This Section will eventually contain a detailed History of the Club. This may include past officers and winners of Club competitions, and it may also include details of when the Club and Club Members have achieved honours at County and National level.
As a start, a brief History is provided ...
The Origins of ASHCOMBE PARK
The Ashcombe area is mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1086) and formed part of the manor of Aisecombe or Ashcombe, which survived as a small hamlet to the east of Weston untill the late 19th century when further development took place.
During 1886-1888 four parcels of land were purchased by the Weston-super-Mare Board, and formed Ashcombe Park as we know it today, consisting of 36 acres. At the time it was regarded to be one of the largest parks in the West Country.
A Brief History of ASHCOMBE PARK BOWLING CLUB
It was in the Weston Mercury, in their issue of 28 February 1911, that news of the inaugural meeting of Ashcombe Park Bowling Club had taken place. Councillor E.S.Stradling, who became President of the Club during 1913-19 and who presided at this inaugural meeting, stated that the Urban Council would do everything to assist the new Club, providing the proposed Bowling Club did not monopolise the green, which would be open to the general public. This arrangement has been kept up to the present day.
At the end of 1913 the Club had 44 members. It was not until the twenties that a Victorian pavilion was obtained from the Council. This pavilion, being a shelter transferred from the sea front, is still in use today, although in an act of arson in 2003 it was almost destroyed.
It was in 1926 that the Ladies Club was formed.
1935 saw the opening of the top green; this allows the Club to host games up to 12 rinks.
The main Clubhouse was constructed in 1985 containing a bar area, kitchen, and lounge/dining area. An outside patio was built in 2000, the area giving good viewing of the bottom green.
Amalgamation of Ladies’ and Men’s Clubs took place in 2006. Membership at the end of 2006 was 125 men and 50 ladies.
