Ancient History

The WSCA came into existence, in its present form, in 1955: The Club was originally inaugurated in 1855, in TAUNTON the county town of SOMERSET. It was then known as the WEST SOMERSET ARCHERY SOCIETY and regularly shot at a ground off the Bishops Road.  Membership was drawn from local inhabitants of the area, some 120 Families in total.

By the turn of the Century, the Club had disappeared from the competition  records, although the GW Championships were attended by individuals, a Mr Crump received a medal for Greatest Score at 100 yards in the YORK round in 1891.

The Club moved to a new ground, in the 1880's, the TAUNTON cricket ground ?, the Hon Sec at the time was Major-General EMERSON. Other Clubs of the period were, the East Somerset and the North Somerset, of which little is known and neither rivaled the West Somerset Society.

"Grand Shooting Days" were held during the season, at which elaborate prizes were given -- in 1864 Miss Louise Lidden was presented with a particularly fine specimen, a proof copy of the Shakespeare Memorial Bust mounted on a solid ebony base, with a silver shield duly engraved.