After 53years, many games of bowls The Port of Bristol Bowls Club will close at the end of the season

After 53years, many games of bowls, big events, great tours and days out, and importantly great friendships the club will close at the end of the season

 

Falling membership numbers in recent years and inability to increase them despite enormous efforts to do so plus a green that deteriorated to a point where it became unplayable this season eventually made closure inevitable.

 

In 2022 there was a change in the Main Club Managements policy regarding funding of the bowls section. There was no longer financial support although support in other ways continued and the desire to have bowling at the club made clear.

 

But without financial support it was no longer possible to afford the very good but expensive green keeper who had done such a good job of maintaining the green. Instead the main club found someone who could look after it for much less money and he took over in July 2022.

 

Sadly, in the following season and a half the quality of the green deteriorated eventually to a point where it was unplayable. The final few home friendly games were transferred to playing away.

 

By this time many existing members had decided to leave the club at the end of the season and an EGM on August 21st confirmed the view that the club could not continue with so bad a green and with potentially so few members next season.

 

Founded on June 10th 1970 the club enjoyed some very good times and at one point had so big a membership that it had to be capped. The first three seasons were in fact played on Avonmouths original green — the current green was constructed in 1973 and played on from 1974.

 

It started as men only club in an office at the port and ladies did not arrive until the early 1980s. Having arrived they quickly became established and organised. By 1983 the club had ladies taking part in National Finals at Leamington Spa.

 

One man, Paul Bywater has been a member of the club for its entire life. He was at the inaugural meeting in 1970 and at the EGM when the decision to close was made.

 

The clubs final season saw most planned games played and much enjoyment taken from playing them.

 

Nick and Lynn Burand — Wednesday and Weekend Captains respectively worked hard to ensure that there were teams to play and enjoy the games — not always an easy thing to do.

 

Most Ladies and Men’s Bristol League games were played and some notable success achieved by the respective teams. Thanks for this go to captains Mary Lomas and Bill Hatherall.

Club League on Mondays evenings was once again played with just four teams and this seasons league winners were Three of each captained by Lynn Burand. Runners up were — Nomads captained by Charlie Maby. The Club Cup was won by A.N.Other captained by Bill Hatherall — Three of Each were runners up. The Wooden Spoon — nobody wants it — went to Hits and Misses captained by Dee Crawley.

 

Just one competition other than Club League and Cup was played this season and that was the Jack Ashton Triples. Organised by Gill Hinksman it took place on June 4th. It was won by Ray Cook, Howard Surman and Tony Bennett. Runners up were — Nick Burand, Adrian Mace and Stephen Ash.

 

There was one very notable first this season — Flo Grimes became the clubs first Lady President following seven men who previously held the post. What turned out to be her first and only Presidents Days took place on July 1st and a very good day it was too.

 

Closure of the club will not affect the Winter Bowling Break planned for March 2024 in Torquay. This will go ahead as planned.

 

There will be further recollections from the club in the next edition. Do you have any memories of the club from years gone by? If you do please call David Hinksman on 07932 387217.

 

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