Hoole Ladies Bowling Club: Difference between revisions

The Hoole Ladies Bowling Club has in its possession its first Minute Book starting in 1947. On the inside of the cover, it reads:

 

 

The first meeting of the Club was the AGM, held on 7^th October 1947, at the Park Lodge. The minutes state that the minutes and treasurers report were read and passed but there is no record of a previous meeting in the Club’s archive. Mrs Nicholson was elected President, replacing Mrs Payne who was the retiring president.

On the agenda was the proposition to ‘''separate from the gentlemen''’. This was agreed unanimously along with ‘''the annual subscription should be paid to our own club funds and hence be known as ‘Hoole Alexandra Park Ladies Bowling Club''’. The entrance fee was proposed at 3s/6d but amended to 3s/- and members limited to 40, with only 10 from outside the district. Officers and committee members were elected, and Thursday was chosen for bowling day. The following activities and games were agreed:

 

 

The club remained the ‘Hoole Alexandra Park Ladies Bowling Club’ until 1962 when the name of the Club was changed. ‘''The title of the club was discussed and in future to avoid confusion with the mixed club Rule 1 was rescinded and in its place, it was decided that in future the club shall be known as Hoole Ladies Bowling Club''’.

The Club now plays every Tuesday afternoon during the Season and uses Green No.3 on Panton Road. Elsewhere in Hoole History and Heritage Society web pages the history of the opening of Green No.3 is documented. Hoole Ladies first discussed using Green No.3 in October 1949. Previously Green Nos.1 and 2 in Alexandra Park had been used. The AGM held on 25^th October 1949 read ‘''It was decided we should try and arrange for No.3 Green for all matches and games and that Tuesdays be arranged provisionally for club day and matches to be played on a separate day''.’ It was also agreed that practice matches are played in the evening. Therefore, it seems that Green No.3 was available for the 1950 Season although the General Meeting held on 24^th January 1950 noted that we would not be able to use No.3 Green after 6pm and it was decided to apply for No.2 Green for Home matches.

 

Hoole Ladies used No.3 Pavilion for their 1951 AGM, and it was noted that the Bowling Day was fixed for Tuesday. At the AGM after the 1952 Season (8th October 1952) it was agreed to keep Tuesday at Club Day. However, this AGM was held at the Elms Pavilion and the Club used numerous venues for their meetings over the years. At the General Meeting held on 30^th April 1953 it was agreed almost unanimously to use No.3 Green. As to the Bowling Day this seemed to change. At the AGM held on 12^th October 1955 it was decided to change Bowling Day to Thursday but by the AGM held on 23^rd October 1957 ‘''Bowling Day to be left at Wednesday''’.

 

Although the Clubs use of Green No.3 on a Tuesday afternoon is now established there had been some disagreements early on. At the Committee Meeting held on 18^th May 1960 the minute read ‘''Disappointment was strongly expressed at the refusal to allow members to play on Green 3''’. The secretary was asked to write to Mr Williams, the Park Superintendent, over this matter and to enquire regarding terms for use of it for 2 hours. However, at the committee meeting held the following March (15^th March 1961) it was reported that the Park Superintendent would put to the Park Committee their request for 2-hour slots instead of 4-hour slots at a reduced fee for using Green No.3. The Superintendent also gave the Club consent to use Green 3 for club meetings on a Wednesday afternoon. The Club, at their 28^th March 1962 General Meeting noted their appreciation to Mr Williams for the use of Green No.3 for club meetings. In April 1962 (11^th April 1962 Committee Meeting) the Secretary was asked to write to Mr Williams to thank him.

But back to the beginning of the Club in 1947. The Club now plays a number of competitions within the Club. The Club is a social bowls club which plays friendlies with other Clubs but is not a member of a Bowling League. There are now Competitions with Trophies awarded at the annual Presentation Lunch in October.

 

 

The oldest Club competition is the Club Championship. The only competition that has been played continuously (with the exception of 2020) since the inauguration of the Club in 1947. The winner is presented with the Club Championship Shield.

 

The outcome of all this, as noted by the secretary in her report of 1987, was that all had agreed to buy a new Shield or Cup at a cost of £38 plus engraving. As there was just about enough funds a new Trophy was purchased.

 

=== The future ===

 

Post lockdown the Club is looking forward to resuming its activities every Tuesday afternoon during the bowling season on Green No.3 at Panton Road, and celebrating its 65^th Anniversary in 2022.