Club History

It all started when a young, successful business man, called Alderman W. Clough

and nine other like-minded, forward thinking colleagues in 1904 purchased two plots  of land. One was near Wrekenton and the other in Low Fell from the north end of the present bowling club to the south end of what is at present Craigielea Nursing Home and gardens. Their aim was to provide grounds for bowls, lawn tennis and golf. In 1905, those  Directors set up ‘Lyndhurst Bowling Club Ltd’ and soon almost all shares were sold, enabling the Directors to develop the facilities.

The land at Wrekenton soon became Ravensworth Golf Club, opened in 1906, but by1907 it was thought appropriate that the Golf Club became independent. However, the Golf Club and the Bowling Club both recognise their historical allegiance of birth.

In 1905, the Low Fell plot had three tennis courts laid which were opened that year.The bowling green was also laid but the only opened for play in April 1906.

In 1908, Lord Ravensworth approached the Directors to purchase the land between the tennis courts and Craigielea to make a road to the land beyond both properties and so Lyndhurst Housing Estate came into being. Craigielea until then had been rented and was ultimately sold to the tenant.

The Tennis Club was very successful but in 1967 falling membership caused it to close and the land became a market garden.In 1993, the lease on this land was sold in two equal plots with buildings restricted to singe storey bungalows which is how things are today.

The Bowling Club,once up and running, the Directors wisely felt that they should be responsible for financial matters and a Management Committee be formed to organise all bowling matters. The club has continued in this vein since, with both Committees acknowledging the duties and responsibilities of the other, both Committees consisting of ordinary playing members.                                                                                         

There have been many changes over the years, with the green, surrounds and club house being updated and modernised as appropriate and Alderman Clough would have difficulty in recognising his creation if he were to return.

The purpose of a bowling club is to play bowls, a game to be enjoyed at all skill levels.

So at Lyndhurst, most games are ‘Jumbles’ where by drawing numbers from a hat, your partners and opponents are decided. This persists until the present and did so during two World Wars when playing members were thin on the ground. Over the years there have been various competitions organised involving singles, pairs, triples and fours and previous members ultimately donated some splendid trophies for these Competitions. For years now, there are also matches played at home and away against other clubs who are regarded as firm friends, generation after generation.

A big change to Lyndhurst Bowling Club occurred in 1980, when a Ladies Section was formed with its own Committee and so mixed competitions are now played also.

This account has been about the past and present of Lyndhurst Bowling Club. Why not join us and become part of the present and future of this great club?  

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