A Century of Bowling - Royal County of Berkshire Bowling Association

Caversham Bowls Club
• Founded 1922
• Albert Road, Caversham
• Affiliated 1922
Caversham Bowling Club was formed when a number of Caversham Councillors
met at the local Griffin Inn in June 1922. Mr. A. W. Carter, who was not a
bowler, agreed to be the President, a position he held for fifteen years, and
gave the trophy, which bears his name for the Men’s Championship. This has been
contested annually since 1923. A handicap competition and a pair’s competition were
introduced at the same time.
The Mayor of Reading bowled the first wood in the match in May 1923 between Caversham
and the Reading Corporation, which was won by the Club, 94 – 67 shots.
At the first annual dinner, held the same year, a Mr. Wright said “There was no reason why
ladies should be excluded from playing bowls”, though a Ladies Section did not materialise
until 1971.
The Club has long been recognised as having a fine running green, tended until the early
1990’s by council park keepers, who themselves were members. Since the 2001 season the
Club has had a lease from Reading Borough and is now looking after the green itself. The
Club had already celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a match against the E.B.A., but a
bonus was to arrive in 2002.
Then, Caversham was able to mark its 80th birthday with a previously unscheduled visit
by welcoming Berkshire’s English Bowling Association President, Wayne Manley, and an
E.B.A.Team including two legendary players, David Bryant and Tony Allcock, who have won
every honour in the game – an honour indeed, for the Club.
At present there are about 70 men and 35 women playing members, and both sections play
in the weekday county leagues. In addition there is, on average, one club match a week for
both the men and the women. Mixed matches are also played with Clubs on a Sunday.
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