Play your part in Middleton’s history

Rochdale Company of Archers

It is 500 years since the Middleton Archers helped swing things in England’s favour at the Battle of Flodden in the north-east. Their heroics are commemorated in the famous Flodden Window at Middleton Parish Church, thought to be the Britain’s oldest glazed war memorial.

To mark the anniversary, a UK record status archery tournament is being held at Bowlee Playing Fields on Sunday 8 September from 1.30pm. Between 10 am and 12pm you can have a go at archery for yourself, under the watchful eye of coaches from the Rochdale Company of Archers.

The tournament is called the Middleton Archers Charity Clout and all the money raised will go towards the upkeep of the newly-restored window. The event has been running for two years and has already raised almost £1,000.

Some of Britain’s top archers are likely to be there including, hopefully, 2012 Paralympians John Stubbs and Leigh Walmsley. Other special guests include archery expert Wendy Hodkinson, who is in charge of Britain’s best archery collection at Manchester University and a Hollywood director.

It’s fun, it’s free and everyone is welcome to go along and try one of the hottest sports around or watch the experts in action.