Double celebration for Avon Bowls Club

AVON Bowls Club is this year celebrating its Centenary and the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Ladies’ section. 

The club plans to get the bowls rolling for the new season on Saturday 16th April, with captains John Crowder and Dawn Edwards hoisting the club flag. And a string of centenary home games are planned for the season ahead. 

About the history of the club, Richard Buckland says, “The club sits proudly within the peaceful grounds of Melksham House, an attractive Grade II listed country manor built between the 17th and early 18th century. The house has a long and varied history. It has changed in structure and ownership several times during this period. In this, our bowls club centenary year, it is undergoing further changes in design and use and will be an integral part of the brand new campus which is nearing completion. 

“In 1920, the house and grounds were purchased by the Avon Rubber Company for use as the Sports and Social Centre for the ‘social welfare of their employees’. It was to include indoor activities such as snooker, skittles and darts. In the grounds outside, there was enough room for tennis, cricket and bowls.  

“Sadly on the 15th December 1920 the house was severely damaged by fire. Two fire brigades fought the fire but there was little left beyond the bare walls. The roof, ceilings and rafters having fallen in. Whatever regrets were felt on historic or aesthetic grounds about the damage, it did afford the opportunity of rebuilding on the lines more suitable for the sort of club visualised by the company management.  

“Rebuilding was started and continued throughout 1921 and into 1922. It was not until July 1922 that a formal reopening could take place. To mark the occasion, a dance was held in the evening in the concert hall. This was preceded by a tennis tournament in the afternoon, together with a cricket match against Devizes and a bowls match against Melksham Town bowls club.  

“Avon players were pleased to beat their opponents, one of the strongest and oldest clubs in the county. The preparation and laying of a bowling green then as now, was an expensive operation and the 15 novices who set out to form the section, were not surprised to be told that the laying of a green would be deferred until they were sufficiently established to justify the expenditure.  

“In the meantime, an area of lawn adjacent to the house was prepared to provide three rinks. This was extended to four rinks in 1919 and to six in the 1950s. Initially the club comprised only a men’s section but as the popularity of the sport grew, women started to play. As a result, in 1972, the ladies’ section was formed, and was eventually amalgamated with the men’s section in 2009. 

“In 1997 US Based Cooper Tyre and Rubber Company took over the Avon Tyres site. The bowls club became ‘Cooper Avon’. As time marched on, the new company showed little interest in Melksham House and in 2011 they sold it to Wiltshire Council. In 2012 the club reverted to being just ‘Avon’ again and in 2014 it became independent, with no links to the rubber company or the county council. In 2018 it obtained a five year lease with a 50 year lease pending. 

“The green as we know it today, is nestled nicely next to the house on its southern side and is overlooked on its northern side by the 12th Century bell tower of St Michael & All Angels Parish Church. The bowls pavilion flanks the green, adding to the splendour of the scene. This sheltered position is the perfect setting for a game of lawn green bowls on a warm summer evening. 

“During the early days of the Covid pandemic, the club was closed to all activity. As restrictions were lifted, we managed to re-open and continue to encourage keen competition throughout, with tremendous support from everyone.  With the completion of the new campus in sight later this year and a new look to Melksham House eagerly anticipated, organising our centenary year is proving to be a real challenge.  

“However, work on providing a fantastic programme of forthcoming events and matches is in hand, with captains John Crowder and Dawn Edwards leading the way, ably supported by the management committee. Apart from the usual league fixtures and in house club competitions, arrangements have already been made to host 11 high profile fixtures, starting in May.  

“Producing a busy fun-packed celebratory season worthy of marking an important milestone in our history is a costly business. Funds generated by membership subscriptions and through innovative activities during the pandemic and closed winter months, are helping to ease the financial burden, but we are also being generously supported by contributions from the following local companies: Poolman Patios, MDP Ltd South West Contractors, Leekes, Avon Trophies, Farmhouse Inn Southwick, Co-Op, W J Bevans, SS Carpenters and Bradford Ltd and Pelican.” 

The upcoming centenary home games are: • Sunday 1st May – Pontypridd • Sunday 8th May – Holt • Sunday 5th June – Barbarians B.A • Saturday 11th June – Chippenham Park • Sunday 12th June  – Bowls Wiltshire Mixed • Tuesday 14th June – Bowls England • Sunday 10th July – Swindon and District B.A • Sunday 17th July – Friends of Bowls England • Sunday 14th August – Pewsey Vale • Saturday 20th August – Blue Circle • Sunday 21st August  – Supermarine

Pictured left: Danny Holland and Marcia Easton with the new club flag.