SIDEMOOR Bowling Club celebrated its centenary with a special event at its green off Holly Road on Saturday.
The ground was gifted to the area by William Crane and the green was laid in 1922.
In May the following year, William and Fred Pinfield played on it for the first time.
Back then, the small membership of just 10 ensured the green was maintained.
Even during the Second World War between 1939 and 1945 bowls was played on the surface. Membership grew after the war and in the 1970s, there was an 80-strong waiting list to join the club.
In the 1970s, the toilet was a ‘small hole in the ground’ so anyone using it would ‘have needed to be desperate’.
The club currently has around 40 members but more people are needed and new members are always welcome..
Club captain and president Harry Hill, who has been ever-present there, along with his wife Barbara, for the past 52 years, gave a speech at the celebration on Saturday.
He said: “We have been very lucky to have so many loyal members – great characters and too many to mention.
“Judging by the pictures in the photo albums, we have had plenty of social times, as well as the bowls games.”
Mr Hill praised the sponsors Jukes Insurance and spoke of the games which had ‘sometimes carried on so long that the jack was only seen by the light of a cigarette lighter’.
But he added, in the past two or three years, a lot of long-standing members, who would always be remembered, had been lost.
“Because of this, we are in desperate need of new members – our recruitment is the lowest it has been for many years,” he added.
“I hope the bowling club will carry on for many years.
“We have something special here – lifelong friendships have been formed at Sidemoor Bowling Club.”
He concluded his speech by raising a glass – and urging other members to do the same – to all the ‘dearly departed members who had been sadly lost’.
To find out more about the club call Harry on 01527 831257.
