Aberlady Bowling Club history page




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It is hard to believe in today's money orientated society but it remained at this level until 1971 when it was raised to £1. It has of course risen since then. Clubhouse and Champion The first clubhouse was opened on May 30th 1923 ( shown above ), and the first known Club Champion was G. Donald In 1927. From 1927 to 2004 inclusive there has been 31 different Gents Champions - 7 pre-war and 24 post war. The first Ladies Championship was not held until 1956 when Mrs. M Yeoman was the winner. The 1940s In 1941 with the World at war membership dropped to a low of just twenty six - plus five boys. It rose again steadily reaching a peak ( for the 1940s ) of seventy six inc. Ladies + five boys, in 1946. The membership fee at the time was ten shillings ( 50p ) but within two years (1948) this had doubled to £1, a lot of money at the time. The current fee (2004) is £45 including 'club' competition fees. The 1960s It was during this era that three of Aberlady's best bowlers - Jock Cunningham, Jock Brodie and Jackie Greenwood - joined the club. They would go on to dominate the club competitions for the next 40 or so years as well as becoming regulars in the East Lothian county team. Jock Cunningham also played for Scotland on one occasion. They are still playing, and winning, today (2004). 1977 saw the old wooden clubhouse replaced with a new one- which was then extended in 1985. The fact that the toilets - built in 1954 - were on the opposite side of the green would become a problem at a later date when an application was made for a drinks licence. British Champions Winning the Scottish Pairs title in 1987 was a fitting tribute to the careers of Jock Brodie and Jackie Greenwood but a year later they topped this achievement by lifting the British Pairs Title in Wales. The timing of the win could not have been planned better as it happened in the centenary year when much celebration was already taking place. During that year Aberlady played many games against invited teams including a team from the Scottish Bowling Association ( SBA ). Due to the extra games the green was full most nights of the season. In 1998 the clubhouse was again extended to include separate Gents and Ladies changing rooms, new lounge and better kitchen facilities. Triples Success 2000 was another high point for Aberlady Bowling Club when the triple of Jim Florence, Bill Dunleavey and 'Cha' Greenwood won the Scottish Triples at Ayr. Sadly the politics of the game stopped them following this with an appearance in The British Championships, when the Scottish Bowling Association withdrew all their representatives from the event. They did however qualify again for the Scottish Triples at Ayr in 2001 where they were unsuccessful in their bid to retain the trophy. Aberlady has won many trophies over the years. In 1924 the club triumphed in the Jubilee Cup, a feat that has been repeated many times since then. Other trophies won - some a number of times - include The County Cup, Brown Trophy, Courier Cup & East Lothian News Trophy. More Success The latest 'major' trophy won by the club is The Scottish Senior Fours title won by Davie Balfour, George Marshall, Jock Brodie and Jackie Greenwood in 2004. As well as these successes Aberlady Bowling Club has supplied players for the East Lothian county team, as well as one Scottish Cap ( Jock Cunningham ). Winning Ladies The Ladies section have also been successful in various competitions winning the League a number of times, as well as winning the Haddington Trophy on more than one occassion. A few of the lady members have also won the Champion of Champions Trophy. Linda Black and Cathy Walkingshaw also saw success in the East of Scotland pairs competition. In 2009 Aberlady ladies ( a team of three players ) won the jenella trophy for the second year running Note a.) The above is only a very brief selection of items from the club's long and varied history. b.) Since this was written a set of bowls has come to light which, if the inscription has been deciphered correctly ( it says 1887 ), predates the year it is thought the club was established c.) Photo of Clubhouse ( 1923 ) courtesy of Aberlady Bowling Club. d.) Pairs winners, triples and Ladies league winners photos, courtesy of J. Greenwood.	Aberlady Bowling Club Badge The club badge was redesigned for the centenery year in 1988. But why such a design? The swan is included as it is part of the crest of Wemyss & March Estates who own the ground which the club stands on. The market cross - which can be seen in the centre of the village - is a symbol of when Aberlady was a bustling market town - the villagers called it a town rather than a village - Likewise the ship signifies it's time as a shipping port.

Copyright© Mike Carey 2003 - 2010