Glenn Taylor

Lot’s of great things have been said about Chris Mason but I would like to add something as well. Chris was at the very heart of this County, and without him things will never be the same, he was a great man who absolutely loved this County and all of the clubs and archers in it. He woke up thinking about the County, fell asleep thinking about it and probably dreamt about it. I visited him a couple of times in hospital shortly before we lost him and the County was still the main topic of conversation – his shoes are far too big for any of us to fill.

I’ve agreed to take this role on because I have the same hopes and values for the County that Chris had and I want to carry on the great work that he did to try and deliver those hopes and values.

It is my aim this year to try and bring the community spirit of the County back – Chris and I had a conversation a few months ago where we talked about how great the County was a few years ago, how it felt like one big club, everybody keen to help everybody else, no back bighting and a great deal of humor – we might not of been the best shots then BUT I do think that the way the County was then is why we have some of the best shots now!

So – we need more clubs represented on the County committee – only 6 clubs are currently represented – come on Northampton, your probably the biggest club in the County now, and what about Corby, Raunds, Banbury, Bicester, WOAC and Broad Green?

We need to STOP the back bighting, the trying to poach members, the slagging off of other clubs.

We need to START investing in coaching – not only in our own clubs but across the County – we need to set the framework to produce the next generation of great archers.

Although I completely share Chris’s vision for the County I’m not the cuddly, lovable, fantastic bloke he was – so I apologies now if I upset a very small minority to get us to a place where the majority are happy and proud to be – part of this fantastic County Society.

I would like to especially thank a couple of people – Martin who has stepped up to the plate from Vice Chairman to Chairman over the past few weeks whist still being team captain AND child protection officer (which hasn’t been as easy as it should have been this year) – he is old school, right out of the Chris Mason mold! AND Angie, who whist losing her partner continued to run the County – she is an example to all of us and we owe it to her and Chris to really make this work!

Finally I want the County to have something to remember Chris – lots has been talked about how we need to put something in place, I have my own ideas but would really welcome some input for the next meeting, perhaps a shoot in his name or a series of shoots, something a bit different, something to bring the clubs together, something for all levels, serious shooting but with a sense of humor and community?