LEDBURY Archery Cub members recently aimed for a trip back in time, when they visited The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth.

The Mary Rose was Henry VIII's flagship which sank in the Solent during a battle with the French, in 1545.

Its interest to archers lies in the fact that 250 well-preserved longbows were found on the wreck, and more than 2000 arrows, allowing historians and archaeologists to learn much more about late medieval or early English renaissance archery.

Club spokesman, Peter Dobson said: "Helped by our Friends at Ledbury Community Action, who provided the mini-bus, an early start saw a party of thirteen archers from Ledbury Archery Club leave Ledbury for the three hour trip to Portsmouth.

"Their destination was the Royal Navy Dockyard and specifically the Mary Rose Museum. To the people taking part it was part enjoyment in a day off, part social and part pilgrimage."

Mr Dobson added: "If you are of a certain age most folk can remember what they were doing when the wreck of the Mary Rose was raised in the early 1980s. This discovery and successful reclamation has provided our country with a fascinating insight into Tudor life and in particular life aboard one of Henry VIII's largest great ships as it was on July 19,1545, when it sank.

"Particularly interesting were the perfectly preserved longbows, some 250 in all, that were found on board. The visiting party were greeted by members of the Education Department and treated to an extremely informative tour of the wreck and exhibits. This was topped off with a talk about archery and the Mary Rose in the afternoon."