A Century of Bowling - Royal County of Berkshire Bowling Association

MILTON HILL BOWLS CLUB
• Founded 1941
• Milton United Football Ground, Milton Heights
• Affiliated 1945
The Club has had a very chequered but interesting life. It was originally formed
in 1941 on the Singer Estate, when it was used by the “Pool Board”, (a collection
of oil companies including Shell, Mobil, BP and Esso). At the end of the War,
Esso European Laboratories continued working on the site and in 1945 the Club was
named the “Esso Bowling Club” and became affiliated to the Berkshire County Bowling
Association and the E.B.A.
Around 1970 The Esso Research Centre sold a part of the estate, including the bowls green,
to W H Smith but the green was leased back for the use of Esso employees. However, in
1986 the lease was terminated and Esso laid a new green adjacent to their Social Club. In
1999 to reflect changes taking place at the research site, the Esso Research Bowling Club
changed its name to Milton Hill Bowling Club. Following the Esso merger with Mobil and
the transfer of research activities to the USA, the Club was given notice to vacate the green
at the end of the 2000 season. Throughout 2001 and 2002 the Club continued its fixtures
by playing all matches on away greens, as members were determined to continue as a Club,
and stay together until a new site was found.
In 2002 land was acquired from a local farmer behind the Football Club in Potash Lane, and
a contract was signed with McArdle Sport Tec to construct an artificial green. Work began in
May 2002 and was completed for the official opening on 4th October 2002.
The Club has subsequently extended its pavilion, to accommodate a short mat, built toilets
and a large car park. The Club currently has about 60 members, with an additional 12
associate members joining us for the winter season; the synthetic surface allowing us to
bowl twelve months of the year.
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