Club history
Banbury Borough Bowling Club was formed in 1929, the history of Laying the Green and Clubs inauguration was well reported in Banbury Guardian.
Other than Neithrop House and Nursery land was bequeathed to the People of Banbury for recreational purposes thus why known as “The People’s Park”.
Up until the time of the opening of the Clubhouse in 1965 there is virtuality trace of Club records. This is other than the handwritten leather-bound Membership Register from 1929 and from Honours Boards of County and Club Competitions which were displayed in the changing rooms.
We are also fortunate to have full reports of the initial Inauguration of the Green and Formation of the Club. This has been achieved thanks to extensive research undertaken by Bowling Member James Williams. View Banbury Guardian news articles. With a combination of this information and Minute Books on file since the Clubhouse was opened in 1965, this has allowed us to produce a reasonably accurate record of the Clubs History from conception to the present day.
The bowling green
Banbury Borough Town Council assumed responsibility for maintenance of the Green, Surrounds and Pavilion. Three rinks were allocated to the Club with the remainder for use of the General Public at a fee of sixpence per hour. Members paid for a yearly Season Ticket of £1 2s 6p which remained in place until 1969 rising to £3 5s 0p. From then on this was changed for the Club paying an annual. This arrangement continued under the flag of Cherwell District Council (CDC) with its formation in 1974.
In 1994/95 an approach was made by Cherwell District for the Club to consider taking over the Green Maintenance for a “Peppercorn Rent”. This also included responsibilities for the Changing Room Building and Surrounds. Following several meetings Terms and Conditions were reached with CDC. This included all a handover of all existing Lawn Mowers and Green Equipment. There was also a Financial Contribution to assist the Club with purchases for addition required plant.
CDC would still remain responsible for the boundaries around the green and a ninety-nine-year lease was duly signed in 1997.
Life Member Les Upham assumed responsibility for all year-round Maintenance of the green. Following his retirement, we contracted out all essential works to Green Specialist Avonmore Associates. Our Members carry out mowing and other weekly tasks. This has allowed us to continue to maintain the standards of on excellent green achieved by Les.
In 2000 a complete refurbished to the Changing Rooms was undertaken making it a more comfortable accommodation for our Members and Visiting Teams. This was followed with improvements to the green surrounds, this included the removal all existing shrubbery. The whole area was re-landscaped which included retaining walls, raised patios, and paving around the green perimeters. As with most projects much of the above improvements was voluntary undertaken by Members alongside other Trades when necessary.
The Clubhouse
When the Club was first formed, it was led to believe by The Council the condition of the bequeath was that alcohol would not be sold or consumed in the open land areas. Without our own Clubhouse, the Club entertained visiting teams, after matches, at various local hostilities. These included the Three Pigeons, The Dog and Gun and The Crown in Warwick Road.
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In the early 60's Council reviewed the situation for the Club to have its own Clubhouse. With several spinneys in the People’s Park the Council deemed these were not “Open Areas. With this loophole and the Club was granted permission to erect a Clubhouse in its present location.
Our Clubhouse Structure began its life as Mitchell and Butlers Brewery “Beer Hut” at the famous “Leamington Lights” held in Jephson’s Gardens. This Festival started in 1951 and continued up to the early 60's running each year from July up to the end of October. “It saw the park and its trees lit in a rainbow of colour, including installations like magical animals, characters from fairy tales and city skylines.” With the closure of the “Lights” M&B were given the task of having to dispose of the Beer Hut.
With minimal Clubs Funds, Club Stalwart Maurice Angel, an employee of Hunt Edmunds, approached M&B with a view of purchasing same. On the condition we sold their Beers they kindly donated the Structure to the Club. Member Joe Andrews, Director of Andy's Transport, quickly made the appropriate arrangements for its collection.
Foundations and Concrete Base were laid by Hinkins and Frewins, courtesy of a Director and Club Member George Willett. The building was then constructed by Club Members with all other works undertaken by local tradesmen.
After 35 years since the Club’s formation, with the doors opening in 1964, we could finally entertain visiting Teams with the traditional after match meals and enjoy drinks from a well-stocked bar.
In 1991 Planning Permission was obtained to Extend the Clubhouse. The building was completely gutted, and with the Extensions to the Building allowed us to provide a New Kitchen, and relocation of the Bar and Toilets. The main Clubhouse open area was completely refurbished. This included upholstered alcove seating to the perimeter walls along new tables, chairs in the open area. These improvements commenced in October 1991 the last lick of paint brushed on just hours before the Official opening on 29th February 1992.
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In 2003 a Clock Tower was added to the building for the benefit of both bowlers and general public when using the Peoples Park. This followed with the removal of all the overgrown shrubbery. The perimeters were then re-landscaped with paved foot paths, walling and raised areas for additional seating. With new shrubs planted along with flowers and tubs, our Green and displays are now a major feature in the Peoples Park.
The Clubhouse again had a further facelift in 2015, when the outside walls were recladded with composite panelling along in a light oak wood grain finish along with replacing all Doors and windows. Further improvements to the building were undertaken in 2023 with the removal of Timber Window Covers being replaced with Callisto Extruded Aluminium Colour Coated Roller Shutters.
Following negotiations with CDC we acquired land to the rear of the Clubhouse. This resulted in the laying of a Patio in 1999/2000 providing an area where Members could now social outside in pleasant surrounds. In 2023 because of ground movement most of the paviour was replaced laid on an improved subbase. This included the construction of Pagodas whereby all Members can enjoy now Drinks etc under cover protected against all-weather elements.
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Our success both on and off the green continues and is matched by our reputation for renowned hospitality to all visiting Clubs, which is second to none. We strive to provide a service to the local Community and remain extremely proud of our achievements in all areas of operation.