Shanklin Bowling Club….
…has
records
of
its
existence
starting
in
1907,
since
then
it
has
changed
location
and
survived
over
a
hundred
winters.
The
Club
consists
of
a
large
outdoor
green
of
8
Rinks
and
a
clubhouse.
The
clubhouse
has
seating
for
many
members
and
visitors
alike
as
well
as a fully licensed bar and functions rooms.
In
1925
the
local
Billiards
and
Chess
Club
were
destroyed
by
fire.
This
coincided
with
the
Bowls
club
needing
to
find
themselves
a
new
green, a rather unpromising situation despite which the present club premises came into being.
The
History
of
the
club
is
littered
with
innovative,
inspired,
motivated
and
dedicated
members,
starting
with
those
who
put
their
money as well as efforts into getting the club pavilion and green up and running all those years ago, right through to the present day.
According
to
the
Shanklin
Gazette,
Shanklin
Bowls
Club
Opened
in
1907
at
Lower
Hyde
Farm
and
close
to
the
railway
line.
It
was
opened
on
Wednesday
the
15th
of
May
by
Dr
Cowper,
the
local
surgeon:
his
fascinating
speech
was
recorded
by
the
Isle
of
Wight
County Press.
By
July
in
1907
the
game
had
become
more
popular
and
the
club
Boasted
70
members.
Like
most
bowls
clubs
on
the
Island,
the
green
had only 3 rinks, amazingly play continued through a longer season than today, the green remaining open into early November.
The Shanklin Emblem!
As
incorporated
in
our
new
Centenary
lapel
badge
and
our
blazer
badge,
this
is
the
coat
of
arms
and
seal
of
authority
of
the
former
Shanklin
Urban
District
Council.
It
was
designed
by Mr A.Batchelor, an heraldic expert, in 1927 and is made up of the following elements.
The
Crosses
are
from
the
coat
of
arms
of
William
Fitz-Ozbern,
who
appointed
at
the
time
of the Norman Conquest.
The white rose is taken from the coat of arms of the County of Southampton.
The
cross
crosslets,
set
on
a
maroon
background,
are
the
arms
of
Henry
Beauchamp,
the
first
Duke
of
Warwick.
He
was
crowned
King
of
the
Isle
of
Wight,
a
title
given
by
Henry
VI
in
the year 1444. He was the first and last King as no further kings were appointed.
He
died
age
22
and
it
is
believed
he
is
encrypted
along
with
his
father
Richard
in
St.
Mary's
Church in Warwick.
The New Green - 1997 Video Clips
Whilst
rummaging
around
in
his
old
drawers
(no
pun
intended)
John
Harden
came
across
a
couple
of
old
video
camera
tapes
from
1997
On close inspection it transpired the tapes captured various stages of our green being relayed during September/October 1997
The sound quality was very poor but the overall integrity of the tapes was quite good.
The club decided to try and get all the material transferred digitally onto a USB stick.
I
am
pleased
to
say
the
transfer
was
successful
and
the
film
has
been
uploaded
via
a
link
from
our
web
site.
Just
click
on
the
link
and
hey
presto,
we
are
transported
back
in
history.
No
Millennium
room
extension,
past
and
present
members
you
may
or
may
not
recognise, numerous members seemingly copying the “Shakers” or if you prefer “Line Dancing”.
We have edited each tape into smaller segments to ensure you are not overcome with boredom.
Each tape is approxamately 5-6 minutes in length and have been organised into a playlist for you to view at your leisure.
This is a little bit of the club’s history which will be archived for posterity. Have a look and see how many members you can identify.
Shanklin Bowling Green
©2016 Shanklin Bowling Club, Shanklin