EXTRACT FROM WESTON-SUPER-MARE GAZETTEE – 27TH MAY 1922

SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF NEW VILLAGE GREEN

Under the most propitious circumstances Winscombe’s bowling green was opened on Wednesday afternoon, and the Bowling Club received an enthusiastic send-off from a large company of villagers and visitors from Weston and elsewhere. “Winsome Winscombe,” as this charmingly located village has so appositely been termed, now possesses another up-to-date attraction by providing, paradoxically enough, an ancient game for the delectation of residents and visitors. The green is centrally situated on the Sandford-road, and is a credit to all concerned with its construction. With due care and attention the Club should next year possess a green which will be the envy of many older established clubs. At each end space is left for the provision of a terrace and club house.
The history of the movement to inaugurate the game of bowls at Winscombe was detailed in a speech at the opening ceremony, performed by Mr.Walter N.Wake, the well known Weston-super-Mare bowler. It might be mentioned that the green is full-sized (40 ft. square) and has been laid down by Mr. Fisher the greenkeeper of the Victoria B.C, Weston-super-Mare. Local turf has been utilised.

The club officials are as follows: President, Mr.Richard Calvert (Banwell Castle); captain, Mr.J.K.Dunster; vice-captain Mr.A.G.Weeks; committee, Messrs. H.Moore, F.M.Driver, R.H.Kinsey, J.Amesbury, W.H.Wake, C.H.Glanville(Banwell), W.D.Compton, W.Todd(Axbridge) and W.Organ(Wrington); hon.secretaryand treasurer, Mr.F.Anthony(Cross,Axbridge) with Mr.H.Wilkins as Groundsman.

Mrs.Kinsey the wife of a committee-man, threw the first jack – greeted with cries of “Well bowled!” – and Mr. Wake trundled the first wood. His second bowl was the “first ditcher.” He then expressed his pleasure at declaring the green open for future generations.

Play in a match – somewhat facetiously described as “ Mayor of Weston’s team versus the Mayor of Winscombe’s team” – was then proceeded with. Result: Weston 93 Winscombe 126.

During an interval a sumptious tea was provided by the Directors’ wives.

WBC in 1929 when they won the Turnbull Cup. President Arthur Weeks is holding the cup.

bert fisher fisher facts

Footnotes: Mr Fisher referred to here was the grandfather of 2011 Captain Mike Nash .....

note: The green is clearly 40 yards square not 40 feet

NOTES EXTRACTED FROM FIRST MINUTE BOOK
These are the first minutes recorded for Winscombe Bowling Club:

Minutes of Committee Meeting held at the Railway Hotel, Winscombe, May 5^th 1922

Present:- Messrs. J.A.Dunster, Amesbury, Moore, Weeks, Todd, Compton, Wake and Anthony
It was unanimously resolved that the Club be designated the Winscombe Bowling Club Limited.
Rules for regulating the Club were considered and finally adopted and the Secretary was ordered to have 75 copies printed.

It was decided to call a meeting for Thursday 18^th inst. at 7.30pm.

Minutes of Committee Meeting held at the Railway Hotel, Winscombe, May 18^th 1922

Present:- Messrs. Moore,Kinsey,Powell,Amesbury,Compton,Dunster,Weeks,Organ,Wake & Anthony
Mr.Powell was elected to the Chair.
Mr.Moore p. & P.Organ s. That the word ‘Limited’ be omitted from the Rules of the Club in the printers hands if it can be arranged without extra costMr.Amesbury p. & Mr. Dunster s. That a charge of 3d be made for the use of slips.Mr.Dunster p. & Mr. Amesbury s. That in the unavoidable absence of the President, Mr Wake of Weston-super-Mare be asked to open the Green.Mr.Wake p. & Mr.Amesbury s. That tea be provided at 4.30 pm.Mr.Amesbury & Mr.Kinsey undertook to see that chairs be provided.Mr.Kinsey p. & Mr.Weeks s. That a notice be inserted in the Weston Gazette and Weston Mercury to effect the following:-“ Winscombe Bowling Club Opening Day May 24^th at 3.00pm. It is hoped that all shareholders, members, intending members and their friends will attend”Mr. Kinsey kindly undertook to telephone the above to the respective newspapers.Mr.Compton p. & Mr.Kinsey s. That the Chairman of the Company (Mr.Anthony) introduce Mr.Wake and ask him to open the Green and that the Captain (Mr.Dunster) return vote of thanks afterwards.It was resolved that the Secretary write out the Terms of Subscriptions and have same posted at the Green.On the proposition of Mr.Moore and seconded by Mr.Compton the following were unanimously elected members of the Club:-
Messrs. Browning,Salisbury,Compton,Moore,Wake,A.G.Weeks, R.Weeks, H.J.Weeks, Kidner, Amesbury,Kinsey,Dunster,Mabbett,Hewitt,Todd,Powell,Gray,H.Wilkins(Langford),Osborne(Langford),Calvert,Merrel, Tracy?, Glanville,Alec Browb, Mason,Stark,Williams,Jarman.

The site of the former Railway Inn is adjacent to the Woodborough Inn (now the car park) and the buildings followed the line of what is now Woodborough Drive

railway hotel

This picture is of the first game played on the new green in 1949. This was after it was relaid following an infestation of 'leatherjackets'. Mrs Bob Cooper , her husband (in blazer) was club captain. Mr R S Brewer was the president.

1949

ext

New Bank for the Green 1965-66

bank

Notable Achievements

First County Match played at Winscombe 1929 Somerset vs Gloucestershire

The Somerset side included four Winscombe members – J.K.Dunster, H.R.House,

R.Weeks, H.Moore.
A Full List of The Club's Honours are listed on a separate page - HERE

Five Winscombe members have held the position of County President

G.E.Attwood 1965, R.F.J.Tripp 1985, C.S.Westlake 1994, J.C.Bearman 1996, J.A.Lukins 2003

Only three other clubs in the county can match this achievement- Victoria,Bath, Clevedon,

(extracted from Honours Boards by John Blewitt)

TURNBULL CUP 1929

turnbull

script

officers

book book8

More Recent History in the Making

2009

SOMERSET BOWLS ASSOCIATION
“THE Properly Unified County”- Inaugural Meeting 14th November 2009 at Street BC

This meeting was attended by Mike Adams and Lorna Whatling. A historic day ! The first time a lady from Winscombe BC has been able to vote at a Somerset County Meeting.

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History of Marjorie Stewart Trophy (WBC v Madeira) - Click Here

AGM Wednesday 24th February 2010

WBC now a Unified Club in the “THE Properly Unified County”

Club Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion to integrate Ladies into Full Membership of the Club . With effect from the start of our New Season (1st April 2010) Ladies will, for the first time, have full voting rights and the right to hold office on the Management Committee. The Ladies captain Helen Watson and the Ladies Secretary Lorna Whatling will be the first Ladies appointed to the Committee.

A historic meeting as this was the first time in the clubs 90 year history that ladies had been able to vote at this meeting . It was also agreed that at long last Pushers/Gatherers would be purchased to help members gather their woods after each end.

29th March 2010 - First Unified Committee Meeting

The Ladies Captain Helen Watson and Ladies Secretary Lorna Whatling were welcomed onto the Management Committee by President John Baker who said that this was a Historic day for The Club. Lorna Whatling thanked him on behalf of the ladies and said they all looked forward to working with the men for the good of the club. John reminded the members that there was a Ladies Club in 1923 just 2 years after the club was formed but this did not continue.

THE PARROT SHIELD

The second leg of this annual tussle with our friends and rivals from Banwell saw Winscombe win by 16 shots. This followed our win at Banwell by 6 shots. President John Baker was delighted to receive the Shield from Banwell President Barry Taylor and victorious Captain Tony Dudley held the shield aloft.

As Captain Tony said after the match this was a team win but some need special mention......In the first leg a 22 shot win on Tommy Ellis's rink and a 10 shot win by Mike Adam's rink meant that once again we took a shot advantage back to Winscombe. This time however, it was not let slip and a fine win by Mike Adams rink by 16 shots ( despite dropping a 6 on the 20th end) and an 11 shot win by Mike Nash's rink (despite dropping a 5 on the19th end) saw Winscombe home by an aggregate 22 shots over the 2 legs.The Parrot Shield is back home where it belongs.

Winscombe 99 v Banwell 83 (The Parrot Shield Home leg): G Neville,M Hunter,A Watts,L Baldwin 18 -18 ;W Ainsworth ,G Tofte,R Feltham,M Adams 30 -14 ; K Whatling,R Lowman,J Baker,A Watson 8 - 20; R Knight,R Wootten M Roberts,T Ellis 18 - 17 ; N Hansford,L Collier,A Dudley,M Nash 25 - 14

For History of the Parrot Shield Winners - Click Here

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2010 - Winscombe Win Over 60's Cup

The Final was played at Yatton against Victoria BC

Captain Wilf Ainsworth holds cup aloft

The Weston and District Over 60's winners 2010 - Winscombe Bowling Club

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16th November 2010 -

The new Short mat has been delivered and installed........

Before delivering the first wood Club President John Baker wished everyone who played on it the same enjoyment as those who had played on the old one for the last 20 years. Another historic day for WBC.

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January 2011 -

Wilf Ainsworth elected Chairman of Weston and District Over 60's League

18th May 2011

Pushers/gatherers were used for the first time on this green in a National 2 rink mixed competition against Fosseway . Winscombe lost the match by 5 shots but each team won on 1 rink. The Winscombe team was Mike Adams,Mike Roberts,I Tofte and Mavis Adams; Mike Nash,Ken Whatling,Sheila Nash and Jan Kimmins.

Tuesday 26th July 2011 - Winscombe Retained The Parrot Shield

Tuesday 6th September 2011 - Winscombe retained the Weston & District Over 60's Cup v St Andrews

8th November 2011

A Special General Meeting voted unanimously with 3 abstentions to reorganise the Club to recognise the Club's Mixed status. From 24th November 2011, following the AGM, the club will consist of 4 sections:Men,Ladies,Estate and Social . These sections will report to a Management Committee.

WINSCOMBE BOWLING CLUB