Jane’s Archery Wish Comes True in the New Forest

At Court Lodge, we love discovering the stories that shape our residents – and helping them stay connected to the things they’ve always loved.

For 89-year-old Jane, that meant returning to the archery field.

After chatting with our Companionship Team about her life and interests, Jane shared memories of her time practising archery in both Singapore and the UK. It wasn’t long before we began planning a special visit to the Sway Bowmen club in the New Forest, just a short drive from our home in Lymington.

Jane spent the afternoon alongside Chief Coach Ian Mason, sharing stories from her time as a member of the Waterside Archers. In a wonderful exchange, she even donated several of her own bows to help support new archers at the club – a gesture warmly welcomed by all.

“I very much enjoyed the visit. It was a lovely afternoon,” said Jane.

The day included live demonstrations, reminiscing over bow types and shooting techniques, and plenty of encouragement from the friendly Sway Bowmen members.

Court Lodge’s Companionship Team Leader Julia Puia and Minibus Driver Dave Barron-Cook accompanied Jane on the outing.

Julia said:

“It was a privilege to help Jane revisit something so personal to her. The club were incredibly kind, and it was a beautiful way to honour her story.”

A Life Still Full of Moments

This visit is just one example of how our team at Court Lodge gets to know each resident as an individual – helping them find meaning, connection, and joy in daily life.

Whether it’s rekindling a past hobby or discovering something new, we’re here to make it happen.