Hugh Soar plans to include an update on the Outreach Project in the forthcoming issue of the ARROWHEAD.

We have been making some adjustments to the information contained in "A Catalogue of Archery Clubs & Societies in the United Kindom 1537 - 1939" to improve its accuracy and completeness.

Just a few additional words on the arrangement of the Catalogue. The first five pages include a Forward where the history and development of archery clubs and societies in the United Kingdom are discussed. It's interesting how a sport is often defined by the organizations formed to practice it.

Gt. Britain is indeed fortunate to have such a rich and deep involvement with archery over such a long period of time along with so many venerable archery institutions of the past including some that continue in existence today.

The Quick Reference Guide consists of 12 pages while the Detailed Listing consists of 83 pages. The Quick Reference Guide lists the archery clubs/societies alphabetically and includes county information. It serves to provide the reader with the ability to quickly look-up a club or society to determine if it is included.

The Detailed Listing provides additional detailed information [see a previous post which outlines the information included]. For some of the archery clubs/societies, the detailed information is quite expansive -- continuing on for several pages. We have tried to include, when known, information on printed material [books, pamphlets, manuscripts, rules/regulations, etc.] as well as prints and paintings.

Page 17 of the Quick Reference Guide is included below:

Oakley Park Archers: Warwickshire
Oatlands Park Archery Club: Surrey
Old Sarum Archers [a.k.a. Old Sarum Toxophilites]: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Old Sarum Toxophilites [a.k.a. Old Sarum Archers]: Salisbury
Outwood Rangers: Wakefield, Yorkshire

Paignton Archery Society: Devonshire
Paisley Archers: Renfrewshire
Pamber Forest Archers: Hampshire
Pembury Park Archery Club: Kent
Pendle Archery Club: Lancashire
Pilkington Archers: Prestwick, Lancashire
Pinner Archery Club: Middlesex
Pontefract Archery Club: Yorkshire
Powderham Archery Society: Devonshire
Preston Archers: Lancashire
Private Archery Society: Various [formed for Gentlemen to Shoot York Round in
Closed Season]
Private Archery Society of London, Termed Robin Hood’s Merry Men [The]: London
Pymore Archery Club: Bridport, Dorset

Queen’s Park Archers: Brighton, Sussex
Queen’s Royal St Leonard’s Archers: Hastings, Sussex

Radnorshire Bowmen: Radnorshire
Raglan Archers: Monmouthshire
Ramsgate Archery Club:Kent
Ranelagh Archery Club: Not known
Rangers [The]: Surrey
Redland Archers: Bristol, Gloucestershire
Reigate and Redhill Archery Club: Surrey
Retford Archery Society: Nottinghamshire
Richmond Archers: Liverpool, Lancashire
Richmond Archers: Surrey
Richmond Archers’ Society: Richmond, Yorkshire
Ripon Archers: Yorkshire
Robin Hood Archery Club: Nottinghamshire
Robin Hood’s Bowmen [a.k.a. Robin Hood Archers]: Middlesex
Robin Hood Bowmen [Ancient Archers]: Hull, Yorkshire
Robin Hood Society of Gloucestershire [The] – [Also referred to as the Robin Hood
Society of Wotton-under-Edge]: Gloucestershire
Robin Hood Society [of London]: London
Rochferry Archers: Cheshire
Roehampton Archery Club: London
Rother Archers: Sussex
Royal British Bowmen [a.k.a. The British Bowmen, The Loyal British Bowmen & North
British Archers]: Denbigh and Flintshire
Royal Forest of Dean Archers: Gloucestershire
Royal Foresters [The Order of The]: Not known
Royal Kentish Bowmen: Kent
Royal Oak Archers: Brompton, Yorkshire
Royal Richmond Archery Club: Surrey
Royal Sherwood Archers: Nottinghamshire
Royal Southampton Archers: Hants
Royal Surrey Bowmen: Epsom, Surrey

Page 13 is also included:

Cantelow’s Archers: Camden, North London
Canterbury Archery Club: Kent
Cardiganshire [North] Archery Club: Cardiganshire
Carisbrook Archers: [Carisbrook Castle] Isle of Wight
Carmarthenshire Archery Club: Carmarthenshire
Caterham Archery Club: Surrey
Catterick Archers: Yorkshire
Chagford Archery Society: Devonshire
Charlton Archery Society: Not known
Charnwood Forest Archery Society: Leicestershire
Cheadle Archers: Cheshire
Cheetham Hill Archers: Manchester, Lancashire
Cheltenham Archers: Gloucestershire
Chepstow Archery Club: Monmouthshire/Gloucestershire
Cheshire Archers [The]: Cheshire
Cheshire Bowmen: Cheshire
Chester Bowmen: Cheshire
Chichester Archers: Sussex
Chiltern Archery Society: Oxfordshire
Chiswick Archery Society: Middlesex
Cirencester Park Archers: Gloucestershire
Clapham Archers: Not known
Clapton Archers: Somerset
Claro Archers: Yorkshire
Clifton Archers: Gloucestershire
Colchester Archery Club: Essex
College Archers: Cambridge
College Archers: Oxford
Copdock Archers: Suffolk
Cotswold Archers: Gloucestershire
Crooksbury Archers: Hampshire
Crystal Palace Archers: Surrey
Culm Valley Archery Society: Devonshire

Darlington Archers: Northumberland/Durham
Dart Archery Society: Devonshire
Dawlish Archery Club: Devonshire
Dean Forest Archery Society: Gloucestershire
Deddington Archery Society: Oxfordshire
Derby Archers: Derbyshire
Derbyshire Archery Society: Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Devon [South] Archers: Devonshire
Devon and Cornwall Archery Society: Devonshire
Devon and Exeter Archery Society: Devonshire
Disley Archers: Cheshire
Doncaster and Barnsdale Archery Society: Yorkshire
Dorset [West] Archery Society: Dorset
Douglas Archery Society: Isle of Man
Durham Archery Club: Durham

Eagle Bowmen: London
Ealing Archery Club: Middlesex

Part of page 66 and page 67 of the Detailed Listing is included below:

?Queen’s Park Archery Society: Brighton, Sussex. Formed: [approx.] 1834. Members: M & W. M 25, W unspecified. Club Round: Target shot at 100, 80, and 60 yds. - number of arrows unspecified. Shooting Ground: Initially - archery ground within the park of T. Attree, Esq. Then Queen’s Park. Costume: Formal: M: A tunic and cap of green gambroon. White trousers. Informal: Jacket of green flannel. W: Costume unspecified. The pattern of the formal dress obtainable at Messrs. Parker and Smith’s, Church Street, Brighton. Note: A shilling sweep-stake was operative on Target days. Odds on each competitor decided by the committee. Line cutters to count the lower score. It was at this Club that Horace Ford first received tuition from Edward Maitland.

?Queen’s Royal St Leonard’s Archers: Hastings, Sussex. Formed: 1833 [re-established – 1894]. The Club was in abeyance from 1880 to 1894. Members: M & W – 50 [60 including Juniors]. Club Round: The York Rounds. Assumed to be ‘York’ Round Men. Ladies National Round Women. [In 1845, M – 75 arrows at 60 yds. and W – 75 arrows at 50 yds.]. The 1895 AR noted that the Club Rounds were M 36 x 80 & 36 x 60 yds. and the W were 36 x 60 & 36 x 50 yds. The 1900 AR noted that the Club Round was “The St. Leonard’s” Round, i.e., M 36 x 80 & 39 at 60 yds., W 36 x 60 & 39 at 50 yds. Shooting Ground: Archery Gardens, Quarry Hill, St Leonards. Also, Hollinghurst. Costume: M: Dark green coat with black velvet collar and a button bearing the device of the banner presented by Princess (later Queen) Victoria. White trousers, waistcoats and caps. Youths under 16 and Clergymen exempted. W: Unspecified, but with a medallion bearing the banner device, worn on the left shoulder. Patrons: Princess (later Queen) Victoria & Duchess of Kent. Note: This Society was patronised by Queen Victoria, who is understood to have shot there when Princess Victoria, and who presented Royal Prizes for competition. Printed Material: See the article “Queen’s Royal St. Leonard’s Archers” appearing in “The Archer’s Register” for the year 1897, pps. 232-235. Also, note the article by Sophie Houlton entitled “The Queen’s Royal St. Leonards Archers”, ‘Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries’, Vol. 44, 2001, pps. 53-58. Rules and Regulations were printed between 1855 and 1879 and the one for 1878 includes a short history of the Society according to Sophie Houlton. Prints: A tiny sketch of a meeting of the Queen’s Royal St. Leonards Archers, Sussex.

1895 AR - Radnorshire Bowmen: Radnorshire. Formed: 1894. Members: M & W. Club Round: M 72 x 60 yds. W - The National. The 1898 AR also noted that the M shot 48 x 80 & 24 x 60 yds. The 1907 AR indicated that the M shot 72 x 60 yds. Shooting Ground: Grounds of various members including Abbey Cwmhir [Mrs. G. H. Philips]. The 1902 AR noted that the shooting ground was located at Penybont.

Raglan Archers: Monmouthshire. Formed: 1858. Members: 220. M & W. Club Round: M 66 x 80 & 66 x 60 yds. W 66 x 60 & 66 x 50 yds. [As of 1883, the number of arrows shot at each of these distances by M & W were 48 arrows]. Shooting Ground: Raglan Castle.

Ramsgate Archery Club : Kent. Formed: Not known. Members: Not known. Club Round: Not known. Shooting Ground: Soc.’s Grounds, Ramsgate.

Pages 73 - 76 are also included:

CCP - Royal Southampton Archers: Hants. Formed: 1789 [dissolved in 1794]. Members: Not known. Club Round: Not known. Shooting Ground: Arthur Credland notes that “by 1793 the society is recorded as having erected a commodious lodge with 12 butts in a field north east of the polygon. This was a little to the west of the road northwards to the common, which was to become The Avenue. On nineteenth century maps it is almost directly opposite the entrance to Middle Street from avenue Terrace. Immediately to the south of the terrace is Rockstone Place.” Costume: According to Arthur Credland it was “a dark green coat, with black Genoa velvet cuffs and collar, buff waistcoat and breeches of cloth or kerseymere, with a doublet gilt uniform button”. Each archer wore a black hat with two feathers, one green and the other buff, a buff-coloured belt, with a pouch and tassel, and a black leather brace.” Patron: Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester. Printed Material: “Royal Southampton Archers, 1789”. Abridged Rules and List of Members are given in ‘The Southampton Guide,’ 10th Ed. [1790]. 12 mo., pp 41–47. Also, see pps. 75-76 of Arthur G. Credland’s article “Histories of the Societies which participated in the General Meetings at Blackheath & Dulwich, 1789-1795”, ‘Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries’, Vol. 44, 2001. Also note Arthur G. Credland’s article “The Royal Southampton Archers 1789-1794 and New Forest Archery Club c. 1830-40”, ‘Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries’, Vol. 46, 2003, pps. 62-70.

GH – Royal Surrey Bowmen: Epsom, Surrey. Formed: 1790-1795. Members: M. Club Round: M – 100 yds.? Shooting Ground: Epsom Downs. Costume: Plain dark-green coat, with three small buttons, in the sleeves underneath, a buff waistcoat and breeches, the buttons as agreed upon; a hat with a gold button and loop, and a spring of box; white stockings, and half-boots. Note: The Duke of Clarence, brother of the Prince of Wales, was patron to the Society. Printed Material: “Royal Surrey Bowmen, 1790. Rules and Orders to observed by the Society of”, London, 1790; “Royal Surrey Bowmen. A List of Members”, London, 1793 and “Archer’s Glee for four voices, The Words by a Lady, Upon the Duke of Clarence’s giving a bugle horn to be shot for by the Royal Surrey Bowmen to whom this glee is respectfully inscribed by their most obedt. & most humble servt. R.J.S. Stevens”. Also, see the article “The Royal Surrey Bowmen” by H. Walrond appearing in “The Archer’s Register” for 1896, pps. 227-228. Additionally, see pp. 76 of Arthur G. Credland’s article “Histories of the Societies which participated in the General Meetings at Blackheath & Dulwich, 1789-1795”, ‘Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries’, Vol. 44, 2001. Also see Arthur G. Credland’s article “The Royal Surrey Bowmen 1790-95”, ‘Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries’, Vol. 46, 2003, pps. 43-53.

?Royal Toxophilite Society: London (lately Burnham, Bucks). Formed: 1781.
Members: 65 M & F. (originally M). Club Round: Butts. 120, 90, and 60 yds. Ends shot not to exceed 48, changing butt distances every eight ends. Targets. Shot at 100, 80, and 60 yds. Shooting Ground: Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London Costume. Coat of green cloth. Or Merino. Single-breasted with ‘shooting’ buttons. Uniform cap (type unspecified). Notes. These details are relevant to 1844. Women were admitted to full membership subsequent to the Great War. The 1895 AR notes that “This Society represents: [1] the Ancient Society known as the Finsbury Archers, and [2] the Archers’ Company of the Honourable Artillery Company…”. The 1902 AR stated that “The Society is in possession of a large Silver Shield, presented by Katherine of Braganza, Consort of King Chares II, and many other valuable Challenge Prizes, some of which are shoot for on the four Target Days.” Printed Material: “Royal Toxophilite Society, 1781” The Rules and Orders of the Royal Toxophilite Society have been printed at various times from 1781 to 1876 and from 1892 to 1916, both with and without lists of members; “A History of the Royal Toxophilite Society, from its institution to the present time”. Edited by a Toxophilite [T. Dawson], 1867. Printed [by H. Abraham, Taunton] for private circulation only. 8vo., pp. ii. + 126, errata leaf. 1 plate. 2nd. Edition, 1870, pp. iv. + 308, errata leaf, 1 plate. “An Account of the Toxophilite Season”, by W. Butt, Hon. Sec., was printed in 12mo., in 1870 and 1871. [10 pp.]. None were printed for 1872, 1873, 1874; but in 1876 the ‘Account, etc.’ for 1875 was printed, and they have been continued annually ever since, each year being in 1 vol., 12 mo., from 14 to 39 pages, which also contain the Rules. From 1875 to 1885 they were written by W. Butt; from 1886 to 1889 by C. E. Nesham; from 1890 to 1892 by F. L. Govett; from 1893 to 1912 by H. Walrond; from 1912 to 1915 by H. P. Nesham, the Honorable Secretaries for the respective years. “Petition [of the Royal Toxophilite Society to the Commons of the United Kingdom to resist evection from their ground]”. Circulated May 14, 1922. One sheet, folio. “The Royal Toxophilite Society. An account of the effort made to resist the unwarranted eviction of the Society from its ground, and confiscation of the Archers’ Hall by the Government Officials, known as The Treasure, The Woods and Forests, and the Office of Works”. C. Pownall, Malvern Wells, September, 1922. 8vo., green paper, pp. 24. “The ‘Tox’ Story, An Account in brief of The Royal Toxophilite Society”, Compiled by c. B. Edwards, Honorary Secretary, 1946-1967, Published by The Royal Toxophilite Society, Archers Lodge, Burnham, Buckinghamshire, 1968. 78 pp. “From Quill to Computer, A History of The Royal Toxophilite Society” by Peter A. Gerrie, Treasurer 1974-1997 and President 1997-2002, Published by The Royal Toxophilite Society, Archers’ Lodge, 102 Dropmore Road, Burnham, Buckinghamshire, 2006. 200 pp. Additionally, see pps. 76-77 of Arthur G. Credland’s article “Histories of the Societies which participated in the General Meetings at Blackheath & Dulwich, 1789-1795”, ‘Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries’, Vol. 44, 2001. Prints: “The Annual Ladies’ Meeting at the Royal Toxophilite Society, Regent’s Park”, London”, by Lucien Davis, 11 July 1894, 22 ½ x 15 ¾ inches [double page].

Sadborow Archers: Dorset. Formed: prior to 1866: Members: M & W. Club Round: Unspecified. Shooting Ground: Parrocks Lodge.

Saint Edmund’s Archers [Society of]: Bury St. Edmund’s? Formed: March, 1827: Members: M & W. Club Round: Unspecified. However, their rules noted that “The shooting distance for ladies, and for gentlemen under fifteen years of age, shall be fifty yards, and that for gentlemen seventy yards. Shooting Ground: Bury St. Edmund’s. Notes: The Society had over 150 members in 1828. Their rules required that every member have a distinguishing mark upon his or her arrow. The rules also specified that “ladies of the Society who shoot for Prizes, shall appear at the Meetings in white dresses, with green Ribbons.” The rules also provided the “The order of shooting shall be determined by lot, the shooter must stand in front of the mark he or she is shooting from; and after shooting the arrows, drill off, by turning on the left, and leaving room for the next to shoot, who shall have the arrow ready nocked in the bow, in order to lose no time; and if the shooter be not ready he or she to lose their turn.” Printed Material: “Society of Saint Edmund’s Archers” [Rules and Membership List], Bury St. Edmund’s: Printed by T. C. Newby, Angel Hill, 1828.

In many cases, letters precede the entry on the Detailed List. These signify the source of the data on the archery club or society. For example, "H" stands for Hargrove 1845, while "GH" stands for George Hansard, "The Book of Archery" 1840 and "1895 AR" means that the information came from the "The Archer's Register" for 1895. "CCP" stands for Clement C. Parker's "Compendium of Works on Archery", 1950. We have tried wherever possible to identify the source from which the information was extracted. This is in addition to 195 footnotes providing additional details on the archery clubs and societies.

Hopefully, this will provide our viewers with additional insight and information on the Catalogue.

If you have any questions, please let Hugh Soar or me know.

Compact Disc [CD] now Available

The CD for “A Catalogue of Archery Clubs & Societies in the United Kingdom 1537 – 1939” is now available. Veronica-Mae Soar, our Forum Administrator, worked with the CD production folks to design a nice cover/case for the CD. As Hugh Soar noted in the advertisement for the CD that appeared in the No.119, Jan/Feb 2012 issue of the “ARROWHEAD”, he described it as “Drawing on every available source, from The Archer’s Registers and the Field to Badminton Archery, Hansard and Hargrove, this seminal work will enhance any member’s library, providing a rich source for research activities.”

The CD is obtainable from Hugh Soar, Secretary of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries. The price for members of the Society in the UK and Europe is £10 incl P&P. For members elsewhere, the price is £12 incl P&P.

The price for non-members in the UK and Europe is £16 incl P&P. For non-members elsewhere, the price is £17 incl P&P.

Payment should be made to the Society of Archer-Antiquaries. Payment methods include: 1. Payment by PayPal to bogaman@btinternet.com [Hugh Soar’s email address] – it should be noted as “Personal Payment Owed”, or 2. By cheque. If by cheque [again, payable to the Society of Archer-Antiquaries], it should be mailed to Hugh Soar, 29 Batley Court, Oldland, S. Glos., BS30 8YZ, England, United Kingdom.

After production costs are met, all monies will go to the Society’s Funds.

Plans have also been advanced for a limited printed edition. When these plans have been worked out, we will let you know.

Hello Dave - May I add that if paying by cheque it MUST be made out in sterling (GBP) and drawn on a UK bank or we cannot cash it without incurring very high charges.

Sales are proceeding well btw.

Administrator

Thanks very much for this important information! I am glad to hear that sales are progressing well!

Just wanted to further update our viewers in terms of "A Catalogue of Archery Clubs & Societies in the United Kingdom 1537 - 1939". As mentioned at an earlier date, this unique 117 page Catalogue listing some 572 archery clubs and societies in the UK is now available on a Compact Disc [CD] and can be purchased by both members of the Society and non-members. The payment methods for purchasing the CD are described above.

The compact disc offers a handy means to view and examine the extensive information contained in the Catalogue. This information will be of interest to traditional archers everywhere, archery researchers, archery historians, and those of you who just enjoy reading about the "good old days" of archery as well as all archers who have an interest in the history and traditions of our sport.

Also, we are still looking into producing a printed, limited edition version. In an effort to obtain competitive price quotations, Hugh Soar has approached several printers/publishers. The fact that there is color on many of the pages is an important factor in the production costs.

Under consideration at this time is a spiral bound - plastic cover version as well as a hard cover [perfect bound] book version.

After Hugh has received all of the proposals from the printers/publishers he has contacted, the plan is to discuss the matter at the 2012 August Meeting of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries and determine the best way to proceed. At that time, we will update all our viewers via this Forum. An update will also appear in the ARROWHEAD Newsletter, which is sent to members only.

If anyone has any questions or input, please let us know. We thank you for your interest.