A Century of Bowling - Royal County of Berkshire Bowling Association

TWYFORD BOWLING CLUB
• Founded 1935
• 12a Wargrave Road, Twyford
• Affiliated 1937
The Club was formed as a result of meetings held in the Court Room of the
Twyford Almshouses in 1935, where they identified an old gravel pit behind the
old Kings Arms as a suitable site. Following negotiations with W H Brakspear &
Sons (Brewery), a green was laid at their expense, for which we paid a peppercorn rent.
John Chalcraft (Chairman of the Brewery) became our first President in 1936 until he died in
1985.As there were no official fixtures then, five local clubs – Bearwood, Bulmershe, Hurst,
Maidenhead Thicket and Wargrave each kindly arranged two home and away games to give
the Club an opportunity for match play. Changing facilities were sparse until the 1940’s
when a wooden pavilion was obtained, and ten years later the ladies room and gent’s toilet
block were added.
By the 1970’s membership was down to 30 players and the green had deteriorated due to
subsidence, reflecting its former use as a gravel pit and a rubbish tip. The very dry summer
of 1976 and the ban on watering had such a disastrous effect that no home games could be
played in the latter half of the season or for the whole of 1977.
A lot of work was required to level the green and since then we have seen a constant
improvement in the playing surface, through the dedication of green keepers and members
alike. In 1986 a formal lease was obtained, membership was increasing which allowed the
Club to install an automatic watering system.
1997 represented another setback as the clubhouse was destroyed by fire and was a
complete write-off. After protracted negotiations with the landlord, a replacement brick
pavilion was finally built and opened in 1999.
Constant recruitment and coaching has helped to keep membership levels around 80 ladies
and gents at the present time.
55