Our History
Early days
The Reigate Priory Bowling Club was formed in 1880 as an offshoot to the
cricket club when cricket club members were allowed to bowl in a corner
of the ground where the croquet green is now situated. An 1899 vintage
photo hanging on our clubroom wall shows some members seated there.
Travellers
We became affiliated to the English bowling association in 1909. In those
days our members travelled a good distance to play other clubs. Records
show that in 1911 we played at Barnes and clubs as far away as the Isle
of Wight played in the same competitions. Travelling must have been interesting
on those days.
Independence
With the help of important local figures Sir Jeremiah Coleman and Mr J
Arthur Rank, the cricket club were able to acquire the land on which we
now play and in 1924 the bowling club was granted a lease and became independent
and shared their club pavilion with the neighbouring tennis club. Arthur
rank helped fund the building of our current green.
The county
Many years of happy bowling followed with only the war years interrupting
the seasonal rhythm. The 1950s saw a close association between Club and
County - in 1954 our club provided no fewer than forty entrants to the
county championships.
Ladies
Early in 1975 after many debates an extra-ordinary general meeting was
held to create a ladies section, which started with just eight members.
Twenty three years later the ladies gained equal voting rights and full
participation in the running of the club. Mrs B Ingram became our first
lady president in 2002. There are now thirty two lady members.
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