A Century of Bowling - Royal County of Berkshire Bowling Association

READING BOWLING CLUB
• Founded 1803
• Kendrick Road, Reading
• Founder Member
The first green was behind, and belonged to the Crown Hotel, a posting house in
Crown Street, with land extending to the stables of the Red Cow public house.
The Club was deprived of the use of the green, when the site was developed –
principally by Huntley Bourne and Stevens, the metal box maker for the famous biscuit
company Huntley & Palmers.
The Club was able to acquire it’s present site at a rental of £15 p.a. with an option to
purchase, and was conveyed on the 26th November 1892 for the sum of £675, with the
granting of a £500 mortgage. Leading up to this decision, a number of meetings were held
to explore possibilities.
A meeting held in April 1892 resolved “that this meeting is of the opinion that the
site offered us is every way calculated to make a most desirable green, but that
the apathy displayed on the part of some members, added to other difficulties in
acquiring and preparing the ground under the scheme, too impracticable to be
entertained”.
However, three weeks later the purchase went ahead when a subscription of one guinea
was agreed, with eighteen guarantors being liable (if necessary) for another half guinea. In
1897 the green was re-laid at a cost of £35, only to be replaced by another one in 1906 at
a cost of £320, with the turf obtained from Cumberland. In May of that year, Dr.W.G.Grace
brought a team of London bowlers for a match to celebrate the opening of the new green,
resulting in a win for Reading by two shots.
Our Honours Boards reflect the successes we have had at International, National and County
levels, and in County Leagues. The exploits of Robert Newman are best known. Above all we
remain a Club catering for the needs of all members, at whatever level they wish to play.
We have provided 7 County Presidents with J.H.Baylis 1917, M.N.Neville 1968, L.G.West
1976, L.Seward 1980, P.N.F.Moore 1990, P Cutler 1991 & W Wilson in 1999.
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