History
BOURNEMOUTH ELECTRIC BOWLS CLUB
Registered Charity 1170761
Bournemouth Electric Bowls Club was formed by employees of the, then, “Bournemouth and Poole Electricity Supply Company”, nowadays trading as Scottish and Southern Energy. A sports and social club for the employees was officially opened on 10 October 1936, one of the many sporting facilities being bowls. This facility proved extremely popular and, in 1946, Bournemouth Electric Bowls Club affiliated to, and took part in, the league and competitions of the Bournemouth and District Bowling Association. Following that affiliation, the club went from strength to strength, culminating in the winning of the league in both 1963 and 1964. Since then, the club has enjoyed various levels of success at both club and individual level.
A few years ago, Scottish and Southern Energy relinquished its involvement in the management of the sports and social club (the parent club) and leased it to the membership at an annual rental. Consequently, every section of the parent club now has to be self-financing and the membership of the Bowls Section has been successful in financing the maintenance of the bowling green and the bowls pavilion.
The main reason why the Bowls Club has successfully been able to manage their finance is by encouraging members to volunteer in all aspects of running the club. One of the largest expenses a Bowls Club has to find is for the maintenance of the bowling green. Locally this is approx £10000 per year for wages, chemicals, grass seed and top dressing. The Electric Bowls Club decided, about 12 years ago, that by having Members volunteering to maintain the green then this cost could be decreased. Although there are all year round jobs the main work of mowing the green is done in the summer. This is often done 3 or 4 times a week depending on how many matches there are. Members also take pride in entering The Bournemouth in Bloom competition each year.
The Club prides itself in encouraging new people to take up the sport. Over the last 7 years they have increased the opportunity for members to participate in local competitions.
Over the last 5 winters club members spent many hours updating the Club house which is now more usable by not only its own members but to visiting teams. Again by having members volunteering it meant that only the cost of materials had to be met.
6 years ago the Bowls Club became a Charity. This helped not only to protect the future of the club but would also promote and enforce our belief that Bowls is a healthy activity that everyone can take part in.
As part of our commitment the Trustees have decided that our yearly membership fees will be kept as low as possible, with this years fee being only£100. This will mean that everyone can play bowls for less that £4 per week for the whole of the summer season. This was seen as one way of encouraging new members. The club also provides free use of bowls and now has a Club Member who has gained his coaching qualifications and will be running free beginners courses this summer.
Over the last few years we have received grants from Talbot Village Trust, Coop ltd, and Bournemouth Community Trust which has helped the club in the following projects’
1. Buy a new mower and equipment
2. Increase the club building providing excess ramps and an accessible toilet.
3. Buy ‘Bowlers Arms’ so as many people as possible can participate in Bowls