Consett Park - Bowling Club
The bowling green in Blackhill and Consett Park has just opened for another season, and 2023 is a special year for Consett Park Bowling Club. The Club was founded in 1923, and it is celebrating its Centenary this year.
The 2023 season started with a match between a team chosen by the Club’s President and a team chosen by Club’s Chairman as it was in it's inaugral year.
Before the official game the green was opened with a special event – ‘The Spider’. On a whistle from Club President, all members of the club bowled one bowl from the perimeter of the green towards a centrally placed jack – the closest to the jack won a bottle of whisky.
The 2023 season started with a match between a team chosen by the Club’s President and a team chosen by Club’s Chairman as it was in it's inaugral year.
Before the official game the green was opened with a special event – ‘The Spider’. On a whistle from Club President, all members of the club bowled one bowl from the perimeter of the green towards a centrally placed jack – the closest to the jack won a bottle of whisky.
The Club is located in Blackhill and Consett Park, which was given to the town by Consett Iron Company. The park opened in 1891, with thousands of people at the opening ceremony. It was the idea of the directors of the Company to build a bowling green in the park. The Club’s pavilion, which was described as “handsome” in 1923, is still in use, and the Club also has a licensed club house which is used for social events. The club house was also provided by Consett Iron Company, around the time of the Company’s closure.
The social aspects are as important as the bowling to a lot of the Club’s members. Some
members are “social” members, and don’t bowl at all. In 1923 the membership was limited to 100, and there was a waiting list. A second green was constructed and the membership limit was increased to 200 - there was still a waiting list! In 2023 there is one green, and membership numbers are healthy, standing at about 80.
The social aspects are as important as the bowling to a lot of the Club’s members. Some
members are “social” members, and don’t bowl at all. In 1923 the membership was limited to 100, and there was a waiting list. A second green was constructed and the membership limit was increased to 200 - there was still a waiting list! In 2023 there is one green, and membership numbers are healthy, standing at about 80.
The Club has a lot of success stories to relate over the last century, with many league wins, and County and National wins for its bowlers. The Club history is available on the club’s website :-
https://consettparkbowlingclub.co.uk
A lot of games take place in a normal season, with the Club playing in four local leagues with a number of knockout competitions, and there are lots of other competitions for bowlers to enter if they wish. In
addition, the Club is planning some special events in 2023.
https://consettparkbowlingclub.co.uk
A lot of games take place in a normal season, with the Club playing in four local leagues with a number of knockout competitions, and there are lots of other competitions for bowlers to enter if they wish. In
addition, the Club is planning some special events in 2023.
As part of their celebrations a match against a team from Bowls England was arranged.
In a close fought contest Consett were victorious over the 24 from England making for an excellent day in the sunshine.
In a close fought contest Consett were victorious over the 24 from England making for an excellent day in the sunshine.
As part of their centenary celebrations, Consett Park Bowling Club were able to play at the recently opened Bowling Green and Pavilion in the 1950's area of Beamish Museum. It was a lovely sunny day and the members of the club had a great time on the green. They then introduced pupils of years 5 and 6 from Castleside Primary School to the game. The students really got into the sport and were keen to refine their technique after advice from the members.