Christleton Outdoor Bowling Club
A Brief History
In the mid-1930s, the then Cheshire County Council, purchased land in Newton Lane, Chester, on which to build a Sports Centre for its ‘Officers’ (i.e. “White Collar Workers”). Hence, ‘Cheshire County Officers’ Sports Club’ came into being. It is unclear exactly when the Bowling Green and the adjacent small pavilion were constructed, or indeed exactly when the Cheshire County Officers’ Bowling Club (C.C.O.B.C.) was founded. Until recently, it had been assumed that 1941 was the year of its formation, because a Programme, dating from 1961 had on its cover “Cheshire County Officers’ Bowling Club, Coming of Age 1941-61, 21st Annual Supper”. On reflection, it’s hard to believe that the Club was actually formed during the Second World War, and more likely that the ‘Coming of Age’ on the Programme merely refer to the Annual Supper. But we may never know!
Floodlighting had been provided subsequently, and the green was used regularly every season on Tuesday and Friday evenings for regular competitions for Club members, who could also use the green at any time.
In the late 1960s the County Council decided to build a new Sports Hall and provide extensive playing fields, as a joint venture for their “Sports Club” and Upton High School. After protracted negotiations, during which the Sports Club were promised that all the facilities at Newton Lane would be replicated at the new site, the new Club was opened in 1970. Unfortunately a new bowling green was never provided. The Bowling Club remained at Newton Lane for almost twenty years, until forced to find a new home when the floodlights were vandalised and the small pavilion was set on fire.
The Freemasons’ Hall in Hunter Street, Chester came to the rescue, and the Club was able to rent their green, and continue with their bowling on Tuesday and Friday evenings until 1996. In that year the Freemasons sold their property, which was demolished along with several others to make way for the “Northgate Redevelopment”. Fortunately for the C.C.O.B.C., the Freemasons bought “Cheshire View”, in Plough Lane, Christleton, where there was an excellent bowling green, so the amicable arrangement was able to continue.
In the Summer of 2001, following several meetings (mainly regarding funding) with representatives of the Upton Sports Club (formerly the Cheshire County Officers’ Sports Club) our Committee called an Extraordinary General Meeting on October 24th that year, to discuss our situation, our relationship with our “Mother” Club. The final outcome was a unanimously supported motion that “Cheshire County Officers’ Bowling Club be “wound up” with effect from 9.00pm this night”. The Club’s assets were divided equally between all the members, who immediately handed back their share to form a new club, to be called Christleton Outdoor Bowling Club. So in 2002 the new Club continued as usual, until the Covid Pandemic arrived!
Briefly, the outcome of the upheaval caused in all our lives was that there was little or no bowling for two summers. Consideration had previously been given to trying to find another “home”, and it was felt that now was the time to move on.
Waverton Village Institute were very helpful and we were welcomed onto their green in April 2022, and have just completed our first season where we hope to enjoy many more
Alan Welch
October 2022
Floodlighting had been provided subsequently, and the green was used regularly every season on Tuesday and Friday evenings for regular competitions for Club members, who could also use the green at any time.
In the late 1960s the County Council decided to build a new Sports Hall and provide extensive playing fields, as a joint venture for their “Sports Club” and Upton High School. After protracted negotiations, during which the Sports Club were promised that all the facilities at Newton Lane would be replicated at the new site, the new Club was opened in 1970. Unfortunately a new bowling green was never provided. The Bowling Club remained at Newton Lane for almost twenty years, until forced to find a new home when the floodlights were vandalised and the small pavilion was set on fire.
The Freemasons’ Hall in Hunter Street, Chester came to the rescue, and the Club was able to rent their green, and continue with their bowling on Tuesday and Friday evenings until 1996. In that year the Freemasons sold their property, which was demolished along with several others to make way for the “Northgate Redevelopment”. Fortunately for the C.C.O.B.C., the Freemasons bought “Cheshire View”, in Plough Lane, Christleton, where there was an excellent bowling green, so the amicable arrangement was able to continue.
In the Summer of 2001, following several meetings (mainly regarding funding) with representatives of the Upton Sports Club (formerly the Cheshire County Officers’ Sports Club) our Committee called an Extraordinary General Meeting on October 24th that year, to discuss our situation, our relationship with our “Mother” Club. The final outcome was a unanimously supported motion that “Cheshire County Officers’ Bowling Club be “wound up” with effect from 9.00pm this night”. The Club’s assets were divided equally between all the members, who immediately handed back their share to form a new club, to be called Christleton Outdoor Bowling Club. So in 2002 the new Club continued as usual, until the Covid Pandemic arrived!
Briefly, the outcome of the upheaval caused in all our lives was that there was little or no bowling for two summers. Consideration had previously been given to trying to find another “home”, and it was felt that now was the time to move on.
Waverton Village Institute were very helpful and we were welcomed onto their green in April 2022, and have just completed our first season where we hope to enjoy many more
Alan Welch
October 2022