The increases mean fees wil rise to £46 a year for direct members, £38 for club members, £44 for junior direct members and club juniors £23, with junior block costs up to £60 and university block fees of £120.

When asked why the price hikes were needed, Chairman Dave Harrison said: "As ever, costs go up every yearand Lilleshall is expensive, like all other centres are. But by getting extra money in we can do a lot more.

"I said many years ago that I wanted to do a huge amount of work for membership, increase work for grass roots level, increase coaching and judging training to make it better. That comes at a cost.

"There are a huge amount of volunteers who do a massive amount of work. They need to have their expenses covered and those expenses are getting greater every year. What I want to make sure is that volunteers aren't doing things free of charge and we continue to increase the amount of services we give to every member."

Finance Director Eric Jackson said there were twin aims - to sort out the financial deficit and get money back in reserves and to help members by continuing to invest in grass roots clubs.

Lynne Evans said it would be useful if members were given an out of what the money is to be spent on and called for regular increments in line with inflation rather than "one large wodge."

Maggie Woolfe pointed out that although Britons are having to pull their purse strings in, archers get a lot for their money. "Even with my club fees, I'm paying less than £3 a week for a sport that has given me pleasure for 35 years."

The motion was carried, as was a proposal to split the role of Director of Marketing and Operations.

Bryan Woodcock was elected Director of Operations, Tim Swane was re-elected as Coaching Chairman and Helen Woodcock was elected Junior Chairman.

John Willson won the Hartwell Trophy, Tommy Hodder won the Ascham Mazur Trophy and Dr Colin Crowley won the Jack Flinton Helping Hand Trophy. The club website trophy went to Guildford Archery Club and the regional/county website award was won by Lincolnshire Archery Society.

Larry Godfrey won the BOA Trophy and Frederick Hedley was rewarded for his service to archery.

Archery GB is sponsored by Foresters Friendly Society.

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