The origin of Bowls is vague, but manuscripts from the 19th Century describe a game in which two players bowl at a conical marker. Considered to be a major distraction from the more important skill of Archery, laws were passed banning commoners from playing the game, although Queen Elizabeth 1, Shakespeare, Pepys and of course Sir Francis Drake played regularly. The last of these banning laws were not repealed until 1845!
The English Bowls Association was formed in 1903 by W.G. Grace. Today there are 35 affiliated Counties, 1,900 member Clubs and approximately 93,000 players.
The earliest mention of Bowls in Bembridge dates from the early 1900’s when games were played under the auspices of the Conservative Club. The Bembridge Tennis and Bowling Club was formed in 1922. The Club was given free use of the current Mitten Road site by Mr Jeremiah Goodall and four tennis courts and three bowling rinks were laid out, all by volunteer labour. When Mr Goodall died in 1939 he bequeathed the land in trust to the Village, to be administered by the Parish Council.
Back row: E Luff, W Love, C Woodford, P Weaver, P Purnell, T Gauge
2nd row: T Winter, R Pocock, F Cheverton, F King, H Laughrin
3rd row: F Laughrin, A Cooper, P Sothcott, J Riddick, W W Woodford, A Wilson, G Cheverton, J Goodall, A Summers
Seated front row: E Winter & F Frampton
At the outbreak of the War the Parish Council closed both the tennis courts and the Green and they were allowed to “return to nature” with animals grazing on them. In February 1945, the Bowls Committee requested that the Council return the Green and tennis courts to their pre-war state. Despite the Council agreeing, and raising a two penny rate to finance the work, nothing happened. The Club which was now leading a “nomadic” existence, playing its home games at Ryde. decided in 1948 that it needed to act. Again the membership “rolled up their sleeves” and set about reconstructing the Green and by 1950 the Bowling Club was back home.
The 1960’and 70’s saw a flourishing membership with many playing honours. The village was seeing general growth in housing which was translated into the growth of the Club and led to the introduction of two further rinks. With increasing use of the ground generally, it soon became apparent that many aspects of the Club needed to be updated and in the mid 1980’s a long term programme was started. In 1988 the old Clubhouse was taken down and foundations for a new building completed. A second-hand sectional building was purchased from the Education Authority and erected in 1989. Attention then returned to the Green which was extended to enable six rinks to be played in both directions. A resultant survey also revealed a 4inch incline requiring major remedial works.
Ongoing maintenance and upgrading of facilities continued. In 2003 the Clubhouse was extended and enlarged with improved toilet and changing facilities.
The Club’s has always aimed to be self sufficient through its own generation of funds. However, in 2017 it was fortunate to receive a substantial Legacy. This gift was sufficient to allow the Green to be totally reconstructed including much needed improvements in the drainage system.
Further improvements through a total kitchen revamp were carried out in 2020. Improvements and general maintenance of the Green are ongoing, carried out entirely by volunteers and with an accepted policy to keep the use of chemical products to a minimum.
In 2022 the Club celebrated its Centenary. A new Club shirt was designed and is now recognised across the Island. Various social games were arranged including a match with Bowls IOW. The highlight was a game where players were required to play in dress that would have been typical in 1922. The template being a photograph showing the original members of that time.
In general terms the Covid Pandemic had a very detrimental effect, not only for our club but across all Island clubs. People reflected on their lives and reprioritised. The reduction in people playing the game determined a fall in membership which only now, over four years later is showing signs of recovery. In 2024 we have a playing membership of close to 80 and an Associate (Non playing) membership of over 50. Whilst predominantly a Bowls Club, we do have a thriving Social programme, particularly during the winter period.
We are, most importantly, a Village club providing a source of exercise, wellbeing and friendship for the local community. The photograph of the original 1922 members includes a number of old Bembridge names which are prevalent over the life of the club and reinforce the family and Village connections which exist to this day.