In memory to Jack Oliver one of the founding members of Pilgrim Bowmen.
How It All Started
As a founder member of the club back in 1954, I have been asked to write
a little bit about the history of it.
The club was formed by a group of teachers and a few others like myself
who were interested in Archery.
The first things we had to do were to find a suitable venue, give the club
a name and decide on a badge.
Our first venue was the lawn at Fydell House and we decided on the name
of 'Pilgrim Archers'. We affiliated to Lincolnshire County Archery Society,
East Midlands Archery Society and the Grand National Archery Society. Then
we were informed by GNAS that there was already a club with that name. So
we became 'Pilgrim Bowmen of Boston'. We had decided to be Pilgrims because
Fydell House was next door to the Guildhall where the Pilgrim Fathers were
imprisoned. We wanted the badge to symbolise the name of the club.
The conch
shells were an everyday item used by the Pilgrims …..PILGRIM
The bows are used by …..BOWMEN
Crowns are on the Boston Coat of Arms ......of BOSTON
At Fydell House we had a shooting distance of about 20 yards with a home-made
backstop of tarred hessian. We acquired a target and made others with 4
inch wide strips of cardboard with glue and pegs. When we got a bit better
at shooting, we moved to the field at my house. The poultry kept the grass
short and we were able to shoot up to 60 yards. One of the highlights was
when we entertained Cranwell College archers to a friendly match. I cannot
remember who won but a good time was had by all. My mother provided tea,
a sit down do in the front room. Later we were invited to a return match
on the Oval in front of Cranwell College followed by tea in the hall.
Our first indoor range was the old drill hall. Later we moved to the North
End Railway sheds at Boston Station.
Just a
note about prices of equipment. I'll call it: -
My Shopping List in 1955
1 lemonwood
flat bow - £2 .15. 0 (£2.75)
1 dz. Arrows - 30/- (£1. 50)
1 dz plastic nocks - 3/- (15p)
1 dz brass piles -6/- (30p)
In 1956 our embroidered badges were 15/- (75p) each and metal ones 5/- (25p) each.
In 1958 some of the Boston Sports Clubs twinned with Laval in France. When the French came over for the first time there were no archers. Our secretary John Robinson (rather a big fellow) was on the door to stop gate crashers at the farewell dance. He was wearing a GNAS lapel badge. One of the French sportsmen told him that there was an archery club in Laval and gave him the address of Marcel Gesbert. The following year about 10 archers went to compete in Laval and thus our archery link was formed and is still going strong to this day.
Eventually the club moved to our present ground at the Mayflower Sports Club. We were the first sport to be there. Later we had to move temporarily to the Co-op field and then to the Burton House Hotel whilst the Mayflower field was being drained. After it was re-seeded we were able to move back and were joined by the football, cricket and hockey clubs.
Eventually an indoor range was built for a rifle club and our club to use. Other extensions were squash courts, toilets, changing rooms and a bar area. Then the later addition of a hall, mainly accommodating table tennis and then a conservatory as an additional room.
About a
dozen people started the Pilgrim Bowmen and membership has fluctuated over
the years.
I began as a founder member and am still very much involved with the club
as a life member, county coach and regional judge. I am pleased to say that
at present we have a strong membership of over 30 archers. Many friendships
have been formed and this has created a friendly club that gives a warm
welcome to new members.
Jack Oliver.