History of the Club

BRIEF HISTORY OF  PADDOCK WOOD B.C. 1992 – 2017 - The First 25 Years

In the summer of 1991, Andy Anderson approached the Sports Association, proposing that Paddock Wood should have its own Bowls Cub. The Sports Association agreed to explore whether there was sufficient interest and this resulted in an article being published in their Newsletter. June Cookney, a member of the Sports Association, was asked to organise a Public Meeting which was held in February 1992 attended by 35 people, resulting in the formation of the Paddock Wood Bowls Club. The first AGM held in November 1992 recorded 53 members.

Many local clubs were contacted and, not having a green of our own, agreed to our home matches being played on their greens (a “home match” would entail PWBC providing teas and raffle prizes et cetera). Arrangements were made to play 23 games, and we are still playing some of these clubs including Cranbrook, Pembury, Bidborough, Wadhurst, Marden, Whitefriars (now Riverside) and Tonbridge.

The Committee then turned its attention to getting a green and in order to apply for funding from the Lottery and others we had to raise money ourselves, so a Social and Fund Raising Committee was formed to undertake this task. Events included jumble sales, quizzes, race nights, boot fairs as well as many other activities and a five figure sum was raised. This enabled Peter Swaite to obtain substantial funding from the Lottery and Sports Direct as well as the Borough and Town Councils and the Sports Association.

The Town Council was contacted to establish where we could build a bowls green and after reviewing sites at Nursery Road, Badsell Road and Putlands the latter was agreed on.

The next important decision to make was, should it be a lawn green or an artificial surface. Arthur Cookney, George Haynes, Brian Reeves, Ron Dadson and Don Covel travelled many miles to view grass greens, artificial surfaces, the different types of bases and of course the overall cost of installing a green. This Committee also had to ensure that the surface chosen met the Bowls England standard. The information collected and the Committee’s recommendations were then presented to the members, who after a great deal of discussion voted for an artificial surface.  Shortly after this a contract was signed with Greengauge. Installation work commenced in October 1995 and in April 1996 the green was opened by Andy Thomson MBE, who won 3 World Indoor Championships, and Sir Patrick Mayhew MP.
Fund raising had to continue for some time, because although we would shortly have a green, the clubhouse, when it was erected, would be an empty shell. Male members, overseen by Syd King, spent many hours fitting out the clubhouse. Meanwhile the ladies collected all the items needed to provide the club teas for the visiting teams, with many items being donated by members. Somerfield supermarket was running a scheme at the time, allowing customers to choose an item of crockery, provided they bought their groceries in the supermarket, this enabled the club to obtain sufficient crockery to cater for approximately 60 people.

The official opening of our green in April 1996 was covered by a bowls magazine. The article was read by two members of a Dutch bowls club in Schouwen, Zeeland. These two people, Bep and Fons Stapels, visited Sussex for a holiday and contacted us to book a rink.

Brian Reeves and Andy Anderson welcomed Bep and Fons to our green, and after their roll-up they invited them to a drink at the bar, which at that time was in Putlands. During the conversation Brian and Andy invited the Dutch club to visit us later that year. Our invitation was accepted and fourteen Dutch bowlers arrived in September for a five day visit, which was successful and enjoyed by all. We were invited to Holland in 1997 and this exchange of visits continued until 2013. Over the eighteen years we played together, personal friendships have been formed and many enjoyable competitive games played.
For several years we also held very successful Ladies Days. These one day events were very popular and involved entertaining 42 ladies, who had travelled from clubs in and around Kent, to a lunch as well as an afternoon of bowling.

The original green had a woven carpet surface, but after 12/13 years this needed to be replaced. In 2010 members of the Committee, David Woodward, Barry Weston, Brian Reeves and George Haynes investigated the newer types of artificial surfaces available and decided on a ‘needle punch’ carpet. This type of carpet mimics bowling on dry grass, but without the disadvantages of grass cutting, watering
et cetera. The same surface was used for bowling at the Commonwealth Games.

We have always encouraged people to try bowling, irrespective of their age. Children as young as 9/10 have enjoyed games at our club and we have members who are well over 80 and still playing in matches.

We are now an established friendly club. We offer members the chance of playing in friendly matches, league games, club competitions and informal roll-ups. In the autumn, at our annual dinner, we present the finalists of club competitions with trophies and gift vouchers. We also organise various social events. In the past we have enjoyed ten pin bowling, barn dances, quizzes, walks, bar-b-ques, summer garden parties and group holidays. We now have a committee who oversee all our social events as well as promoting the club by various forms of advertising.

Members would like to thank Arthur Cookney, June Cookney, George Haynes, David Woodward, Brian Reeves, Syd King, John Parks, Pauline Parks and Barry Weston for their hard work establishing Paddock Wood Bowls Club. Our club secretary holds a photograph album showing various events during the 25 years we have been in existence.

Join our club

Contact us today if you are interested in finding out more about our club.

Get in touch

Club Sponsors

Details of Data Controller are

Name: Ann Cairns

Email: daftbat80@btinternet.com