Essex and Suffolk County Archery Association

Scores are requested for consideration to send a representative team to National County Team Championships 2026 at Lilleshall

For this shoot scores are requested from August 2025 to 12th August 2026 for all 4 disciplines (Recurve, Barebow, Longbow & Compound)

Scores will be ranked based on the published guidelines giving priority to the scores submitted that fall into the last 4 months

Previous scores will be considered where required

Please send all scores to team.manager@ecaa.org.uk

Sarah West

Essex Team Manager

Dear Archers,

The highly anticipated ECAA Field Championships for 2026 are this year being held on the 4th of October.

The TryBooking link has just been added, so be sure to get your entries in before Friday 25th September.

https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/114251

Dear Archery Community

As many of you already know, my dear wife, Marlene Hutchins,sadly passed away in May at St Luke’s Hospice, Basildon, after being diagnosed with a type of cancer for which there is currently no cure.

Unfortunately, I am unable to retrieve the addresses, contact details, or email addresses from Marlene’s computer, so I am unable to thank everyone individually. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have sent condolences, sympathy cards, messages, and kind wishes. Your thoughtfulness and support have been greatly appreciated during this very sad time.

Marlene made everything she did look easy,  a county team archer, a county coach, editor of The Essex Bowman and was involved in the administration of various archery leagues. She was always willing to volunteer her time and was happy to help with anything connected to archery. I know her dedication, enthusiasm, and friendship touched many people throughout the archery community.

We were married for over 69 wonderful years and it was a wonderful partnership. Together we raised a son and a daughter and were blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought us immense joy.

Marlene will be greatly missed and we take comfort in knowing that she will be remembered with affection and respect by so many people in the archery world.

Thank you once again for your kindness, sympathy, and support.

Kindest regards

Roy Hutchins

I had a great couple of hours at the Bows and Biscuits session for Longbow and other minorities (i.e. anything not barebow, compound or recurve). And it was free.

We started off with some general shooting and chatting then had a go at clout shooting, a first for me and felt like what a Longbow is for (150 or so yards with the arrows I had). This has whetted my appetite to try a proper clout shoot. I also got talking with Paul about his Asiatic bow, which he kindly let me try for a few ends using the thumb release technique, another first for me with reasonable results (see pictures).

I really enjoyed both the shooting and the chatting about the various bow types on view (the latter was even more welcome as it was very hot) as well as coffee and biscuits, although the chocolate ones didn't fare too well in the heat.

Thanks go to Emma Broxholme for organising as well as Southend and District Archery Club for hosting and being so welcoming. Additional thanks to Paul for letting me try his Asiatic bow.

Separate sessions for the other three bow types are in the county calendar. They may not offer the variety of the "minorities", but why not give your respective one a go.

Cheers

Kevin Juniper

ECAA Treasurer

It is with immense sadness that ECAA announces the passing of Marlene Hutchins on Sunday 10th May 2026, after a short illness.
Marlene was a huge part of ECAA, supporting the association in a variety of roles at club and county level over several decades. Marlene and husband Roy’s involvement with Archery started at Damon Company of Archers, with Marlene joining the club initially as secretary, and picking up a bow in May 1969. Very quickly after this, Marlene began setting Recurve County records adding County Colors (1971) and Master Bowman standard scores within her first two shooting seasons, a standard she maintained for over a decade. Marlene regularly medaled at county championships and club tournaments, before moving over to Compound in the mid 1980’s, where she continued to medal, and set further county records, some of which still stand!
Marlene and Roy moved to Southend Electricity Archery Club in the early 80’s with both becoming qualified coaches shortly afterwards. At SEAC, Marlene again became Secretary staying with the club until it finally disbanded and merged with Rayleigh Town Archers in the mid 2000’s who took the opportunity to ask Marlene to be their President, a role she was thrilled to fulfill.
Alongside her shooting prowess, Marlene was very happy to work in the background, regularly assisting with organizing events, or facilitating scoring and results for championships and leagues. Within ECAA, Marlene was our longest serving Albion League Secretary (1983-2022) with a tenure of 40 years establishing a reputation for efficiency and accuracy, managing the league with a firm hand. League captains reported they knew to get their entries in by the AGM, or face Marlene! Unsurprisingly, they were never late! As you didn’t want to be in receipt of ‘the look’.
Alongside the league, Marlene edited The Essex Bowman magazine (1981-1991), and was the indoor, Andy Harris Secretary (1991-2026) only handing over the reins due to decreasing health. Marlene was a regular fixture at County meetings, championing club archers, and supporting tournaments and club activities across the county over many years. Serving ECAA as minute secretary for two terms (1972-2013 & 2016-20), with her quiet approach offering support and counsel to the County Executive throughout her tenure.
In 1999, Marlene was elected Vice President (1999-2009) serving in this role uniquely for 10 years before accepting nomination to President (2009 – 2012). Such was the esteem that Marlene was held in by all those that knew her, that she was one of only four members to be honored with all of the association’s highest honors, being installed as a Red Tassel (1983), Honorary Life Vice President (2013), and Honorary Life Member (2022).
The debt that Essex archery owes to Marlene is immeasurable, reaching all aspects of what the association is today. Our community is lessened for her passing, and we remember a lovely lady, with the warmest smile, a kind word, the ability to make everyone welcome, and whose tireless support of the association and archery community we give thanks for.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Roy, Jane, Kevin, and the wider family.

N.B - Funeral arrangements: At Marlene’s request, the funeral will be a small family only memorial.