History
Stoke Fleming Bowling Club – How it all started
Penned (date unknown) by L.R. Widdicombe, Hon. Secretary and R.G.T. Tugwell (penned October 1980)
“On the evening of 17th May 1919, Rev. A W Smyth and Messrs. Knapman, Bryant, Issell, Martin and Burgoyne met and played bowls on the upper lawn at the Rectory. A week later, on the 24th of May 1919, the Stoke Fleming Bowling Club was officially formed with 20 members.
During the winter months of 1919/1920, a two-rink green was levelled by the members and was formally opened by Mr. C Peek on the 15th of May 1920 with Mrs. Peek, Capt. F S Pearson and Mr. F C Teague.
In 1926, the foundations were laid for the present green (now known as the Manor Green) on a site known as Weeks Plot, owned by Major J H Scott-Tucker. The green was constructed by the voluntary work of the members under the supervision of Mr. N Brown, head grounds man of the Royal Naval College. The work was completed on 27th May 1927 and the green opened by four parish octogenarians, Miss Bidder who hoisted the club flag, Mrs. Knapman who delivered the first jack and Messrs. John and William Perring who played the first woods. The green was enlarged to four rinks and the pavilion, built by the members, was constructed in the following years for a cost of £800. A minute of the 1935 AGM records that the work was then considered complete. Present day bowlers have indeed a lot to be thankful for to these early ‘pioneers’.
Between 1931 and 1940, a grounds man was employed. He was paid fourteen shillings per week until 1937 when he was given a two shilling per week increase.
From the very early years, many social functions were held, including whist drives, stopwatch competitions, fancy dress balls and annual dinners and the club flourished until the early 40’s when the war forced the suspension of activities.
By 1945 the grass had grown so long that it had to be cut with a scythe before even a motor mower could cope with it! Bomb damage to the pavilion was repaired and play resumed in 1946.
In 1947, the Bowling Club and the Men’s Club were amalgamated under the name Stoke Fleming Recreation Club with an outdoor and indoor section. Support for the indoor section unfortunately dwindled and the burden on the outdoor section became too great. The outdoor section reverted to the Stoke Fleming Bowling Club and the recreation hall was closed in 1958. The outdoor section continued to flourish and on 3rd May 1952 Major Scott-Tucker, to mark his 25th year as President of the Club, donated the Manor Green to the National Playing Fields Association for use as a bowling green in perpetuity.
Ladies were first admitted to both indoor and outdoor sections in 1949 and they played bowls regularly from that time. However, the ladies’ section was not officially formed until 1965.
When the Recreation Hall was re-opened in 1967, it was used by the Youth Club under the control of the local police constable. They continued to use the deteriorating building for the next 12 years and in 1979 it was handed over to them as it was then in quite a dangerous state and the outdoor and ladies’ sections had no funds for repairs. This was the demise to the Recreation Club and in November 1979 the outdoor section reverted to the name of Stoke Fleming Bowling Club.
Records do not show when the club first became affiliated to the Mid Devon League, but it was certainly before 1930. Neither are our fortunes in the league recorded until we won promotion from division 2 to division 1 in 1965. Relegation and promotion followed alternately each year until 1970 when we settled in division 2. 1974 saw us down to division 3 and then in 1977, 78, 79 and 80 we bounced between divisions 2 and 3. The club was affiliated to the Devon Bowling Association in 1933.
One of the saddest days in the history of the club came in November 1969 when Jack Bowden died after 46 years as secretary. He was one of the greatest driving forces in the club and thanks to his enthusiasm and hard work it grew from those small beginnings at the Rectory to the thriving club of the late 1960’s.
Naturally, he was not alone in this work and many names appear repeatedly in the minute book. There was:
- The club’s great benefactor Major Scott-Tucker who was president from 1927 until his death in 1964.
- Rev. A.W. Smyth, one of the founder members was Captain from 1921 – 1940
- W.T Hannaford, Treasurer 1924 – 1940
- W.J. Pook, Vice-Captain pre 1930 to 1940
- L.D. Andrew, Captain 1947 to 1952
- F. Goodyear, Treasurer 1960 – 1961, Captain 1962 to 1966, President 1965 to 1968 and Chairman 1962 to 1968
- H.C. Morgan OBE, Chairman 1969 to 1977, Vice President 1965 to 1968, Captain 1975 and Life President from1978
- J.H. Verity, Treasurer 1962 to 1969, Secretary 1970 to 1974 and Captain 1967 to 1969
- P Kempson, Vice Captain 1963 – 1969
- H.E. Dowling, Treasurer 1970 to 1975 and Vice Chairman 1969 to 1975.
Many others, far too numerous to list here, served tirelessly for many years on the committee. One in particular stands out, namely Mr. R. T. Issell, who was one of the founder members of the club, served for a great number of years and was still auditing the accounts in 1954.
We owe a great deal to all of them for making the club what it is today, and I sincerely hope that in the coming years, there will always be enthusiastic and willing members who will share the effort of carrying the fine old club forward into the future.
Down Memory Lane
