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A much enhanced Section is now included.
A brief history of the origins of our Club is provided below. Separate pages are included for past Officers and winners of Club competitions.
Research into the history of the game has enabled a page on the subject to be provided, together with a separate page on Ashcombe Park itself.
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. Councilor 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.
The official opening of Ashcombe Park Bowling Club took place on Thursday 8th June. Councilor E S Strdling declaring the green open. In addition to the Chairman of the Urban Council, Mr James Jones J.P., the other Councilors attending were: J Mallett, W.S. Bucher, A.V. Pawson, F.J. Hurst, G.W.H. Pearse, H.Ward, and Rev. J Atherton.
Mr Strdling said that Ashcombe Park Bowling Club had been formed in connection with the green, and would therefore be granted certain privileges, although not to the disadvantage of the ratepayers. The Council had recognised that the success of the green could only be guaranteed by the Club being directly connected with it.
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 as the Club’s Changing rooms. It was later granted ‘Grade 2’ listed status.
It was in 1926 that the Ladies Club was formed, but remain separate from the Men’s club until very recently.
1935 saw the opening of the top green; this allows the Club to host games up to 12 rinks. Previously, it is understood, that the area was a putting course.
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.
Then came a disaster. In 2003, on November 5th, the grounds were invaded and in an act of arson, the pavilion it was almost destroyed. Much of it was of timber construction, and being a listed building needed to be re-built to the same standard. But, clearly, this needed to be a more solid construction whist retaining its original wooden frontage.
The upshot of this was to construct a high fence around the Club. This proposal had been muted earlier, but it was felt that the Club needed to appear ‘open’ to the public, and, indeed, matches often attracted onlookers seated on benches around the green, and on a grassy bank over-looking our top green. Now the Club had no other choice, and a high galvanised metal fence was constructed. To enhance its appearance, the area around the Club entrance has been painted an attractive shade of green.
Amalgamation of Ladies’ and Men’s Clubs took place in 2006. Membership at the end of 2008 was approximately 115 men and 55 ladies.
In the current closed season, our pavilion has under-gone some major internal modifications to include two visitor’s changing rooms, additional toilets, and facilities for disabled bowlers.
LIST OF CONTENTS
Captains and Presidents -
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Ladies Opening Day 1927, one year after the formation of the Ladies Club. Earliest known photo.
Ladies Opening Day 1927, one year after the formation of the Ladies Club. Earliest known photo.
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Opening of the Club on Thursday 8th June 1911
Opening of the Club on Thursday 8th June 1911
Both photographs are exhibited in our Clubhouse.
ASHCOMBE PARK BOWLING CLUB
CLUB HISTORY
CLUB HISTORY