The History of the Oldest Bowling Club on the Isle of Wight
The Club's first green at Highport Cliff, Ventnor, from 1886 to 1914.
Formed in 1886, Ventnor Bowling Club’s first home was at Highport, which was situated in the King's Bay Road area, just off Madiera Road. When the First World War broke out the area was turned into a tennis and croquet club where servicemen home on leave or convalescence could seek rest and relaxation. Consequently the Bowling Club had to look for a new home. The adjacent photograph of the green at Highport shows a rather bumpy, uneven surface so it was, perhaps, a good thing that the club was forced to move to somewhere more acceptable.
The Club's second green just above Ventnor seafront at "La Falaise" from 1914 to 1927. In early 1914, a joint committee of the Ventnor Bowling Club and the Ventnor Sailing Club launched an appeal for a new bowling green to be provided in Ventnor. At a special meeting held at the Town Hall on March 30th 1914 it was agreed to establish a new Public Bowling Green on land to the east of La Falaise Hotel off Bath Road, which is now the public car park known as “la Falaise”, just above the Spyglass Inn.
The new green was officially opened on May 13th 1914 by Mr J H Cater JP, with dozens of local dignitaries in attendance. The new green had four rinks which was one more than at Highport, and therefore could accommodate more players at any one time. Membership soon increased significantly, especially after the end of the first world war, and carried on increasing, with the result that the club began to look for somewhere larger
The Club's third (and current) home in Mitchell Avenue, Ventnor from 1927 to the present day, seen from the slopes of St. Boniface Down opposite.
At the end of 1926, following the issue of shares, a Limited Company was formed with a capital of £1000 and negotiations were started to acquire a site in Mitchell Avenue. This site formed the grounds of the large building opposite called “Huish Terrace”. A dominant feature of the Mitchell Avenue green was the huge Macrocarpa tree in the north east corner, near the road. This tree survives today but needs regular health checks to ensure public safety. Due to a preservation order it has to be retained unless it becomes too dangerous.
The Mitchell Avenue green was Officially opened by Mr E. Dene, President of the EBA, June 27th 1927. Prior to the Official opening of the new green, on June 27th 1927, a lunch was held at the Crab & Lobster Hotel in Grove Road . The opening ceremony was performed by Mr E Dene, President of the English Bowling Association accompanied by Alderman G E Mears, Mr W Blake JP, Capt. H Linnington TD (President of Ventnor Bowling Club) and Mr A S Moorman (Vice Chairman of the Ventnor Urban District Council).
At this time the Club had 35 full members (who paid 2 guineas per annum) and 40 associate members (who paid half a guinea). Associate members were required to pay extra if they wished to bowl - just like today! In those days, only the men actually played bowls.
The new Club was riding high and on June 5th 1930 a party of 47 Australian Tourists came to the Isle of Wight and the Mitchell Avenue green was chosen to host the visitors. It was estimated that as many as 500 spectators came to watch the game and each one paid 6d to get in. This would have brought in £12-10 shillings which was half of the estimated cost of hosting the visit. Judging by the photographs available, the estimation of the attendance was about right.
Her Royal Highness, Princess Beatrice (who lived on the Island) donated 3 guineas and it was suggested that the event should be listed as "under Royal Patronage".
For the record, the result was a win for the Australians by 141 shots to 84.
Some of the spectators watching the Australian Tourists in 1930. (note the absence of trees on the hillside opposite)
In the following years, membership declined and the Club got into financial difficulties and the Ventnor Bowling Club Company Limited went into liquidation in October 1934. Ventnor Urban District Council stepped in and agreed to create a Municipal Bowling Green open to the public. It was agreed that full members would pay an annual subscription of £1.5s.0d and it would cost 2/- a session for members of the public who wanted a game of bowls. In the next twenty years or so, the total number of members dropped to 39 (33 men and 6 ladies).
POST WAR YEARS
A scene in the late 1950's showing the original Clubhouse and Huish Terrace.
Up until the 1950’s Ventnor Bowling Club, was seen as rather exclusive, with the membership consisting of local businessmen and tradesmen. However, more and more people were coming to the Island to retire, and membership began to diversify.
Members and their wives at the Club's 75th Anniversary in 1961.
One name is synonymous with Ventnor Bowling Club in the post-war era, and that is Walter Zuber. Walter & Mrs Zuber are centre front He had come to Ventnor on holiday from Switzerland and he liked the Island, especially Ventnor, so much that he decided to stay here! He opened a cafe at the bottom of Spring Hill and named it Cafe Suisse, and for many years it was the focal point in the town for people to meet over a drink and home-made cakes, pastries and chocolates. He was elected President of the IW Bowling Association twice.
The inaugural Ladies section formed in 1972.
A ladies section was formed in 1972 with their own committee which operated independently of the men’s section. Their president for the first four years was Miss Mary Saunders MBE (a well-known local dignitary of the time).
At this time the club membership was at an all-time high (53 men and 24 ladies) and the Management Committee felt that the Club should consider taking the Green on lease from the VUDC. This was put forward at the next AGM on 29th October 1973. It was agreed to proceed with the idea and a lease was created and signed. As part of the lease, the Bowling Club agreed to provide morning and afternoon stewards to man the
green and to provide refreshments for any member of the public who wished to partake of the facilities. The Club still provides stewards to this day.
By 1981, after a gradual decline in the membership – again - it was agreed to try and get the Ventnor Youth Club involved. After all, although bowls is perceived as an old person’s game, it is basically because older people have retired and have more leisure time. As a new incentive to join, a Junior Membership was introduced to encourage younger players to take up bowls. To a certain degree, this worked, as quite a few youngsters have played for Ventnor over the years with no small amount of success. The most notable being in 2008, when one of our Junior Members, Sam Lines, who, at the age of sixteen, won the Island singles championship against all male bowlers of all ages – so much for bowls being an old man’s game!)
By 1982, although the bowling green itself was plenty big enough, all the other facilities were becoming overcrowded and extremely outdated. The changing rooms were still outside the main clubhouse and the toilets and other facilities were “primitive” to say the least. At the end of 1982 plans were drawn up to bring the changing rooms inside the clubhouse and to add an extension to the south to include new toilets. The final cost of this work to the Club was about £3000, with Manpower Services providing the labour free of charge. Further work was completed by April 1986 (the Club's Centenery Year) which included a new kitchen and ladies toilets. This work was financed by the South Wight Borough Council and Burts Brewery, who helped with the costs of the new bar.
With more bowlers wanting to play indoors in the winter, their only option was to travel to Ryde, Cowes or Bembridge and use the facilities there. So, at the end of 1991 plans were conceived for the most radical improvement in the club’s existence.................
.
The Club embarked on a £60,000 improvement to incorporate a FULL LENGTH indoor bowling rink as part of an extended clubhouse, along with new changing rooms, extended kitchen and increased toilet facilities including a toilet for the disabled. The new indoor rink was built between the old clubhouse and the outdoor green, and ran the full length of the outdoor green. Indoor games are played on a special carpet .The new, extended clubhouse was opened in the summer of 1992 by the Mayor of South Wight Borough Council. This put the Club in the unique position of being able to offer members a TWELVE MONTHS subscription which entitles them to play at Ventnor all year round!
There have been no major changes to the premises since 1992.
Club Officials
2024/2025
President
Cherie EARLE 0776 9353220
01983 865380
Vice President
Chris EARLE 0748 5180946
01983 865380
Secretary
Maurice KANE 0796 7005362
01983 866371
Assistant Secretary
Loretta DYER 0774 7344992
01983 731598
Treasurer
Terry WHITE 0734 1001886
01983 590596
Mens Club Captain
Steve GALLOP 0758 3018359
01983 719158
Ladies Club Captain
Sandra ADKINS 0779 4481246
01983 719158
Bar Manager
John WALKER 0779 0306814
01983 852068
Catering Manager
Vacant Position
Maintenance and Greens Liaison Officer
Glen COX 07765 982 386
Safeguarding
Kate SMITH 07503570832
Website Administrator
Richard WYATT 07815 290 933
01983 852613
Membership Co-ordinator
Susan WHITE 07594505336
01983 590596
Honours
Affiliations
Ventnor Bowling Club is affiliated to Bowls Isle of Wight and will enter the following teams in 2025
Men's Saturday Leagues: 3 Teams.
Men's Afternoon League: 1 Team.
Ladies Midweek Leagues: 2 Teams.
Ladies Evening League: 1 Team.
The Club enters all County Competitions.
For weekly updates on Summer league results and positions
Click for https://www.bowlsisleofwight.com
Ventnor Bowling Club is affiliated to Bowls England and usually enters teams and individuals in most National and Regional Competitions.
For more information on Bowls England click for https://www.bowlsengland.com
Ventnor Bowling Club has Hygeia on its official badge and is featured on club shirts, hats etc. Hygeia was the Greek Goddess of health and well-being. Ventnor, known for its healthy climate, adopted her in 1890 as their patron goddess
Safeguarding Policy
Ventnor Bowling Club
Ventnor Bowling Club is fully committed to promoting and safeguarding the well-being of all of its members, ensuring a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
It is important that members and everyone associated with the club should at all times show respect
and understanding for the safety and welfare of others, regardless of age, gender, ability, race,
cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity.
Members should familiarize themselves with the Safeguarding Adults Flowchart which is displayed
on the club noticeboard and should be encouraged to share any concerns or complaints about the
conduct of others without fear of retribution. Contact details for the club Safeguarding Officer can
be found below.
Bowls England
The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) and the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of bowls are
committed to ensuring that everyone who participates in bowls can do so in a safe, positive and
enjoyable environment and to feel safe and protected from any form of abuse and neglect.
The Bowls Development Alliance provides a framework of policies and procedures which help ensure
a safe environment for everyone to enjoy playing bowls.
The Safeguarding Adults in Bowls Policy - 2022 can be accessed at
https://www.bowlsengland.com/safeguarding
Children and Adults at Risk
The BDA and Bowls NGBs acknowledge that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and that
everyone in the bowls family has a part to play in safeguarding children and adults at risk who play
the sport. This is in line with national legislation and relevant national and local guidelines.
VBC Safeguarding Officer
Kate SMITH 07503570832