Harpenden Bowling Club

Spenser Road, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 5NN, Tel: 01582 766155

donated, one purchased second-hand) and in no time at all it became very popular.  Under Eric and Kate's guidance, a core group of bowlers soon became very proficient and soon, friendly games were arranged with local short-mat clubs. Eric was keen to get the local clubs for the handicapped involved and this has been a huge success with the Butterwick Club of St Albans playing on Wednesday mornings and the Harpenden based Gateway Club coming along for two great evenings during the season.

We are also part of the Hardynge League which is played through the season on Thursday afternoons.  At a higher level we play in the Barnet League where we usually acquit ourselves well.  Members also enter the various County competitions.  Marion & David Pratt, Pauline Taylor and Steve Hipperson won the County Fours in 2005/06 season and reached the knock-out stage in the National Championships.  Pauline and Steve were also members of the County team which won honours that year.  In December 2007, Pauline Taylor, Janet Leyland-Naylor and Janet Hubball added the County Triples title to our growing list of successes.

The Short Mat Section keeps the Club spirit going right through the year.  It also provides a means for senior members to continue enjoying the fun of bowling after their outdoor career has come to an end.  Most of all, the Section enables the constant use of our Clubhouse and so helps to maintain the warm and friendly atmosphere of the club itself through the cold dark days of winter.  What more could you ask!

Eric and Kate would be proud of their legacy. The section is now very strong with around 60 bowlers (a third of our membership) using the facility during the 4 club sessions every week.

The Season runs from October to April with leagues on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2:15pm
and Tuesdays and Fridays at 7pm.  New members are always welcome.

Use link to view photographs of the 2008 trophy presentation

Short Mat

When the new Clubhouse was built in 2001 the Lottery conditions stated that the building should be used throughout the year, not easy when you only have a summer sport.  Fortunately we had Eric Guest and Kate Cooke as members and together, they started the short-mat section of the Club for bowling during the winter months. The game got under way in October 2001 with two mats (one donated, one purchased second-hand) and in no time at all it became very popular.