For those of us who like to remember birthdays, it was on 28th July 1922, when 18 gentlemen under the chairmanship of a Mr.F.Bennett met at the Infants School, Walton, and decided. to form the "Walton-on-Thames Bowling Club". Mr.A.Perring was elected Hon.Secretary and Mr.E.S.Lemarchand Hon. Treasurer; the entrance fee was set at 2/6 and the annual subscription 2/6 paid in advance. The Elm Grove Bowling Green then came under the W.o.T. Urban District Council who charged members of the public 3d an hour.

The Club soon grew to about 70 members and Club Competitions were held - Championship, Singles Handicap, Novices and Pairs with cash prizes, £1.l0.0 going to the Champion. 1926 saw fixtures with local Clubs - Oxshott, Whiteley Village, Horsell, Hersham, Chertsey, Oatlands, Hindhead and Annondale. Transport for away matches was hired from the Walton Motor Car Co., who were also engaged later for the once-a-year fixture to a seaside resort.

It was resolved in 1923 to hold a "Ladies Day" - mixed doubles, 5 ends on the "Drives" principle, with 2 prizes - to the 1st and 2nd lady - value of both not to exceed £1. This became a yearly fixture and no doubt, relations with the "Wornens Club" were very cordial. They had to be. The Club loaned their crockery, relied on them heavily for providing teas at home matches, and occasionally used their Club room for holding Committee Meetings. A slight coolness developed in 1943 when it was found necessary to draw the attention of the Council's Surveyor to the practice of some ladies playing on the green after 5 pm. Alas it transpired. that the ladies were within their rights (except for some reason on Wednesdays and Saturdays).

The performance of the green did not in the early years reach the high standard we are now accustomed to. The U.D.C. was asked to improve the surface, square off the corners and provide ditches around the green, which in due course they did. A seat was purchased and presented to the U.D.C., and in 1930 an outbuilding was rented for lockers for the exclusive use of the Club. In 1932 a new Pavilion was formally opened by the Council. This lasted. for over 30 years until in 1964 the Council replaced it by a larger and more impressive Pavilion. Unfortunately it met its demise in the small hours of a morning in 1973 when it went up in flames - cause unknown - subsequently to be replaced by the Pavilion we have at present.

In the post-war years, serious consideration was given to opening up a new Cumberland turf green at Stompond Lane, but not surprisingly it was turned down on account of cost. The U.D.C. agreed however in 1955 to reconstruct the existing green completely, and - after some dislocation - the new green was duly opened in the summer of 1956. As with most things new, there were teething troubles, and in 1960 the U.D.C. re-laid parts that had sunk, and carried out top dressing and levelling.

The Club has always been indebted to the high motivation of its Officers, and just a few are mentioned at the risk of omitting many others.

Mr.Ambrose Ayley J.P., a founder member and a well-known and respected figure in public affairs, was known as "The Commodore" to his friends, and he served on all the Committees of the Walton-Weybridge Council and on many others. Club Secretary from 1927 until 1958, he was a very enthusiastic bowler, and he donated to the Club a silver bowl known as the "Commodore" bowl.

Mr.Hugh Jarvis, a local builder, joined at the Club's inception and his widow presented in 1935 a silver plate the proceeds of the competition to go to local charities; Mr.W.S.Boddy, another founder member donated a Championship Cup, and in 1930, Mr.Oakley of "Kim" Winchester Road, presented the Kim Cup - a competition open to public services employees including the police, gas, electric light, fire brigade and municipal undertakings. Mr.R.Phillips, J.P., was a Chairman and presented the Hospital Cup - proceeds to Walton Cottage Hospital. At that time, Mr.Montague Robinson was Vice-Chairman, both serving the Club for many years, and when they and Mr. Lernarchand (Treasurer) all passed on, in 1941, Mr.K.G.Durrant J.P. became the Club's first President - a post he held continuously until 1962.

Getting more up-to-date, Mr.Jock Nicol, an ex-professional footballer and currently residing in Guildford, served the Club well for many years as Secretary and as Councillor on the Executive Committee of the Surrey County Bowling Association and has done much for sport generally in the area. Mr.Sid. Bishop who joined the Club in 1950, has been Hon.Treasurer since 1970. He played cricket with Walton Cricket Club from 1931, and has been playing bowls for the County since 1963, and still finds time to be very involved in Charity Work.

The Club - as it was in 1988.

The Club membership is generally around 70, and the Ladies Club which is affiliated to the Mens, stands around 40. Both the Club and the Ladies Club are governed by their own Committees which are elected at A.G.M's, usually held early December. The Rules of the Club are on display on the Notice Board and may be altered only at an A.G.M.

The land and pavilion are owned by Elmbridge Borough Council which leases them for a rental of £1,175 (due to be increased) per year. The Council is responsible for the maintenance of the green and the Club for maintenance of the Pavilion.

It is one of the conditions of the Lease that the Club takes out insurance cover of £lm under Public Liability against damage or injury in respect to claims made against it or the Council. However, should a Member wish to be covered against personal accident or loss, he should make arrangements accordingly. It also follows that negligence on the part of the Club may well invalidate a claim, and it is important that any Member being last to leave the Pavilion should ensure that all windows and doors are securely locked.

The playing season starts on the 1st May and ends on the 30th September. It is ushered in by a Pre-Season Meeting when the forthcoming activities are discussed. The Match Secretary distributes fixture cards - the outcome of considerable planning with local Clubs, fitting in Drives, Charity Matches, President's Day, etc. There is a fair proportion of mixed and men only matches and all Members are encouraged to put their names down for these friendly games.

There is a pecking order in the booking of rinks - National/County/Club Competitions and the prospective player should check his fixture card and the booking sheets pinned on the Notice Board. Also during weekday mornings the groundsmen usually take over the rinks for maintenance and on rare occasions they may decide they are unsuitable for play because of heavy rain, but subject to these, Members may use a rink for a roll-up while the Park is open.

Please remember that the Club aspires to possess an above-average surface for its bowling green and a Green-Ranger is appointed to this end. Players can assist by varying the position of the mat and by not bouncing the bowl when delivering. The County operates a strong Coaching Scheme and the Club currently has 5 coaches who are willing to give advice and lessons to anyone who so wishes. Arrangements may be made on a person to person basis, or perhaps as a group - it is up to the coach. He can also advise on the right size of bowl to use, and on matters of dress which are mandatory under the Rules.

We also rely a lot on volunteers to mitigate running costs, and helpers at the bar are always very welcome, and when a maintenance job is needed it is made that much easier by spreading the work among volunteers. All Members are expected some time during the Season to help the Ladies with preparing teas for visiting teams, and the Catering Officer prepares a list at the beginning of the Season.

Whist Drives are held during the Winter and the Annual Dinner and Dance in November/December, along with other social evenings as may be arranged from time to time. Most players keep up their form during the winter by joining an Indoor Bowling Club such as the one at the Leisure Centre.

Guide for New Members (as at 1988)

The new Member soon becomes familiar with on-going Competitions and Leagues and a few are mentioned below:-

Surrey County Bowling Association.

Around August a list goes up inviting participants to enter singles, pairs, triples or fours for the following year's competitions and those succeeding in getting through a certain number of rounds qualify for a County Badge - a much sought-after.distinction. Geographically, Surrey is divided into 4 Areas each having 2 Divisions, this Club being in Area 2 Division 4. This area runs generally along the A3 including Weybridge in the West to Motspur Park in the East. One of the routes to recognition is via the Inter-Area Competitions, nominations for the trials available on request.

North West Surrey Bowling Association. (No relation to the Surrey C.B.A.)

This is a group of friendly Clubs in North West Surrey. The Friday Night League has 5 Divisions each with 8 teams, Walton usually entering 2 teams, Walton A and Walton B, currently in Division 2 and Division 3. Each team of 4 men plays alternately at home and away, and those interested should contact whoever is in charge of the team (arranged at the Pre-season Meeting). The Association usually arranges about 4 Representative Matches and Members are encouraged to enter their names on the list on the Notice Board, and they also arrange a once-a-year weekly tour.

The Chertsey & District Thursday Bowls League

This consists of 4 Divisions of 8 teams each, with 2 men and 2 ladies in each team. Walton currently enters 2 teams - Walton A and Walton B in Div.2 and Div.4 respectively, and, promotion or relegation is on a 2 up and 2 down basis. As with the previously mentioned League, those in charge are agreed to at the Pre-Season Meeting.

Surrey Heathfield Bowls Association.

Walton again enters 2 teams who play alternately at home or away each week. It is a men's competition and the winners hold for 1 year the Heathfield Trophy (previously known as the Herald Cup).

Hope this gives you an idea of some of the things that go on, and, most importantly, that you derive a lot of enjoyment from your game of bowls and from being a Member of this Club.