Lakeland Field Archers was started in 1987 by Peter Keenes (still a member) and Terry Barlow with the original ground at Sunderland Gill (near Moota, Cockermouth).
In the early years with the development of the club they were able to put on 2 National Competitions, which were well attended.
Then the Forestry Commission decided to cull the trees, which meant no course, so the hunt began for a new ground and eventually Wythrop Hall Farm was found in 1992. The course started being developed and a series of weekend shoots were put on, which were successful and included the 2001 3D Championships, with some 400 archers in attendance, an event which is still spoken about today by those attended as one of the all time best.
Then the club went through a lean time, so the weekend shoots were rested and in recent times the club has started to grow in membership again and it is hoped this will continue as new events raise the profile of the club.
The founders original theme of bringing the pleasure of field archery to people through the development of the necessary skills with safety and an overriding theme of having fun, has not changed within the club.
Peter Keenes
