The History of Leicester Bowling Club
Leicester Bowling Club is proud of its history and heritage, but also looks forward to its future with optimism and enthusiasm. The club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities who want to enjoy the game of lawn bowls in a friendly and supportive environment. It has a rich history that spans over a century, from its humble beginnings on Victoria Road to its current location on Kenwood Road.
The Club was formed in 1906 and the centenary was recorded with the publication of our history handbook. Extracts and photographs from the Handbook are shown below with kind permission of authors and researchers P Thake, J McVicar, D Morgan
The Early Years (1906-1924)
The club was founded in 1906 by a group of enthusiastic bowlers who wanted to have their own green and pavilion. They leased a piece of land on Victoria Road (now University Road) from the Corporation and built a pavilion in 1907. The green was laid with Cumberland Turf, which was the first time this type of grass was used locally. The green was officially opened in June 1907 by the Mayor of Leicester, Alderman J. W. Logan.
The club soon became popular and attracted many members, both men and women. The club also hosted several competitions and matches with other clubs, both locally and nationally. Some of the notable visitors to the club included King George V and Queen Mary in 1912, and Sir Thomas Lipton, the famous tea merchant and yachtsman, in 1914.
The Move to Kenwood Road (1925-1967)
In 1924, the club decided to extend the pavilion by adding a committee room and a ladies’ room. However, this proved to be a short-lived improvement, as the club soon received notice from the Corporation that they wanted to sell the land to Leicester University for the purpose of building the Medical Sciences Building. The club had to look for a new site for its green and pavilion.
The University offered the club a site on Kenwood Road, which was adjacent to the home and gardens of the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Sir Frederick Attenborough. The club accepted the offer and started to build a new pavilion and green in 1967.
The University offered the club a site on Kenwood Road, which was adjacent to the home and gardens of the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Sir Frederick Attenborough. The club accepted the offer and started to build a new pavilion and green in 1967.
The Modern Era (1968-present)
Since moving to Kenwood Road, the club has continued to thrive and develop as one of the leading clubs in Leicestershire. The club has maintained its high standards of bowling and social activities, as well as its friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
The club has also made several improvements and renovations to its clubhouse, green and surrounds over the years. The club has also celebrated several achievements and events, such as:
– Marking its centenary in 2006 with a history handbook
– Receiving generous support from Biffaward in 2016 for an automatic water system on the green
– Hosting various competitions and tournaments, such as the Leicester Mercury Cup, the County Fours Championship, and the National Mixed Pairs Championship
– Winning numerous awards and trophies, such as the Leicestershire County League Division One title in 2019