Get More Active Get Together – Axe Throwing and Archery

On the 27th of March Coalition members and staff gathered together for the final Get More Active Get Together of this funding year. We chose something a little different this time and channelling our inner warrior we travelled to the beautiful surroundings of Sayers Croft Outdoor Learning Centre for some axe throwing and some archery.

Sayers Croft was built in 1939 by the National Camps Corporation and was first used by a group of 200 evacuees from East London who stayed here for the duration of World War Two. Many of the original buildings remain (updated with modern comforts!) and you can still see the original murals painted by the boys from Catford Central School. After the war Sayers Croft became an outdoor education centre and to this day provides a huge number of activities for children and adults.

First up was axe throwing, and our instructor, made it look very easy – which it certainly wasn’t! However, with some coaching and practise everyone managed to at least hit the target, and it was a great feeling if you got the axe to stick! We were able to give feedback on how the activity worked best for wheelchair users and visually impaired throwers too.

We then returned our base room for a packed lunch and the opportunity to warm up before heading off for archery. The archery was indoors and we could choose between manual bows and an adapted bow which is mounted on a frame and pulls the string of the bow for you. It can be aimed easily using a handle to pivot it on the frame and makes the game accessible for people with less mobility. Once again, a little bit of practise and support meant that we were able to start hitting the target and there was great satisfaction in getting a shot on target!

It was great to enjoy something new and it’s safe to say that this activity has become a firm favourite with our members. I’m sure we will be back soon!