Purpose

This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Funding Programme.

An application to the Community Fund has been submitted by Talisman Bowmen for £3,222.50 from the Community Fund towards the purchase of beginner archery equipment including bows, arrow rests and guards.

Talisman Bowmen is a local archery club, affiliated to Archery GB. They have been based at Hunts Pond Road Recreation Ground since 1980 with local school facilities used for winter training. They currently have 77 members, and plan to grow the club and its instructors by encouraging access for all levels of ability.

The club takes part in Archery GB’s Start Archery Week to encourage new members to join, which proves very popular.

The group plans to run 3 beginner courses per year. 6-8 people will be able to attend each course, with the minimum age of participant being 10yrs old. Once the course is complete, the equipment will be able to be hired to participants for £10 per month for up to 3 months to enable attendees to try before they buy their own equipment.

The money raised will make the equipment sustainable allowing replacements to be bought in future as and when required. The total cost of this project is £3,580.50. Talisman Bowmen are looking for £3,222.50 from the Community Fund, with the remaining amount of £358.00 being funded from their reserves. As of August 2025, the Club had £7,273.21 in their accounts.

Titchfield Common Ward Councillor, Councillor Andrew Murphy, is supportive of this application. At the time of writing, no comments have been received from Ward Councillor Jack Englefield.

Decision

RESOLVED that the Executive Member for Leisure and Community approve the award of £3,222.50 from the Community Fund to Talisman Bowmen.