NOTES ON THE HISTORY

SEVENOAKS BOWLING CLUB

1911 – 2001

Notes on the first ninety years of The Sevenoaks Bowling Club

Compiled by Roy Dickenson

1911 - 2001

THE BEGINNING

The earliest roots of the Sevenoaks Bowling Club go back to 1904, according to Mr W. Scothern, a Founder Member. In his address to the assembled company, on the occasion of the opening of a new six-rink bowling green, at Hollybush Lane Recreation Ground, on the 8^th May 1929, Mr Scothern recalled the start of the Club 25 years earlier. He was, as far as he could ascertain, the only remaining Member, still with the Club, of those people who played on the lawn behind The Sennocke Hotel at Tubs Hill Station. (Later known as The Farmers-Demolished in 2008). The players who played on this bowling green called themselves Sevenoaks until the new club was founded in 1912, when those who continued to play at Tubs Hill became Sennocke.

References to a match played against Brasted, at the Sennocke Hotel, can be found in the Sevenoaks Chronicle for 1911, although match reports in the Local paper, prior to this date, were very rare. Sometime before the Second World War the bowling green at the Sennocke Hotel was converted to tennis courts, but these are no longer there – the area is now used as a beer garden.

FOUNDER MEMBER RECALLS THE SENNOCKE HOTEL

Mr Scothern, referred to earlier, also mentioned an amusing incident when he played at The Sennocke Hotel bowling green. He and his friends arrived at the green one day, only to find a donkey tethered in the middle of the green. He also recalled that the game of bowls behind the Sennocke Hotel was played by candlelight at times.

TIME TO MOVE TO HOLLYBUSH LANE

In 1911, according to Mr Scothern, the players felt, that if they were to progress, it was time to break away from the licensed premises at The Sennocke Hotel and form a club. A meeting was held at The Lime Tree Hotel (Temperance Hotel), Lime Tree Walk, when it was decided to make a fresh start. The Sevenoaks Urban District Council had just taken over the Recreation Ground at Hollybush Lane and the club asked the Council to provide a new green inside this complex. Mr Frank Swanzy was appointed Club President and the Council duly provided a four- rink, bowling green. The small cricket pavilion, above the bowls green, was not in existence in 1911 but according to the Chronicle newspaper the Urban District Council invited designs from local architects. Presumably, the cricket pavilion was erected shortly after this, but it may not have been built until after the First World War.

It is interesting to note that when the Sevenoaks Bowling Club was formed and removed to Hollybush Lane, the green behind the Sennocke Hotel continued to be used by a Sennocke team and was still in use in 1919.

KENT COUNTY BOWLING ASSOCIATION – AFFILIATION

Whilst it seems correct to say, that Sevenoaks Bowling Club was founded in 1911 it is quite clear that the club was not affiliated to the KCBA in that year. The inaugural meeting of the KCBA took place at the Angel Tonbridge on the 1^st March 1911 before Sevenoaks Bowling Club was formed. Therefore, the KCBA was founded in 1911 but the Club records show that Sevenoaks B.C. did not affiliate to the County until 1912. This was the year when the Club first played on the new four-rink green at Hollybush Lane. The founder clubs are listed in the Centenary Handbook of both Forest Hill and Bromley bowling clubs and Sevenoaks is not mentioned.

FIRST YEAR AT HOLLYBUSH RECREATION GROUND

In the year 1912, the membership was quite small, but it was the early foundation, of better things to come, for, as recorded, Messrs. A. Fitt, W. Scothern, W.H. Chase and A. Simmonds won the Kent County Rink Championship in 1919. It is also interesting to record that Arthur Fitt was selected to play for England, whilst serving with the Club.

In 1921, W.H.Chase reached the Final of the Kent Singles, only to be beaten by F.Granville, of Margate.

DELEGATE TO THE KCBA EXECUTIVE

Sevenoaks was first elected to the County Executive in 1920, and still held this Office, 80 years later, in the year 2001.

ORIGINAL PAVILION

The original Pavilion had a thatched roof of Norfolk Reed and was built in 1927-28, being an open-fronted barn like building, with walls and ceilings lined with cresoted matchboarding, with what can best be described as a horse box, at either end which were used as dressing rooms. The tearoom, kitchen and cupboard like bar, were at the rear of the building. It was extremely hot inside during the summer. One of the Club’s members, Tom Marshall, was involved in building this pavilion in 1928 when he was working for a local building contractor by the name of Tye & Sons.

NEW SIX RINK GREEN

The Club continued to grow in size and the Council recognised the need for a full size green. A new six–rink green was formed on the lower ground to the east of the Pavilion. It was completed and officially opened by the Sevenoaks District Council in the presence of the Kent County Executive on the 8^th May 1929, the Club winning the first game by ten shots. The then Hon. Secretary of Sevenoaks Bowling Club, Mr E.B.Jago, had the honour of opening the green on behalf of the Council, in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the Sevenoaks Urban District Council. The Chairman of the Council was not available to undertake this civic duty.

In his address to the assembled company, Mr Jago, thought the Council, had two objects in view when it laid the green. Firstly, to provide a suitable green for playing bowls – the recreation of the ‘ old and infirm’ of the District and, secondly, as an asset and a credit to the town of Sevenoaks. Mr Jago next thanked the President of the County Association, Mr A.W.Randall, for coming, saying that it was the first time the President & Executive had honoured Sevenoaks with an official visit. He hoped that, in the not too distant future, the Executive would consider the green suitable for one of the County matches. The greenkeepers at that time were Messrs Nevill & Gilham – who were applauded for their hard work on the green.

ALBERT SIMMONDS

An interested spectator on the day was Mr Albert Simmonds, President of the Sevenoaks Bowling Club and founder of the Simmonds Hospital Charity Cup (Triples). He had travelled from the Isle of Wight to see the fulfilment of what had been a wish with him for 27 years – a Cumberland turf, full size bowling green in Sevenoaks. Mr Simmonds presented the Hospital Charity Cup in 1928. The Charity is still ongoing after 73 years and has allocated a considerable sum of money to the various local hospital charities during that time. The Competition is played in the form of knockout triples among players from neighbouring clubs in the Sevenoaks and District Area and is still very popular. The final was played at Sevenoaks for many years, until recently, when it was transferred to Holmesdale B. C.

COUNTY PRESIDENT NO. 1

In 1933 Mr E.B.Jago, who had been the secretary at Sevenoaks for the previous two seasons was elected President of the KCBA.

The achievements of the club in its early days were impressive and included the following: -

1927 Gill Cup Finalists, beaten by Faversham.

1932 County Rinks Quarter Finalists ( A.E.Fox, T.Zealey, E.C.House and W.J.Gypps.)

1932 Kent County Benevolent Triples Finalists ( A.E.Fox, E.C.House and W.J.Gypps )

Beaten by Margate.

1932 Kent played Hertfordshire at Sevenoaks and the Club entertained the County

1932 Hastings Open Tournament Rink Finalists ( A.E.Fox, T.Zealey, E.C.House and

W.J.Gypps – Beaten by Kettering)

1933 Mr E.B.Jago became the President of the Kent County Bowling Association

and led them in a match against Bedfordshire.

1935 Kent County Benevolent Triples Finalists ( J.Lorimer, T.B.Lawrence, and T.Pierce) Beaten by Deal B.C.

1937 Kent Singles semi-finalist ( Percy Sinden )

SECOND WORLD WAR

During the 1939-45 war years the Club continued to function. The game of bowls went on as usual and was only briefly interrupted when a giant German bomber which crash – landed in close proximity to the green, during a Saturday night raid. Fortunately, it caused very little damage to the recreation ground. George Castle, one of the Sevenoaks bowlers, who was in the Local Constabulary, apparently escorted the three members of the crew to the Police Station. On another occasion, when German incendiary bombs landed on the green, without exploding, George was just in time to prevent Army personnel from digging unnecessarily large holes in the green to recover the bombs.

IMPROVEMENTS TO PAVILION

Once the War was over keen interest returned to the bowling club and the membership level was increased, but it was 1956 before any serious attempt was made to improve the facilities of the club.

The first project undertaken was to install Crittall Metal Windows and casement doors to the front of the pavilion. This was proposed by Bob Horne, the club’s Treasurer and he had great difficulty in persuading the Committee to agree to spend money on the Council’s property. It proved to be a turning point in the club’s history, being the forerunner of many such projects to improve the Pavilion and amenities over the ensuing years.

BERT STONLEY - GREENKEEPER

In September 1958 the club was indeed fortunate when the Sevenoaks Urban District Council appointed Mr Bert Stonley as greenkeeper. Bert came to the club from Culverden Tunbridge Wells, having worked on greens in the Tunbridge Wells area for many years. He had built up a well-earned reputation and was an expert in green maintenance. He was also known to be an excellent bowler.

Up to that time the club had not had a specialist greenkeeper, and as a result many clubs, especially those in Tunbridge Wells, had better greens than Sevenoaks. In a very short space of time Bert Stonley improved the Sevenoaks green. In fact, by the start of the 1959 season the green was transformed. In the autumn of 1958 Bert top-dressed the green with fresh soil and ruled the whole of it with a straight edge, thus eliminating the many runs that the club had previously experienced. With his expert knowledge of feeding, forking, brushing with the whalebone brush etc. and putting in many hours of his own time, he laid the foundation of the excellent green that the club has enjoyed ever since. The Sevenoaks Bowling Club is greatly indebted to Bert Stonley.

LADIES SECTION

In 1958 after a great deal of deliberation and quite a lot of opposition, the club took the momentous decision to form a Ladies Section and immediately applied to the Council to re-use the old four rink green. Since the opening of the new six- rink green in 1929 the top green had been turned over to tennis courts. The original intention was for the ladies to play on the top green once it had been restored, leaving the men alone on the bottom green.

RE – INSTATING THE ORIGINAL FOUR RINK GREEN

The Council granted the application for reinstating the old green, but the intended segregation did not take place, as, by the time the green was ready, the ladies had won the full support of the men.

The restoration of the top green turned out to be a mammoth task for the Members. The tennis courts had been enclosed with wire mesh supported on 10ft high steel angle irons. The Council removed the wire mesh and cut off the stanchions with an oxy-acetylene torch, leaving the club with some 40 concrete bases, each weighing about 1cwt, to be excavated and removed, prior to filling in the holes with spoil from the excavation of the new ditches. Bert Stonley re-turfed the green and replaced the ditches and banks. When completed the top green turned out to be a good bowling surface and the men were just as pleased as the ladies to have the use of it.

Sevenoaks is the only bowling club in this part of Kent to sport two greens. The members were very fortunate to be blessed with this good facility in such beautiful surroundings.

ACCESS TO THE TOP GREEN

Up to 1958 the only approach to the top green was via. a flight of wooden steps some 3 feet wide. These were quite dangerous, particularly for older members. In fact one visiting bowler fell down the steps and had to be taken to Hospital for treatment.

The original fence which ran along the north side of the greens was very close to the Pavilion and Bert Stonley, with the permission of the Council, extended the boundary, to its present position, to allow access to the top green, via. a gently, rising footpath, on the north side. Bert’s son Tony built the brick steps on the south side of the Pavilion at a later date, to provide an improved access to the top green.

Bert Stonley planted the new hedges on the east side of the new green, and those next to the access from Holmesdale Road, on the north side,, where a small parking area was formed for the use of some of the more senior officers, like Ray Oake, the then secretary, and for deliveries to the Club.

DRAINAGE

Up until 1959, the ladies had had to use the Public Toilets below the cricket pavilion. This was rather impractical, if not embarrassing, especially for the tea ladies. Permission was, therefore, obtained from the Council to install a concrete ringed cesspool and to lay a drain to the rear of the pavilion to construct a toilet, with access directly from the pavilion. At the same time the Men’ Urinal was connected to the cesspool. This was an open top affair about 6 ft x 4 ft – surrounded on three sides by corrugated iron 5 ft high and enclosed by a small copse of trees. It was positioned about 10 ft away from the South side of the pavilion and originally discharged into a soakaway. Special mention is due to Reg Payne who played a major part in this project, along with some of the other members.

ALTERATIONS TO PAVILION

During 1959 – 60 permission was obtained from the Council, to a plan of alterations to the pavilion, drawn up by Percy Sinden. A number of the members then spent the Winter months working on Monday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings completely gutting and reconstructing the inside of the pavilion. Ted Cordery excelled in this project, especially in the decoration and the club showed its appreciation by making him an Honorary Vice President for Life. Stanley Berwick a much respected local builder and his Office Manager, Don Reader, supplied building materials as and when they were needed and all the Members involved derived a great deal of pleasure in their achievements. News of the improvements quickly spread across the County and coupled with the much-improved greens, thanks to Bert Stonley, the club’s facilities were much admired by visitors from other clubs.

These improvements were very much instrumental in Sevenoaks being asked by the Kent County Bowling Association to host the County Finals in 1961 – 65 – 69 – 73 – 77. Unfortunately, the drought in 1976 spoiled the green to such an extent that it had not recovered sufficiently for the club to stage the 1977 Finals.

HONOURS BOARDS

To commemorate these efforts Mr Archie Rainey, who was President of the club between 1964 – 67, presented the club its the magnificent Honour Boards in 1961, which have been much admired by many visiting clubs. The records go back to 1911. It took a Sub – Committee several months to compile the evidence, much of which was obtained by trawling through back copies of The Sevenoaks Chronicle, with the valued assistance of the Chronicle’s staff. Mr Rainey also presented the Ladies Honour Board in 1962. Both boards were beautifully constructed in oak, in the workshops of Stanley Berwick.

In the Sevenoaks Bowling Club’s Golden Jubilee Handbook Bill Gypps made it quite clear that the club did not affiliate to the Kent County Bowling Association until 1912, yet the Honours Board presented by Archie Rainey, in 1961, shows the affiliation date as 1911. It is difficult to understand how this anomaly occurred, but the date on the Honours Board is incorrect!

ELECTRIC LIGHTING

When the Pavilion was constructed in 1927 it had gas lighting and the Club had to wait until 1963 before electric lighting could be installed. Alas, the nearest electric main was in Hollybush Lane, well over 100 yards away. However, after much corresponding with the Council and Seeboard it was agreed to lay a new supply along the footpath by Walthamstow Hall School and the cricket ground. This was to serve two new electric streetlights and the cricket pavilion, as well as the bowling club pavilion. The Club shared the cost with Sevenoaks Urban Council. The cost to the Club was £110 but on top of this the Club had to fund the cost of wiring the pavilion.

Some further honours leading up to the Golden Jubilee in 1961 include the following:-

1957 Maidstone Triples Finalists ( M.E. Taylor, H. Stonley & R. Outram)

1960 Kent County Rink, Quarter Finals ( H. Palmer, P. Sinden, R. Watson & E. Wigmore)

Middleton Cup Representatives: 1934, W.J. Gypps; 1957, R. Outram, 1960, P. Sinden

GOLDEN JUBILEE 1911 - 1961

In the club’s Jubilee Year (1961) It was represented by a Committee consisting of President S.V. Berwick, Vice President W.H. Miller, Hon. Secretary E.H.Sharp. Hon. Asst. Secretary M.E. Taylor, Hon. Treasurer A.F. Ames (Brother of the famous Kent & England cricketer Leslie Ames), Hon. Match Secretary R.E.Outram, Captain E.Reeves (General Foreman for Stanley Berwick), Vice Captains R.E. Outram & C.Smith)

KCBA Representative W.J.Gypps, Committee R.C.Chapman, E.Cordery, E.Goodman, B.Nye, & T.O.Marshall.

The Ladies Section was represented by President Mrs V.Jarvis, Hon. Secretary Miss E.M. Warwick, Hon. Treasurer Mrs K.Osborne, Captain Mrs B.Powell & Hon. Match Secretary and Vice Captain Mrs O.Green.

The club had a very full fixture list for both Men & Ladies and hosted the KCBA Finals as well as number of special events in order to celebrate its Jubilee.

ENLARGING THE TOP GREEN TO SIX RINKS

As mentioned earlier, the Club had re – acquired the use of the top green, which had by 1960, been licked into good condition by Bert Stonley. However, the Membership was growing fast and it was decided that the Club should have two six rink greens. Permission was granted by the Council to extend the top green by 36 feet. This entailed digging into the bank at the far end, towards the cricket pavilion and required the excavation of some 900 cubic yards of soil.

This was a formidable task for a handful of keen club members to undertake and was executed on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the winter of 1960 – 61. By Good Friday the banking had been successfully cut away leaving another 12 inches to be removed to allow for the thickness of the clinker, topsoil and turf. The club borrowed a JCB digger, driven by Reg Payne and a lorry from Stanley Berwick and removed the remainder in one day. One of the most popular members was apparently, Norman Miller. He had only just become a member and although he always arrived dressed in an immaculate suit and white shirt he worked wonders with a pick and shovel and was a constant source of inspiration to all the others.

NEW CHANGING ROOMS

The next item on the agenda was the provision of new changing rooms. Up to this time the home members had had to arrive early, to get changed and, be out of the changing room 20 minutes before the visitors arrived. They would then have to hang around afterwards until the visitors had departed from the changing room. The ladies also used this changing room on their match days.

In 1962 plans were drawn up by Tom Marshall (Clerk of Works at Sevenoaks urban District Council) and permission was obtained from the Council to build a Halls type timber building on a concrete and brick foundation. An estimate was received from Stanley Berwick Ltd for the erection of the building, including lining the walls and ceilings. This left the internal work to be done by the Members. The building was completed in a comparatively short time and the money was raised in three years to cover the expense.

NEW SCORE BOARD

Prior to 1961 the Club had a small score board; some 4ft x 3ft, on the South side of the green (next to the Putting Green) and the names and scores were marked in chalk. This was not very practical, as it could not be read from a distance. It was decided to have one similar to that at Aylesford Paper Mills. Percy Sinden drew the plans that were approved by the Council. Stanley Berwick donated the materials and it was built by a few of Members. John Crouch, who was a carpenter with Berwick's, was mainly responsible for constructing the oak framework, whilst Eric Reeves built the brick panels. In those days adhesive letters were applied with water but in later years these were changed to magnetic letters. These could be read fairly easily from the far side of the green. The rink – end number plates were purchased the following year.

ROY KING & THE SUN LOUNGE

In 1964, a member by the name of Roy King presented the club with a cheque for the sum of £400 to build a sun lounge onto the front of the pavilion. He and his wife made this gesture in appreciation of the welcome they had received, at Sevenoaks, and the happy times they had enjoyed there. Roy & his wife eventually retired to Eastbourne and joined the Saffrons Bowling Club, where they made a similar gesture to that club. When he passed away Roy also left a legacy to the Sevenoaks Club of £1000.

Roy King’s suggestion was to leave the entrance doors in line with the existing wood pillars and to push forward on each side of the entrance with two bays but after due consideration it was agreed to move the entrance doors forward in a straight line. The overall cost was £625, the Club funding the balance.

GAZEBO FOR TOP GREEN

Mrs Vi Jarvis was elected President of the Kent County Women’s Bowling Association in 1966. This was indeed a great honour for a Club of 8 years, and the Ladies Section purchased a gazebo (summerhouse) to commemorate the event. The Members erected the gazebo on the top green and the ladies did the decorating. Little did they know that it would be blown down onto the bottom green during the Hurricane in 1987. It was replaced soon after but disappeared altogether when the Indoor Club was constructed in 1990. Nevertheless, it served a useful purpose for many years and was particularly appreciated by the bowlers in the Saturday afternoon drives.

COPPER WEATHER VANE

Eric Paterson (a local plumber) who was a Member for a short time, until he died, presented the Club with a Copper Weather Vane in 1968. It was pure copper and quite valuable at the time it was fixed to the pavilion roof. It lasted for thirty years before being overhauled, in the late 1990’s, by another stalwart member by the name of John Dawes. Unfortunately, it was removed by vandals in 2000 and had to be restored again by the indefatigable John Dawes.

THE FIRE

The thatched roof of the bowls pavilion was a feature of the building when it was built in 1929, but in 1967 it was beginning to look as if it was coming to the end of its useful life. The club was starting to wonder what was to be done about its condition. The answer came in a rather unexpected manner. On the 4^th July 1967 a Lt Commander Gothard was walking his dog through the recreation ground at 11.30 pm when he noticed smoke issuing from the pavilion roof, the thatched roof of which had been set alight by vandals. He promptly called the Fire Brigade before climbing on the roof himself to pull away the burning reeds. The firemen saved the building by removing all the thatch, leaving the pavilion roofless. Although several of the rafters were badly burned, tarpaulins were quickly placed in position to protect the remainder of the building.

It was not long before a new tiled roof, consisting of brown interlocking pantiles, was put in position to replace the old thatch roof. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise and the Club showed its gratitude to Lt Commander Gothard and his wife by inviting them to a bowls match and thanking the Commander Gothard for his prompt action, which surely saved the remainder of the pavilion and the changing rooms.

It is interesting to note that a similar thatched roof pavilion at Hastings, on the White Rock Greens was burned to the ground at about the same time. Unfortunately, many of the bowlers lost their bowls equipment on this occasion.

THE FLOODS IN 1968

A further tragedy struck the club in September 1968 when severe local flooding caused the retaining wall and part of the top green, behind the pavilion, to subside – causing tons of soil and rock to be pushed up against the pavilion. Once again Bert Stonley, with the aid of his son Tony and a few other members removed all the debris and constructed a fine retaining wall surmounted by a new hedge,

COAT HANGERS ON BOTTOM GREEN

In passing, it should be mentioned that the mild steel, ornamental coat hangers which are stationed around the bottom green, were made at Terry’s Forge (Old Post Office Yard) by the proprietor, Bill Pierce, and purchased by the club.

MEMBERSHIP PROGRESS

Throughout this period the membership of both the Men and Ladies Sections grew steadily and reached 100 men and 50 ladies.

TRIBUTE TO NORMAN MILLER

Eric Reeves, who compiled much of the information contained in this History of Sevenoaks Bowling Club, in his document called ‘One Man’s Memories Over The Last 67 Years’, paid a special tribute to one of the club’s outstanding members. He said, ‘that no History of Sevenoaks Bowling Club would be complete without mention of Norman Miller. A member whose good sportsmanship, understanding of men and his desire to serve the club and its members made him an unforgettable person. From the moment he joined the club it was obvious that he was a leader of men. It was a pleasure to be in his company and he soon gained the highest regard of all the Members. In 1963 he was elected vice – captain and was club captain in 1964 – 65. He never attained great success as a bowler, but was honoured by the club when he was nominated to play for Kent against the South African Tourists in 1964. Norman became one of the few unbadged players to play for Kent. The South Africans presented him with a silver Springbok.’

The County had deliberately chosen the Sevenoaks green in order that the South Africans could see the garden of England.

Norman Miller’s death in 1965 was a bitter blow to the club. His wife, Dorrie Miller presented the club with a set of tables and chairs in his memory. Dorrie Miller also presented the Miller Cup to the Ladies Section.

Many honours were won during this time in the County, Sevenoaks League, Simmonds Cup, Tunbridge Wells Tournament, Meritt Cup, Maidstone Triples etc. The outstanding ones are listed below.

1961 Percy Sinden won the KCBA Singles Championship.

1961 A. Shaxted, R. Chapman & J. Crouch won their County Badges.

1963 Tony Stonley won the KCBA Singles Championship

1963 Mesdames M. Hann, E. Cooper, B. Holness, & K. Osborne KCWBA Fours

Championship.

1963 E. Reeves won his County Badge.

1964 J. Crouch, E.(Ted) Sharp, & J. Marshall won the Tunbridge Wells Open

Triples

1969 Mesdames M. Hann, S. Baker, & W. Aldridge were finalists in the KCWBA

Benevolent Championship

1972 E. Wilkins (Maude Wood Winner)

1973 W. Aldridge, P. Bolam, E. Pearson & K. Osbourne (R.U. KCWBA Fours)

1973 E. Wilkins (Maude Wood R.U.)

1975 E. Wilkins (R.U. KCWBA Singles)

1975 D. Banfield, J. Crouch, W. Aldridge & T. Adams Kent County Fours Finalists.

1976-77 D. Banfield played in the Middleton Cup.

1977 B. J. Burt & Mac Roxburgh KCBA Pairs Quarter Finalists.

Also during this time Sevenoaks B. C. hosted the following prestigious games.

1962 Kent County Bowling Association v Hertfordshire B. A.

1964 Kent County Bowling Association v South African Tourists.

1966 Kent County Bowling Association v Middlesex.

1970 Middleton Cup Trials & KCBA v Northants B. A.

1970 Kent county B. A. v Middlesex (Middleton Cup).

1963 Sevenoaks B. C. v Hampshire Tourists.

1968 Sevenoaks B. C. v Northumberland Tourists.

1971 Sevenoaks B. C. v English Bowling Association Tourists.

LADIES SECTION

When the Ladies Section was formed in 1958 by a nucleus of ladies from the Townswomen’s Guild, there were only a few ladies who knew anything about the game of bowls, so it took a while for them to build up a membership. They started with 13 members, and as the amenities improved, the numbers were increased from 35 to 40 and then 50 in 1970. At the end of the first year they had £3.75 in the account and 14 Members. At the end of the 1970 season the membership stood at 50 with £200 in the ladies account.

During this time the ladies donated various sums towards improving the buildings and to kitchen equipment. In 1960 further improvements were provided for the ladies in the form of changing room lockers and toilets. The ladies fixtures were included with the men’s lists.

The ladies played one match during their first year, against Holmesdale Bowling Club. In their second year they tried their luck in the County Competitions, but it was not until 1963 that they registered their first success. A fours team consisting of Mesdames M. Hann, E. Cooper, B. Holness and K. Osbourne won the Kent County Final! From then onwards, as far as the County Association was concerned, the Sevenoaks Ladies had arrived. They began to get requests from the County for the use of the green for County Matches and other County events. The ladies had one team in the Benevolent Triples in 1962 and again in 1964. In 1969 Mesdames M. Hann, G. Baker and W. Aldridge reached the Final.

DIAMOND JUBILEE

Sevenoaks Bowling Club also celebrated its Diamond Jubilee 1911 – 1971 and ran a similar programme to that ten years earlier for the Golden Jubilee. The Officers of the club in 1971 were as follows:- President Frank Ames (Senior Vice –President KCBA), Vice – President Terry Jordan, Hon. Secretary Eric Reeves, Hon.Asst. Secretary Don Reader, Hon. Treasurer Ted Sharp, Hon. Match Secretary Reg Payne, Captain Bert Grimwood, Vice Captains Wally Cooper & Ted Cordery, Trustees Archie Rainey & Stanley Berwick, KCBA Representative Bert Grimwood. Committee Members were Bill Aldridge, George Else, Tom Marshall, Ted Hann, Bert Stonley and Ray Oake. The Jubilee Committee comprised of Ray Oake, Eric Reeves, Reg Payne, & Mesdames E. Cooper & D. Miller.

COUNTY PRESIDENT NO. 2

Sevenoaks Bowling Club was highly honoured in 1969 when the President, Frank Ames was elected Junior Vice President of the Kent County Bowling Association. He was the club’s second County President and held the office of President in 1971 – 72. E. B. Jago was the first County President for Sevenoaks in 1933. Frank Ames was a very popular President and served the County well during his term of office. Afterwards, he continued to support the County in various capacities and remained a stalwart member of both club and County. The club members, in honour of his achievements, erected a clock on the front of the pavilion.

In 1976 the club was honoured once more when Bernard J. Burt was elected as the Editor of the County Handbook and press representative. He relinquished the post of Editor at the beginning of the 1978 but not before he had made his mark by giving the yearbook a completely new image, which received acclaim throughout the County.

THE GREAT DROUGHT OF 1976

The previous year (1975) had been an extremely dry one and was followed by minimal rainfall during the winter. By the end of April 1976 the whole country was suffering from the most serious drought in living memory and there was little rainfall before September. By the beginning of the month of May the Local Authority had placed a ban on the use of hosepipes and the greens soon started to suffer. Gradually the greens turned from green to brown to yellow and started to look bare. It was a sickening sight. After all the hard work by the Greenkeeper it was tragic to see the greens deteriorate. At the time the Members did not believe the greens would ever recover.

In 1977 the Council appointed a new Greenkeeper, by the name of Bob Clarke, and this proved to be a blessing to the club. He tackled the almost impossible task of restoring the greens, with great enthusiasm. Up to the middle of July 1977 the bottom green was only used for matches and competitions, all other games being played on the top green. The County Finals were to be played at Sevenoaks in August but it became obvious that the green had not recovered sufficiently and the County was notified to this effect. The Finals were played at The Grove (Tunbridge Wells) that year.

By May 1978 the greens were once again in peak condition and the club expressed its grateful thanks to the Council and the Greenkeeper, Bob Clarke who had done a tremendous job.

LONG SERVING MEMBERS

The History of the Sevenoaks Bowling Club would not be complete without mention of Bill Gypps (Public Health Inspector with SUDC). He played his first game in 1923 and was still playing in 1978. He was also the first winning skip of the Simmonds Cup, which began in 1928. One only has to look at the Honours Board to see some of his achievements. In particular, he was President of the club from 1964 – 1967 and Hon. Secretary for 17 years. He was also County representative for 21 years.

George Castle was a Member of the club for well over 40 and was still playing in the 1980’s. Whilst George served on the Committee for many years, his most outstanding contribution was that he provided flowers for the dining tables for most of his time with the club and was fondly remembered by all those players who had the pleasure of knowing him. George Castle, who always wore a buttonhole himself and used to grow his own flowers, had a distinguished career in the Police Force after retiring from the Army. He was also a canny bowler who will also be affectionally remembered for prematurely kicking the bowls out of the head before his opponents had a chance to check the shots themselves. He was also a winner of the Simmonds Cup.

PASSING TRIBUTE TO SEVENOAKS

Eric Reeves, who should also be remembered for his contribution to the club including his record of the club’s history called “One Man’s Memories Over 67 Years” which has been included in these pages. Eric Reeves recalls the words spoken by an Immediate Past President of the English Bowling Association, when he spoke at Sevenoaks during the tea interval as President of the Hampshire Touring Team.

‘I have played bowls on many greens in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales but when I look at your lovely green and your marvellous facilities and survey this panoramic view of THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND I think this is the best!’

Eric Reeves, who was a General Foreman for Stanley Berwick Ltd, joined the club in 1951 and did yeoman service. He was Secretary for 12 years and was heavily involved with the alterations and improvements to the club. His hard work was rewarded in 1975 when he was elected President of the club, a post he held for two years.

BIRTH OF THE SEVENOAKS & DISTRICT MENS TRIPLES BOWLS LEAGUE.

George Else, another stalwart member of Sevenoaks Bowling Club, recalls, that he happened to be sitting next to Tom Marshall on a coach trip to a seaside bowls match in 1967 when the idea of the Sevenoaks & District League was conceived. Tom wrote to all the local clubs and arranged the inaugural meeting. From that enthusiastic gathering, of five clubs, the now thriving league was born on the 30^th March 1968. The league began in that year with six teams. They were Borough Green, Holmesdale, Sundridge, Westerham and Sevenoaks who provided two teams (A & B). By the year 2001 the league had grown to 40 teams from 13 clubs arranged in five divisions with Sevenoaks providing six teams. Tom was the first Chairman of the league and George Else the first Secretary, a post he was to hold until 1995(28 years). He was also the Treasurer for the first ten years.

Between 1968 and 1989 Sevenoaks won the Sevenoaks Triples League on five occasions. They then went on to win nine titles between 1990 to 1999, missing out in 1994.. The league was an exceptionally popular competition among the players. They looked forward to a competitive game of bowls, on a Friday evening, followed by a bread and cheese supper – some teams were criticised for making the suppers, unnecessarily lavish, at times, but it was generally accepted that this was a matter for the individual teams. Even so a great deal of pleasure was derived from the league. At its peak, Sevenoaks, with its six teams, fielded no less than 36 players, on a league night. In 2001 this trend began to reverse when Sevenoaks reduced its league teams to five, due to a sharp drop in membership.

THURSDAY LEAGUE

The popularity of the Friday night league soon rubbed off onto the other members, including the ladies, and a Thursday Night Triples League (Mixed) was started within the club. This event is extremely popular among the members and has been running for many years. So much so that some of the Friday bowlers get in on the act as well. The latest idea is to have a fish & chips supper after the game.

COMPETITIVE BOWLING

There has always been competitive bowling but the last quarter of the Millennium has seen a large increase in this phenomenon. In the early days the players joined in the Simmonds Hospital Cup and arranged extra competition by going to the annual tournaments at Hastings, Tunbridge Wells, or Maidstone. In the winter they would look to indoor bowling at Crystal Palace, Chatham or Stone Lodge, where league bowling was played. As time went on the indoor bowls came closer with the new centres at Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Sevenoaks. All of these were running competitive leagues and competitions, as well as inter-club and county competitions.

Outdoors there has been a marked increase in the level of competitive bowling such as Holmesdale Pairs, Sundridge Singles, and Sunday morning triples at Bromley and Gravesend. Add to this all the County Competitions, The Natwest DoubleFours, Bert Cox Cup, Molly Cleggett, Travelsphere and The Belle Trophy and one begins to wonder how it is possible to find time for the “bread and butter of club bowling” on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday afternoon friendlies against other clubs. This is increase is clearly the major reason for the difficulties experienced in raising teams for friendly matches.

Some clubs are finding salvation in playing mixed bowls, on a regular basis but the increase in this desire to play competitive bowls could lead to the breakdown of outdoor bowling clubs, in the face of a falling membership and rising costs of green maintenance.

ANNUAL DINNERS

The annual dinners have formed an integral part of the club’s social calendar. It is not known how far back one must go, for the first event of this kind, without searching through the club’s records, but it has been a regular feature for the last 25 years of the Millennium. No doubt it was held in the Hollybush Lane on some occasions but latterly venues have included The Spinning Wheel (Westerham), Wildernesse Golf Club, Sevenoaks Rugby Football Club, Sevenoaks Community Centre, Hilden Manor (Hildenborough) and, for the past 10 years, Chipstead Sailing Club. The reason for the prolonged stay at Chipstead speaks for itself. It has proved to be an excellent venue for the annual dinner, which normally takes place at the beginning of December. At this time of the year the Sailing Club will have decorated the dining room and bar, ready for the Christmas festivities and the bowlers enjoy the benefit of the décor.

This is not to say that, they have nothing to do, in arranging these events. As with all such gatherings, someone has to organise the dinners and the club is greatly indebted to Ray & Babs Oake, Bernard & Margaret Burt, Brian & Gillian Evans and latterly Alan & Rita Doree, who have been mainly responsible for this work for over 25 years. Of course, they could not do this on their own and have been supported bands of stalwart members each year, to do the donkey work, plus all those people who were appointed to the Dinner Committees, during that time.

One of the pleasing features of these dinners is that the club invites the newly elected County Presidents and their partners form the KCBA & KCWBA, the Annual General Meetings of these Associations being held in November. The Sevenoaks Dinner is often the first of their official functions and they are given a good send-off on their respective presidential trails. After the dinner they are usually invited to present the club’s tournament trophies to the successful bowlers.

CLUB TEAS

A history of the bowling club would not be complete without reference to the part played by the ladies of the club, who have given so generously of their time, in preparing lunches, teas, snacks etc., over the last 90 years. Without doubt, the social side of the game, in which the meals played a large part, has proved to be equally as important as the game itself and it would not have been possible without the magnificent input of the ladies. A good example of this effort was well demonstrated at the Invitation Days. On these occasions the ladies would arrange lunch and tea in two sittings, with no fewer than 120 men at each sitting, all without the least complaint. In those balmy days the ladies would not let the men anywhere near the kitchen, how things have changed.

Naturally, as the ladies became more interested in their bowling there had to be some adjustments to facilitate their needs. For example, the mid-game tea, in the men’s matches, was abandoned in favour of teas after the games and to save the ladies staying on to do the washing up, as they had always done, the men agreed to take it on themselves, after the match. There was little hesitation in accepting this arrangement, since the ladies were quite willing to stop doing the teas altogether. Thanks to them, however, the club has avoided the need to resort to outside caterers for 90 years. Whilst congratulating the ladies one should not forget that some of the men made a valuable contribution to the club catering, such as Ray Oake, David Cheeseman & Brian Jolley. Some of the names of the ladies, who spring to mind in this field, over the past twenty years, include Cecily Pateman, Doris Melsom, Margaret Hollands, Enid Foreman, Peggy Mitchell, Annie Houghton et al.

CHANGING FORTUNES

By 1981 there was something of a sea change at Sevenoaks Bowling Club, there was no shortage of club spirit, but the average age of the members had risen considerably. The membership had also fallen to its lowest level for over ten years (131). The halcyon days of taking coach trips to the South Coast and, making a day of it, were gone for good and the piano that had hitherto provided an accompaniment to the clubhouse entertainment, after the matches was a thing of the past. Many of the old members had fond memories of the Woolwich Polytechnic matches that took place on the first and last day of the season. This fixture continued into the 1980’s but without the piano and visitors were no longer required to drink the bar dry after the last match of the season, before going home. It is said that these events often went on to the early hours of the morning.

The early 1980’s saw a quiet period in the club’s development. In the middle of the decade, a few improvements were carried out to the club facilities. The cesspool drainage system had a disconcerting habit of overflowing at inopportune moments and had to be replaced with a main drainage connection into Holmesdale Road. Before this was achieved, however, Roy Dickenson had to write numerous letters to the Council, on behalf of the club, before the Council would move in the matter.

The Club’s bar was modified by Roy Dickenson and John Crouch to improve the stock area and glass washing arrangements and Bernard Burt, John Crouch & Roy Dickenson replaced all the kitchen units which had become obsolete. The bar at this time was between the kitchen and visitors dressing room.

The pavilion was not used, as a rule, during the winter months, apart from the Annual General Meeting, but Babs Oake, wife of Secretary Ray Oake, used to arrange watercolour painting sessions on a Wednesday morning. These were very popular among the members. Ray & Babbs Oake used to organise the Saturday afternoon drive and did so for many years. When they eventually gave this up it was taken over by Maurice Murch and his wife Joan. These two couples played a most important role in the life of Sevenoaks Bowling Club for over 20 years. The drives were much appreciated, especially by new members and those who were unable or not yet ready to play in the matches.

WEST KENT LADIES BOWLS LEAGUE

In 1980, George Else assisted Margaret Burt to start up a triples league for the ladies and eight local bowls clubs entered two triples, one of which played in the “A” Division, while the other participated in the “B” Division.

Margaret Burt‘s team was the first winner of the “A” Division in 1980. The fourteen-week season culminates on the first Monday in September with a Grand Finals Day, when the top team of Division “A” plays the top team of Division “B” to produce the champions for the year. At the same time, the second placed team in each Division plays – off for the third/fourth places. This league is still thriving 21 years later. The Sevenoaks Ladies have been among the top four teams on numerous occasions.

KCWBA PRESIDENTS

In 1981 Mrs Nellie Costelloe became President of the KCWBA and ten years later the Club was honoured to provide another President of the KCWBA in the form of Mrs Barbara Croucher, who was the third lady to represent the club in this capacity. Mrs Vi Jarvis was the first of the County Presidents from Sevenoaks.

Mrs Eve Tucker’s contribution to the KCWBA as Hon. Competition Secretary, over many years, should also be recorded.

LAST DECADE OF THE MILLENNIUM

The last decade of the Millennium must be considered one of the most successful periods in the history of the club. There had been a gradual increase in the membership during the 1980’s culminating in a record number of 200 members (120 men & 80 ladies) by 1991. This was largely brought about by the introduction of a new eight rink indoor bowling centre, adjacent to the outdoor greens. Many of the 1200 indoor members joined the outdoor club. Among them were some 20 men who were members of Probus, an organisation for retired professionals and businessmen.

The membership may well have exceeded 200 but for the Committee taking the decision to cap the numbers owing to the lack of adequate changing room facilities.

OUTSTANDING PLAYERS

Over the last twenty five years of the Millennium the club was blessed with many first class bowlers, who together with all the average bowlers, have contributed greatly in establishing Sevenoaks as one of the leading clubs in Kent and one of the strongest in the Sevenoaks district. Both men and ladies have always been well represented in the local competitions, such as the Simmonds Hospital Charity Cup, Sundridge Singles and the Holmesdale Pairs in addition to their commitments to their club and county.

In the club’s Men’s Singles Championship David Banfield won on six occasions, Wayne Cheeseman (3), David Slater (2), John Fenner (2), David Cheeseman (2) David Henning (2) and Bert Stonley, Bernard Burt, Mac Roxburgh, Roger Richfield, John Atkins, David Staples, Allan Chase and Jason Winter once each.

Eve Tucker won the Ladies singles Championship on six occasions, Edith Pearson (3),

Valerie Staples (3), Claire Jolley (2), and E. Wilkins, T. Daniels, Sylvia Gill, G. Robertson, Jessie Parish, Margaret Burt, Phil Smith and Jan Nash once each.

Few would disagree, with the choice of David Banfield (Mighty Mouse) as the most outstanding bowler in the Men’s Section during this period. David is arguably the best bowler, certainly the most successful one, in the club’s history. Apart from playing for Kent County Bowling Association in the Middleton Cup for over 20 years, during which time David was in the winning county in 1987, 1991 & 1993, he has represented Kent both indoors and outdoors in county matches and competitions on a great many occasions. He was President of the KCIBA in 1989 and became a KCBA Selector after managing the KCBA Under 25 team.

David Banfield has played in the Sevenoaks Triples League ever since it began in 1968 and must be considered to be the most successful bowler to play in the league. He has been the driving force behind the successes in the league enjoyed by both Sevenoaks and Borough Green, where he was a member from 1980 to 1986, during which time; Borough Green won the league on five occasions. David was undoubtedly involved in all of 14 occasions that Sevenoaks won the league, having a string of consecutive wins between 1990 and 1999, only losing in 1994. In addition to this Sevenoaks is the only club in the league to win both the First Division Championship and the Marshall Cup in the same year in 1992 & 1993. Sevenoaks completed a hat trick of wins by securing the Marshall Cup in 1994.

Of course, David did not achieve all this success on his own. He was ably supported by some of the club’s best bowlers, such as, David Cheeseman and his son Wayne who played England Under 25’s in 1994-5-6-7 and Middleton Cup despite being troubled badly by a faulty hip, in his early days. Then there was Chris Winter and his son Jason, another successful Kent Middleton Cup & England Under 25’s bowler – David Henning who won the County Two-Wood Competition and played Middleton Cup. In addition there was Tony Morgan, Michael Chapman, Johnny Johnstone, Bill Jones, Allan Chase, John McCarthy, Tony Griffiths, Clive Letherby (David’s son-in-law) and several others.

APPORTIONMENT OF DUTIES

In 1990 Roy Dickenson developed a new idea for apportioning duties on club match days, in order to get all playing members involved and to avoid complaints from the faithful few that they were the only people making a contribution. In its simplest form it consisted of four teams of six people. The first of these would be responsible for putting out the mats, jacks, scoreboard and flag before the game and clearing away afterwards, the second set up the tables and chairs for the meal and cleared away afterwards, including hoovering the pavilion floor, the third were responsible for the bar working and the fourth did the washing up. The duties were alternated for each match and if one was lucky one avoided doing the same duty twice running.

The system worked very efficiently since it was self-policing to some extent and tended to be over-manned. It has proved to be a successful system for over ten years, although it has been modified, in the light of experience by other captains such as Michael Chapman and Eric Mitchell. The biggest drawback has been the insistence of members, on house duty, to carry out the hoovering whilst our guests are still in the clubhouse.

MILLENNIUM LEAGUE (2000)

Having declined to join the Millennium League, which began in the year 2000 Sevenoaks had a change of heart and applied to join in 2001. The league is played over four rinks, and can be arranged on any day, subject to agreement between the clubs involved. There are only a few registered teams in addition to Sevenoaks and include Tonbridge, The Grove (Tunbridge Wells), Ditton, Holmesdale & Maidstone. Additionally there is a knockout tournament with ten players to each side playing a singles/ pair/ triple and rink with an aggregate score. This should prove to be an interesting experiment.

STEVE CRUTCHER – GREENKEEPER

The Sevenoaks District Council responsibility for the green maintenance still continues after 90 years but in the late 1980’s, as a result of Government edict they were compelled to put the work out to contract, in open tender. They had hoped to win the contract themselves, but were ‘pipped at the post’ by the Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, who, it transpired, had under-valued the work. The new contractors began their work on the greens in 1989, after the previous greenkeeper, Bernard Lucas, had left the Council. Luckily, for Sevenoaks Bowling Club, this tendering error turned out very well indeed, as it introduced the club to the new greenkeeper, by the name of Steve Crutcher, and despite several contractual changes since, the Council have managed to retain his services for over 12 years.

Steve, who had had experience of maintaining greens in Australia, is a fine greenkeeper and has done a first rate job at Sevenoaks. He is, undoubtedly, the best greenkeeper at Sevenoaks since the days of Bert Stonley.

There were some differences of opinion in the early days, when the club were seeking a faster green, as it had been 20 years before, but these were soon overcome and Steve has tackled the challenge with great enthusiasm and dedication.

Apart from the wonderful condition of the greens, Steve is to be applauded for the manner in which he has kept the green surrounds and in particular the well manicured privet hedges that surround the greens.

He has managed to keep the greens in immaculate condition in spite of the fire or other vandalism, on the top green and the damage caused by bowlers from time to time.

The club and the Council are most fortunate to have the services of Steve Crutcher and long may it last.

The following are some of the honours enjoyed by the club: -

1981 Mrs Nellie Costelloe ( President KCWBA )

1987 D. Cheeseman ( KCBA Badge )

1988 C. Jolley ( Maude Wood Winner )

1989/90 D. Banfield ( President KCIBA )

1990 P. Bowers & J. Evans ( KCBA Pairs Badge )

1991 C. Jolley ( Maude Wood Winner )

1991 Mrs Barbara Croucher ( President KCWBA )

1992 C. Letherby, M. Chapman, W. Cheeseman & D. Banfield

(R.U. KCBA Fours)

1992 V. Staples ( R.U. KCWBA Singles )

1993 C. Jolley ( KCWBA Badge )

1993 D. Henning ( KCBA Badge )

1993 M. Chapman ( KCBA Badge )

1993 W. Cheeseman ( KCBA Badge )

1993 H. Chapman ( R.U. Maude Wood )

1993 A. Morgan, W. Cheeseman & D. Banfield ( KCBA Triples Winners )

1994 A. Morgan ( County Badge )

1994 B. J. Burt ( President KCBA )

1994/97 W. Cheeseman ( England Under 25’s ) Also played Middleton Cup.

1995 H. Chapman, M. Dawes & E. Tucker ( KCWBA Badge )

1998 J. Winter ( Kent Under 25’s Singles Winner )

1999 J. Winter ( Middleton Cup KCBA Badge )

1999 D. Henning (Middleton Cup-After winning the KCBA Two-Wood Comp.)

2000 J. Winter (Kent Under 25 Double Rinks-Inter-County)

SEVENOAKS INDOOR BOWLING CLUB

The Sevenoaks District Council made the Indoor Bowling Club possible. Together with the hundreds of existing and new bowlers, who wished to play indoor bowls, as a winter pastime. Several of the Sevenoaks outdoor club members served on the steering committee for the indoor centre and continued to play a major part in its administration and development when the centre was opened in 1991.

Apart, from the boost to the membership, the indoor centre brought provided another blessing to the outdoor club, in the form of its car parking. Hitherto, the outdoor bowlers had to leave their cars in the Holmesdale Road car park or in Hollybush Lane. Both of these were about 100 metres from the clubhouse and the members and their visitors did not appreciate having to carry their bowls this distance. The indoor club was built on the site of the old putting green that ran along the south side of the greens. This meant having the new car park and entrance to the outdoor club, on the south side of the green. This was a wonderful improvement to the club. The loss of the gazebo on the top green was a small price to pay for the betterment derived from these changes.

From 1991 onwards many of the outdoor members joined the indoor club and took an active part in its activities, helping to administer the bowls and winning many trophies.

THE 80^th ANNIVERSARY

The club’s eightieth anniversary, in 1991, was celebrated and a slate coaster was struck with a motif of the club’s badge to commemorate the event. These became quite popular as they were presented to our guests during matches and also used to reward the highest winning rinks in matches.

SBC UNIFICATION

It was recognised, by the club committee, in the mid-eighties, that consideration should be given to up-dating the Constitution in the face of a rapidly changing world.

In early 1990 the Sevenoaks Bowling club took the momentous decision to unify the membership. Although this was considered to be long overdue, Sevenoaks was one of the leading clubs in the county to take this course of action. Ever since the Ladies Section had been formed in 1958 the ladies had enjoyed little more than a second class status, even though they had paid th