by Hugh Janus
I’m stepping up to the plate this month as our editor-in-chief and all-round tosser Derek Belm is still on his holidays.
The July monthly winner of The Shouty Villager Business Awards ‘08 is a bit of a throw-back to a bygone age where things were simpler and sharper.
Orla Quivers are manufacturers of arrows for the archery industry.
Previous suppliers to the likes of invading armies in olden times, Orla Quivers remains a family-owned business which can trace its roots back to Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
The firm’s big break came when it supplied the robbers in green with their arrows and it hasn’t looked back since, even opening a small showroom in Birmingham before it was demolished to make way for a canal.
Run today by Eugene Orla, some production methods have moved with the times but the company still hand-crafts each and every arrow that leaves its village workshop. Here are some arrows being made, yesterday:
When asked for his response to winning the monthly business award, Eugene Orla said: “The Shouty what? I’ve no idea what you are talking about young man.”
Once I had cleared up the confusion he added: “So what’s in it for me?”
I’ve sent a memo to Belm suggesting we only pick winners who have actually heard of our newspaper next time and who aren’t so rude and stupid.
But well done to Orla Quivers anyway as its too late to pick another business.
