Bowling

 

Introduction

In the 18th century, in the reign of George II, Blackburn was a small town with a population of five or six thousand. The bubble was soon to burst with the growth of the cotton industry. Money was pumped in by entrepreneurs and the local landed gentry. Not only the building of the Leeds Liverpool canal from 1795, but following on, was the spread of the railways, all affecting the town. Sites for these services and for the new cotton mills were being sought so the bowling green became vulnerable having spent many years in a quiet area, close to the town.

The origin of bowls is lost in time and many historians have done their best but have only succeeded in collecting some scattered references to the game on the “bowling alleys" attached to many great houses.

In 1427, it is recorded, the Grocers' Company of London had an “alley", to which it was their courteous custom to admit citizens upon application. There are many allusions to bowls in Shakespeare's plays, and the terms he used suggests a personal acquaintance with the game. We all know that Francis Drake was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe in 1588 when he was informed that the Spanish Armada had been sighted and retorted that he would finish his game first. Charles I is reported to have played bowls in London. However, all this is superseded by the Southampton (Old) Bowling Club whose first Master of the Green was appointed in 1299 and every club President has been called Master since. In 1540, or thereabouts, the local bench was lashing out fines of 6s 8d a time to peasants caught playing bowls when they should have been practising archery.

Locally, it has been found that in 1663, the Dunkenhalgh at Clayton le Moors had a designated green, as an inventory taken at the house included a set of bowls.

Of course, bowls in the south, as we all know, is flat green, but no one has been able to ascertain where the crown green version started, places such as Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Cumbria and Yorkshire have been suggested.

There were two bowling greens in Old Bank Street, Snig Brook, 1820, and another, in Thunder Alley (Town Hall Street) 1822, and subsequently, many hostelries had them adjacent to their premises as the game became ever more popular. The Griffin's Head at Redlam had one by 1844. These greens were some 60 years before the first “Talbot" Bowling Handicap in 1882 and the first “Waterloo" in 1907, both in Blackpool. Lancashire County Crown Green Bowling Association was formed in 1888 and the British Crown Green Bowling Association was instigated in 1907. There had been professional bowlers prior to 1878.

​ 

Chapter 1​

W. A. Abram in his 'History of Blackburn' published in 1877 states that 'the club' existed as long ago as 1734, and most of the Blackburn gentry from that date onward have been members. The old bowling green of the club was at the foot of the slope at Cicely Hole, and was removed about 1844, when that land was taken as part of the site of the railway-station. The Green near the Grammar School was then formed; and again in 1869, the Club removed to a new Green constructed for its use in Shear Bank Road. The number of members in 1734 was 18 and is now limited to 100.

The minute books that are still in existence at the Community History Department of Blackburn Library date back to 17th May 1753 when the club was officially constituted and rules drawn up, although as the minute book records, payment of subscriptions for the years 1753 and 1754 perhaps there was a previous record now lost. It can therefore be ascertained that apart from the Parish Church, now the Cathedral, and Blackburn Grammar School, it is the oldest institution in the town. Certainly, it is the oldest properly constituted bowling club along with Lewes in Sussex, in the whole of the UK.

The 'green' to which its earliest records relate was situate at Cicely Hall Farm, upon which the Blackburn railway station now stands, and its 18 members paid a yearly subscription of 2s each. The land belonged to Mr Joseph Feilden, and as the accounts mention no payment in respect of it, it is to be presumed the members were in the happy position of paying no rent. The 'green' was enclosed by a quick thorn hedge and was approached by a path, through a rope walk, from what is now the Boulevard.

The first page in the 1754-minute book records the Rules of the club as follows:​

The Rules of the Bowling Green in Blackburn 17th May 1754

1. That no person shall be admitted a subscriber but who shall have the consent of a Majority of the then subscribing Members.
2. That no person enter thereon but who is either himself a Subscriber or introduced by one.
3. That no person be heard to swear thereon, on forfeiture of sixpence for each singular offence.
4. That no person be guilty of uttering any obscene or scurrilous language thereon, on forfeiture of the like sum of Sixpence for each singular offence: such language to be adjudged whether obscene or not by a majority of the then present subscribers.
5. That no Subscriber Bowl or be concerned for money either in! Betts or on any other account whatsoever above Sixpence in anyone Game: and seven casts to be reckoned the Game, on forfeiture of all the Money or value won and lost, above such sum in anyone game as aforesaid.
6. That this last Rule extend to the playing at Tables or any other game hereon practised.
7. That before any persons begin to Bowl their Games. Lotts be cast as well for the choice of the Bowls as the lead of the Jack, unless the parties otherwise agree.
8. That no one set of Bowlers bowl above Three Games together, but at the end of such three games shall offer and deliver up the Bowls to the then present Subscribers, upon pain of being excluded the Green.
9. That the Jack lying be one yard at least from the edge of the Green, and twenty yards at least from the footer or mark. And that no person shall lead the Jack three times together on pain of losing the Jack.
10. That every person leading the Jack has a right to remove the footer for the better soling or other advantage, provided he exceed not two yards from the distance where the Jack was taken up. And such removal to be before a Bowl thrown.
11. That during the game no one direct or instruct any of the persons bowling in any wise, unless he be himself a party, or have some wager depending on such game, on forfeiture of two pence for each offence.
12. That all forfeitures incurred by the breach of any Rules herein contained be paid to the Steward for the time being, and by him applied for the use of the Green.
13. That the Steward of the Green for the time being shall be yearly chosen by a Majority of the persons subscribing. And he or his deputy shall take in, collect, and account for the Subscriptions to the Green, as well as the forfeitures hereby incurred. And also have the direction and ordering of the Green, and the charge of Bowls, and all other matters and things thereto belonging.

            “As witness our hands this 17th day of May 1754."

            (Here follow the signatures of the first Subscribers, thirty-five in number, who each paid the sum of 4s.

​The Rules are continued as below:​

1. That the Steward for the time being in the month of April yearly appoint a meeting for the making up of his accounts. (The rest of this rule has been afterwards crossed with a pen, as if cancelled.) Of which meeting he shall give four days notice by the Bell Man, that the Subscribers may have knowledge thereof, and shall, at such meeting, make up his accounts, and pay over any moneys (that) shall then remain in his hands, either Subscriptions or forfeitures, to the succeeding Steward, which succeeding Steward shall be chosen and appointed at such meeting by a majority of the Subscribers then present. And that all Subscribers shall appear, either by themselves or their deputy, and pay their respective Subscriptions for the ensuing year to such succeeding Steward, and also their respective shares of the expense of such meeting, or in default of attendance, either personally or by deputy, to be entirely debarred from subscribing to the Green for such ensuing year.
2. That the Steward for the time being shall pay or answer out of his own pocket all such forfeitures as he shall neglect or refuse to demand or receive (having notice thereof). And in case of neglect or default in calling or giving notice of a meeting in the month of April yearly as aforesaid, shall forfeit and pay to and for the use of the Green, to the next succeeding Steward, the sum of Five Shillings.
   “That any subscriber, upon knowing any forfeiture to be incurred by the breach of any of the before-mentioned Rules, may demand such forfeiture from the offender. And, in case of payment, pay over the same to the Steward for the time being. Or, in case of non-payment must acquaint the Steward of the Green for the time being therewith, who is to receive the same, and provide for the due execution of these Rules in all respects."

At this time there were 35 fully paid up members (see Appendix for list) each having paid 4s for the 1753 and 1754 season. The Subscribers paid 2s 6d for the 1755 season and the sum of £4 14s 1d was handed over by the first Steward Mr John Sudell to Mr Richard Smalley the new Steward. ​

Expenses for the 1855 season were as follows:​​

The levelling, draining, and forming of the Green, from the hilly nature of the ground, cost a considerable amount of money, and as a larger and better greenhouse was required in that neighbourhood than in St Peter Street, a debt was incurred amounting to £1, 000 and upwards. The committee tried at that time to raise the money from members which numbered 70 but found that they could not do so.

It is interesting to note that the green was built to a specification (whether this was common at the time I do not know although other greens of the period appear to be similar) of 42yds square, with falls of 6in., 9in., 12in. and 14in. to the four respective corners.
A donkey was purchased costing some £3 for its keep over 5 years, its shoes costing 8s. Why the donkey was acquired or where it was kept we do not know.
In 1880, the members which now numbered around 100, with the assistance of friends, by subscriptions reduced the debt to £600, and on the 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, and 20^th, December 1886 a bazaar, opened by William Coddington, Esq. M.P. was held in the Exchange, which was a success, and, with the exception of a very small sum, placed the Green out of debt.
From 1881 to 1893, Henry Backhouse occupied the position of president, and special mention should be paid, for it was under his leadership that the club was freed from debt, and also, for the constant and whole-hearted interest he took in its affairs.
The first match with any established club in the district was at Whalley in 1883, when the committee decided that “a horse and trap be provided to convey the woods there". It must have been a long day, what with the slow progress of the horse and cart, the playing of the game and the hospitality which was common in those days, one can imagine an early start and a very late homecoming (no doubt helped by being in a very happy state).
Mr. Randle Joseph Feilden M.P. of Witton conveyed the property to the club in 1894, leaving the land and buildings as freehold for perpetuity with a ground rent of £30 per annum.
In July 1900, two sets of woods were given by the members to the newly opened Blackburn Union Workhouse bowling green.
By the early 1900s membership had been increased to include Full, Country/non-playing and Life with a maximum of 135 which was maintained for a number of years but rose to 166 until 1945, and then was raised to 175. The 1959 year saw a reduction to 150 but another increase took place in 1965 to 175 but this was to include Ladies who were allowed to become members in 1968.

J. T. Rowntree presented the club with a cup which is still played for today. Initially, it was for an internal competition but in 1966 it was used for an annual competition between ourselves and East Lanc's Bowling Club.

In 1937, a short history of the club had been compiled to mark over 200 years of the club's existence, it mentioned that there were many long serving members of the club over the years. These included Alderman William H. Grimshaw, captain of the club who had died in May that year and was a member from 1895, being president and captain "who worthily upheld the fine traditions of his predecessors ". Other members listed in the 1937 history included:
James Meadowcroft J.P., a trustee who had also joined in 1895, he died on the 4th August 1951.
William Wilson (1896), resigned in 1946.
William W. Wilkinson (1896), remained a member until 1945.
Peter Forbes (1898), died in 1939.
Robert Ferguson (1899), who was a past president and for many years secretary in succession to the late Mark N Margerison who served for a long period and current treasurer until 1949, then life president, dying 23rd November 1957.
Charles Baines (1899), past president, died 1947, as honorary life member.
Fred W Metcalfe (1901), died April 1938.
John Farrow (1902), past president, died May 1938.
Secretary, George Rimmer (1902), past president, was a member until 1955.
John McVittie (1903) who was also connected with the Blackburn Caledonian Curling Club which used the club for its meetings left the club in 1965.
The current president and councillor George Burke who died in 1946.
Secretary WilIiam E T Evans was to remain a member for many years.
The 1937 history also noted: "some current members well remember 'Billy' Evans and his better half being members in our time, still living on Strawberry Bank. He was made a life member and trustee while treasurer in 1965 and 1966 dying in 1978. The chief constable of the Borough Christopher Hodson OBE had joined in 1914 and was a member until he died in 1938".

Coronation year in 1953 saw a new cup 'The Coronation Cup', presented by Robert Ferguson, being played for on 2nd June and won by Chris Maudsley.

Of more recent years the longest serving member must be Francis Ewart Smith an accountant who joined in 1931, becoming assistant secretary in 1938, hon secretary in 1941, trustee and hon treasurer 1949 and 1950, president 1955, dying in 1980. He was a formidable character reminding one of that Dickensian character Mr Pickwick with his waistcoat and fob watch. His wife Marian was made a honorary life member in 1969 and died in 1981.

In 1951, a bi-centenary celebration was held coinciding with the Borough's own Centenary. The 150 members were invited to “take tea with the president and captain" on Saturday 11^th August. A match took place between the President's team and the Captain's team for the Rowntree Cup. Women were not allowed on the premises, except on the most important occasions. And, then only, as catering assistants. The introduction of a billiard table some ten years before had been frowned on, when an enthusiastic member suggested one. Eventually a point was conceded to the younger generation, and a small table was allowed. “Younger Generation" in the club meant anyone under 50 years of age.

In 1956, a revolutionary step was being considered, that of admitting women members. Why? Because, they had finally come to the conclusion that the club couldn't carry on without them. Funds were low - and knowing that behind the funds of most organisations in those days led the magic touch of the women - their all-male resolve had been weakened. Considering was still the operative word though. For after taking so long to broach the subject, the men weren't likely to be up to a year or so in making their decision.

They had actually started thinking about it the previous year. But on an August Saturday, the biggest step forward was taken when wives of members were actually invited to the green, for the first ever Ladies' Day.

The idea of the occasion was for the men to discover their opinions on the subject. Mr Frank H Lloyd, the president, was all in favour of a mixed membership. “We need help in raising money, and I have no objection to mixed company" he said. Mr Francis E Smith, the chairman, supported him. “Many members have not been attending regularly in recent years, and I think they would if they could bring their wives along". Committee member Mr Robert Wilkinson (uncle to present members Dorothy Kenyon, Joan Smith and Leslie Greenhalgh) said “I am in a cricket club, where the ladies play a big part, and do it well. So I would be very happy to see them here".

There were a few male dissenters though. But their dark mutterings: “Why should we admit wives after all this time - is nothing sacred?" were severely muffled on Saturday.

It would have taken a brave man to voice them when the wives were present in force. And what of the wives?
“It's about time, too," was the opinion of Mrs Lloyd and Mrs Wilkinson when they heard the suggestion.
“Times have changed, and these days wives aren't expected to stay at home while their husbands go out."
Another wife remarked “Now my husband can stay in and look after the children, while I go to the club for a game of bowls, for a change."
It took until 1964 to eventually' bite the bullet' and ladies were admitted. 17 in all joined at a £ ls Od per annum fee growing to 32 in 3 years.

The Captain's Cup for Ladies was introduced in 1966 and has been played for ever since.
In 1970, the club decided to enter a team in the Blackburn & District Bowls League with eight players and two reserves. They were accepted to play in Division 5. For the first two years they were bottom of the league but then they commenced to climb. Two years later, they entered the Darwen League and by 1976, a 'B' Team had followed into the Blackburn League. By 1978, a Ladies' Team had entered the Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League.

The highlight came in 1980 when the Darwen Team won the Darwen & District Bowling League Division Four Championship by beating Crown Paints 12-8 and so picking up the club's first trophy in 231 years. Team captain Ron Simms was delighted: “Everybody is very pleased that after years of trying we have finally won a trophy," he said.

A great deal of credit for this initial success must undoubtedly go to experienced Roe Lee campaigner, Jack Wilkinson, (president in 1986). Since joining the club about two years before, Jack's enthusiastic and encouraging approach had been responsible for a resurgence of interest, leading to this success. He took over as greenkeeper and did an excellent job on almost a daily basis despite living in Great Harwood. He died on 26^th December 2010 but Ruth, his wife, is still a member.

In the early 80s, the club entered a snooker team into a league formed with East Lanc's called the Parkside Snooker League. The Sportsman, West View, Gibraltar and other public houses around the Corporation Park area all took part. Winning the Team K/O Cup was the highlight of our membership but when the officials of the league, which had grown considerably, decided to have the season in the summer, the conflict with the bowls season meant that we had to pull out and look for an alternative league. We joined the Blackburn Sunday School League, of long standing, and our 3/4 table was accepted despite the league being for big tables. Our membership continues still.

It was decided in 1984, to put the club and green on the map, that an Open Doubles Competition should be started commemorating 250 years of the club's history and would be known as “The Anniversary Cup". It was a sponsored event with the cup being donated by Daniel Thwaites. Appropriately, two club members, Jack Wilkinson and Fred Almond won the first event. Many of the area's best bowlers took part as can be seen by the list of winners:​

1985    D Wyche (Crown Paints) & David Howorth (St Stephen's)
1986    Mick Chapman & Mick O'Donnell (Highfield Park)
1987    Alan Cottom & A Whittaker (St Philip's)
1988    B Topham & A Catlow (Blackburn Subs)
1989    S Oakland & D Helmn (Everton Street)
1990    no event
1991    H Warren & S Connelly
1992    Vinny O'Donnell & J Chatburn
1993    M Burns & D Hoyle
1994    Fred Almond & Jack Wilkinson
1995    John Bentley & B Gosling

The competition foundered because of lack of sponsorship and organizers.
The first ever senior county match was held on the green on a Sunday, before 3rd July 1986 following a most successful junior county match. The match was against Greater Manchester in the British Crown Green Crossfield Cup. Local home players were Highfield trio Roy Rigby, Mike Chapman and Mike O'Donnell along with Keith Cooper of East Lanc's followed by David Haworth, Harry Burgoyne, John Kilcoyne, Colin Campbell, Fred Whittle, Eric Lomax, Terry Connell and Brian Tomlinson.
Since then, the club has hosted the Ladies' County Bowlers.

The Moorfield Trophy of the Darwen & District Bowling League was won in 1985. In 1987, the Blackburn A. Team were in the 1st Division and, the following year, the Darwen Team won the Sports Team of the Year in the Darwen League. The year after that, the Ladies' Team were the champions of the Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League, the first of many.
More honours have followed from all the teams and individuals representing the club and these can be seen in the Honours Board in the Appendix.

Another step forward was made in 1992 when Mrs Pat Riley was elected the first ever woman president, her husband having been president in 1985. She succeeded Ray B Smith, twice president, who had joined in 1965.

Another president for the second time, John Clough, joined on the 7th February 1978, was captain in 1979, hon. secretary from 1980-83, becoming president for the first time in 1989 and second time 2012, serving for many years on the committee including green keeper.

On Monday 23rd February 2017 at an Extra-Ordinary Meeting the members voted to sell the club due to the amount of monies needed to be spent on the fabric of the buildings and surroundings and not able to get grants towards the costs.​

Appendix ​

List of Stewards (or Honorary Secretaries) in its early years. The term steward was dropped in 1877 in favour of Hon. Secretary. 1906 saw the introduction of a Hon. Treasurer and in 1909 the title of Captain was introduced with a Vice-Captain; their job was being in charge of the green.

1753-54           John Sudell
1755                Richard Smalley
1756                Thomas Ainsworth
1757                Thomas Brewer
1758                John Parker
1759                Thomas Bolton
1760                Henry Heaton
1761                Dr T Harris
1762                Henry Sudell jnr.
1763/64           Joseph Brown
1765/66/67      John Talbot
1768                William Margerison
1769                Thomas Roberts
1770                John Yates
1771                Thomas Wright
1772                Robert Hornby
1773                Bertie Markland
1774                William Whaley
1775                Robert Hornby
1776                Walton Freckleton
1777                Robert Parker
1778                Christopher Marsden
1779                John Wilson
1780                Robert Ashburner

List of Presidents from 1881 prior to which the leading figure was the chairman

Members who have been Mayors of Blackburn Borough

1851-52                       Alderman W H Hornby Snr. MP JP DL
1856-57                       Councillor William Pilkington JP
1860-61                       Alderman Thomas Thwaites JP
1865-66                       Alderman James Thompson JP
1866-67                       Alderman John Dean JP
1872-73                       Alderman John Thompson JP
1873-74                       Alderman John Pickup (Pickop) JP
1874-75                       Councillor Sir William Coddington Bart JP
1877-78                       Alderman James Dickinson JP
1882-84                       Alderman James Hoyle JP
1910-11                       Alderman W H Hornby Snr MP JP DL (2 terms)
1914-15 & 17             Alderman William Thompson JP
1915-17                       Alderman Alfred Nuttall JP (died in office)
1927-29                       Councillor John Aspden Ormerod JP
1931-33                       Alderman William Kenyon JP
1940-41                       Councillor William Tempest JP
2001-02                       Councillor John Williams
2010-11                       Councillor Sheila June Williams

List of prominent members over the years

John Sudell gent.; was son of Mr Henry Sudell cotton manufacturer of Woodfold Hall and was born in December 1729 and was thus 24yrs old in 1753. Both were governors of Blackburn Grammar school. He died aged 55 on 29th May, 1785. Henry Sudell snr joined the club in 1755 and died in 1770.
John Whalley gent.; lived in the large brick house that formerly stood on the site of the Bank of Messrs Cunliffe Brooks & Co opposite the Old Bull. He was a leading townsman, and brother to James Whalley Esq. of Clerk Hall, near Whalley. He died in 1767.
John Hankinson gent.; was a governor of Blackburn Grammar school in December 1761, and a wealthy, well-connected townsman, he died in 1774.
Joseph Feilden gent.; of Church Street, ancestor of the Feilden's of Witton Park. He was a young man when he became a subscriber in 1753 or 1754. His wife was Margaret, daughter and heir of William Leyland Esq. Of Blackburn. He succeeded to the estate of the family as heir to his brother John in 1771 and died in December 1792. He was great grand sire of Lieutenant-General Feilden MP of Witton Park.
Thomas Livesey; was a merchant in Blackburn born in 1734. A member of a collateral branch of the Livesey's of Livesey Hall. He joined the club at 21 years of age living in the old-fashioned stone house on the north side of King Street. He was elected a governor of Blackburn Grammar school in 1755 and 1769 Messrs.
Thomas Livesey & Co. of Blackburn were bleachers between Rishton and Whitebirk. He subsequently became head of a noted firm of calico printers at Mosney in Walton le Dale. His sister Miss Alice Livesey married Mr Henry Sudell jnr.
Thomas Brewer; was a chapman in Blackburn and was Steward in 1757 and continued as a member until 1768. He died in 1801. At one time the Brewer family owned Shadsworth.
Thomas Bolton; a chapman of Brookhouse was elected Steward in 1759 and was made a governor of Blackburn Grammar school in 1761. He died in 1803 aged 73.
William Leyland; merchant, in his will of 1763 left £200 for the foundation of the Girls' Charity School. He lived in a house he built in 1741 at the top of King Street. He died in November 1764.
Richard Cardwell; was the first of the Cardwell's to settle in Blackburn. His first wife was Miss Martha Holme the daughter of Rev John Holme who was the Vicar of Blackburn. He died 10^th March 1785 aged 79yrs.

 List of Club Honours

ROLL OF HONOUR

1978 B Riley Winner                          President's Trophy Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
1980 A Team Champions                   Division 4 Darwen & District Bowling League
1982 A Team Champions                   Division 5 Blackburn & District Bowling League
1982 A Team R/U                               Division 3 Darwen & District Bowling League
1983 A Team Champions                   Division 4 Blackburn & District Bowling League
1983 A Team R/U                               Division 2 Darwen & District Bowling League
1983 B Team Champions                    Division 4 Darwen & District Bowling League
1985 A Team Winners                        Moorfield Trophy Darwen & District Bowling League
1985 B Team R/U                               Division 4 Darwen & District Bowling League
1986 A Team Champions                   Division 3 Blackburn & District Bowling League
1986 A Team R/U                               Division 2 Darwen & District Bowling League
1987 A Team R/U                               Division 2 Blackburn & District Bowling League
1987 R Briggs Merit Winner              Division 2 Blackburn & District Bowling League
1988 Club Winners                             Sports Team of the Year Darwen & District Bowling League
1989 A Team Champions                   Division 3 Blackburn & District Bowling League
1989 Ladies' A Champions                 Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
1989 J Smith R/U                               Ladies' Town Bowls
1990 A Team R/U                               Division 2 Darwen & District Bowling League
1991 J & R B Smith Winners             Borough of Blackburn Mixed Pairs
1992 J Martindale R/U                       Presidents' Cup Darwen & District Bowling League
1993 A Team R/U                               Division 2 Darwen & District Bowling League
1993 D Proud-Briggs & R Briggs      Winners Scapa Scania Doubles
1994 Ladies' A R/U                            Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
1994 D Proud-Briggs                          R/U Presidents Cup Darwen & District Bowling League
1995 A Team Champions                   Division 2 Darwen & District Bowling League
1995 B Team R/U                               Division 4 Darwen & District Bowling League
1995 Ladies' A Champions                 Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
1996 Team R/U                                   Division 3 Blackburn Indoor Bowling League
1997 D Proud-Briggs Winner             Max Forrest Blackburn & District Bowling League
1998 Ladies' A Champions                 Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
1999 B Team Champions                    Division 5 Blackburn & District Bowling League
1999 B Team R/U                               Division 4 Darwen & District Bowling League
2001 A Team R/U                               Division 2 Darwen & District Bowling League
2003 B Team Champions                    Division 4 Darwen & District Bowling League
2003 Ladies' A R/U                            Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2004 Ladies' A Champions                 Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2005 A Team Champions                   Division 2 Darwen & District Bowling League
2005 J Rushton Winner                      President's Trophy Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2006 A Team R/U                               Division 3 Blackburn & District Bowling League
2006 Team Champions                       Division 2 Blackburn Vets League
2006 T Hindle Winner                        Merit Trophy Division 2 Blackburn Vets League
2006 R B Smith R/U              Individual Merit Trophy K/O Darwen & District Bowling Leagu
2006 R B Smith Winner                     Division 3 Merit Blackburn & District Bowling League
2006 JT & J Martindale Winners        Mixed Doubles Darwen & District Bowling League D & M Harvey R/U
2007 R B Smith Winner                     David Whittaker Memorial Trophy
2008 J & R B Smith R/U                    Mixed Doubles Darwen & District Bowling League
2008 J & R B Smith R/U                    Registered Doubles Darwen & District Bowling League
2008 R B Smith R/U                          David Whittaker Memorial Trophy
2008 Team R/U                                   Division 2 Blackburn Vets League
2008 Ladies' A R/U                            Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2009 Ladies' A Winners                     Coronation Cup Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2009 J Smith Winner                          President's Trophy Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2009 Ladies' A R/U                            Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2009 F Almond Winner                      Merit Trophy   Blackburn Vets League
2009 J & W Catterall R/U                  Mixed Doubles Darwen & District Bowling League
2010 Ladies' A Winners                     Coronation Cup Blackburn Ladies' League
2010 J Smith Winner                          President's Trophy Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2010 JT & J Martindale Winners        Mixed Doubles Darwen & District Bowling League
2010 Ladies' A R/U                            Division 1 Blackburn Ladies' Bowling League
2011 Ladies' A Winners                     Coronation Cup Blackburn Ladies' League
2011 J Martindale & R B Smith R/U Reg Doubles Darwen & District Bowling League
2011Blackburn Vets Winners             Division 2 Blackburn Vets League
2011 P Allen Merit Winner                 Division 2 Blackburn Vets League
2011 Ladies' A R/U                            Blackburn Ladies' League
2011 Blackburn A Winners                Div 3 Blackburn & District Bowling League
2011 Darwen A Winners                    Div 3 Darwen & District Bowling League
2011 Ladies' Team R/U                      Ladies' Afternoon League
2012 Darwen A R/U                           Moorfield Trophy Darwen & District Bowling League
2012 Blackburn B R/U                       Division 4 Blackburn & District Bowling League
2012 D Kenyon Merit Winner            Division 4 Blackburn & District Bowling League
2016 Ladies' team R/U                       Blackburn Ladies' League

PRESIDENTS OF BLACKBURN SUBSCRIPTION BOWLING GREEN CLUB

1881-3 Henry Backhouse (councillor & solicitor) 81 Preston New Road
1884-7 John Chamley (wine & spirit merchant) East Bank 26 Shear Bank Road
1888    Alfred Nuttall JP (brewery owner) Shear Bank
1899-1900 William Henry Cunliffe (painter & decorator company) Eldon Place Preston New Road
1901    John Halliday
1902    John Frankland (photographer) 40 Preston New Road
1903    William Spencer Livesey (mill Manager) 20 Shear Brow
1904    Thomas Ferguson
1905    James Livesey (cotton manufacturer) Sunnyhurst Limefield Preston New Road
1906-7 William Bury (brush manufacturer) 81 Alexandra Road
1908    William Henry Grimshaw (alderman & chemist) 3 East Park Road
1909    John Myers (brush maker) Bridge End House 58 Church Street|
1910    James Hargreaves (tobacco wholesaler) Barscroft Meins Road
1911    Richard Birtwistle (cotton manufacturer) Nether1eigh 44 Shear Bank Road
1912    Char1es Baines (hatter & glover) 28 Revidge Road
1913    John William Green (salesman) 23 East Park Road
1914    Thomas Abbott Leaver (painter & decorator) 1 London Road (J Leaver & Sons)
1915    Thomas Sharples (alderman & solicitor) 152 Preston New Road
1916-18 Richard Smith (cotton manufacturer) 271 Preston New Road
1919    James Frankland (quarry master) Whalley New Road
1920    Harold Read (schoolmaster) 107 Langham Road
1921    William Kenyon JP (alderman & billposting manager) 22 Holland Street
1922-23 Robert Ferguson (solicitor) Beardwood 108 Preston New Road
1924    George Rimmer (schoolmaster) 63 East Park Road
1925    John Thomas Rowntree (heald & reed manufacturer) 19 Duke's Brow
1926    Thomas Hargreaves (wholesale tobacconist) Dunedin Billinge Avenue
1927    James Smith (cotton manufacturer) 18 East Park Road
1928    George William Singleton (cotton salesman) 77 Shear Brow
1929    Thomas Stirrup (boot & shoe maker) 33 Wellington Street St John's
1930    Robert Eastwood (clerk)44 Palmer Street
1931    Frank Airey (plumber) 2 Brantfell Road
1932    J Whalley
1933    John Farrow (cashier) 193 London Road
1934    Walter Henry Duckworth (alderman & building contractor) Gadshill Shear Bank Road
1935-6 Char1es Tate (union secretary) 161 Pleckgate Road
1937    George Burke (alderman & cotton manufacturer) West Bank Preston New Road
1938    William Ashworth JP (plumber) 113 Duke's Brow
1939    Walter Dawson (shuttle maker) 44 Wellington Street St John's
1940-1 John Fairhurst (Howarth's) 40 Wellington Street St John's
1942    Joseph Livesey (building contractor) Fox Lease Mollington Road
1943    Alfred Percy Yates (draper) 210 Revidge Road
1944    J Isherwood
1945    William E T Evans (traveller) 8 Strawberry Bank
1946    John William Thomber 55 Pleckgate Road
1947    Frank Robinson (asphalt contractor) 30 East Park Road
1948    William Byrom (auctioneer & valuer) 6 Taunton Road
1949    Robert Marsden (wholesale draper) 7 Azalea Road
1950    A L Wilkinson
1951    Raymond Carter (fertilizer manufacturer) 109 Preston New Road
1952    George B Lewney B Sc (schoolmaster) 28 Albany Road
1953    James Liversedge (boot dealer) 10 King Street
1954    Arthur Greensmith (confectioner) 284 Preston New Road
1955    Francis Ewart Smith (accountant) 10 Osbome Road
1956    Frank H Lloyd (haulier) 104 Lynwood Road
1957    Percival C Smith (house furnisher) 2 East Park Avenue
1958    Chris Maudsley (insurance superintendent) 41 Duke's Brow
1959    William Gill (plumber & sanitary inspector) 7 Shear Bank Gardens
1960    Robert Wilkinson (decorator) 193 London Road
1961    Alan J Meadowcroft (essences manufacturer)
1962    Bert R Nutter (engineer) 79 Yew Tree Drive
1963    Harold Rodwell Petre House Farm Langho
1964    Bruce K Critchley (decorators merchant) Under Billinge
1965    John Fairhurst (Howarths) 40 Wellington Street St John's
1966-7 Geoffrey M Taylor (estate agent) 4 Church Lane Mellor
1968    G Reginald White (Public Health Inspector to Rural Dist Council)
1969    Oscar R T Ashcroft
1970    J Arthur Kenyon
1971    William Akers
1972    Kenneth C Holt
1973    John Harrison
1974    Alan W Forrest
1975    Albert F Harwood
1976    John Curren
1977    Derek A Cooper
1978    Harry Neumark
1979    Arthur Greenhalgh
1980    Stanley W Maidman
1981    Raymond B Smith
1982    Ronald Simms
1983    N Kenneth Riley
1984    David Wilkinson
1985    Donald Riley
1986    Jack Wilkinson
1987    Brian Topham
1988    Geoffrey Kenyon
1989    John T Clough
1990    Peter Allen
1991    Raymond B Smith
1992    Patricia A Riley   first lady president
1993-4 Norman Oldham
1995-6 James Martindale
1997    Doreen Gill
1998    Jean Rushton
1999    Joan Smith
2000    Margaret Curren
2001    Kenneth Elvin
2002    Kenneth Price
2003    Joan Gallimore
2004    Deidre Allen
2005-6 William Catterall
2007    Anne Kinder
2008-9 Denise Harvey
2010-11 Dorothy Kenyon
2012    John T Clough
2013    Norman Oldham
2014    Susan Magee
2015    Terry Hindle
2016    Michael Harvey
2017

List of Blackburn's Bowling Greens

1          Blackburn Subscription Cicely Hole (1749) present green Shear Bank Road 1869
1         ​ Red Lion Snig Brook (1820)
1          Bowling Green St Paul's Street (1820)
1          Thunder Alley (Town Hall Street) 1822 (closed pre. 1848)
1          Burnley Road Bowling Club (post 1911)
3          Corporation Park (1857) first 2 greens opened in 1923
1          Feniscowles & Pleasington Bowling club Livesey Branch Road (opened 16/4/1921)
4          Queen's Park (1887) 2 greens added in1932
3          Roe Lee Park (1923) green opened 30/5/1923
4          Green Park (2 in 1923 with 2 later)
2          Highfield Park (1900)
1 (2)     East Lancashire Club (1878) (green after 1890)
1          Cherry Tree (Scapa) opened 12/6/1920
1          Lower Darwen Memorial (1919)
1          Dugdale Memorial Club (St Philip's) (1921)
1          Witton Subscription (pre. 1931)
1          Audley House Working Men's (1881-closed 2002)
1          St Stephen's (Little Harwood Hall) (pre. 1931)
1          Lower Darwen Memorial Bowling Club (1928)
1          Park Lee Hospital
1          Tramways Dept Accrington Road (1926-35)
1          Alexandra Hotel (pre. 1900)
1          Bowling Green Hotel Eanam (1809)
1          Bowling Green Inn Scotland Road (1874)
1          Butler's Arms Pleasington (1846)
1          Cemetery Hotel Whalley New Road (1931)
1          Cunliffe & Ward Ltd Gate Street
1          Fernhurst Hotel Ewood
1          Florence Hotel Moss Street (pre. 1900-closed aft 1910)
1          George & Dragon Northgate (1807)
1          The Griffin's Head Inn Redlam (1844)
1          Hamilton Arms Hollin Bridge Street (1870)
1          Hole I'th Wall Shear Brow (pre. 1903-1931)
1          Little Harwood Inn Whalley Old Road (1931)
1          Livesey New Inn (Factory Arms Inn) Waterloo Livesey Branch Road (pre. 1890-closed 1930s)
1          Mill Hill Hotel Mill Hill Bridge Street (1902)
1          Old Mother Redcap Accrington Road (1841)
1          Oozehead Inn Manor Road (pre. 1900-1931)
1          Railway Hotel (Pleasington Bowling club) Pleasington (1858)
1          Red Lion Whitebirk (1854)
1          Royal Edward Inn Harwood Street (1910)
1          Royal Park Inn Addison Street (1868)
1          Stanley Arms Garden Street (green on Bridgewater Street) (1868)
1          Private Green Dunsley Pleckgate Road

Total 56​

​