Club of the Month Gallery

Club of the Month Gallery

Watchet Bowling Club Established 1911 Situated on the West Somerset Coast


VICTORIA PARK BOWLING CLUB (BRIDGWATER)

View of the old pavilion	View of the new pavilion
(These pictures are all thumbnails click to see larger version)
The local Borough Council, who laid the green and provided a wooden pavilion, founded Victoria Park Bowling Club in 1930. The council did all green and major building maintenance. Members paid an annual fee to the council to use the facilities, with the club responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the building. In 1942, with most of the members away at war, the Ladies section was formed to keep the club viable throughout the war years.The original pavilion was extended and two wooden sheds erected as changing huts in the post war period.In 1990 the Ladies and Men's clubs amalgamated and took over the running of the tennis and bowling facilities from the council under licence. The club became responsible for the maintenance of the green whilst the council remained responsible for major work on the buildings.1991 saw the construction of a bar extension to the pavilion. This was built by the members and funded by interest free loans from the membership. It laid the financial basis for further development. The winter of 1997/8 brought that evolution to fruition with the demolition of the wooden pavilion and the erection of a purpose built brick pavilion. This allowed the club to provide social activities throughout the year, develop a short mat section and cater for disabled persons. The new building cost £100,000 and was officially opened on 9th May 1998 by The Rt. Hon. Tom King, C.H., M.P. It was the culmination of a project, which took five years from concept to completion and allowed the club to further enhance its deserved reputation for hospitality.

BLOOMFIELD BC

BLOOMFIELD BOWLING CLUB (Founded 1928) The first recorded meeting to discuss the formation of Bloomfield Bowling Club was on Wednesday. 16^th November, 1927, 34 men and 14 ladies were in attendance and the club was founded the following year. The land was donated by the late Alderman W. F. Long, a lawyer and local sportsman who also played rugby for Bath. Among the founding members were: Dr R. Scott-Reid, Mr F. Ifould, Mr G. Ellis, Mr A.E. Rickards, Mr. Kirkham. Both Dr Scott-Reid and Griff Ellis attended international trials, with Griff Ellis receiving the ultimate honour of being selected to represent his country. The ladies section was formed a few months after the men and was one of the founding members of the Somerset Ladies Bowling Association. One of those early members was Mrs Dorothy Ellis who went on to become President of the International Women's Bowling Board and the first lady Chairman of the English Bowls Council. In 1980 she received an 0-B.E. for services to World Bowls. By the 1970's membership was dwindling to all time lows and lack of funds almost lost us the green to a development company. The then shareholders could see no alternative but to sell the land which had been earmarked for flats. After much wrangling the members eventually bought the shares of the old Bloomfield Sports Company Ltd thus protecting the clubs future. The new sports company has a directorate appointed by club members which looks after the affairs of both our club and the attached tennis courts The club has always had strong links with the local police and in 1985 the Bath & Wansdyke Police Bowling Club made Bloomfield its home. They continue to use our facilities for their mid week friendly matches. In 2002 it was agreed by the members that the Club should become fully integrated under one President. Bloomfield prides itself on its hospitality. We are a friendly club with a comfortable clubhouse, an excellent green and undoubtedly one of the best views in the county.
If you would like your Club featured in this Gallery please Email or post details and photos to: Pete Staddon 22 Lavers Oak, Martock, Som. TA12 6HG or Email: petestaddon.@btinternet.com