History
The History of the Charlton Bowling Club
CHARLTON BOWLING CLUB
The Wellington Bowling club later the Charlton Bowling Club began in 1838 on a green belonging to the Groom and Horses near the Market Hall, off Butcher Lane now known as Market Street, Wellington. The club later moved to the turf at the Bulls Head in New street and in 1860 when a new green had been laid to the Charlton Arms in Church Street. This is where the present club obtained its name by the permission of the family of Charlton who lived at Apley Castle. There are no records available to give any clue as to why the club moved from the first 2 venues.
In 1969 the Shrewsbury and Wem Brewery decided to extend the Charlton Arms Hotel and was forced to increase the parking area. The only area that could be used was the bowling green. Following investigation and discussion of green availability, it was agreed with the Hadley Council that the club could move to the Hadley council green and this took place in 1970.
The council green was available to all and this fact was the reason for the fees paid at that time. Membership fees had to reflect those charged by the council. The club was allowed to have a fully licensed bar. During the closed season pleasant evenings were spent playing games of darts, dominoes and cards. Presentation and social evenings were also held. A good atmosphere that helped keep members in touch through the winter.
Unfortunately the club house was broken into several times and was eventually burnt down in 2002. With the replacement being a portacabin , the limited space was not suitable for social activities
Then the development of the Hadley Learning Centre and plans that once again incorporated the bowling green for transport purposes. A new green (5th site) was to be laid within its grounds.
In 2007 the club moved to its new location with a new and challenging green, a crown higher than the original green and new floodlights which are the envy of many clubs. The green is secure with locks and high fences and at later dates 4 shelters and steps onto the green have been built with the funding in the main by the club.
Inside, the building provided has limited space , it has the essential WC , washing facilities, electrics for fridge a nd kettle. A urinal was installed and funded by the club. This area is now suitable for both sexes and the disabled.
The green has in its time at HLC been maintained by TWS, Ground Control and Mitie. Same problems with green maintenance and worms as it was whilst at the Charlton.
In 2012 for the first time in its recorded history a Ladies team was organized and applied to play in the Shrewsbury and District League, and later in the Telford and Wrekin afternoon ladies league.
2014 Charlton enter a new team on a Thursday night Mid Shropshire League. This means that the Charlton now will have teams playing Monday to Saturday.
There was a committee of a President ;elected for one year only, a Vice President who became president the following year, a Hon Secretary and deputy, a Hon Treasurer, Captain, Vice Captain, Green Stewards and Handicappers. The committee evolved over the years , auditors were appointed, and in 1965 the rule pertaining to the committee stated that the club should be under the management of a President, Vice – President, Captain, Vice-Captain, Treasurer, Secretary and 2 auditors together with a committee of 5 from whom shall be selected the ground stewards. For a meeting to take place a Quorum of 5 members was necessary. In 1979 the Captains and Vice Captains of the 1st team, Senior Citizens and the Reserve Team were also appointed to the committee. There have been 75 recorded presidents since 1893.
Initially the club membership included retired gentlemen, tradesmen and professional men of the town who had either a town or country membership The members were expected to give prizes and were regularly requested for donations to maintain the pavilion and the green.
The names of those members reveal the names of establishments in Wellington and reflect the days chosen for competitions. The Championship Cup and Shield were competed for on a Wednesday afternoon and evening; half day closing used to be Wednesday in Wellington. The bowling members, who initially played in silk top hats and gumboots, employed boys to pick up their woods; the picture of top hats falling off as the player picked up his own bowls is quite hilarious. Old and young enjoyed the game and it was highlighted that a veteran of 80 years of age won many games against younger players.
Initially the records indicate that the club was seen to be a fairly exclusive society. The clubs philosophy was to enhance the social element and maintain good fellowship. Whilst the members felt that games should be keenly contested, the main aim was that they should be enjoyable regardless of the result.
Club competitions were the priority and the friendly matches played were limited to 3 selected clubs and played home and away. Clubs chosen initially were Dawley, Eccleshall and the Unicorn at Shrewsbury. The team numbers varied due to availability and often had between 13 and 18 players. There was a mutual agreement as to the score and these scores were between at the lowest 11 up, to 21up. In those days, arrangements were made by telegram or letters
The committee met regularly with the AGM every March, an annual dinner with prize giving and entertainment was held in November for the members only.
Ladies were not included in the membership and were not allowed to play until the 1940s when they were encouraged to have an afternoon, this proved to be successful and in 1949 ladies Day was introduced
COMPETITION TROPHIES
CHAMPIONSHIP CUP (1892)
SHAW MEMORIAL SHIELD (1908)
HUBERT REECE ROSE BOWL (1949) ladies singles (1963)
JAMES CANDLIN ROSE BOWL (1952)
ARCHIE DIXON CHALLENGE CUP (1963)
J.HUGHES CONSOLATION CUP (1963)
W.S.THOMAS/R.L.JONES DOUBLES (1963/73)
W CHAPMAN CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD (1969) losing finalist to the Championship
JACK MOSLEY (1988)
J. BROOME (1996)
1912 CORONATION CUP (2006) now competed for by the ladies in a doubles competitions.
The ‘glass’ competition played for on a Sunday started as a ‘spoons’ (silver)competition in 1935, entrance fee 6d and played on a Monday
commencing at 7.15pm. Several different evenings have been tried but following the club joining the Mid Shropshire League , the green was being used more nights and so the glass competition was moved to Sunday evening where it remains to the present time.
In 1912 the Charlton Bowling Club became a registered club and affiliated to the Shropshire County Amateur Bowling Association in April 1917 with the entrance fee of 5/-. The British Crown Green Association rules were adopted in 1919 and in 1970 the club joined the Mid Shropshire League.
For info Charltons lights
The floodlights were installed by the following company
Highlights Floodlighting Ltd
Newbury House
One London Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3UE
There are 8 Philips Optivision 2000w Luminaires (lights) mounted on 4 lighting columns 10m high.