History of Canford Bowling Club

For those interested in the history of the Club, here’s a timeline since the public bowling green was laid in Canford Park in 1912. 

1913 On 28th February at the “White Lion Hotel” in Westbury, 37 new members were approved, and membership for the foundation season was 73 (including 3 ladies). 

1917 Due to the war, membership dropped to 53. 

1918 With the war ending, membership increased to 68. 

1923 Headquarters of the Club moved to the “Black Swan”. 

1924 All woods used in competitions had to be stamped. 

1926 Membership rose to 101. 

1927 The “Walker Shield” was donated to the Club and has been played for ever since. 

The English Bowls Association announced that the stamping of all woods would come into effect in 1931. 

1931 The “Smith Cup” donated and still played for. 

1936 In March the City and County of Bristol Bowling Association was formed with 31 members, of which one was Canford. 

The “Ella Cole” Cup was donated to the Club, and first played for in 1937. 

Canford Ladies formed  

On 22nd September 1936 the Canford Ladies Bowling Club (CLBC) was formed to “promote and develop the game of bowls among women.”   

1937 Membership had dropped to 46. 

CLBC:  At a general meeting held in April eight new members were elected. Club competitions were held on Tuesdays throughout the season and several games were played, but no details are available. 

1938 A new pavilion was opened, and was much appreciated after making do with an old shed for many years. 

A successful drive for new members saw the total rise to 60. 

CLBC:  The Club continued to flourish and several members represented the County.  Eight matches were played, but no results are available. 

1939 This was a glorious year for bowling but the season was terminated abruptly on the outbreak of war.  The green was closed early in September and competitions were completed on Henleaze Club’s green.  

CLBC:  It was requested that mixed matches be arranged, but this was refused because of E.B.A. rules.  Only seven matches were played – won 2, drawn 1. 

1940 Fears were expressed about carrying on, but it was decided to try and fulfil all fixtures. 

The Club eventually became affiliated to Gloucestershire Bowling Association, but the Association’s activities were suspended for the War years. 

CLBC:  1940-1948.  The Ladies Club continued to play, but little is known of any results. 

1941 As the wartime conditions worsened in 1941 no double fixtures were arranged and there were no matches outside Bristol. 

Wartime restrictions were becoming more severe.  Bristol was suffering disastrously from both night and day time blitzing, and rationing of food and other essential supplies became severe.  In spite of all the difficulties the Club was determined to carry on, and all match fixtures were completed with a very commendable record of played 30, won 16, drawn 1. 

1942 Several games were arranged within the Club for the Red Cross and a good sum was donated. 

1943 In spite of all the problems a full programme of matches was completed.  Several matches were arranged for charity including the whole day of August Bank Holiday, and as a result £57 was sent to the Red Cross Fund. 

It was not a good season (played 46, won 19, drawn 1), but by the end of the season membership rose to 79 and the Lambert Cup was played for the first time. 

1944 This proved a much better season (played 54, won 31) beating Avonmouth and Cabot, before losing to Bristol Arrow 85-91 in the Clarence Davey Cup.  During the season special games and raffles etc. were arranged for the Red Cross Prisoners of War Fund, Bristol Homes for the Blind and the Francis Drake Fellowship.  An influx of new members saw membership rise to 93 at the end of the season. 

1945 Following the end of the War social activities were revived with a concert at the White Lion Hotel. 

The Club weathered the war years well and remained financially sound.  The green suffered no damage from enemy action but, because of rationing, teas were a problem. 

1946 Things were slowly returning to normal, and a smoking concert was held  

at the White Lion in March.  Match results – played 51, won 27, drawn 1. 

1947 The winter was the worst for years, but the following summer was one of prolonged sunshine.  Match results – played 62, won 37.  Membership was 96. 

1948 Match results – played 57, won 31, drawn 1. 

1949 The Club continued to flourish and an entrance fee was introduced.  Enthusiasm was so high that entrance to competitions had to be restricted.  Membership was 84.  Match results – played 63, won 42, drawn 2, the best in the Club’s history to date. 

CLBC: No matches were arranged due to lack of players, although Canford did well in the Gloucestershire competitions, winning the area rink final and reaching the final of the Triples.  They also had the honour of playing at Wimbledon in the National Trophy. 

1950 Canford had a good run in the Gloucestershire Cup competition, beating National Smelting Club, Ardagh, Bristol Arrow and Civil Service, and losing to Painswick in the semi-final 56-60.  Match results – played 59, won 32.  Membership was now 82. 

CLBC:  1950-1955.  The Club continued to grow, but no results are available. 

1951 The annual subscription was raised from 5/- to 7/6d.  Match results – played 62, won 34, drawn 3.  Membership was 87. 

1952 The Club at this time was running at a financial loss so match fees were immediately increased to 2/-.  There was a balance in hand of £22 at the end of the year.  Match results – played 63, won 37, drawn 2.  Membership was 84. 

1953 Match fees increased to 2/3d.  Finance improved and the Club finished the year with a credit balance of £36.  Match results – played 62, won 38. Membership was 77. 

1954 Electricity was laid to the pavilion.  Match results – played 58, won 31.  Membership was 78. 

1955 Players had always worn white shirts and grey trousers, but there was a growing feeling that white flannels should be worn.  This was left in abeyance at this time.  On the green this was a successful year with the Club winning the Gloucestershire Triples and the City & County of Bristol Rink Competition, and were runners up in the Clevedon Pairs. 

1956 A fixture was arranged on Whit Monday at Lyme Regis, but heavy rain fell and it was a big financial loss.  At the AGM a Wednesday Captain was elected for the following year.  Match results – played 64, won 35, drawn 2. 

CLBC:  Four members represented the County during the season. The Club continued to grow and the results show played 11, won 4. 

1957 This was a poor season for the Club, with many petty incidents off the green and poor results on it.  Match results – played 59, won 28, drawn 1. 

CLB:  By contrast this was a good year, with an outing to Bournemouth and a very successful season. 

1958 Many complaints had been made to the Council regarding the state of the green, but a letter received from the City Engineer stated that they would do nothing at that time.  The Club won the Clarence Davey Cup for the first time, beating Imperial in the final 74-68.  Match results for the season – played 63, won 31, drawn 1.  Membership was 82. 

CLBC:  The Ladies Club continued to flourish.  

1959 The Club won the Clarence Davey Cup for the second year, beating Knowle, Knowle Park, B.A.C, Greenbank and Greville Smyth.  To celebrate a social evening was held at the New Passage Hotel.  The condition of the green was still poor, and representatives demanded to meet the Parks Superintendent at the green for a frank discussion.  Match results – played 69, won 35. 

Another decade ended.  Fortunes had ebbed and flowed but stability was established after wartime and post-war eras. 

CLBC:  Membership rose to 24, although seven were non-playing members. Results – played 14 won 6, drawn 2. 

1960 The decade started well with a promise from the Parks Superintendent to give further attention to the green, to enclose the ends of the pavilion’s veranda and to provide water and a kitchen sink.  At the AGM it was agreed to wear whites at all Saturday matches.  It was also agreed to increase the annual subscription and the entrance fee to 10/- each.  Match results – played 64, won 38, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  Membership rose to 29.  Results – played 16, won 10. 

1961 An outing was held to Lyme Regis and many ladies accompanied the team.  It was a 6-rink game with one ladies’ rink.  This is the first record of Canford Ladies being allowed to participate in a mixed match. Finances had improved considerably but it was realised that any balance would be absorbed completely in the Club’s Golden Jubilee Year, so it was agreed at the AGM to increase subscription fees to £1.  It was later agreed to increase match fees to 3/-.  Match results – played 72, won 35, drawn 1.  

CLBC:  Played 21, won 10, drawn 2. 

1962 At an April committee meeting it was suggested that representative matches be arranged with Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset.  A further trip was made to Lyme Regis where a 6-rink game was again played (5 men, 1 ladies’ rink).  An evening match was played against the prisoners at Leyhill Prison, but the green was 90% daisies and on a huge slope.  This fixture was continued for 2 or 3 years but was eventually dropped because of the state of the green.  Results for the season – played 71, won 37, drawn 2. 

CLBC:  Played 17, won 6, drawn 1. 

1963 Jubilee Year.  To mark the year a new honours board was purchased, with “1913 – 1963” boldly inscribed.  The Jubilee Opening Day was a great success, commencing with a religious service on the green to pay tribute to former colleagues who had passed on. 

The trip to Lyme Regis and a return game at Canford were very enjoyable, although Canford were well beaten in both games.  Weather-wise it was a poor year with nine games cancelled.  Match results – played 66, won 26, drawn 3. 

CLBC:  Six ladies represented the Club in County matches.  Results – played 18, won 6, drawn 1. 

1964 Eleven new members were enrolled, bringing the membership to 78.  Match results – played 69, won 30. 

CLBC:  Six ladies played in County matches.  Results – played 16, won 10. 

1965 A meeting was held with a representative of the City Engineers Department regarding the state of the green and the inadequacy of the dressing room space.  It was agreed that something needed to be done but no promises were made.  At the end of the year the Corporation had still done nothing and a further letter was sent to them.  Match results were poor – played 67, won 28. 

CLBC:  Membership now 22.  Results – played 21, won 8. 

1966 Membership remained good but the results did not improve – played 72, won 32. 

CLBC:  Membership 26.  Results – played 22, won 11, abandoned 2. 

1967 Some work was done by the Corporation during the closed season to improve the state of the green.  The financial state of the Club was now very sound and some match fees were reduced.  The Club had a good run in the Clarence Davy Cup, beating Redland, Bristol St Anne’s and Knowle Park before losing to Bristol Club, who went on to win the Cup.  Match results also improved – played 80, won 41, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  Six ladies played for Gloucestershire.  Results – played 23, won 13. 

1968 Socially it was a good year, but weather-wise it was a poor season with eight matches cancelled because of heavy rain.  Match results were very poor – played 68, won 27, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  Membership21.  Canford won the Bristol section of the Inter-Club Competition, but narrowly lost in the County final.  Results – played 21, won 9, drawn 2. 

1969 The Corporation at last agreed to some improvements to the pavilion, including 12 new lockers.  The Club’s run of bad results in the Gloucestershire Cup continued, and they fared little better in the Clarence Davey Cup.  Membership had now grown to 88.  Match results – played 80, won 32, drawn 2. 

CLBC:  Membership 22.  A poor playing season.  Results – played 21, won 5, drawn 1. 

1970 Whist drives had, over the years, become popular social events, and during the winter three were held, with over 50 members and friends attending each one.  In early summer the Corporation completed some of the work to the pavilion, which allowed better changing facilities and a small committee room for meetings.  Membership rose to 93, and because of this a second green was requested from the Corporation, which was promptly refused.  Canford received another early exit from the County Inter-Club competition, but fared better in the friendly matches – played 76, won 36, drawn 3. 

CLBC:  Membership 24.  Canford Ladies won the Gloucestershire Inter-Club Trophy, quite an achievement.  Results – played 23, won 12, drawn 1.  

1971 Three whist drives were again held during the winter.  In September a meeting was held with the Corporation, who promised to make improvements to the green.  The annual social was attended by 84 members and friends, and was enjoyed by all.  Match results improved, having played 80, won 44, drawn 2. 

CLBC:  Canford won the Bristol section of the Inter-Club Cup, but lost by one shot in the final, to Cheltenham.  Results – played 19, won 10, drawn 1. 

1972 The annual subscription was raised to £1.50p, the first increase since 1962 when it was set at £1.00.  Very little of the work promised by the City Engineer had been done, and a letter was sent direct to the Clerk to the Council.  An immediate response was received and, following a meeting, the Club was promised that the green would receive attention during the closed season. 

The Club met better fortune than recent years in the Gloucestershire Cup, beating Kingswood & Hanham, Bristol St Andrew’s and Avonvale, and then losing to Avonmouth in the semi-final 53-57.  All these were away matches.  Season’s results – played 82, won 46. 

CLBC:  Membership 26.  Results – played 20, won 7. 

1973 Jubilee Year.  Lapel badges were bought to commemorate the event.  A special match against Gloucestershire President’s team finished with Canford winning 131 – 115. 

The pavilion was burnt down on the 14th October and most of the Club property was destroyed.  Results for Wednesday and Saturday games – played 81, won 41, drawn 3. 

CLBC:  Canford again won the Gloucestershire Inter-Club Trophy, beating Cirencester in the final at Gloucester. Results – played 22, won 10. 

1974 The building of a new pavilion was under way, and able to be used from the last week of June.  Match results – played 75, won 36, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  The Club had no facilities until the end of June, so no home matches were played.  Results – played 22, won 10. 

1975 Match results – played 84, won 48, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  Membership had risen to 30, but results were poor – played 20, won 4. 

1976 Membership now stood at 89, and the Club was in a very strong position, both with members and financially.  Match results – played 76, won 36, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  Jeanne Croot won the English Women’s Championship at Leamington Spa, and became England’s No.1 player.  Results – played 21, won 7. 

1977 Match results – played 80, won 31, drawn 2.  

CLBC:  Jeanne Croot lived up to her very high standard and became British Isles Champion for 1977.  Due to poor weather, only 18 matches were played – won 7. 

1978 After several requests the Council had worked hard on the green during the closed season, and improved it considerably.  Match results – played 83, won 35.  

CLBC:  The County Championship was won by Jeanne Croot, who also represented England in the indoor international at Teeside.  Five matches were cancelled because of bad weather – played 18, won 9. 

1979 Playing membership was now over 75, with approximately 15 non-playing members.  No results were recorded. 

CLBC:  Only 17 matches were played – won 7. 

1980 A new green keeper improved the green considerably. 

CLBC:  A successful season, but no results available. 

1981 Membership was now 96, which included 15 non-players, and financially the Club was in a very stable position.  In the first season in the Thursday evening League we played 14, won 7, a good start.  Other results – played 73, won 31. 

CLBC:  Match results – played 22, won 9, drawn 2. 

1982 A new flagpole was erected.  Mr N Long won the City of Bristol Champion of Champions Competition.  Match results – League played 11, won 7.  Others – played 79, won 31. 

CLBC:  The Ladies won the County Pairs.  Results – played 21, won 10. 

1983 The Club continued to prosper, but match results were very poor. 

CLBC:  Mrs Jeanne Croot won the County Four-Wood Singles.  Results – played 22, won 9. 

1984 The League team was promoted to Division 1. 

CLBC:  Results – played 26, won 11, drawn 2. 

1985 After only one season in Division 1, the League team were relegated by one point.  The results of all games were not particularly good, but an improvement on recent years. 

CLBC:  Results – played 24, won 13. 

1986 The League team finished fourth, having played 14, won 9, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  Ladies’ Golden Jubilee Year 

The County brought five rinks to Canford to celebrate this special occasion, and a great day was had by all.  Results – played 26, won 11. 

1987 We reached the final of the Gloucestershire Cup.  The League team finished sixth.  

CLBC:  The League team played 11 matches and won 4, and finished fourth in the newly formed League.  Friendly matches –  played 24, won 11. 

1988 75th Anniversary Year 

 Special matches were arranged with Canford Ladies, Gloucestershire President, Bristol President, Ardagh and Henleaze.  An Anniversary dinner was held at the Village Hall at the close of the season, which was followed by a dance and attended by over 100 people.  The season as a whole was a great success.  Match results – played 97, won 37, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  In the League it was a poor season with three matches rained off and a poor League position.  Results – played 27, won 13. 

1989 The results of games were much improved, with the League team missing out on promotion after a play-off with Knowle. 

CLBC:  The League position was again very poor.  Results – played 28, won 12. 

1990 The League team finished runners-up and were promoted to Division 2.  

CLBC:  Another poor season in the League, finishing eleventh out of 12.  Friendly results were better, having played 30, won 16. 

1991 The League team were unable to sustain their previous good results, and were relegated to Division 3.  Other results were no better – played 72, won 34, drawn 4. 

CLBC:  Another poor season in the League.  Friendly results – played 29, won 15.  It is noticeable that several ladies were playing in friendly matches for the men’s team. 

1992 The playing membership was 62.  The League team finished in the top half of the League, but other results over the season were poor – played 69, won 29. 

CLBC:  The Ladies put out one rink in eight of the men’s Saturday matches.  This was becoming more frequent.  Results – played 33, won 15. 

1993 Special matches were played against Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire’s Vice-Presidents Association to celebrate Bill Parker’s 100th birthday.  League results were played 11, won 6; other matches – played 73, won 21 – a poor season. 

CLBC:  Results – played 34, won 16. 

1994 A special match was played against the City & County of Bristol to celebrate Norman Long’s 50 years’ membership.  A new hut was installed to improve changing accommodation, and work was commenced to bring the banks and ditches round the green up to standard.  Playing membership now 65.  League results – played 10, won 6; other matches – played 66, won 34, drawn 1 – a big improvement. 

CLBC:  The highlight of the season was a trip to Windsor to play the Royal Household Ladies.  It was a beautiful day, which Canford won by 4 shots.  Results – played 33, won 20. 

1995 Playing membership 63.  The League team finished fourth, missing out on promotion by two points, played 10, won 7.  Other matches – played 79, won 35, drawn 2. 

CLBC:  Results – played 36, won 12, drawn 1.  Men played in several of the Ladies’ matches, and this appeared to be becoming the trend. 

1996 Playing membership now 61.  The League team just missed out on promotion, finishing third.  Other results – played 68, won 24, drawn 2- a very poor season.  

CLBC:  Ladies’ Diamond Jubilee Year  

Several special games were played to mark this year, and a trip was made to Leamington to watch the World Bowls.  Results – played 38, won 19,  drawn 1, abandoned 1. 

1997 The League team again finished third – played 12, won 8, drawn 1.  Other results showed a slight improvement on last year. 

CLBC:  Results – played 33, won 12. 

1998 The League team finished fourth, having played 13, won 9, drawn 1.  Playing membership was 61. The Council proposed self-management of the greens.  Other results – played 62, won 38. 

CLBC:  Results – played 36, won 12, drawn 1. 

1999 The self-management offer was turned down.  Playing membership was now 60.  The League team again just missed promotion, finishing one point behind the second place.  Other results – played 58, won 23, drawn 1, abandoned 1.  

CLBC:  Results – played 34, won 19, drawn 1. 

2000 The Council increased the green fees by 33%.  Playing membership was now 55, and because of the unavailability of players, help was asked of lady members on several occasions.  The League team had a poor season (played 13, won 6), which also applied throughout the Club. 

CLBC:  Ladies’ membership fell to 22, the lowest for many years.  Results – played 29, won 11. 

2001 The Club has been complaining to the Council regarding the state of the Clubhouse roof, and the ceiling eventually collapsed on 7th August. The Council agreed to assist with the cost of repairs.  

Club membership had been causing concern as numbers had fallen rapidly, and playing membership was currently 48.  The League team gained promotion at last, finishing runners-up, having played 13, won 12. Other results – played 43, won 15, drawn 1. 

CLBC:  Results – played 27, won 11. 

2002 Joint meetings took place with the Ladies regarding amalgamation, and a Working Party was appointed.  At the AGM on 18th November the amalgamation was agreed.  The playing membership was now 43.  The League team was again relegated at the end of the season. 

CLBC:  Results – played 28, won 13. 

2003 The pavilion expected to be finished by the end of May, so the first six home games were played away.  Club membership was now 71.  The League team had a reasonable season without regaining promotion.  Other matches – played 42, won 17, drawn 1. 

2004 Membership now 36 men and 23 ladies.  The League team played 14, won 7, drawn 1, and finished fifth in the League. 

2005 The League team generally had a good season – played 14, won 9, but other results were very poor.  The Ladies played 33 matches but results were also poor. 

2006 The Treasurer pointed out that we need to keep membership at 60 to cover the increase in Council fees.  The League side gained promotion. 

2007 The League side finished fifth in their first season in Division 2.  Other matches: Wednesday – played 23, won 10; Saturday – played 17, won 5, drawn 1.  Ladies – played 27, won 9. 

2008 The large tree opposite the pavilion, which has been damaging the green for several years, was chopped down.  The ladies in their first season of League matches did well, which could not be said for the men, who finished bottom and were relegated. 

2009 The Club had a successful season, although results were poor.  Men’s League – played 11, won 6.  Other results – played 41, won 16, drawn 1. The Ladies’ League team finished third. 

2010 Membership now 47 playing members (30 men and 17 ladies).   The Men’s League team finished runners-up and were promoted to Division 3.  Results – played 32, won 15, drawn 3.  Ladies – played 18,won 7.   

2011 The Ladies 75th Anniversary Year 

No special matches were arranged due to unreliable numbers.  The Men’s League team narrowly missed further promotion, finishing fourth.  Results – played 44, won 20, drawn 1.  Ladies – played 21, won 9.  Ladies’ League – played 9, won 7. 

2012 Playing membership is now 63. The Men’s League team played 18 matches, mostly in appalling conditions, and finished in joint fifth place.  In their fifth season the Ladies League team was extremely successful, and gained promotion to Division 3.  Other results – Saturday – played 20, won 11.  Wednesday – played 21, won 13. 

2013 Club Centenary Year 

Special matches to mark the event were played at Southampton Old Green, Island Bohemians Reading and Royal Household Windsor. We hosted matches against the City & County Presidents team and against representative rinks from selected local teams 

Ladies league team finished mid-table in Division 3. Mens league team in 8th place in Division 3. Results of friendly matches; won 35 lost 25 drew 2. Playing membership 43. 

2014 Ladies league team finished in lower half of Division 3. Mens league team were runners up in Division 3 and promoted. Playing membership 57. 

2015 Ladies league team 3rd in Division 3 their best ever finish. Mens league team 5th in Division 2. A club tour to Bournemouth playing two matches. Results of friendly matches; won 37 lost 31. Playing membership 54. 

2016 Ladies league team promoted to Division 2. Mens league team relegated to Division 3. Results of friendly matches; won 42 lost 21. 

Dave Shaw won both the Bristol Singles and the Gloucestershire Champion of Champions competitions 

2017 Ladies league team relegated to Division 3. Mens league team promoted to Division 2. The Annexe replaced with larger wooden building. 

2018 Ladies league team finished 3rd in Division 3. Mens league team finished 3rd in Division 2. Talks commenced with Bristol City Council over future lease. Results of friendly matches; won 32 lost 28. Playing membership 55. 

2019 Ladies league team promoted to Division 2. Mens league team finished mid table in Division 2. A day outing to play Lyme Regis winning 132-83. Results of friendly matches; Saturday won 15 lost 6, Wednesday won 15 lost 8. Playing membership 53 

2020 Due to the Coronavirus pandemic only limited club play was possible.  

2021 Ladies league team finished in a low position. Mens league team finished 5th. The club celebrated the 100th birthday of member Ron Faulkner. Results of friendly matches; won 33 lost 17. Playing membership 64. 

2022 Ladies league team finished mid table in Division 2. Mens league team relegated to Division 3. Results of friendly matches; won 32 lost 28. Playing membership 68. 

2023 Ladies league team 4th in Division 2. Mens league team finished 2nd in Division 3 and promoted. Results of friendly matches; won 27 lost 25 drew 1. Playing membership 59. 

2024 Ladies league team champions of Division 2 and promoted. Mens league team narrowly avoided relegation. Results of friendly matches; won 28 lost 27 drew 2. Playing membership 64.