40th Anniversary Coffee & Cake Morning

On Saturday 20th September the 40th Anniversary Coffee & Cake Morning (advertised above) was organised by Sheila & her team to provide a nostalgic look back throughout those 40 years. There were about 55 members present, the whiteboard by the door was completely covered in photos and there was a memorabilia table full of momentos. The clubhouse was beautifully decorated and transformed for tea and a trip down memory lane and Sheila gave the following introduction:

“Good morning and thank you all very much for coming along today, it really is a pleasure to see so many of you. I hope you have enjoyed looking at all the pictures on the wall, many of you have hardly changed at all! Of course it is very sad to look at pictures of members who are no longer here but we have many happy memories of bowling and chatting to them. For me, what stands out is the good times you all had and many bowling achievements along the way.

I have some notes to read out from information that has been given to me, I hope I have interpreted it all correctly. I would be very grateful if anyone would like to join in afterwards with stories they would like to share.

The council had put an advert in the paper for anyone interested in a bowls club in Berkhamsted. The plan was to fence off some of the Canal Fields park for the bowls club, some of the fencing erected is still there today.
Many people went along to the the meeting in the Gable Hall and as Terry Kenyon had asked many questions (given to him by Doreen Webb) they asked Terry if he would like to organise the bowls club, he then became the first President. The year was 1985. 140 people joined the club and they had a waiting list. About 3 people could play bowls but most had to learn. Colin Cormack obtained lots of information about starting a bowls club from his parents who were county bowlers in Scotland. Peter Savin knew how to bowl and taught people, there is a bench dedicated to him on the grass bank. Equipment was stored at the swimming pool where the skate park is now.
Terry Kenyon borrowed a gazebo from Kodak to keep members dry, they had an urn which was plugged in to the house next door so that they could make tea & coffee.
The clubhouse was built in 1986. It was designed by GL Brown, David Brown’s father, he also designed the castle logo. The club borrowed money from the bank and members also loaned the club money with the promise of being paid back within 5 years. Every penny was paid back. There were no tables and chairs. Mike Low brought 2 chairs back from his work to the club every day in his car. The tables were bought. The clubhouse was later extended, does anyone remember when it was extended?? The extension included the disabled toilet and the changing rooms. There were lots of fundraising events to raise money for equipment and the extension. Also, John Webb, Terry Kenyon & Wally Dunn did sponsored cycle events – John O’Groats to Lands End and even a cycle event in France. Wally Dunn did a sponsored half marathon, the money raised bought the cutlery in the kitchen, which is still used today.
The average age of members at the start of the club was 50 with some younger and some older, Marica Dunstone’s son Richard was probably the youngest. The club was known as ‘The Young Club’.
Colin Cormack set up the first website, possibly the first in the county. He then set up the county website and advised on websites for other clubs.
Berkhamsted Bowls Club started the Dacorum Shield Competition which is still being played today.
The camaraderie between the members was brilliant, only one or two of them knew each other when they started, they all had one goal and that was to make the bowls club successful and have fun. If you look at all the pictures on the wall you can see they achieved their goals. We have a lot to thank you all for and I hope we can continue in your footsteps in keeping the club successful and have fun.

Thank you, Sheila”

Some views of the clubhouse tables before members arrived