The 210th Recorded Meeting in the 228th year of
The Society of Archers
held at Settle, North Yorkshire
on the 17th day of August 1900
Settle 17th August 1900
Pursuant to advertisement in the Yorkshire Herald, the 227th (its should have read 228th) Annual Meeting to shoot for the Ancient Silver Arrow was held on the ground of the North Ribblesdale Archers.
The day was fine and very hot and not unfavourable to good shooting. Eleven Archers faced the targets and Be it Remembered that five of these, of Ye Grene Companye, Shipley, made their first appearance at a public meet. One of these, Mr B Hird scored the first gold at the third end, therebye winning the Silver Arrow & Captaincy for the ensuing year. Dr Edgar, Settle scored the first red, in the second dozen & secured the Silver Bugle & Lieutenancy.
In all fourteen dozen arrows were shot.
TROPHY WINNERS 1900
| The Scorton Trophies | ||
| Captain of the Arrow | … | Ben Hird |
| Silver Bugle and Lieutenancy | … | J W Edgar |
| Gold Medal and Captain of Numbers | … | A A Gordon |
| Gold Medal for Highest Score | … | E E Mann |
| Silver Cup and Sweepstake for Best Gold | … | C Hutton-Coates |
| Sweepstake for Most Golds | … | P S Neville |
| Antient Horn Spoon | … | B Hird |
| The Thirsk Insignia for Yorkshiremen | ||
| The Silver Arrow & Gold Quiver, for Highest Score | … | E E Mann |
| The Thirsk Bugle for most Hits | … | J Foster |
| The Thirsk Silver Medal for Best Gold | … | C Hutton-Coates |
TOURNAMENT RESULTS 1900
Also in the year 1900
Monarchy: Her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria
Prime Minister: Marquess of Salisbury
Salisbury wins the Khaki election. The Labour Representation Committee is formed.
Parliament passes the Commonwealth of Australia Act
Five youths from Shipley, calling themselves ‘Ye Grene Companye’, turn up to compete for the Antient Scorton Silver Arrow. Fortunately they bring their own sandwiches (!) for they are not invited to partake of Luncheon with the other established Gentlemen Archers of the day, despite one of their number, a nineteen year old young man by the name of Ben Hird, winning the Captainancy.
Seventy two years later – aged 91, Ben Hird is still shooting in the Competition and has rightfully earned his place as one the most respected Captains of all time.
Ben Hirds’ book: The Antient Scorton Silver Arrow is available as a free download from this website.
See Book Club for further details.
The original Ye Grene Companye.
Only those members on the front row entered the Scorton Arrow Competition in 1900.
Front row: Harold Ellis., Ben Hird., Archie Fyfe., Ernest Mann., Harold Skelton