In memory of Peter Turner

1945-2025

Gentleman, dedicated Field Archer, promoter of Field Archery, event organiser, Coach, Judge and the Founder of our club, Overton Black Arrows.

Founder of the archery club Overton Archers, 1962-1975, part of the Overton Youth Club.

Founder of the archery club Black Arrows, 1970-1975, a dedicated Field Archery club.

Founder of the archery club Overton Black Arrows, 1975-Present, a Target, Field and 3D Archery Club.

Two times National Clout Champion, Recurve, in 1977 and 1981, possibly in 1964 or 1965 too.

The following gives you a little of Peter Turner's history within the sport of archery. To detail all of his achievements and contributions to the archery community, especially field archery, would mean writing a book, rather than writing an article for a webpage, even if it's quite lengthy webpage article!

In 1960 at just 15, Peter took a further education archery class in archery with the Overton Youth Club.

Just two years later in 1962, Peter formed the archery club Overton Archers shooting mainly target archery.

In 1970 Peter formed a Field Archery club called Black Arrows to help him, and others, pursue his love of field archery.

Overton Archers and Black Arrows continued to run alongside each other, shooting at venues in and around Overton. Over time, members of one club would often join the other.

By 1975 members realised the membership of one club was, almost without exception, the same as the other. So, Peter Turner helped amalgamate the two clubs into one, and the club we still belong to today, Overton Black Arrows, was born.

In his own words, Peter wrote the following in late 2019;
“In 1960 I did a further education archery class with Overton Youth Club, [Don Stamp brought the instructor along], and went on to form Overton Archers in 1962, and Black Arrows 1970, a club which specialized in field archery. In 1975 the two clubs amalgamated to become Overton Black Arrows.

I progressed in field archery to be in the “top ten” in recurve & instinctive styles. Qualified as an instructor, going on to be a coach. Joined National Squads/teams as an archer and later as a coach.

I helped Don Stamp [the then Chairman of the field committee, and GNAS vice president.] develop, train and examine a “Field endorsement” to the coaching qualification. This has since been dropped as it was said “field archery” was covered in the coaching qualification.

I have been Assistant Manager or Coach to a number of field/3D teams since 1988. I have attended most World/European Field Championships/World Games, since that time.

I have been part of the organization of many Field archery tournaments, from club, county, regional, National, World Championships, and World Games.

I also have an Instructors Certificate dated June 1968, endorsed ‘Qualified to Coach in Field Archery – almost 51 years ago.

To explain the original Instructors qualification was equivalent to Level one, but at a standard or Coach or County degree of knowledge.”.

Peter sent me an archery magazine clipping in June 2023, I believe he was going through some old magazines he still had in the weeks after the clubs’ AGM. It was an article about the Overton Black Arrows Club Championships for 1984.

The following is a summary of that article;

The Target Archery competition of the championships was a “National” round of 4 dozen arrows at 60yards on a 122cm target, followed by 2 dozen arrows at 50yards on a 122cm target, using imperial scoring meaning a maximum of 648points. The OvBA Target Champion for 1984 was none other than, Peter Turner with 550points, 72hits, 31 of them gold, just 6 points ahead of John Bennett.

Even though Peter was a two (maybe three) times National Clout Champion, at the OvBA Clout Archery part of the competition Peter finished in second, scoring 55points, with 23 out of his 36 arrows finding the scoring area 8yards across, the centre gold (5points) being just 3feet across. 14points ahead and the winner of the Overton Black Arrows Clout Archery competition was John Bennett.

It is maybe no surprise that Peter won the Overton Black Arrows Gentleman’s Freestyle Field competition with 191points, 6points ahead of Geoff Titchener in second.

Princess Alexandra presented Peter Turner with the Torch Trophy Trust Award for his, at the time 49years of voluntary service to the sport of archery.

The presentation was made at an event held at the Army and Navy Club in London in November 2011.

Peter continued supporting his beloved sport of archery for the rest of his life, giving 65years of his time freely to help the sport and those taking part in it.

Peter’s enthusiasm to help grow and support the sport he loved not only saw him attend Field Events as an archer, an organiser, a judge, but in later years to simply go along to watch and support the numerous friends he’d made across the archery community, whenever he could.

Peter’s archery journey started when he took a further education class at 15 and continued for the rest of his life, with one of his last official commitments taking place shortly after his 80th birthday. Even after turning 80, Peter was still giving back to and supporting the sport he loved and was part of the Judging team at the UK 3D Championships in July 2025 and presented the winners with their medals at the event held at Overton Black Arrows’ very own Field Archery venue The Warren, quite possibly Peter’s spiritual archery home.

Asides from what are likely to be numerous club titles and likely a good number of county and regional titles, Peter’s achievements also include, being at least a two times National Clout Champion in the Recurve bow style in 1977 and 1981, [Editors Note: We believe he was also National Clout Champion around 1964 or 1965 as well, although records we've had accessed/confirmed entries from only go back to 1971. Thank you to Andrew Neal for confirming the years Peter won the event]. Not only did Peter become an archer for his County and National Team, he became a Coach and not only taught beginners but helped and coached International level archers too. Peter was a Judge for many years, as well as being the heart and soul of Overton Black Arrows from the day he formed it and his memory and dedication will surely live on and continue to inspire and motivate not only the members of OvBA, but archers across the sport.

All in all, Peter was a thoroughly decent gentleman. If the world was full of people as decent as Peter, it really would be a much better place.

In 2011 Peter was nominated by the then Chairman of Overton Black Arrows, David Backers, for the Torch Trophy Trust Award, which he won, with the award being presented to Peter by Princess Alexandra at the Army and Navy Club in London, see the picture above.

There were times in Overton Black Arrows' history when Peter used his own money to ensure archers, just a handful, could still hire and shoot at their indoor facility at Testbourne School. For most of his life Peter was involved with archery, either as an archer, an instructor, a "Qualified to coach in Field Archery" endorsed coach, an AGB Level 1 and subsequently an AGB Level 2 Coach, as well as a Coach to National Teams. Peter went on to became an Archery Judge and carried out this role across the Country and and an International Level Judge, he likely officiated across Europe too. Throughout his time Peter sat on, and was a member of, numerous archery organisations, SCAS and HAA to name but two local to OvBA.

All in all, for 65years, Peter took part in, supported and gave back to the sport he loved. Very, very few people can say they’ve been so committed, supportive and involved in a sport they love for such a long period of time.

Peter was made Lifelong President of Overton Black Arrows in 2010, 48years after forming the first of two clubs which would go on to become Overton Black Arrows, some 50years after starting his own archery journey.

To say Peter has been a significant part of the Field Archery community is an understatement, and it’s likely Peter has given advice and coaching help to thousands of archers, from beginners at his club, to archers in County and National Teams alike, as well as passing on knowledge to numerous Coaches and Judges too.

At times, Peter was Overton Black Arrows, single handily carrying out all the roles which make up today’s Committee, especially when membership numbers dropped to their lowest in the 1990s. But, Peter’s love for archery and his club meant he did everything he could to keep OvBA going. One previous Chairman believed Peter himself was paying, from his own pocket, to hire the Gymnasium at Testbourne School for the 3 or 4 members, or fewer, who would turn up to shoot on Friday evenings during the Autumn and Winter, because the OvBA didn’t have the finances buy equipment, let alone to pay for such things as hiring a venue to shoot in.

Thanks to Peter’s determination, generosity and love for archery, especially Field Archery, Overton Black Arrows was kept alive and eventually began attracting new members. In time, as numbers began to grow, others began to help Peter and membership numbers continued to rise. Fast forward to the mid 2020s and OvBA are now blessed with; some amazing facilities, a membership which is into three figures rather than nearer or in single figures, and finances which mean we don’t have to ask the current Chairman for money to pay for facilities to enable members to shoot at Testbourne School, where we still shoot, although nowadays it's on Wednesday evenings through the Autumn and Winter, rather than a Friday.

Today, part of Peter's legacy means, Overton Black Arrows has access to a Target Range where we can set targets out to 100yards and where members can shoot every day of the year, weather and daylight permitting, indoor facilities for up to 24archers to shoot on club nights from early September through to the end of March, plus a Field Archery and 3D Archery venue around which we can set some of the most challenging Field and 3D courses anywhere in Britain. Not bad for a club that can trace its roots back to a 15 old young man!

Peter was a part of and attended the annual Overton Black Arrows Field Competition for 50years, helping organise and shooting in the competition for many years, before moving over to Judging after he stopped shooting competitively.

Even for a relatively new club member, I can testify to the fact things didn’t feel quite the same at The Warren without Peter’s friendly happy face and demeanour permeating around the venue when we held British 3D Championships in September 2025 when he was unable to attend a Field Archery competition held by his beloved club for the first time in over 50years.

Peter Turner, proud, happy, 80years old and still involved - Thank You

The above picture was taken following the conclusion of the medal ceremony for the UK 3D Championships in July 2025 where Peter was part of the judging team and also presented the medals to the winners.

Proudly standing behind Peter, from left to right, are; Stephen Baker, Tricia Crawley, Tremaine Callier, Richard Buckner, Hannah Callier, Barry Burton, Rob Aldridge, Paul Williams, Susie Allam, Steve Allam, Jaco van Eck, Farhad Jafari, and not forgetting Rufus the arrow finding black labrador with Hannah.

Everyone I’ve spoken to, or heard comment, about Peter since his passing, has nothing but happy memories and praise for him being; a gentleman, kind, considerate, helpful, incredibly knowledgeable and always willing to share his knowledge so others could learn and benefit from it.

As I near the end of this article, I feel quite sad that a man who built Overton Black Arrows and did so much for Field Archery in general will now only be with us at future events in spirit and memory, although, I suspect with his beliefs Peter will be looking over us and, I hope we can do him proud as a club at future events we put on and take part in. Also, as a member of Overton Black Arrows and Chairman of the club at the time of Peter’s passing, not only do I feel incredibly sad we've lost the founder of our club, but I feel the wider archery community has lost a hugely prominent figure, especially in Field Archery. However, notwithstanding the preceding lines, I feel extremely proud and privileged to have known Peter, even if it was for just a few years. I can also confess to the fact that writing this has been emotional at times and I thank you if you've taken time to read all of this article.

RIP Peter Turner, you will be missed, but never forgotten.

Editor’s Request:

If you have any knowledge of Peter’s archery life and achievements, or if you know a point of contact in an archery organisation who might have knowledge, or records of, Peter’s achievements, please use the contact page and send a message to the Chairman, so I may be able to add to this tribute to a person who dedicated 65years of his life to the sport he loved, thank you.