Hill Crest Bowling Club

The early part of the last century saw the development of this part of the district known as ‘Hill Crest’ by the construction of private houses by the builders of that time- notably Messrs Helliwell and Shaw of Burnley Road, and Mr George F. Wright of Hollins Bank. The building was piece-meal and it had almost reached saturation point. The local authority had prescribed the layouts and the intended roads; there remained only three sections of land undeveloped.

About the Spring of 1911 a group of business and professional men conceived the idea of constructing a bowling green, following upon discussions, Messrs J.K. Helliwell and Thomas Shaw along with Mr G.F. Wright jointly purchased on the 3rd June 1911, the plot of land on which the bowling green and pavilion now stand.

At the same time the machinery was set in motion to raise the necessary capital to pay for the land and buildings. It was found possible to open the club in the year 1913.

In the year 1919, land at the rear of the pavilion was purchased. It had been intended to construct a miniature bowling green but this idea was abandoned when it was realised that when the intended street at the westerly side of the property was constructed by the local authority, there would be insufficient room for a decent size green. As things have turned out, the land eventually became a useful asset as a car park for members and guests.