[Ansteorra-archery] [Mm] How to increase TA, TW, and CA

[D Barr]

Just to throw my two cents in:

As someone who would like to participate, but rarely has the time,
I've started noticing things from a spectator's standpoint.

Our biggest issues are that we are usually located so far away from
the main event area, and often are hard to find.  Sometimes I don't
even know that there was archery at an event until the thank-you's go
out, or the winner is announced in court.  The second biggest issue is
that, since archery is located so far away, even when someone wants to
watch a particular part of the archery competition, they don't know
when it is.  The options seem to be to sit and watch archery all day,
or check on it to see who has done what (and often times the other
archery spectators don't know), or just forget about it all together.
:/  It is very difficult to watch chivalric combat and archery at the
same event because the schedules are so fluid for each.

A few things that would reduce these issues and bring in more
spectators would be:
**Set up banners and signs, not just at the range, but directing
people to the range.
**Bribing a herald.  I have attended one event where the archery
marshal secured a herald, and this helped immensely!  (Yes, I saw the
previous discussion about the difficulty of this, but they are well
worth the effort.)
**Set up a score board; or something that explains the basics of
scoring each event that is being held.  I have found it difficult in
the past to find someone who could explain what is going on to me,
because those who know are either running it or competing in it, and
the spectators don't know. :)  This could be as simple as:
         1) [forgive me, I've forgotten the name of this]: Three large
concentric circles are marked on the ground using flag markers.  The
archers' goal is to land their arrows as close to the center as
possible (of course).  The difficulty lies in judging the distance,
while ensuring the arrows can fly the distance required.  Points are
determined by ....
         2) Combat Archery Box Tourney:  Two 10 foot squares are
marked on the ground, with 30 feet between the closest edges.  One
combat archer stands within each square.  Each tries to shoot the
other, without being shot themselves, and without stepping out of
their square.  Points are given for: .....
        And etc.

**Even if you can't get a herald, get someone who likes to talk to
people to wander around and encourage people to go down to the archery
shoot.  Perhaps they could even be equipped with a walkie-talkie, so
they can keep an ear on the schedule and happenings at the range, and
update people accordingly.  (Heck, maybe even the bribed herald could
use that. ;) )
**And of course it always helps draw people out if there is an area or
a time where non-archers or beginning archers can practice shooting.
However, I know there aren't always time or resources for that.

So essentially, let people know that archery is there, and as much as
possible, keep them appraised of the schedule.  Mark the route to the
range, so that people can find it.  Have brief explanations of what is
happening available, just in case none of the marshals or participants
are available to answer questions.  But the most helpful thing would
be the herald. ;-)

--Debbie