Callington Bowling Club
facebook.com/callingtonbowlingclub
Club History
Newly discovered documents show that Callington Bowling Club, which is a Registered Charity no. 1106797, was founded in 1946 rather than 1948 as first thought, as documents from February 1946 show that the club already had a cash balance of £41 12/7d, and were prepared to rent the green from what would now be described as a Holding Company called The Bowling Club Company for £25 per annum.
Certainly a 4 rink bowling green already existed in 1946 together with a tennis court (now upper car park) and putting green (now main car park). Whether these were originally part of the Chantry Park garden, or a corner usage of the cricket club fields is unknown.
Between 1946 and 1952 two more rinks were added, and the green was officially opened in 1952 by local politician Isaac Foot.
The green in 1948
An early photograph showing the membership in 1950
By the end of the 80’s the hard tennis court had become a Car Park and the Putting Green had evolved via a grass tennis court, then market garden, to an overspill Car Park.
Between 1989 & early 1991 a large part of the clubhouse was rebuilt, electricity & gas central heating were installed. During this time Callington Short Mat Bowls Club was formed.
In 1992-3 the rest of the original Clubhouse & kitchen were rebuilt. In 1994/5 the redundant Telephone Exchange was purchased, from which a workshop, and by 1996 the current Changing Rooms, were made enabling upgrade of the original toilet areas.
During 2005/6 the grassed banks of the green were replaced by paving, all hedges by fencing, the overspill Car Park covered by tarmac, and lighting was installed around the green. Wheelchair access was established from the Car Park to the Clubhouse and on to the green via an automatic ramp. On completion of this Disabled Access Project, King Charles opened the green in June 2006 and bowled a few woods.
The green is well used throughout the season with men's and ladies' competitive league games, friendly games and club competitions.
A 90 page illustrated booklet is available to purchase over the bar (£4) which gives a full account of the club's early days.