Welcome to Wirral Archers

History

The club was started in 1858 in Birkenhead Park.
The grassy bank where the targets were positioned is still clearly visible today.

Members of the Wirral Archers photographed in Birkenhead Park in 1907
From the left: John Keyworth, Osmond Alan Keyworth (his son)
and Margaret Keyworth (his wife).

During the First World War the lady members kept the club going however, this was not possible during the second World War. In 1947 the club was reformed by Colonel Trueman, Messrs Hubert Morris and Tom Howard.

The club has shot at various locations on the Wirral, including Gayton, Thornton Hough, Birkenhead and currently at Cross Lane in Wallasey.

A number of our club trophies are very old.

The Ladies Champion Brooch, is a large silver brooch, with tiny shields suspended by fine chains. Each shield has the winners name engraved upon it, the earliest dated 1862. Similarly, The Gentlemen's Champion Brooch earliest dated shield is 1866.

The belt and quiver presented to the lady winner of the MENCAP shoot is dated 1865. Attached to the belt there is also a beautiful silver purse which was added in 1917.

The animal round trophy, dated 1874, was returned to us some years ago. A gentleman contacted the then secretary, explaining that he had found a parcel wrapped in newspaper containing a small silver tray with four silver egg cups and indents for four eggs. It was inscribed "Wirral Archers" and would we like it back. Unfortunately he had no knowledge of how it came to be in his family. Naturally, we were very pleased to have it back in our possession.

The Chairman's Horn is dated 1949, a large horn mounted on a stand, banded in silver. It is engraved with the names of past Chairmen. At our annual presentation evening, this is filled with mead and passed around everyone, so that they may toast the club. By tradition, the Chairman must finish any mead left in the horn. Two smaller horns, also dated 1949, go to the club championship recurve runners-up.

Most of our other trophies date from 1950 onwards.

The club was started in 1858 in Birkenhead Park. The grassy bank where the targets were positioned is still clearly visible today.

Members of the Wirral Archers photographed in Birkenhead Park in 1907 From the left: John Keyworth, Osmond Alan Keyworth (his son) and Margaret Keyworth (his wife).
	During the First World War the lady members kept the club going however, this was not possible during the second World War. In 1947 the club was reformed by Colonel Trueman, Messrs Hubert Morris and Tom Howard. The club has shot at various locations on the Wirral, including Gayton, Thornton Hough, Birkenhead and currently at Cross Lane in Wallasey.
A number of our club trophies are very old.
	The Ladies Champion Brooch, is a large silver brooch, with tiny shields suspended by fine chains. Each shield has the winners name engraved upon it, the earliest dated 1862. Similarly, The Gentlemen's Champion Brooch earliest dated shield is 1866.
	The belt and quiver presented to the lady winner of the MENCAP shoot is dated 1865. Attached to the belt there is also a beautiful silver purse which was added in 1917.
	The animal round trophy, dated 1874, was returned to us some years ago. A gentleman contacted the then secretary, explaining that he had found a parcel wrapped in newspaper containing a small silver tray with four silver egg cups and indents for four eggs. It was inscribed "Wirral Archers" and would we like it back. Unfortunately he had no knowledge of how it came to be in his family. Naturally, we were very pleased to have it back in our possession.
	The Chairman's Horn is dated 1949, a large horn mounted on a stand, banded in silver. It is engraved with the names of past Chairmen. At our annual presentation evening, this is filled with mead and passed around everyone, so that they may toast the club. By tradition, the Chairman must finish any mead left in the horn. Two smaller horns, also dated 1949, go to the club championship recurve runners-up. Most of our other trophies date from 1950 onwards.