ST ANDREWS BOWLING CLUB
WESTON SUPER MARE
BS23 3UY
ST ANDREWS BOWLING CLUB - THE BEGINNING
At the instigation of a few determined individuals it came to pass the Borough Council instructed head-grounds man, Les Cox, to lay a bowling green on the Bournville estate in1951. During that winter a group of like-minded persons met several times at the local school to put together a proposition and formulate a set of rules to form a Bowling Club.
In January 1952, they held a meeting with the Mayor, Alderman "Jim" Proctor O.St.j.-F.C.I.S-F.A.CC.A, and tabled their proposals, to which he had an input and gave them his blessing. Accordingly John McLeod called a Public Meeting; chaired by Jim Proctor, to formally propose the formation of the club, appoint the Officers and approve its Rules.
So on 31st January 1952 St Andrews Bowling Club was formed and duly affiliated to the E.B.A. and the S.C.B.A. John Mcleod was appointed Hon. Secretary, a post he was to hold with great distinction for the next 24 years. The early members were in the main a nucleus of locals who had bowled at Clarence Park Bowling Club.
Whilst a newly-laid green and a lack of accommodation were not the best influences for gaining new members, sufficient stalwarts were available in July 1952 to field four-rinks in the Club's first official match away to Knowle Park Bowling Club, Bristol. Later that month, The Saints played a four rink away match against local rivals Ashcombe Bowling Club, Weston super Mare.
In 1963 after much negotiation, the local council agreed to improve the facilities by providing a disused RAF hut. During the winter the members rallied round and changed the hut into a clubhouse. During the summer of 1964, their efforts were rewarded when the President of the E.B.A. Roy Richardson officially opened the Clubhouse.
In 1986 the first purpose-built two rink Indoor Bowling Complex to serve Weston was built on our premises. This also included a new clubhouse. In 1994, further expenditure on the clubhouse and a third Indoor rink was introduced.
In 2001, the Club committee realised that St.Andrews was a fast growing business and decided to structure a new Association of St.Andrews Bowling Club; the committee oversees bowling matters, the infrastructure and finances of the club.
One of the first season tickets to be issued.
Below is one of the first photos taken (1954)
Opening day 1962
Below Bass Knockout Cup Winning Team 1993.
Over 60's Triples League Winners 1995-1996-1997
Turnbull Cup Winners 1997.
OVER 60's LEAGUE WINNERS 2009
ACHIEVEMENTS ON THE GREEN
There have been many notable achievements on the Green by both the St Andrews Bowling Club and individuals. Without detracting from any performance in particular it is worth appending extracts from the Honours Board.
In 1997, the Club won the Turnbull Cup, having been Runners-up in 1990; this for any Somerset Club has to be the absolute pinnacle of its season.
In 1993, the club won The Bass Knock Out Cup.
In 1995,1996 and 1997, the first three years after its inception, we won the Over 60's Triples League; this is a popular competition amongst the bowlers of the eight local Clubs.
In 1985 and 1988, Wilf Firby won the Somerset County Singles, in 1985 and 1989 he went to Worthing reaching the semi finals.
We have had our share of Middleton Cup representatives, starting with Reg Stark in the 1960's, Wilf Firby from 1970 through to 1992; Jim May in the 1970's, followed by John French in 1979. In 1979, the threesome of Jeff Phillips, Gordon Crinson and Wilf Firby were Somerset County Triples winners and went on to represent the County at Worthing.
In 1981, the pairing of Harry Wadham and Wilf Firby won the National S.A.G.A. Pairs Championship.
In 1988, the rink of Tony Hyde, Gordon Wride, Tony Steer and Tim Lintell-Smith were runners-up in the Somerset County Fours, and went on to have their day at Worthing.
In April 2001, we believe yet another record may have been set by Wilf Firby; at the age of 79 he was called up for a Middleton Cup trial.
2003 & 2013 Weston & District Over 60's Knockout Cup Winners.
In 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005 , 2009 & 2013: Weston & District Over 60's Triples League Champions.
Wedmore Plate winners 2006.
Finally
Our brief encounter with history of the Club is over. We have served the facts, as we understand them, in the making of this Club.
What we cannot express is the camaraderie, the friendships, and all the banter which graces all personal relationships, forgotten with the "ups" and "downs" they bring. We all have our memories and perhaps we have rekindled some of them with an event or a photograph.
Nevertheless, if we look around our Club today and reflect on all the hard work that was done in the earlier years and today, we realize how fortunate we all are to have a club like St.Andrews Bowling Club.
ST ANDREWS BOWLING CLUB HISTORY