Pip Bickerstaffe has the reputation in Britain and around the world of being one of, if not the pre-eminent longbow maker in England.

Pip Bickerstaffe became interested in Archery by age 10. From 14 onwards he became particularly interested in the manufacture of archery equipment. His first bows, at 12 to 15lbs lighter than comparable longbows from established bowyers, did not stack and shot the same arrows some 15 – 20 yards further.

His workshop is 40 miles from the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, five minutes from the village of Isley Walton where most of the houses carry the crest of the Bowyers Company, a clear reminder of the original main trade in the village. The other local village of Diseworth is also significant as it was the centre for arrow making in the area, confirmed by the high proportion of locals named Fletcher. With this heritage it is highly appropriate that a bowyer such as Pip Bickerstaffe should be successfully practising his craft in this area.

Source: "The Heritage of The Longbow, a practical guide to the manufacture and use of the longbow, arrows and bow strings as used in Traditional Archery", I. P. Bickerstaffe, published 1999.