Bowls is truly a sport for all, taking just a day to learn but a lifetime to master. If you would like to join a club, then look no further than the friendly yet competitive Whitley & Monkseaton Ladies and Gentlemen’s Bowling Club, located directly opposite the Coast Side of Monkseaton Metro Station.
Tentative evidence suggests ancient Egyptians played a form of bowls before 5,000 BC, although solid evidence of the game dates back to the 1299 foundation of Southhampton Bowls Club, whose bowling green is reputedly the world’s oldest – even though Chesterfield claim their green dates from 1294!
In the early 14th Century, King Edward III banned the playing of bowls by his bowmen, as he feared that their archery skills had been eroded through lack of practice as they were too occupied playing bowls. However, the most famous recorded historical event must be that of Sir Francis Drake who, on 15th July 1588, reputedly refused to leave for battle until he finished the game of bowls he was playing on Plymouth Hoe.
W.G. Grace, the English cricketer, helped form the English Bowls Association, and was their first President (1903-1905).
Today a favoured leisure pursuit of people the world over, bowls has taken its place as one of the most popular sports of all time.
The Whitley & Monkseaton Club embraces members of all ability levels and provides an opportunity to make new friends and learn new skills, with bowling tuition offered free of charge plus bowls are supplied by the club for coaching. Teams compete in a range of local leagues and members play in the afternoons and evenings. For further information please contact Alan Moses on 0191 253 0848.
by Alan Moses