The club name is taken from the factory in which it was founded in 1919, and whose main business was the making of boots and shoes. The Club first played in St. George’s Park, and the records show that in 1927 we had an income of just £6-4s-6d and expenditure of £5-10s-8d, which in today’s money would bring a profit of 69p. Practice would be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and believe it or not, would take place on the tennis court at the Company’s Social Club. In 1934 and after great debate six people from outside to company were permitted to join thus bringing the membership up to thirty-six.
In
1936 The City and County of Bristol Bowling Association was founded and our Club gained
affiliation in 1937, when the fee was 10s-6d. Our Club has had strong connections with the
Association ever since. The late Albert Atyeo, who was our Secretary for thirty years, was
its President in 1984, and our current Treasurer Ray Hughes, the President in 1989. We
have two Life Members of the Association, in Bernard Cave and John Heath, both of who
received their awards for the outstanding service given over many years.
A three-rink green was laid inside the factory in 1953, which was extended to four in 1961. Some of our older members can still remember the problems that caused. Extensions to the factory in 1965 resulted in our Club being moved to its present site at Ingleside Road. At this time it was decided that whites would be worn for all friendly matches and the late Brian Brain designed our Club blazer badge. Facilities were extremely basic and in 1979 the “hut” as it was known was demolished to make way for a new pavilion. The project was overseen by Bert Young, for which he was awarded Life Membership of our Club, in appreciation of all his efforts. Now well over eighty, he is still very active and he remains a valued member of the Management Committee, as well as being our President. In 1980 to the delight of all, a bar was installed followed by in 1984 the installation of the toilet block. It was a great relief, one might say, that at last we could take away the Elsan bucket that was in a shed tucked away behind the wall.
In 1990 the Club ceased to be a male preserve and a ladies section was formed, which year on year has flourished. The tenth anniversary was celebrated not with special matches, which would be the norm, but instead by putting all their efforts into raising money for a charity, which is involved with research into Breast Cancer. In some way their action is typical of the caring and sharing attitude that permeates throughout the Club. Oh yes, the money that they raised amounted to £1,500-00.
In the winter of 1994, the company of G B Britton, was the subject of a takeover and the new owners informed us that they saw the Club as a disposable asset and intended to sell it off. This sparked an amazing turn of events whereby the membership, vowing to keep the Club, backed this action by giving loans, which then enabled us to purchase the green and all the facilities. We were helped along the way with a grant from The Sports Foundation and a loan from the English Bowling Association, for which we will always be grateful. Then followed three years of intense activity trying to raise the money that would allow us to repay all the loans. This we did, and in June 1999, we held a match to celebrate the outright ownership of our Club, to which we invited all those who had helped us to obtain our goal. Drinks were sold at knock down prices and many went home with sore head.
Endeavouring as always to improve the facilities, the membership at an EGM in October 2001 decided to back a management plan to replace the present clubhouse and build a new one on the existing site. It is in the main to be self-built and the money would come from (yes you guessed it) the members themselves. This means of course more years of fundraising, running quiz evenings, car boot sales, raffles, totes etc. You can keep up with the progress we are making on the building of the new clubhouse, by viewing the “photos link” on this site.