A Short History of the Club
Following a public meeting called by the Parish Council; Bishops Cleeve Bowling Club was formed on 23rd February 1999, under the Chairmanship of Wing Commander John Dyer RAF, by a group of like-minded individuals who wished to see a Bowling Green built in the village. The Parish Council were to build the facility, as part of the larger sports field project, with the aid of a grant from the National Lottery, and lease it to the Bowling Club.
The lottery bid failed, but the wish to have a bowling green was strong, and eventually funds were raised from other sources, notably a grant from Tewkesbury Borough Council and a precept on the Parish Council element of the Council Tax. Over a period of six plus years the Bowling Club maintained interest among its members by playing short mat bowls, initially in the Tythe Barn and later in the Methodist Church Hall, until its own facilities were ready.
Work started on Tuesday 6th July 2004 to construct the bowling green, which was formally opened on 23rd April 2005 (St George’s Day) by Councilor Mike Beresford who had been the driving force behind the sports field project. The Clubhouse was incomplete so the Bowling Club operated initially from a storage container until occupying the Clubhouse on Friday 10th June 2005. The Sports Field complex (including the Bowling Club) was officially opened on Saturday 20th August 2005 by Sir Geoff Hurst, of England’s 1966 World Cup winning football team fame.
Bishops Cleeve Bowling Club occupies a site on the Northern edge of the Bishops Cleeve sports field, the Clubhouse is to the western side of the Green, and enjoys a superb view across the football pitches to the Cotswold escarpment and Cleeve Hill to the east. The view is enhanced from time to time by the sight of passing steam trains in the distance on the preserved Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, and of gliders in the sky finding thermals in which to soar over the hills.
The Club Colours are purple and white, echoing those of Cleeve School and reflecting a tenuous link with Bishops purple. The Club badge reflects the chess board design of the Parish Council Chairman’s badge of office. The motto ‘Facta non Verba’ may be translated as ‘Deeds not Words’.
Following a public meeting called by the Parish Council; Bishops Cleeve Bowling Club was formed on 23rd February 1999, under the Chairmanship of Wing Commander John Dyer RAF, by a group of like-minded individuals who wished to see a Bowling Green built in the village. The Parish Council were to build the facility, as part of the larger sports field project, with the aid of a grant from the National Lottery, and lease it to the Bowling Club.
The lottery bid failed, but the wish to have a bowling green was strong, and eventually funds were raised from other sources, notably a grant from Tewkesbury Borough Council and a precept on the Parish Council element of the Council Tax. Over a period of six plus years the Bowling Club maintained interest among its members by playing short mat bowls, initially in the Tythe Barn and later in the Methodist Church Hall, until its own facilities were ready.
Work started on Tuesday 6th July 2004 to construct the bowling green, which was formally opened on 23rd April 2005 (St George’s Day) by Councilor Mike Beresford who had been the driving force behind the sports field project. The Clubhouse was incomplete so the Bowling Club operated initially from a storage container until occupying the Clubhouse on Friday 10th June 2005. The Sports Field complex (including the Bowling Club) was officially opened on Saturday 20th August 2005 by Sir Geoff Hurst, of England’s 1966 World Cup winning football team fame.
Bishops Cleeve Bowling Club occupies a site on the Northern edge of the Bishops Cleeve sports field, the Clubhouse is to the western side of the Green, and enjoys a superb view across the football pitches to the Cotswold escarpment and Cleeve Hill to the east. The view is enhanced from time to time by the sight of passing steam trains in the distance on the preserved Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, and of gliders in the sky finding thermals in which to soar over the hills.
The Club Colours are purple and white, echoing those of Cleeve School and reflecting a tenuous link with Bishops purple. The Club badge reflects the chess board design of the Parish Council Chairman’s badge of office. The motto ‘Facta non Verba’ may be translated as ‘Deeds not Words’.