The Origins of Theobalds Bowls Club
The
green was originally established in recognition of workers contribution to the
war effort in 1948 by the then owners
R & A Main. It
soon became famous in the immediate area as a green of quality.
Club members too soon became well known in the area and at that time the
club boasted no less than 13 County Badged Bowlers from a rol1 of about 40
members. The club was then known as the Gothic and today the name Gothic still
conjures up a picture of formidable opposition and great friendships.
R &
A Main was taken over by Thorn Industries and because Thorn Industries had a
sport ground of their own there was no longer a reason to retain the Gothic
green. The
year 1970 proved to be a turning point in the history of the green. Immediately,
Ken Harris, then. Honorary Secretary of the Gothic, heard that the new owners
would be Tesco Stores Ltd he contacted Sir John Cohen.
Sir John readily understood
the situation in that the Bowlers did not want to lose the green, upon which
they had lavished so much care and attention. Permission was granted for the
Gothic bowlers to continue using the Green until such time that a new committee
was formed, to run the new club, which would be known as the Tesco Country Club.
A
committee was formed and they too readily accepted the bowlers desire to
continue bowling on the green they respected so very much. Ken Harris was
invited by Mr Ben Tree who had been appointed the first General Secretary of the
Tesco Country Club to run the Tesco Bowls Club. Ken
eagerly agreed and the two clubs amalgamated under the one banner of
Tesco Bowls Club
The name of Theobalds was taken by the club at the AGM held in October 2001 a name taken from the area where the club is situated.