Meet the Instructors : Diccon

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Apart from the archery I am also a luthier (Guitar builder) which means that I build and repair custom guitars in a south London workshop. I play bass guitar and love old heavy rock and metal. I’ve been playing in bands since I was a teenager and am lucky enough to have played some great shows and travelled to some amazing places over the years. Touring is not as glamorous as it sounds. It’s all waiting around in airports and not getting any sleep in dodgy hotels. The next bit of waiting I have to do is outside the Japanese embassy to get my visa as we’re playing a show in Tokyo in a few weeks.

I also have a keen interest in ancient history and am nuts over classic cars. I have a 1956 Sunbeam that needs a small lottery win to get it back on the road.

How long have you been shooting for?

Since September 2011

How did you get started with 2020 Archery?

In 2011 I found myself without a band and therefore at a loose end on weekends. I’d always wanted to do archery, but erroneously thought that all the clubs would be outdoors and therefore outside London. On a whim I googled ‘archery in London’ and 2020 came up. I was amazed to find an indoor club in central London and when I looked at the address and saw that the street was called ‘Druid’ I thought ” Ah, it’s a sign ! ”

I did a beginners course and then joined as a member After a few months an opportunity came up to help out with some of the events that we do. I needed some extra work at the time and so took the plunge…

What’s the best part of the job?

When a beginner on a course starts to do well and really surprise themselves with their shooting. Their face is a real picture and you can see their enthusiasm and confidence increase ten-fold. There’s no substitute for that. Did I also mention going to the pub for a proper session after the Saturday shoot ?

What’s the worst part of the job?

Truly ? There is no ‘worst’ part about the job for me at all. I really mean that. It’s an unusual and quirky job to have which suits me well and it’s also help me to develop as a person ( for the better, I hope ! )

What’s the one bit of advice you’d give to someone thinking of taking up archery?

Just relax and enjoy yourself as you take part in an ancient skill that is part of our DNA. If you have interest and enjoyment then you’re halfway there…

What’s your best archery story?

One day I went in to have a shoot, but my antiquated old bow was shooting a bit weird and I had to re-set my site to a position that I never have it in and everything just felt a bit odd about it. Then, all of a sudden, I Robin-Hooded an arrow. Joy and amazement !

After posing for the obligatory pics I pulled the arrows out and walked back to the line to have my initial feeling of elation replaced by face-palming embarrassment as I discovered that I’d put my bow limbs on upside down. Go figure…