& Samlesbury

HISTORY

The Pendle Archers were formed in 1902 by some prominent families in the Clitheroe, Downham, Chatburn and Waddington area, shooting taking place in the grounds of the members homes until a home was found with Clitheroe Polo Club.

In 1926 a young Blackburn Solicitor, Mr John Yates, joined them and in 1930, with a few friends formed an new Club , the Samlesbury Bowmen. On 5th July 1932 in the Hall at Samlesbury the decision was made to amalgamate the two Clubs and the Bowmen of Pendle & Samlesbury came into being. Mr Yates was voted President and continued in this position for the next 36 years. In the early years only the Longbow was shot - two way shooting, target days Tuesday afternoons, groundsman putting out targets, tea in the Hall and provison for chauffeurs' meals.

In 1939 shooting was suspended and the members left their bows and arrows in the pavilion and locked the door. In 1950 the archers returned to revive the Club and found all their archery equipment just as it had been left eleven years earlier. When the Club restarted there were 20 members, including 2 juniors.

Steel bows took over from the Longbow, but Pendle and Samlesbury always maintained a degree of tradition. Now, in the new millenium, technology has taken over, but still the Longbows remain, although even they are subject to experimentation with new woods, new string materials and finer matching of the arrows.

In 1962 Mrs Gillibrand succeeded John Yates as President. An accomplished archer in her earlier years, the Club was to enjoy her patronage for 27 years. On Mrs Gillibrand's death it was decided that in the future the office of President would be held for one year only and subsequently there have been eighteen Presidents before the current holder of the honour, Dennis Preston.

In 2004 the Bowmen left their ground at Samlesbury Hall, 74 years after archery had been started there. In May 2006 they were pleased to open a new ground at Nabs Head Lane, only a stone's throw from the previous one. 

For newcomers, trying to find the Bowmen of Pendle & Samlesbury, the postcode is PR5 0UQ. If you go down Nabs Head Lane from the A677 (Preston New Road) the entrance is in 300 yards, on the right hand side.