An award-winning archery club is fighting for survival after losing its 30-year-old home.
Green Hollow Longbows (GHL) has trained at Craigend Field in Mugdock Country Park, East Dunbartonshire, for the past three decades. However, the club can no longer use the site after East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC), which runs the park, decided to reintroduce livestock to graze the pastureland.
Jay Morgan, GHL’s records officer and a club member, said: “Losing our field is a devastating blow. Without a suitable space to practice, our club faces the real threat of closure.
"As keepers of an ancient and historic craft, we are committed to preserving the heritage and skills of the longbow for future generations and now this is at risk."
EDC said the grazing plan is intended to improve the area’s botanical biodiversity, leaving GHL without a suitable home.
The group meets at the field every Sunday to shoot at targets ranging from 20 to 180 yards. Members also compete internationally each summer, taking part in an archery competition known as the Celtic Meeting, a competition between Irish and Scottish archers.
At the last Celtic Meeting, Jay and other women from the club won medals for long-distance shooting.
But Jay is concerned about the group’s ability to compete while it searches for new premises.
"We just want to get back to shooting and be ready for competing next summer, but we can no longer get on the field and have no new premises," Jay said.
She continued: "We are still meeting up, but are just working on repairing equipment so we can still see one another as a group. We have a fantastic bowmaker in the club, and he is repairing bows and putting new handles on lots of them."
The volunteer-run non-profit organisation provides a safe, inclusive and supportive community promoting mental and physical wellbeing.
The council offered the club an alternative training location, but GHL said it was unsuitable.
Jay explained: "Our insurance would not clear the new venue as the new space offered wasn't big enough. As we are shooting arrows, our insurance states that we need to be using premises that is a certain size, and the offered space is too small."
The club is now appealing for anyone with a suitable flat field in the greater Glasgow area to come forward.
Jay said: "We are making a heartfelt plea to anyone with a flat field in the greater Glasgow area that we can lease as an outdoor archery range.
"We practice every Sunday and the sport has minimal impact on the land”.
Ann Davie, chief executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “A positive meeting was held with representatives of the Green Hollow Bowmen in November last year where it was explained that Craigend Field in Mugdock Country Park would no longer be an option for their archery practice.
“This is due to our plans to improve the botanical biodiversity of the area which will be achieved by re-introducing livestock to graze the pastureland at various times during the year.
“The use of an alternative location was suggested but has not been progressed and we would be happy to meet with the club again to discuss this option.”
To get in touch with the archery club, or to find out more information, visit www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063768513150
