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About |
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Harpenden Bowling Club was founded in 1908 by 8 local
businessmen and over the years has enjoyed a number of highs but, of course,
we have also had our lows. Membership has fluctuated, but in the last
few years has remained steady at around the 150 mark, one of the largest club
memberships in Hertfordshire. The Club fixture lists cater for bowlers
of all standards, from the friendly and sociable roll-ups to District,
County, London & Southern Counties and National competitions, which are
available to all members, both men and ladies. The Club has played a
more prominent role in these competitions recently as the standard of bowling
has improved. There are several qualified coaches at the Club to help
newcomers in the art and craft of bowling. In 2001 the homely collection of wooden buildings, which
served as clubhouse, changing rooms and stores was replaced by a single fully
furnished brick building. This was achieved with the help of a
substantial lottery grant as well as a large mortgage and the generosity of members,
but the result has paid handsome dividends for the Club. With a green
of outstanding quality the new facilities have made it possible to hold some
important matches and in the past four years we have been hosts to County and
In autumn 2003 and spring 2004 the club replaced the old
wooden ditch boards, which were showing signs of wear. This was a major
undertaking and the work was completed entirely by club members. We now
have pre-cast concrete units lined with astro-turf,
which should not need replacing in the foreseeable future. In addition,
the North and South sides of the green have been paved and steps added to the
South embankment for easy access. Our Club has achieved unparalleled success in recent
years. In both 2002 and 2003 our men won the St Albans & District
Jones Cup and in 2002 they reached a London & Southern Counties Final for
the first time, finishing runners-up in the Triples. In 2004 our men
won the Herts County Fours Championship for the first time in the Club’s
history and were runners-up in the Eastern Counties Fours Championship.
In 2005 they were runners-up in both the Herts County Fours and the St Albans
& District Fours. As a result, in both 2004 and 2005 our Fours
represented the Club at the EBA National Championships at Our Club boasts among its members the Mens
2003 St Albans & District Champion of Champions, the Mens
2004, 2005 and 2006 St Albans & District Champions, the Mens 2004 County Unbadged
Singles runner-up, the Ladies 2002 St Albans & District Triples
Champions, the Ladies 2003 County Unbadged Singles
Champion and 2004 runner-up, the Ladies 2005 St Albans & District
Champion of Champions, the Men’s 2006 Under 30 County Singles Champion and
the 2006 County Short Mat Fours Champions. In 2005 the Club won the ‘Harpenden in Bloom’ leisure facility
award for its magnificent outdoor floral displays, and was also able to
attract its first sponsor, Harpenden Building Society. The Club is fully utilised throughout the year with outdoor
bowling from May to September, followed by the very popular and successful
indoor short mat bowling during the winter, this year a team of members
winning the County Fours Championship. The Club has an extremely good social side with a number of
daytime and evening events being organised throughout the season, which are
always well attended (see ‘Social Events’). During the winter there are
coffee mornings on the first Saturday of each month for a leisurely chat and
a chance to catch up with any news. |