A Century of Bowling - Royal County of Berkshire Bowling Association

READING WEST END – FOUNDER MEMBER
“West End” as they were originally known in County records were one of the Founder
Members of our County In 1910, but vanished from records in 1922 for some reason.
They then rejoined in 1937, but by late 1943 the Club was scheduled to close, due to the
poor condition of its green, and they finally resigned County membership in 1945.
The green was behind “Pond House” Oxford Road, Reading and was a 6-rinker. By 1914 the
membership stood at 70, and the green was used on more than one occasion for The County
Tournament.
Visitors could use the green for a charge of 2s6d per week, should they so wish.
In their early years they were runners-up in the Singles in 1916,1918 and 1920, with R J
Locke winning the title in 1917.
Success in the Pairs came in 1918 and a year later they won the Double 4’s Championship.
SANDHURST WORKING MEN’S CLUB
The name identifies their location and origin and they became part of the County in 1932
and remained within, until 1941, when they disbanded due to a lack of members.
SPEEN BOWLS CLUB
Speen is a small area just off the Bath Road Newbury, and in 1949 a club in that locality
affiliated, but membership was short-lived, as they resigned a year later due to a loss of
green.
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