Her love of bears (les ours) was well known to everyone that knew her and some of her favourites (Grizz and Oz) used to accompany her on various adventures with Eric. Jean loved gardening and used to help out in the grounds where she and Eric lived. She was also a very keen knitter and knitted an exciting variety of things including a Robin Hood for George’s birthday. Her imagination ran riot and she was always up to something.
Jean has left a great void in Eric’s life and in the life of Bromley Archery Club. We will never forget her but wherever she is I've no doubt she will be accompanied by bears.
Rest in peace Jean. We love and miss you.
ROBIN HUNTE
22 October 1949 - 14 January 2021
It is with deepest sadness that we say farewell to one of our wonderful members.
Robin joined the club on 29 September 2002. He became our Treasurer in 2005, making sure the books were always balanced and accounts paid on time. He took care of uniform requirements for the members so that we all had the right gear to look good on the shooting line.
Robin was always there to give advice to new and old members, spending much of his time as a coach and part of the training team. He was one of our main organisers, getting involved with pretty much everything. Not only did he help with our club he he also helped people outside as a digital eagle.
He was able to fit in his own archery time, shooting longbow, and doing very well at our competition clouts. Robin was one of the intrepid archers who ventured to foreign shores to shoot. He made it to France and Holland a number of times. On one infamous occasion, at a roundabout in France, all three cars of our convoy each took a separate exit in a 'starburst' fashion. It took hours to reconvene, Robin having taken a more scenic and lengthy route! Robin also made a name for himself drinking Jagerbombs during evening relaxtion at an annual shoot in Holland, and waking up late looking much the worse for wear!
Robin was very proud of being part of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony in the Industrial Revolution segment. We all sat glued to our sets trying to spot him.
Robin will be remembered fondly for usually turning up late. But if he said he was going to be somewhere he would be ... eventually. He will be remembered for his even temperament, except when he got annoyed ... footballers on our field and various other little niggles. He will be remembered for being one of the tallest members of the club. He will be remembered for his black and white dinosaur hat which made an appearance on special occasions, and his homemade medieval garb. He will also be remembered for his kindness, gentleness and thoughtfulness.
Rest in peace dear Robin. We love and miss you.
MICHAEL HERSCHELL 1958-2019
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our friend Michael Herschell.
A former firefighter, Michael was a very fine longbow archer and had also been a valued member of the committee, during his 11 years with the club. Not only was he a worthy and successful competitor here but he also competed abroad. In addition, he was one of a very small group of the club's archers to have achieved a longbow Three Gold End (80 yards).
Michael was a giant of a man with a wicked and crazy sense of humour. No one that knew him will forget how he made us cry with laughter. An abiding memory for many of us will be when he transformed himself into HM The Queen for the Jubilee Shoot. What a joker! And there was always much hilarity and banter on Sundays when he was around.
Michael was a great man and it was a privilege to have known him and shot with him.
Rest in peace Michael. We miss you.
PHILIP BLACKIE 1942-2017
Philip joined our club in September of 2009 when Beckenham Bowmen folded. He and another of their members brought a load of the old club’s archery equipment which was very welcome.
Philip was a familiar sight on the the shooting line, except when he was on one of his many jaunts to Australia! He was often dressed in tweed and always looked smart. Softly spoken and a quiet figure in the club, he will be missed.
Philip’s memorial service was held at Honor Oak Crematorium on 3 October 2017.
Rest in peace Philip.
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