Walsall Company of Archers was founded in 1969 by a breakaway group from a local club, Meteor Archers, who unfortunately
are no longer in existence.
The first venues for practice were the
sports Field belonging to a local Company for Outdoor practise, and the Works
Canteen for Indoor shooting. The backdrop to the row of bosses and stands, when
indoors, was a mural at the back of a small stage depicting a tiny harbour complete
with sailing yachts. On many occasions there had to be repairs made to this
mural caused by arrows missing the targets, including, on at least one occasion,
damage to the stage piano. Complaints to the Works Manager resulted in a move,
early in 1970, to a sports ground belonging to a Youth Club.
The name was deliberately chosen because
of a reputed historic association with the 'Earl of Warwick' during the battle
of Crecy. It was whilst his Archers were away at war that the Earl called upon
local Archers to help with the defense of his castle when attacked by the
Welsh Hordes', and was reported that only 'The Companie
of Walsall Archers' responded to his request.
Because of the failure of the Welsh to
take Warwick Castle, the Earl is said to have decreed that Walsall Archers could
use the Bear and Ragged Staff as their Heraldic device provided that the Bear
was standing, chained and without a muzzle.
This may therefore suggest that whereas
Walsall Company of Archers may use the Bear and Ragged Staff, it may not be
used by any other organisation within Walsall OR, in its altered state, be used
by any organisation within Warwickshire County.
The Club Badge was designed showing this
Bear and Ragged Staff above the Staffordshire Knot, representing the County
through which the Club is affiliated.
During the initial years there were a few
Archers that competed at many venues, including Malta International (1974-1975),
and, one lady member, at the Summer Olympics in Montreal.
One of the best performances as a Club
was achieved at Malta in 1974 when a party of 14 Members competed at both the
4-day Outdoor and 1-day Indoor tournaments, and were awarded Trophies and/or
Medals, for 1st Team, 1st Lady, 1st Jack & Jill and 3rd Gent Outdoors and
1st Team, 1st Lady, 1st Gent and 1st Jack & Jill Indoors.
During the celebrations at a Cafe in the
village of Marsasloc, where the whole of the Club team stayed for two weeks,
the Owner asked or a Club Badge, which he could mount behind the bar. One 'proud'
member promptly lost his gold-wire badge from his Club Blazer.
Today many members enjoy shooting at tournaments
and have achieved great success whether on their own or part of a team.
