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Bronte Archers was formed in 1948, in the village of Thornton to the west of Bradford. Thornton was the birthplace of the famous literary Bronte Sisters – making the Club’s name an obvious fit. The original shooting ground was on a hill over looking the village - near the Mountain Ash Inn. In later years the Club moved to a new sports ground in Apperley Bridge, until it’s move in 1986 to the current shooting ground at Rawdon Meadows in Apperley Bridge. The origins of the Club and a taste of the sport during those early days were captured by a Thornton newspaper reporter, Derek O’Hara, in an article published in 1953. He was interviewing one of the founder members – Cyril Stanway (who can be seen shooting at the original ground in the photograph below left - taken in 1953, he is the archer nearest the camera). |
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The Bowmen of England in 1953 Within arrow shot of my Thornton home stands the Mountain Ash Inn. Perched on the hill top overlooking old Thornton, the inn – a solid, imperturbable structure – has been the meeting place for hundreds of the village’s inhabitants for many years. But since 1948 strange visitors dressed in the manner of twentieth century Robin Hoods have invaded its country quietness. Quivers filled with arrows have hung from hooks in its portals and modern steel bows have rested against its old fashioned bar. A casual weekend visitor might well think he had wandered by accident into the past – until he met Cyril Stanway. He is the 40-year old secretary of Bronte Archers. A founder member of the club, he began his archery life soon after the last war, when with a groggy left knee he left the Army with his outdoor life – to all intents and purposes – ended. But one day someone suggested, “Why not try archery?” To Cyril, a former footballer, cricketer, walker and amateur referee the suggestion that he should “play with bows and arrows” was ludicrous. But he gave it a try. Soon, completely intrigued by the sport, he put in the windows of his hairdressing shop in Thornton’s main street a notice, which brought seven more archery converts. The club was formed, the shooting ground rented and practice begun. Today the club has a solid foundation of 23 regular members. It has, of course, had many more, but Cyril told me that only three out of ten were keen enough to stay the course. The reason for the temporary influx, grins Cyril, is that almost everyone has at one time or another fancied himself – or herself- with a bow and arrow. But this is no child’s game. A man’s bow takes 35lb to pull and in a normal shoot I have to pull it 144 times. Equipment is expensive and a decent set costs at least £15. But for 1s. a time a visitor can use the club’s own equipment and enjoy an hour or two’s sport. Accuracy with the bow has been famous in England since the days of yore but the olive crown for present-day accuracy should go to the club member who pinned an ordinary fly to the target from 54 yards. True, but accidental! Together Cyril and I climbed the steep hill to the Mountain Ash shooting ground. So early in the season – officially it runs from April to September – practice was in progress. Although strict club rules forbid people to stand in front of the shooting point, one was stretched so I could be at the arrow delivery end. The archer drew the bow and before I had time to move my eyes the arrow flashed past me like quicksilver and buried itself in the target. “That,” said Cyril, “was travelling about 200 miles an hour.” I moved hastily back 3ft. “And,” he added, “at that range it would go straight through you”. I needed no impressing. I moved still further back. I asked why archery was so popular. He smiled. “Because it is a fine outdoor sport and it is a family sport.” |
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