A short history of Bolton Flat Green Bowling Club

In the 1920’s two public bowling greens were laid in Leverhulme Park adjacent to The Gorses - across from the Bolton -Bury railway line, to the Northeast of Darcy Lever village

The green nearest to ‘The Gorses’ houses was laid as a Crown Green. The other was laid as a Flat Green – and was known locally as the ‘Scotch green’ – because, at that time, it was believed that only Scots-folk bowled in straight lines (!?) and it was used mainly by the Scottish Servicemen who were billeted in the area at the time of the World War(s)

After the 2^nd World War the flat green remained little used for many, many years although, by all accounts, it was ‘maintained’ throughout by the Council.

In the 1950’s and 60’s the locals used to point novice crown green bowlers to the Scotch green so that they would become somewhat accomplished in the art of (crown green) bowling before ‘getting in their way’ on the Crown Green

It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the Flat Green began, once again, to be used in earnest:

A group of bowlers who had failed in a venture in Manchester, to start a flat-green bowling club using an artificial surface, heard by chance that there was an existing flat green in Bolton, which was totally unused

Bolton Bowling Club was formally founded in March 1980

Until 1987 the flat-green bowlers had to share the pavilion, which was being used by the Veteran bowlers at the adjacent Crown Green.

In 1985 the Club purchased, from the Ministry of Defence, an ex-RAF building from Weeton, near Blackpool, for just £300.00 and, with the help of a £1200 grant from the Sports Council, the members did all the work themselves and moved the building from Weeton to Bolton.

The new pavilion was opened on September 1^st 1987. During the following years, the building received ‘the unwanted attentions of some mindless miscreants’ and had to be somewhat fortified. it was affectionately known as ‘Hitler’s Bunker’ – but at least it keeps the yobos out!

Notwithstanding that, since the club was founded it has gone from strength to strength, with its members winning many awards at County and National level.

In 2000 we changed our name to Bolton Flat Green Bowling Club – not to be snobbish (a good number of our members regularly bowl both codes), just to distinguish ourselves from the 100+ crown green clubs in the Bolton area.

The Bowls Lancashire County teams, both men and ladies, are often made up from a high percentage of the members of Bolton FGBC

Throughout the 1990’s it became apparent that the public grass green has reached the end of its life (70 years) and so began an eight-year struggle to get Lottery funding for new facilities.

After a long and involved process a new facility was eventually obtained and was ‘handed over’ on 16^th September 2004.

We managed to get Lottery Funding towards the cost of a new artificial green and a Grant from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts towards the cost of a new pavilion.

We, the members had to ‘raid the bank’ and spent £19,000 of our own money to go towards making up the shortfall.

We are indebted to the East Bolton Regeneration Fund for their financial assistance and to Bolton Metro who, by managing the whole project, have helped to make a project become a reality.

Bolton Flat Green Bowling Club boasts a first class facility that during the summer months hsts not only Club Competitions but also games between Clubs of the County and National Competitions like the Middleton Cup. When ‘grass’ green clubs shut their doors for the winter our Club continues throughout the winter months bowling socially and in competitions most days.

We are a forward thinking club and are always seeking out new ways to promote the sport. Should you wish to know more or wish to have a ‘free taster’ session then just follow the links on the ‘Join us’ page for further information.

BFGBC 2011