A BRIEF HISTORY

1912 - 2006

Chippenham Town Bowls Club was founded in 1912 and originally consisted of only 4 rinks (a rink being the strip of grass 4.3, 5.5 Metres wide upon which each game is played). As the rinks were some 40 Metres long, according to the rules, all the games had to be played up and down the same way. (In those days it was in feet & yards)

 When the additional 2 rinks were added in the mid 1930s, making the green some 40 metres square, games could be played up & down either North / South or East / West.

The original changing room was a small wooden hut long since gone and the changing rooms and toilet facilities that were in use until the end of the 2003 season were constructed in conjunction with the Cricket Club.

The Ladies section was formed in the 1960s and this year Sue Raymond from our club was elected Junior Vice President of Wiltshire Ladies Bowls. She will take office as President in 2008.

The Bowls Club has always enjoyed success in its endeavours and has won the County Four Rink League title no less than 12 times since 1970 and been runners up on 5 occasions, the last being in 2004.

Another competition was inaugurated in 1984 called the Mid Wilts Triples, for those bowlers not able to command a regular place in the fours. Since the commencement of this competition Chippenham Town have won on 14 occasions and been runners up on 7 other occasions.

In 1986 Wiltshire won the Middleton Cup, the inter County knock out competition. Chippenham Town provided four players for the final stages. Chippenham Town have provided players for many of the Middleton Cup matches since then.

 We have also had our share of success in the County (National) Championships with Neil Connor winning the Singles in 1992, Dave Simpkins and Norman Gould winning the Pairs in 1998, John Lucas and Mike Savin winning the Pairs in 2003, Gary Humphries triple (including Tino Riccio) being runners up in 1998, and a Four winning in 1996.

Our new Bowls Green laid to Championship standard in 2003 and opened in 2004 together with the new Bowls Pavilion will allow us to compete with the best in the County. Our wonderful new facilities are the envy of all who visit us whether to play or just spend a relaxing couple of hours watching.

Anyone wishing to try the game of bowls cannot look for a better green or a friendlier reception than at Chippenham Town.