​Handsworth Wood Lawn Bowls Club
History
The club was formed in 1893, when a number of enthusiastic bowlers met to consider the desirability of forming a club at Handsworth Wood. At that time, Handsworth was in Staffordshire.
The idea originated with a Mr. F. Peart, who, with a number of residents in the neighbourhood, felt the loss of a place where they could meet on summer afternoons and also Saturday evenings to enjoy a game of bowls and social chit-chat. There was no golf in those days and the only way to spend leisure time was to watch or play cricket. Mr Peart spoke on the subject to several friends whom he regularly met at the Handsworth Wood Cricket ground, situated on the corner of Handsworth Wood Road and Friary Road.
His idea was warmly received and a meeting of interested parties was arranged, at which the foundation of the club was put in place. Mr Peart was elected the first president.
Handsworth Wood Bowls Club, approximately 1911
On Saturday 4th May 1898, the new ground and pavilion (our current home) was opened by the President, Mr Joseph Boston J.P. It was in this year that the first game was played against Banbury Bowling Club, a fixture that continues to this day. (The club officially became the Banbury Chestnuts Bowling Club in 1950).
During the formative years, the men played in top hats and frock coats and had ball boys to pick up their woods for them, probably being paid one penny for their afternoon’s work.
Ladies were not members of Handsworth Wood Bowling Club until 1935. However as a measure of how times had changed, Mrs J.E.Goode became President of the English Women’s Bowling Association in 1993, the year of course that H.W.B.C celebrated its centenary.
