The Early Years 1857 – 1939
Formed by Lady Curtis of Caynham Court Autumn 1857 shooting commenced the following summer. Membership was limited to 80, increased to 120, then finally 150. Original members were taken from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and British Bowman.
Six meetings were held each year in the outer bailey of Ludlow Castle – two in May and in June, July and August. These were called prize meetings. The entrance fee was five shillings. At the last meeting of each season strangers were allowed to participate and the event was followed by a ball in the Assembly Rooms.
In 1860 the income of the Society was recorded as £53 10s 6d expenses at £47 11s 4d giving a balance of £5 19s 2d. At the first meeting of the year competitors were handicapped according to their average scores at three or more of the previous meetings. Winners of First Score prizes were handicapped according to their winnings at previous meetings.
A Silver Challenge Quiver and a Silver Challenge Cup were awarded to the lady and gentleman obtaining the highest score during the season at not less than four meetings. Various extra prizes were awarded throughout each season for example a gold badge, silver teapot, new bow given by a tradesman of Ludlow.
In 1861 on the 22nd August a Tournament was held between 'The Archers of Teme' and the 'Royal British Bowman'. The records state that the 'R.B.B.' won with 1576 points, the A.O.T. scoring 1354.
In 1862 a new tent had to be bought at a cost of £10 10s 0d plunging the Society into debt but this was liquidated in 1863. In 1864 the Society presented two special prizes, a Silver quiver which was won by Miss Evans with 1747 points, and a Silver Bugle which Captain Corbett won with 2325 points.
In 1867 Lady Curtis was expecting to stay longer abroad than usual for her winter holiday in Nice and she asked Mrs Bailey of Easton Court to take her place in 1868 as Patroness of the Archers of Teme. Now seeing that Lady Curtis had so ably filled the office for ten years Mrs Bailey felt very incompetent to succeed her. Knowing nought of the mysteries of handicapping and the science of archery, but upon kind friends seconding the proposal by Lady Curtis, and Mr Hanbury being appointed Treasurer (which office Lady Curtis had also filled) she consented to take it for one year only. Everyone was so kind to her excusing her blunders and she found the tasks so pleasant she continued with the office when at the end of the year Lady Curtis married Mr Harry Davenport.
In 1868 the Grand National Archer Meeting was held in Hereford. Unfortunately the longest distance was 80 yards and the longest distance possible at Ludlow was 60 yards. So the club members had no success. Other shoots at Raglan and Ross in 1870 were at the longer distance and again the club scored little success.
History of 'Archers of the Teme' from 1868 - images* of book stored in Ludlow Museum
* Photos courtesy of Bill Eden.
In 'Archers Register' 1910 the Hon. Sec. was recorded as Capt Hill-Lowe, RN, JP, Court of Hill, Tenbury. Capt Hill-Lowe was the secretary from 1891 till he died in 1910. Mr W D Hall of Highmeadow, Ashford, Ludlow then took over as Hon. Secretary.
Beatrice Hill-Lowe 1908 Olympian
Capt. Hill-Lowe and his wife Beatrice helped to make the society a flourishing one. At the “Hereford Meeting” for a number of years Mrs Beatrice Hill-Lowe took First Prize, Best Score at 80 yards, best Gold, and Most Gold awards on numerous occasions. Her crowning achievement was to achieve the Bronze medal in the 1908 Olympic Games.
.
It has recently been found through newspaper archives that the Club continued until 1939, closing presumably because of WW2.
1984 On
On deciding to form the present day club, the founder members decided to build on this local history and began an archery club in the April of 1984, thus re-forming the 'Archers of Teme'.
Carrying on with tradition, the home shooting ground was at Easton Court by kind permission of Mrs Cardiff, the home of Mrs Bailey who was Lady Patroness of the club in 1868. In 2011 the club moved to Brimfield & Little Hereford Sports Club.
The first President and a founder member was Roy Derek Matthews MBE until his death in 1992.
Robert Hardy CBE
The renowned actor and longbow expert Robert Hardy visited the club in 1993 whilst in Ludlow. To give a lecture on Medieval weapons. A special event was held by the Archers of Teme within the walls of Ludlow Castle . Photographs show how much everyone enjoyed the day.
2018
This year Mike Head passed away. He was an influential member of the club for many years - please read 'Mike Head - Eulogy' by Mark North.
Historical artefacts
A number of historical artefacts and trophies are named in the archives, such as ‘Silver Quiver‘ and ‘Silver Arrow’. The Victorian and early 20th century archery clubs were very keen to award such trophies at their “Prize Meetings”. Some of these trophies were returned at each meeting and re-awarded. There are some badges held in a private collection of which we have photographs. Recently a gold pin brooch dated 1923 surfaced on Facebook! There are also some interesting trophies in our possession dating from the reformed club, some presented by Roy Matthews, President, and Mary Matthews, both influential members of the Club in 1980’s and 1990’s.
One wooden quiver with silver plate decoration was returned to us recently and is now awarded to the best longbow archer of the season.
