Obituary – Robin Jackson

Posted: 17 October 2025

Obituary of Robin Jackson, our friend and unofficial mentor.

Friends of Ross & Robin Jackson bring the sad news that Robin Jackson passed away on 21st September, after a courageous and pragmatic fight with illness. His wife and best friend Ross has asked us, his friends, to write this obituary.

“Archery was Robin’s greatest hobby”, and he generated so many friends in his many years of Archery, that we could bore you all with wonderful anecdotes, but perhaps just a sample of his spirit is best for here.

His archery experience spanned NFAS, ArcheryGB and the British Longbow Society, and always with an English Longbow.  He had the honour to shoot bows made by many great English Bowyers and could call them all friends.  He possessed the inherent strength of an Englishman accustomed to shooting 50 – 60lb  English Longbow. He was at home at the Butts or in the woods.

He was a strong man, moving windfall by hand well into his late 70’s on club work parties at The Medieval Society Bowmen or Bridgewoods Field Archery, and telling me not to tell Ross.  But it was the strength of a yew or oak tree, a confident strength with the gentleness of spirit, and calmness of a peaceful favourite spot in the woods, whenever you found yourself in the cast of his canopy.  A strength born of good moral roots, and regular weekly archery practice in all weather at Bill Terry’s grounds in Sevenoaks.  A venue he won a fair few national BLBS medals with “the Wicked Mares”

Friends naturally would gather around him, and it is fair to say that he supported a huge Archery Ecoystem.  A natural mentor in archery, even as we progressed, he would find some wisdom in our shot or approach, a fantastic proud supporter of his friend’s archery adventures, as they became course layer’s, coaches, competitors and used their skills to help clubs.

Robin and Ross’ identification and support of new traditional archers to understand, be involved with and to excel in the multitude of opportunities that traditional archery gives leading to a significant number of us becoming noted individuals in the game of  Field Archery, Roving and Re enactment.

A quiet sponsor of many archery clubs and venues, a man who gave far more than he took.  One who will continue to influence many archers in the years to come.