Some History of Torquay’s Outdoor Clubs

Primary Business Address

Marnham Road

Plainmoor

Torquay TQ1 3QW

Some History of Torquay’s

Outdoor Clubs

A new bowling green was laid down by the Recreation Ground Company in June 1894. However, the first formal steps to create a bowling club in the town did not materialize for nearly five years, until May 1899, when a club, provisionally called the “Torquay Bowling Club”, was formed. This club first played at the Recreation Ground until an elephant , which had escaped from Wombell’s Circus, completely wrecked the green and play had to be transferred to the Princess Gardens. In 1907 matches were taking place on the Princess Pier green where the recently erected pavilion was only a small structure with a sawn timber roof. Torquay Bowling Club did, of course, keep it’s original name and has played in Belgrave Road since the new green opened in May 1912. “King’s” Bowling Club’s rinks replaced the grass tennis courts in front of the Recreation Ground. A thatched pavilion was put up at the same time. This caught fire later and was replaced with tiles. The Torquay Bowling League was formed in 1932. Another early arrival on the bowling scene was the “St. Marychurch Bowling Club”, as it was then known, which played at Cary Park before 1911.

The above is an extract taken from “TORQUAY—The Place and the People” by John Pike

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Phone: 01803 328488

Fax: 01803 323976

Email: torquinian@globalnet.co.uk

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