Bodmin Bowls Club was conceived during 1921 when 30 "burgesses" pledged amounts of between £3 and £5 to form a bowling club. With the money they leased a corner of a field at an annual rent of £5 from Mr J.B. Collins. W.T. Balsdon, a Bodmin contractor, laid the green at a cost of £169. The first game was played on the green on 21st June 1922.
The first pavilion was built in 1924 by Mr Walter Bennett at a cost of £58. From that day the club ticked along with the average membership of 35. Like the Windmill Theatre it kept open during the war although travel to away matches was difficult.
In 1958 the landlord wanted to put the rent up from £5 to £15 per annum. In the end a decision was taken to buy the freehold for £300 which involved a considerable debt.
Among the returning servicemen in 1945 was a journalist called Charles Dean. He became the inspiration for much of the progress made by the club in the sixties and seventies.
During the sixties the club negotiated with the Bodmin Borough Council for a municipal green in Priory Park. After 7 years of haggling the scheme was abandoned.
In 1970 the club President Frank Burrows offered to pay £2,250 for a new pre-fabricated pavilion provided the members erected it themselves. This was achieved and the pavilion was ready for the 1971 season.
A year later, with a great act of faith, the indoor green was constructed at a cost of £36,500. Mr Dean's notes do not make it clear whether this included such things as the playing surface and heating system. What is clear is that his tireless work produced several grants from the Sports Council and Local Councils and individual loans from members. The indoor green was ready for play for the indoor season 1972/73 and was the first in the County.
During the eighties a group of people re-opened a bowling green at St. Lawrence's Hospital. It was soon popular with the staff and many friendly matches were arranged. When it closed for development of the site nearly all members transferred to Bodmin B.C. This boosted the membership to around 100 and it is still over 80. This figure includes lady members as the women's section of the club was formed with an original membership of 18 in 1968.
A Bit of History and Other Points of Interest in and around Bodmin
Visitors to Bodmin Bowls Club should be aware of two nearby attractions. Within 100m of the club we have the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry museum and the Bodmin-Wenford steam railway.
Bodmin was the garrison town of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI) and the museum is based in the former keep. It contains an outstanding collection of militaria.
The Bodmin-Wenford steam railway is based on the former GWR Bodmin Station. Steam railway rides along the former GWR branch line to Bodmin Road (Parkway) and along the former GWR-Southern railway link to Boscarne Junction can be enjoyed.
 | | Our Club badge depicts King Athelstan who granted Bodmin its first Charter as a town in the 10th Century. Athelstan was the 1st King of all England and reigned between 925 and 940. |
