A brief history of the formation of MAIDEN ERLEGH BOWLING CLUB

The following details of the formation and early history of the Club have been extracted from the original Minute Books.

The first movement towards the formation of a club was on July 18th 1939 when a Public Meeting was held in St Peters Hall.  It was chaired by Alderman Geo Ford and attended by approximately 50 members of the public. He outlined a comprehensive scheme entailing the requirements of guarantors and trustees and the details necessary to form a Bowling Club. Tentative approval had been made to Mr S Books who had offered a site at a price of £700 in Wilderness Road/Aldbourne Avenue.   It included an additional 100ft frontage with fences and gates. A subcommittee was formed to consider this purchase.

A further Public Meeting was held on August 3rd 1939 and attended by 28 members of the public to consider the purchase of an alternative site, from Mr DUGUID.   This site in Beech Lane could only be considered provided a right of way could be obtained from Betchworth Avenue. After inspection by the Guarantors and Committee this site was declined.

A further meeting was held on August 22nd 1939, at Mr Bunce's garage in Wilderness Road, 18 people attended and the Maiden Erlegh Bowling Club was formed. Alderman Geo Ford was elected as Chairman, Mr G BAINETT as Secretary, Mr H J HOBBS as Treasurer and a further 10 Committee members. Joining fee's were set as follows; a registration fee of 1 shilling and a 1st years subscription 35 shillings.

On September 14th 1939 the committee resolved that due to the outbreak of the War they would delay any further proceedings and requested Mr S Cook to hold the land in abeyance. All collected money to remain in the Bank.

In the autumn of 1942 four meetings were held at the Pavilion of the Park Institute Bowling Club and/or at Alderman Geo Ford's house. Consideration was again given to Mr S Cook's site and also to a new site called the "Walled Gardens" which was owned and offered by Mr Bunce for the price of £700.  The committee considered this a more suitable plot as it provided full frontage with direct access to Beech Lane. Agreement was reached only after Mr Bunce's proviso that the sale of intoxicant drinks on the premises would only be available to club members and not to the general public. The sale was agreed at £700 with the inclusion of the extra frontage at a cost of £3.10 shillings per ft. Mr S Cook thanked Mr Bunce for retaining his land for the clubs consideration.

In March 1943 Mr L VICKERS of Sarjient Brown and Co (Solicitors) was retained and instructed to purchase and a deposit of £70 was paid. Barclays bank were to act as Trustees and provide loans facilities of £1000 at an interest of 4.5%. On completion members to provide funds (in multiples of £5) The annual subscription to be £2.2 shillings. The size of the green was to be 42 yards square. One of the existing greenhouse to be let and the other reserved for a temporary clubhouse. Four members were elected to act as the Grounds Committee.

Mr T Blea was elected as Treasurer. The Club Rules were agreed and a tender from Messrs Sutton and Sons was accepted for laying the green. It was decided that Ladies were able to play in the afternoons but only if rinks were available.

In April 1944 the Grass committee recommended that there should be "No Club Play" for the current season. The club became affiliated to Berkshire County Association. Cups for Club Competitions were presented by; Mr G Ford - Championship; Mr H C HAWKINS - Pairs; Mr L BUNCE - Singles; Mr W H MOATIMER - Novices and Mr W H GEARY and their names engraved.

During the summer of 1944 a further 30 applications for membership of the next season were received (making a total of 41). Membership not to exceed 80 playing members was agreed. Jacks and mats housed from Reading, West End and Suttons Bowls Clubs. Mr Geo Ford elected as 1st President of the Club. Two elson closets were purchased but no toilet buildings were yet available.

September 9th 1944.  To celebrate the "Opening of the Club" the President of the English Bowling Association brought a team of 24 players to play the Club and presented them with a flag. The Club President entertained both teams and their visitors to tea.

On April 9th 1945 the 1st General Meeting was held at St Peters Hall. Printed details of agenda and the accounts were provided from August 3rd 1939 - December 31st 1944. Loans from members totalled £845 and Bank overdraft of £314. At the meeting the President was elected as chairman; Mr T Blea as Treasurer; Mr L Bunce as Secretary; Mr E C Brown was elected Captain; Mr H Prince becoming Vice Captain and an additional 6 committee members. Mr H Ryman offered to present an Honours Board. It was agreed to appoint a part-time groundsman at £3.00 per week. Club Membership had increased to 72. The Berkshire Bowling Association had requested loan of green for future County Match.

On May 5th 1945 the green was opened for the season and the President provided refreshments. During the Summer sixteen friendly games were played (all away bar 1) of which 8 were won and 45 different members took part. A score board and scoring boxes were purchased for £17 from the late Park Institute Bowling Club who also donated cups, photographs and equipment. A new 16 inch super Bowls lawn mower was purchased. Finals day was held on September 8th.

On November 26th 1945 a dinner was arranged at Caversham Bridge Hotel, tickets were costed at 7/6 each, but due to poor response (only 72 tickets sold) the event was cancelled. During the late summer Mr A DEAN had proved a scheme to convert one of the existing greenhouses into the ClubRoom and was instructed to proceed. He was later instructed to contract new Ladies and Gents toilets.

March 26th 1946 saw the 1st Annual General Meeting held at Park Institute Hall, where 41 members attended. Printed Balance Sheet showed further loss of £50 and an overdraft of £385.  It was agreed to extend membership to 110 members. The club adopted Dark Blue and Red as the Club colours. Mr E C Brown was elected as Club Captain for the 1946 season. Annual subscription increased to £3.3.0 Members with loans to the Club to consider being BondHolders. During the summer 23 friendly matches were played with 9 wins. It was agreed to release the cups previously presented by Park Institute Club to Bulmershe Road Bowling Club.

In July 1946 a suitable building for use as a Pavilion was discovered and eventually purchased for £420. Complications arose when the council refused a licence.  This was overcome when it was suggested that no licence was necessary provided it was erected by members and with voluntary labour. Financial appraisal was given to possible liabilities of £1,158 before the new pavilion would be functional. Approach was made to members to be BondHolders in multiples of £5. The new pavilion was erected during the winter months and was officially opened on May 19th 1947. Invitations were extended to the County President, Secretary, Treasurer and Captain of Berkshire, plus Mr Bates of Southern Counties Bowling Association and the Vicar of Earley. The President, Alderman G Ford once again provided refreshments. Work on the green was still causing problems but it was reported that 4 rinks should be available by 3rd May 1947.

So with gratitude to those initial members whose inspiration and hard work enabled the Club to be formed and to all those members who over the past 50 years have worked so hard to provide bowling facilities to the local community and to which we still enjoy today. We say thank you.