Lawn Green Bowling in Tenby.
Tenby sported bowling rinks in the fifteenth century. Two rinks on the salterns in the estuary of the river Ritec, prior to the enclosure by the G.W.R., approximately where the Great Western Railway had their engine "turntable" many years ago.
Next came a Two-rink green in Deer Park. Both are marked on a Map of Tenby, drawn up by John Butcher in 1740. Confirmation came when, at the Tenby Assizes in 1703. A Tenby Builder was arraigned by the Borough Council for illegally moving the boundary hedge of the Deer Park bowling green, reducing the size of the bowling area. This green gradually fell into disuse and the Baptist church now occupies the ground.
Late arrival in Wales.
Flat or lawn green bowling as we know it today, was late arriving in Wales. Most of the early organised bowling was associated with the large manufacturers & businesses in the south-eastern corner of Wales. Usually they were social amenities for their work force, attached to their grounds and funded by them.
On the 30th of April 1904, representatives of the Cardiff Club, the Mackintosh Club & the Pontypool Club met and officially formed the Welsh Bowling Association.
Modern Bowling was even later arriving in the County of Pembroke. Tenby was fortunate in having a vigorous "Tradesmen's Association", who, although not very prosperous, they were very good organisers.
In late November 1913, following strong urgings, by the younger men in the Tenby community, for the sport of Lawn Green Bowling to be developed in the town. At a meeting chaired by President Arthur Squibbs, it was proposed that an attempt be made, in the town of Tenby, to launch a six-rink bowling club on ground (allotments) in Sutton Gardens. The ground belonging to a Captain Hughes-Morgan, J.P. which, could be leased for the princely sum of £35-0s-0d per annum. It had been estimated that the sum of £500 would be needed in total. Firstly, the cost of laying the green about £300 and £200 to buy the necessary mowers etc. This money to be raised with a floatation of five hundred £1 shares.
It was agreed to gauge the feeling of the Tenby people with the proposal and reconvene in December. The word soon got around about the planned launch. Letters to the editor of the Tenby Observer were mostly encouraging.
Sir, May I voice the feelings of a great number of young men by saying that the sportsmanlike way the Tradesmen’s Association of Tenby has taken up the "Bowles" (issue) is appreciated very much. The idea, if carried through, will prove a great success and a boom to the town and be well supported. May I also suggest that a rink be reserved for ladies only, with six rinks there should be no difficulty.
Conway.
Although encouraging letters were given prominence in the "Tenby Observer", a damning editorial under the heading "local news" probably helped to kill the proposal stone dead. Quote: -
Is Tenby to have a bowling Green? There is no doubt one would be an additional attraction to the place, but if it is to be properly made and kept going the promoters must be careful to spend the subscriber’s capital wisely and watch the maintenance expenses are kept well in bounds.
In Tenby there are so often talks of doing great things, which fizzle out ignobly. Better to have a Green, at which three games could be played and keep it in good condition, than start one for six games and must wind up the concern after one or two seasons.
The Tatler.
At the reconvened meeting of the Association, on the 18th of December 1913, doom and gloom filled the room. Only 150 of the £1 shares, out of the 500 had been pledged. Everyone was, understandably, demoralised so they agreed to drop the idea.
World War One, was rapidly approaching, so it would have been scuppered anyway. The go ahead Tradesmen’s Association was not to be beaten but they had to wait another ten years, being then, much older and wiser.
Spanner in the Works.
When I originally researched the history of Tenby Bowling Club, I leaned heavily on the back volumes of the “Tenby Observer”. At that time, the 1923 & 1924 annual volumes were missing. Imagine my delight when Ron Hurlow advised me in 2007 that all volumes were now on microfilm and on view at the Tenby Library. I had always suspected that there had to be some reference to the actual laying of our bowling green.
1924
1924 was an auspicious year in the history of the Tenby Town. There was an optimistic mood regarding the expected influx of an increasing number of visitors to this now popular resort. The New De Valence Pavilion Gardens was opened for entertainment in 1924. The Diment & Holmes partnership opened the new Steam Laundry also in 1924, and as announced in the Tenby Observer on February 15th 1924:-
A BOWLING GREEN for TENBY,
At long last Tenby is to have a bowling green. For years Deputy Mayor, Councillor T.P. Hughes, has been agitating for this boon to the town and it is now within measurable distance of becoming an accomplished fact. This week the Deputy Mayor and a few friends have purchased from Sir David Hughes-Morgan Bart J.P. “South Cliff Gardens”, with the idea of making a bowling-green. The next step will be the formation of a small company to organise fund raising, so that we can make our “Green” one of the finest in Wales. Every effort will be made to get the bowling surface ready for the coming season 1924.
Full Steam Ahead.
South Cliff Gardens was the ideal site for a full-sized bowling green and the Syndicate of “Tenby Bowling Club Ltd”., were serious when they promised a high classed facility. They swiftly employed a specialist team from Merthyr to lay the green, a very complicated affair with all the various layers of clinker and gravel etc.as the necessary drainage medium, topped by seawashed turf.
A Mr Alec.Rae oversaw the project, with Mr Adams as foreman. Rapid progress ensued and at ten o’clock 2nd April 1924, Mayor T.H.Lillycrop, accompanied by several officials from Tenby Corporation, the Limited Company members and in the presence of a large crowd, laid the “Foundation Sod”. The turves were obtained from the sea washed saltern at Loughor in Carmarthen Bay.
The Tenby Observer, with it’s finger on the pulse of the Town’s affairs, reported on 10th May 1924 that the laying of the full sized green had been completed.
The showery weather had been a great help in bedding down the surface and with ordinary luck it is hoped that practice games will be allowed on the green in early June. Normally a newly laid green would require a fairly long maturing period to avoid possible damage to the tender grass, but new bowlers were champing at the bit, itching to start.
Vision Fulfilled 1924.
The forward-looking management syndicate, Tenby Bowling Club Ltd, formed in early 1924, we can see with our hindsight, were truly men of vision. Their decisions at the dawning of our Club have brought pleasure to many thousands of bowlers over the last eighty five years.
It was Wednesday afternoon 11th June 1924 when the newly built green was formally opened. The town had been seething with anticipation of play starting so consequently a huge crowd attended. (It would have been bigger but there was an entry fee of three pence for a seat).
Captain of the new Club, Mr George Ace, invited the club President’s wife, Lady Hughes Morgan to do the honours. She was greeted with cheers.
Lady Hughes Morgan said ‘It was an honour and pleasure to be asked to perform the official opening of the new bowling green , which had been a long-desired want at Tenby. She felt certain it would be an asset to the town. She thanked everyone responsible for bringing the project to fruition, especially Mr. T.P.Hughes, Joint secretary, the main protagonist leading the team.
She then declared the Tenby Bowling Green Open’, more rousing cheers.
Her husband Sir David Hughes Morgan, club President was then invited to say a few words , which he declined, saying that his pleasurable task was to throw the first bowl and that lawn green bowling was an innocent and harmless amusement open to locals and visitors alike. He then delivered that very historic first bowl. Mrs Lancaster, wife of the other Joint secretary presented Lady Hughes Morgan with a silver Jack mounted on an ebony stand, which was suitably inscribed.
There followed an exhibition pairs match between Sir David Hughes Morgan and Mr Walker a well-known international Scottish bowler resident here in Tenby. They played against the Rev. J. Lloyd Williams of Tenby & Mr. George Hook of Pembroke, the latter pair winning 21-18.
Icing on the cake
Following the official opening, a magnificent day of celebrations took place on 23rd June, when burgeoning Tenby bowlers joined forces to play a full match against representatives from the Welsh Bowling Association and other Welsh clubs. This was followed by an invitational celebratory dinner held in the Royal Lion Hotel. A wonderful start to any enterprise.
Original Directors of the Limited Company (Established 1924)
Miss H.O.Beard; Mr George M. Chiles; Mr W. H. Carew; Mr Edward G. Evans; Mr George Lord; Mr George Meyrick Price; Mr George L. Stokes; Mr W. A. Wood; Mr Graham Ace, Mr. H. M. Allen; Mr. John A. Bancroft; Mr W. Davies; Mr John B. Diment; Mr Joseph H. Hodge; Mrs Charlotte A. Palmer; Mr A. F. Roblin & Mr Sydney W. Thomas.
The Limited Company was responsible for the upkeep of the property and equipment up until 1960.
The Limited Company are still established with the function of holding all the club’s shares for the benefit of the membership. In 2002, Dennis Bancroft, undertook the role of contacting all existing shareholders to request they ‘sign’ the shares back to the club. All but 1% have been returned.
The current Limited Company members are P. Diment; A. Hooper; J. Webb; A Muskett; D. Spencer and P. Day.
The fairer sex
The suffragettes were struggling for equality, which was very slow in coming but not as slow as women’s bowling, here in Tenby, with one exception.
It was described in the Tenby Observer as :-
“An innovation took place on the Tenby green. A match between Tenby Ladies, composing of the following teams:-
Rink 1. Lead, Mrs Guy Bancroft. 2nd. Miss D.Davies, 3rd. Mrs Mason, Skip Mrs. Gwatkin.
Rink 2. Lead, Mrs R.O.Dowdeswell 2nd. Miss D.Phillips, 3rd. Mrs. Griffiths, Skip, Mrs F.Farthing.”
Two games were played, the first on 12th September,1924, which Mrs Gwatkin’s rink won 21-14 and the return match on 17th September which Mrs Farthing’s rink won 21-16.
Surprisingly nothing further developed for ladies bowling, nothing official anyway, until the 1960’s. Nevertheless, if it hadn’t been for the active participation of wives and girlfriends of bowling members and other interested women, the Club would never have survived. A truism which still applies today.
The Tenby club was always short of funds for many years, so fund raising was the order of the day, every day. This is where the ladies of Tenby really shone, regular whist drives, bridge parties, dances, were all sources of income to be milked mercilessly. Highlight being the prestigious Tenby Bowling Club Ball, a very well attended affair each year.
World War II.
Bowling continued the Tenby green throughout the war, Tenby bowlers often entertaining the troops on the green. A limited number of friendlies were managed but food rationing proved a problem. A case in point was the Stampers Club of Llanelly, who requested an early fixture. Were advised that they should apply again later in the season as Tenby could not supply team teas.
Players Committee
The Player’s Committee was formed in 1925, their function being the organising and running of club competitions and the gradual expansion of bowling into the County tournaments etc., (still not formed at this stage) and eventually the Welsh Bowling Association competitions, which would follow affiliation.
It was in 1936 that the Tenby Club saw the introduction of the post of Chairman of the Players Committee and the first incumbent was a local builder W. H. Phillips. That was the year that they charged spectators 2 pence a seat to view the matches, probably not a very popular move.
Historically, financing was always very difficult.
The annual Bowling Club Dance in the de Valence Pavilion and the whist drives, during the off season, were staged to raise monies for the upkeep of the green, and they were lifesavers.
In 1928, bad luck struck when, the green had an uncontrollable infestation of “leather jackets” (Cranefly Grubs ) and as chemical cures were not available, they had to re-lay the turves.
1929 saw them really struggling to make ends meet. Young Ashley Colley, auditor for the Limited Company, suggested the removal of the raised flower beds and introducing an eighteen-hole putting course on the ground north of the bowling green, as a way of generating much needed income. This proved an instant success and putting is still one of our major revenue earners.
“Putting” at sixpence- a- round amounted to £60 profit in 1930.
Ashley was to play many important rolls in the Tenby Bowling Club affairs. His first love was cricket; he eventually captained the Tenby Cricket team for many successful years. Ashley enjoyed his bowling as well, but his administration skills were also put to good use thro’ the 30’s.
He was club secretary in 1932, ran the open tournament in 1935 and was elected to the board of directors of the Limited Company in 1946.
In those early years, an important financial appeal against the rateable value of the green was successful so rates were reduced from £15 to £8 per annum..
With No Green There Was No Bowling Club.
In 1934 the new groundsman, a Mr E.Sutton, requested a new mower at the cost of
£11-18s-6d. The committee also purchased a second-hand mower for the putting green for the princely sum of 10/-. At that time the groundsman’s wage, per week was £2-15s-0d during the season and £1-0s-0d. during the off season.
The mid-eighties saw improvements in machinery for the tending the grass, particularly a scarifier for thatch removal (current prices for machinery in 2008 are well into the thousands of pounds bracket ).
Watering of the green.
Prior to the purchase of the automatic built-in sprinkling system in the late 1980s , which brought a much improved sward, the watering of the bowling surface was a very labour intensive affair. What was used in the very early days is unknown, probably a hand held sprinkler.
During the 1970s they used a sprinkling boom reaching the length of the green, which covered about two rinks at a time and had to be dragged across the green after a suitable time interval. When there was a drought, our friends in the Fire Brigade could be persuaded to hold their practice nights very adjacent to our parched green.
The services of our current greenkeeper Chris Jenkins, a dedicated professional, have been exemplary. He has developed one of the finest bowling surfaces in Wales, a perfect description of the Tenby Green. Chris. has tended our green continuously since the mid 1980s. At the 2008 A.G.M. Chris Jenkins was rewarded with a “Life Membership” of the Tenby Bowling Club
Post war.
After the war, with the gradual increase in leisure activities and paid holidays, the sport of bowls started to expand and younger men took more interest in this game of skill.
At the Tenby Club’s A.G.M. in 1950 the players committee requested permission to play matches on Sundays, mainly to cater for the increasing number of friendly games, which would help with the club’s struggling finances.
World bowls.
1950 saw the start of major tours by our bowling cousins from America and the Commonwealth Countries, that had become prosperous after the war.
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Tenby was honoured by the Welsh B.A. in 1951, when it was chosen as the venue for the Pembroke County B.A. v New Zealand Touring side. Obviously, the occasion was of some importance, borne out by the list of diners at the ensuing celebratory meal.
(Talk about getting in on the act!)
Present were the 45 tourists and their wives. They were entertained by a Member of Parliament; 6 Mayors; 17 town councillors; 10 Welsh Bowling Association officials; 15 Pembroke County officials; 16 Officers representing all of the Clubs in the County of Pembrokeshire; 6 Directors of the Tenby Bowling Club Limited and finally the home team.
15,000 draw tickets were printed and distributed throughout Pembrokeshire to raise funds for this prestigious and very successful event.
More and more bowling tourists were to spend a week in Tenby hotels, bowling against all the clubs in Pembrokeshire. Even though this increased activity brought in more revenue, the “Limited Company” could never quite keep pace with the cost of maintaining the green and surrounds.
During the very difficult year of 1959, the directors were ready to quit but once again Ashley Colley who was still active in the company, suggested that the total running of the club be offered to the “players committee” on a suitable lease and ground rent.
1960’s.
In 1960, this challenge was readily accepted by the players, Cecil Jeans, a brilliant administrator who was in the right place at the right time, being Chairman & Secretary, when the Players Committee took over the total running of the Club’s affairs.
Progress.
From 1960 on, the club prospered, and they were soon in a position to build a modern single story pavilion, in the south east corner of the grounds, enabling them to cope more easily with the increasing numbers of visiting sides and the increasing number of bowling clubs forming in the County of Pembroke.
Plans for this new building were drawn up in 1960 but it was ten years before it was finally built.
The planned stone pavilion, estimated cost £8,000 never saw the light of day. Successive management committees appear to have been reluctant to part with the hard-earned cash.
Unfortunately for the club, the eventual factory-built structure purchased, Total cost of this wooden structure was £4,743, although adequate for the purpose, its roof lasted barely ten years. Drilling holes in the wooden floor with an auger in the late 1970’s, prior to a committee meeting, to let out the rainwater was the last straw.
Rebellion.
On the National front, bowling in Wales in the 1960’s, went through a traumatic phase, mainly because of the Welsh team selection, the County of Glamorgan producing most of the Welsh team players and the minor Counties’ talented bowlers were being constantly ignored, over many seasons. It all came to a head in 1965, when the minor counties walked out of the Welsh A.G.M. in protest and amalgamated to form the “Bowling Association of Wales”. This unsatisfactory situation lasted for approximately three sad years before it petered out. It would appear to have had the desired effect though, because all talented bowlers in Wales are now scrutinised and rewarded with a cap, based on ability not geographic location.
Saundersfoot B.C.
Friendship and sportsmanship amongst all Bowlers, is renowned.
Reception, on visiting any bowling club in the world, is warm and instantly recognisable.
The same extrovert spirit prevailed when many Tenby bowlers transferred their allegiance, helping to form the Saundersfoot Bowling Club in 1962, Pembroke County’s fifth club, which has gone from strength to strength ever since.
1970’s
In 1970, newish club member Lewis Hilling, a local businessman, who joined the club in 1965, was joint M.C. of the annual Bowling Club dinner with Mrs. May Jones to the delight of all present, it was to be a fun night.
As we now know Lewis has had a long and humorous association with the club as a bowler and administrator, chairing management affairs for many years, ardent supporter of the club and raconteur. He has been known to crack the occasional joke.
Recently he retired from the highest post in the club, that of President. Lewis initiated the modern concept that the incumbent of the office of Club President serve for three years only, enabling the Club to reward more members with the Presidency for services rendered to our wonderful Club. Lewis currently chairs the meetings of the Limited Company.
Decimalisation.
With the advent of Sterling decimalisation in the 1970’s, prize-monies for Our Open Tournament was rounded up to the nearest pound:-
Gold Cup, Winner £13-00. Runner-Up £6-00.
Silver Bowl, Winner £8-00. Runner-Up, £4-00.
Overnight the British currency rapidly disintegrated, copper coins rapidly disappeared or simply became a nuisance. Silver coins confused most people, even bank managers could not work out the values. Remember the ten pence piece and the two-shilling coin, quite a lot of head scratching!
Add to that the periods of rampant inflation and Sterling was soon destroyed.
By the 1990s prize monies for our Open Tournaments shot up to a fantastic height: -
Gold Cup, Winner, £750. Runner-up £350.
Silver Bowl, £500. Runner-up £250.
Undiplomatic!
Sadly, in the past, encouragement of new talent seems not to have been the top priority for the Tenby Club. Two separate instances of crass insensitivity. One, a young Tenby policeman, Ray Palmer, eagerly followed events on the Tenby green, his regular appearances on the banks around the green prompted one of the more mature bowlers to enquire, “are you interested in taking up the game of bowls?” Pleased to be asked and affirming that he certainly would love to; he was politely told to follow the Tenby players' progress for a year and then apply for membership.
The other similar case involved a young Tenby plumber Peter Hooper, equally keen to join—he was told to sit on the bank for the season and then they might consider his request to become a Tenby bowler. Both men subsequently played an important part in Tenby’s bowling affairs on and off the green.
1980’s.
The more enlightened management committees of the 1980’s encouraged new members with three free coaching lessons, which paid handsome dividends in increased membership and the development of the all-important bowling for the youngsters of the town, our future membership. This offer is still the current policy for all ages.
The exorbitantly estimated cost of £10,000 for a new roof on our existing pavilion in the early 1980's, a building that had sadly only lasted 10 years, forced the new committee led by chairman Gethin Griffiths, to consider a more substantial and permanent building. The happy coincidence of grants being more readily available from the Sports Council of Wales and our local County and Town Councils, coupled with the generous interest free loans from bowlers and the Tenby people, we were able to afford the present grand two-tier club house.
The New Pavilion was officially opened in 1983 by Viv Hubbard, Welsh B.A. President, with enhanced bowling facilities and the most acceptable social amenity of a well-appointed bar / lounge.
Television.
The televising of bowls, world-wide in the 1980's, rapidly increased the numbers taking up this skilful sport, nowhere more-so than at the Tenby bowling club where a second league team, “The Five Arches Team”, was formed in 1985, captained by Bert Barnikel. A popular and successful development, as both Tenby league teams have spent most of their existence, side by side in the first division. The Tenby team regularly winning the County First Division Shield, especially in the 1990's, when they put together a record breaking seven consecutive wins from 1991-97.
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The numbers of lady bowlers also increased in the 1980’s allowing them to field two teams in the Pembroke County Ladies two-rink League, namely the Tenby Ladies & the Five Arches Ladies.
Catering. The sale of the humble Cup-of-Tea since 1923 has been a lifesaver in the everlasting battle to survive financially. The thorny problem of staffing the kitchen each season for team teas etc. was & still is a perennial problem but successive generations of Lady Members have always come up trumps. One of the finest examples is that of Cis Charrington, who in the early 1980’s announced that she would not be bowling the following season due to the onset of old age but she promised to man the afternoon tea slot, every day for two more years, which she did religiously and her action was very much appreciated by everyone, bowlers and visitors alike.
The ladies also gave freely of their time to cater for all matches. What they produced from the primitive kitchen in the earlier years, with a gas ring and a large kettle, would beggar belief today. Even the cold water tap was outside the curtilage.
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As stated earlier , “Post war” years saw many changes in the bowling world with the increase of paid holidays etc. but not for ladies bowling. At a committee meeting in 1949, the subject of lady bowling was raised again but as usual the male chauvinistic concept was to prevail until much later in the century. They deemed that the ladies were too busy, fund raising and preparing team teas, so they would have little time for bowling!!! If that happened today there would understandably be a riot.
Alfresco. 1982 was a very interesting year on the catering front. The new pavilion was being built during the early part of the bowling season SO all of the team teas had to be served at the green side.
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Water for tea making was kindly supplied by bowling enthusiast Ted Sharp and his family in the Southbourne Hotel in Southcliffe St., Fortunately the weather was exceptionally fine that spring.
Those were the days when the ladies had their own management team. Pauline Barnikel followed Cis James, becoming Chair Lady for the season. Luckily the difficult circumstances brought out that “wartime spirit” in all of the ladies as they appear to have made light of it, over coming all obstacles.
There was a wonderful party for the builders and all the members on completion of the very stylish
New Pavilion , later that summer.
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Lady Bowlers.
Ladies Bowling started by accident in Tenby, probably with the connivance of the more enlightened management team. New member Mr Charles James and his wife Gwenith, both bowlers from Birmingham, on arrival in Tenby,became very friendly with the Club’s secretary, Cecil Jeans, a brilliant organiser with a more modern outlook. Cecil invited Charles to join but not his wife, Charles naturally declined so Cecil arranged unofficial “roll-ups” together with their wives which, was sufficient encouragement for Charles to join. What intriguing plan was hatched we do not know but Charles entered himself and his wife Gwenith in the 1961 Open Tournament. Her name is still in the tournament ledger as:- Mrs G.James, Paid.
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Naturally there was pandemonium on the first day of play, protests galore were lodged with the tournament secretary. Gwenith did not progress too far, saving the Club further embarrassment as it was strictly men only. The W.B.A. gave the club a rocket and at the following A.G.M. Charles was on the carpet. He apologised profusely (amongst friends), which was reluctantly accepted but undeterred he then launched a serious request for a limited amount of bowling for women. This was agreed with certain limitations.
Mrs. Doreen Diment, veteran chairman of the ladies section (Non playing), was delighted to chair the first meeting with secretary Mrs. Iris Davies on the 5th December 1961, at which they officially asked Management to be allowed to form a Ladies Bowling Section. This was granted and their fees were set at £1.1s.0d per annum. There were seven founder members of whom only Gladys Gray 100, still survives. Gwenith James who survived until her 100th birthday, Nancy Barnes, Iris Davies, Eileen Jeans, Molly Flateau & Kit Dawson.
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In July each year the advent of ladies bowling in 1962 is celebrated, on the Tenby Green,
Tenby Ladies v An Invited Team made up from all of the other clubs in our County. Since then the Tenby Ladies have never looked back, holding their own against all comers and notching up many great achievements.
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The Pembroke County Ladies Two Rink League was launched in 1982 ,when Les Davies of the Pembroke Dock Club, donated a cup to encourage Ladies bowling in the County. A popular outlet for all of the lady club members of Pembrokeshire clubs. Some clubs have two teams.
West Wales Ladies Bowling Association. This was started in the early 1980’s and included the Cardigan club in the early days. This organisation has also gone from strength to strength, producing many fine Welsh bowlers and Welsh Women’s Presidents.
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1990's
Mrs. Marlene Burn and Mrs Mair Marquiss.
Welsh Women’s Pairs Champions 1990 and British Isles Champions 1991
Exceptional talents.
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The highest female achievers so far has to be firstly, Marlene Burn & Mair Marquiss, who in 1990 won the Welsh Womens Pairs Championship. Then they brought the highest accolade to their Club by winning the prestigious British Isles Pairs Championship in 1991 in N.Ireland.
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The 1990’s also saw Janine Bancroft and Ceris Hewlings appearing regularly in the Welsh women’s Under 25’s team but leading the field has to be :-
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Mrs Julia King Thomas who had a stunning series turning out for five season, playing for Wales. All this has been capped by Julia herself. Having served for many years in various offices of Ladies bowling here in the County of Pembroke.
On Saturday December 1st 2007, Julia was installed as the President of the Welsh Womens Bowling Association.
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Present at the ceremony in Cardiff, were many lady bowlers from the Tenby club and the other West Wales clubs, witnessing Julia bringing great honour to our corner of the world and especially the Tenby Club.
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Equality at last!
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1996 our ladies were granted equal voting rights and a stronger say in management affairs and to prove that they were up to the task, Mrs Pauline Barnikel, notched up a first as she took office as Club Chairman in 2000 and enjoying the role, with so much support from all sides, she completed three years in total. The ladies have convincingly proved their right to be allowed to achieve as equals on a level playing field. How much farther would our Club be now if our women had started with the men in 1924?
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Ladies Open Week.
Soundings were taken from the Ladies of our club in the early 1990’s regarding an Open Tournament Week, specifically, for the Lady Bowlers. They were naturally very enthusiastic so in 1992 an Open (Three Wood) Ladies Pairs tournament was launched, organised by Tony Lamb. Mrs. Kath Cole donated a beautiful cup for the winners and Mrs. Winnie Lamb donated a Consolation Plate for the secondary tournament. This proved a very popular move but what about the supportive husbands and male friends? As the Ladies Pairs only lasted three days an “Open (Two Wood) Mixed Triples” tournament was launched in 1995 extending play up to the Friday night, rounding off what has turned into a fine week of bowling for the ladies. Another successful new venture for the Tenby Club, keeping them firmly in the van of Pembroke County Bowling, as they have been since inception. The Mixed Triples now play for the “Keith Delabertouche Cup” generously donated by Lynn Delabertouche in memory of her husband.
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Goscar Team.
The Tenby Club, with it’s increasing membership, took the plunge and formed a third men’s team and called it Goscar, captained by Dennis Bancroft in 1996, ensuring many happy hours for the maximum number of players.
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Tenby’s male bowlers, like the ladies have made their mark in the national & international competitions.
Tenby’s first international was Hadyn Guy who achieved this honour in 1979 when talented bowlers in the minor counties were slowly being considered in the newly enlightened Welsh team selection, developing through the 1970’s.
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One Tenby player who should have been playing regularly for Wales was the highly talented
Crofton Johns. Sadly the Welsh selectors rarely looked to the minor Counties for potential Welsh team players after the war. Crofton joined the Tenby club, just before the war and from 1946 on, up until 1975, he won a myriad of cups , trophies & played regularly as Lead for Pembroke County. Such were his renowned skills, nation-wide, he was granted W.B.A. trials in 1956 & 1960. He was also granted two trials in the mid-1960’s for the rebel, Bowling Association of Wales, regrettably failing to make both teams. As a singles player his achievements were legend. He won the Gold Cup twice, the Silver Bowl three times, the T. P. Hughes Club Championship Cup five times & many County competitions.
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Next, the trio of Vivian John, Andrew Muskett & Simon Evans broke the ice winning the Welsh Triples Trophy in 1992. They followed this with a magnificent Runners Up spot in the 1993 British Isles Championships at Worthing.
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Paul Diment & Lee Williamson were playing so well in the early 1990’s they commanded a regular place in the victorious Welsh Under 25’s Team for several seasons, Paul for 7 seasons & Lee for
5 seasons, a fantastic achievement by any standard. Young Andrew Muskett, very busy with his studies, also played for the Under 25s in 1991.
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Paul went on to play as a Full International for Wales for 3 years, 1999-2000 &2001. Paul was to re-emerge (after a period prioritising work) as skilful as ever in 2009 in the Welsh team at the International series in Belfast.
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In 1999 The Pembroke County Fours Champions, Peter Day, Paul Diment, Andrew Muskett & Patrick Currie turned on the style to win the Welsh Fours Trophy. This skilful quartet then went on to greater things in the 2000 British Isles Series, capturing the magnificent Edinburgh Trophy.
There were great celebrations in the Tenby Club on their triumphant return.
Paul Diment and Patrick Currie tested the Welsh bowlers again at the Welsh Finals in Llandrindod Wells in 2002 and found them wanting, when they successfully lifted the Welsh Pairs Trophy. They all certainly did us proud.
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Super Fans
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Over the 85 years of the Tenby Bowling Club’s life, generous donors of the Tenby Town & District populace have been an important factor in the financial well-being of our small but popular sports club. Worthy examples spring to mind who might fit the bill of super-fan.
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Firstly, one of the most outstanding women who got hooked on “bowls” was Mrs Maria Meyrick Price, a sports woman in her younger years, (hockey), she firstly persuaded her second husband, George Meyrick Price to buy shares in the new Tenby Bowling Company Limited. Apart from the fund raising she was to be seen in the 1930’s most summers evenings, with her young grandson Dennis Bancroft in tow,sitting at the greenside supporting and encouraging the bowlers. She was so enthralled with the success of the Tenby bowlers and to encourage new members, she presented the Club with two Victorian Silver cups in 1944, to be played for by members who had not won a trophy in the club.
The club gratefully accepted this magnificent donation, making one a Handicap and the other a Scratch. These are still enthusiastically vied for each season. The club gave her the singular honour of making her Club President for 1945 & 1946.
Secondly, Dr. Tom James of Cardiff & Penally. A bowler in his own right, “Dr.Tom” as he was affectionately known, was the Welsh Indoor Bowling Association’s President in 1973. He retired to Penally and formed a long association with our club. In 1970 he donated the Georgian wired plate-glass awning to be affixed to the north side of our then new pavilion and it proved to be a tremendous boon in our uncertain climate, for many years. He recognised and encouraged new talent and was one of nature’s gentlemen, in any other era he would have made a fine club president.
Also worthy of mention is “Bobby” Diment a very fine player, regularly skipping for his County commencing in 1946. Bob was to serve the Tenby club in many roles on the administration. He was President of the Pembroke C.B.A. in 1955, finally serving as Tenby’s Club President for twelve years. Even when he waned physically, he was our most supportive fan, his interest spanning over half a century. His revered memory still marches on. Bob’s family presented the Pembroke C.B.A. with an handsome Knock-Out Cup in his memory, adding another chapter to the history of Pembroke County Bowling Association.