Olveston & District Bowling Club

Compiled from details extracted from the minutes of all the Club's Management Committee meetings held since the Club's inception.

In December 1932 at the suggestion of Colonel C.E.Turner DSO a meeting was called to discuss the idea of laying a bowling green for the Parish of Olveston.

A meeting was held in the small room of the Parish Hall on Friday 9th December.  Chaired by Mr.G.L.Bennett of The Brake, Oldown, the following Gentlemen being present: Rev.Ridgewell Barker, Messrs L.Edmonds, B.Pane, G.Shute, R.Pitcher, S.Bracey, J.White, F.White, G.White, G.Stockwell, H.Parker, F.H.Haskins & H.Leakey.

It was decided that Col.Turner would approach Captain Harry Salmon (a local landowner) with the hope of obtaining a site for the Bowling Green on The Park at Oldown, between the cricket pitch and the junior school.  It was agreed that Col.Turner would be the first President of the newly formed Club which would be open to membership to men and ladies equally.  The membership fee was set at 10s per year and an inaugural fund was set up which raised £112 5s 0d from the inhabitants of Oldown, Olveston & Tockington.

With the kind permission of Capt.Salmon given, work commenced.  R.Pitcher & Sons were employed to lay the green and the work was carried out under the supervision of St.Andrews Bowling Club of Bristol.

The Green was officially opened on 22nd July 1933 by Mrs Turner, supported by the President.  A large number of people were present and considerable interest was shown.

During 1935 the Club made application to be affiliated to the Gloucestershire Bowling Association.

In July 1945, following his death, it was confirmed by Major Salmon's solicitors that the land occupied by the bowling green had been donated to the Club.  Four trustees were appointed - FL.Bennett, G.Rugman, AJ.White & G.Taylor.

1958 saw the members of Thornbury Bowling Club join Olveston when their green (located at the site of the present Tennis Club) was no longer playable.

In 1963 it was agreed that the lady members could form their own section & committee.

A second hand pavilion was purchased in 1969 & Mr.Northover, who owned the land behind the bowling green, gave permission for the pavilion to be erected on this land, rent free.

Prior to 1974, it was only possible to play in one direction - to and from the Pavilion end - there being no ditch to the South East end.  During this year however, part of the bank on the south-east corner was removed and re-turfed to form a ditch, allowing the game to be played in both directions, albeit the green was two foot shorter from the NW direction to the SE direction.

Electric power was installed in the Pavilion in 1979, the work carried out by the members.  At this time the membership was 32 men & 15 ladies.

At a cost of approximately £2,300 the Pavilion was extended in 1982. 

1989 saw great improvement in the Club's facilities with the installation of toilet facilities, much to the membership's relief!

During 1992 planning permission was obtained to build a new pavilion and work was commenced so that the new building would be completed and ready for use at the beginning of the 1993 season - the Club's Diamond Jubilee year.

Interestingly during the process of seeking the necessary permissions for the new pavilion building, it was discovered that a public right-of-way crossed the bowling green diagonally from north to south.  It transpired that when the green had been initially laid nothing had been done to have the route altered.  Fortunately this 60 year error was corrected without cost to the club thanks to the good auspices of Northavon District Council.

The last year of the 20th Century saw the membership of the Club standing at 85 men & 45 ladies.

In 2006 Ian Gauld became the first club member to represent Gloucestershire in the County Middleton Cup side,playing in all the sides matches that year.  In 2007 Ian was a member of the succesful Gloucestershire side which reached the National semi-finals held at Worthing.  Also in 2007, Chris Bentley, Ian Gauld and Tony Iles became the first players from the club to reach the National Championships at Worthing when they were runners-up in the Gloucestershire Triples Championship.

2008 was the club's 75th anniversary and special matches were arranged against City & County of Bristol and Gloucestershire County Associations.  Members also played in a President's Invitation evening against rinks from six local clubs and enjoyed a trip to Windsor to play in the Castle grounds against the Royal Household.