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History of Clacton Outdoor Bowling Club
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Clacton Pier circa 1922, the same year the Bowls Club opened. |
Shortly after the 1914-1918 War, Mr.R.W.Coan together with a group of local business men, several of whom were Clacton
Urban District Councillors, purchased a large plot of land at the end of Marine Parade West for the purpose of laying greens
for a Bowling Club. A Company was formed and shares were sold at £1.00 each.
Two Cumberland Turf Greens were laid and an attractive, spacious thatched Pavilion built, the property then being leased
to the newly formed Clacton-on-Sea Bowling Club, which was inaugurated in May 1922. Mr.R.W.Coan was elected as president and
opened the greens on the 19th August 1922 having the privilege of bowling the first wood.
The first committee led by Mr.R.W.Coan as president was a follows:
Vice Presidents: J. May, J.P.H. Potter, J.C. Green, E.C. Young and E. Weldon.
Hon. Secretary: J.D. Newton
Hon. Treasurer: E.W. Kerry
Committee Members: F.W. Wagstaff, A.S. Pemberton, E.M. Leaning, E.R. Pennell, H. Hollingshead and S. Starling.
During the early years of the Club a putting green was laid, in the position now occupied by the rose beds and also a croquet
lawn, extending to the main road, behind the high hedge of the bottom green. It was a feature on Bank Holidays to hold a Bazaar
with sideshows such as hoop-la; darts etc. on the croquet lawn and a considerable amount of money was raised in this way.
The site of the present car park was originally an allotment for the use of the green keeper.
The Club made rapid progress and soon became a popular place for members, creating large Bar profits, which enabled the
Club to meet the periodic demands from the Company for any increased rent, without any increase in the annual subscription.
After the termination of the Second World War the situation altered and the Club found it difficult to meet its financial
commitments. This was due to the rapid growth and development of the East end of the town and the large influx of new residents,
making additional bowling facilities a necessity. The Clacton Urban District Council was sympathetic and two new Clubs were
provided. This resulted in many of Clacton members leaving for bowling facilities nearer their homes. This coupled with
the large increase in the cost of maintenance of the greens and upkeep of the pavilion caused a large reduction in profits,
making it an impossibility to pay extra rent and interest to the shareholders.
Almost all the remaining members were retired, non-shareholders and quite averse to paying increased subscriptions, without
additional facilities, for the benefit of the Company, whose officials no longer made use of the facilities. Furthermore,
the situation became extremely difficult, as most of the shares were hold by descendants of the original purchasers, who were
non-bowlers and non-residents of the Town, with no interest in the Club. Many of those individuals were requesting redemption
of the shares and or payment of accrued interest.
Editors note:- The following is an extract from the 1951 official handbook and may raise a few smiles.
"The Annual Subscription for playing members resident within the area as defined in Rule 7 shall be £4.4s.0d., £2.2s.0d.
for players residing between 12 and 20 miles of Clacton, £1.11s.6d. for players residing beyond 20 miles of Clacton, and £2.2s.0d.
for non-playing members. An entrance fee of £1.1s.0d. is payable by new members."
The Company finally decided that the time had arrived to endeavour to persuade the Clacton Urban District Council to purchase
the property. No interest was shown however and as a result the Company put the property on the market for development. Rather
than allow such an attractive site to fall into the hands of developers the Council made a deal with the Company and purchased
the entire property for a figure that was sufficient to redeem 100% of all shares. The Council then leased the property to
the Clacton-on-Sea Bowling Club and undertook to maintain the greens and surrounding flowerbeds as well as the upkeep of the
pavilion. During 1954 the Ladies' Section was formed and were obliged to use the basement for their changing room.
It is interesting to note that the use of the Lounge was forbidden to them. Now the Ladies and their guests have their own
changing room and the full use of the lounge and Bar facilities.
It was shortly after this that the Club was able to endow a bed in the local hospital.
In the winter months of 1986 the club premises were redecorated and refurbished with new tables, chairs and carpets and
a portion of the veranda was taken over to provide additional dressing room space for the Ladies.
The Committee then negotiated with the local authority, regarding a new lease and have now agreed to a twenty year lease
at a peppercorn rent with responsibility for the maintenance of greens, pavilion and surrounding areas. In early 1990
a great deal of work was carried out on the pavilion including renewing the thatched roof and the banks surrounding both greens
were built up to comply with the ruling of the E.B.A. A number of members carried out the majority of this work and a great
deal of praise is due to them for their efforts. At the end of the 1991 season a watering system was installed which it is
hoped will improve the standard of the greens for the ensuing seasons. The pavilion had been extended by including the front
veranda entrance in the lounge and now provides considerably more room to accommodate the 165 men members and 75 lady members.
In 1994 an application was made to the Arts Council and the Lottery for grants to enable the club to extend, by building
a new ladies' changing room, an office, an improved the kitchen, build a new bar storage area in the cellar, extend
the men’s changing room and refurbish the toilets and build a new viewing area.
By the perseverance and hard work of Derek Norman and Graham Jones in 1996 the grant was obtained and the building
work started in November 1996 to be completed by April 1997.
To members of the Club who have held office during the past years and to all members who have helped in any way to bring
the Club to its present standard, grateful thanks and appreciation are given.
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