The Club was first
established in 1919, the green was at the Wagon & Horses Pub. Several
seasons were enjoyed until they were informed that the green was
required for something different and that the bowlers should find other
premises.
In the Autumn of 1921 the
following Gentleman, Messrs H.G.Kingscott, G.Tipping, A.J.Howley, G.
Smith, T.H.Tilston, E.W.Palmer, J.B. Judd, H.Moffat, W. Sandoe, C.
Frampton, W.& E.M.Goddard, A. Bartlett, C.H.Browett, E.R.Crabtree,
A.H.Jones, W. Wright, A. Atkinson, P. Grant, W. Apperley, W.P.Clissold,
W. Moody, R. Hawkins, H.J.Mills, H. Jones, A.T Brinsford, C.Brown,
convened a meeting resulting in the forming of the now Barnwood Bowling
& Tennis Ground Company Ltd. and to enable the land to be purchased,
shares were issued making it a Public Company.
The first Annual Meeting
took place at Barnwood School, on February 21st 1922. The ground which
is now our Premises, was purchased from C.H.Browett, a member of the
club, and to ensure a reasonable playing surface, negotiations with the
then Gloucester & Gaslight Company resulted in turfs being cut from the
banks of the Berkeley Canal owned by the Gas Company, and shipped by
barge to Gloucester.
The conveying of the Turf
to Barnwood together with the excavation of the ground was carried out
by a Mr Chandler, Builder of Commercial Road and the laying of Turfs by
members of the club.
The original pavilion less
the dressing rooms was purchased from the War Office, being two Army
Huts, which during the first World War were used as Hospital Wards. The
actual location is somewhat obscure but was either the North Midlands or
Lancashire. The fact being Mr Price of Armscroft Road, well known for
his Steam and Traction Business, was contracted to supply a Traction
Engine and Trailer to collect from the Site and deliver to Barnwood. The
journey was undertaken personally by Mr Price, which took approximately
one week there and back.
Mr A.T.Brinsford also a
member, supervised the erection of the Huts. He later to become our
first Secretary. The labouring was by members of the club.
We celebrated our 50th
Anniversary, with recognition from both Civic Dignitaries and the
English Bowling Association. We salute these men for their efforts to
bring to Barnwood much pleasure over the years to so many people.
But more to come in
November 1975 the club applied for a grant and loan to build a New Club
House to Gloucester City Council's Leisure Committee who turned it down,
The Chairman for the council F.King regretted turning down the
application but they could not help in the present financial climate.
Again in1976 a second application was put before the
council and in March was granted a £4500 loan to the cost of a new club
house, this being nearly half the cost of £9100. The Council Treasurer
Mr Tim Timbell said this was the first time the council had made a loan
to such an organisation.
The
Mayor Councillor Peter Robins, thought loan schemes were a better idea
than grants and it seemed to him that people who helped themselves were
the people who should be encouraged. Work started that November and was
completed by July 1977 and the Official Opening was 16 July by The
Senior Vice President of the E.B.A and The Sheriff of Gloucester Mr F
.King.
Since then a bigger changing room as been added on, new
windows and continuing improvements year in year out. The club's
membership today is robust and looking for new members both male and
female to join and enjoy the great game of Bowls.
