Historical Notes
The following has been adapted from the Falkirk Bowling Club Sesquicentennial Year Brochure written in 1988 by Past President, the late George Barclay.
In this our 161st year, 1999, we feel sure that the present members of Falkirk Bowling Club would not wish the millenium to pass without giving pride of place to the wisdom and foresight of those "business and professional gentlemen" who made a momentous decision in 1838 to form themselves into a club with a title of Falkirk Bowling Club, the first of it's kind in the town. It is almost certain that succeeding generations of members will endorse their choice of site which they secured from a Mr James Boyd, the owner of Nusery Ground at Comely Park on the south side of Falkirk. With quiet natural beauty and sheltered position, it nestles beneath the tall trees of Callendar Woods. In this picturesque setting the present bowling green was laid out and was opened for play on 13th August, 1838. The total expenditure in preparation for the opening is not recorded but the expense incurred in prepapring the green amounted to £26 !! In all honour to the founder members, it is well worth recording their names as stated in the first Minute.
| Andrew Crawford | Writer | Joseph Malcolm | Red Lion Inn |
| Alex Muirhead | Draper | Robert Kelly | Grocer |
| J Russel | Writer | Matthew Middlehurst | Cabinet Maker |
| Archibald Johnston | Printer | Henry Salmon | Banker |
| A.S.Jeffrey | Sherrif Clerk | James Aitken | Brewer |
| James Clark | Procurator Fiscal | Robert Cullen | Cabinet Maker |
| William Orr | Draper | John Rennie | Draper |
| Thomas Keir | Grocer | ||
| Thomas Smith | Paul Crawford | Traveller | |
| John Patrick | Grocer | William Roy | Draper |
| James Wyse | Writer | Thomas Melville | Timber Merchant |
| Walter Adam | Tanner | John Jones | Flesher |
| William Clark | Grocer | James Mckechnie | Writer |
| S. Adam | Tanner | Alexander Bell | Belmont |
Office Bearers and First committee:
Robert Mckechnie President...Henry W Cochrane Secretary...Alexander Muirhead Treasurer
Archibald Johnston..Alex Smith Jeffrey..Andrew Crawford..John Patrick..Doctor Tennent..James Wyse Senr
5 persons present at any meeting being a quorom
Whatever may be the opinion of the modern generation, those gentlemen, our founders had the real business touch, acumen anddrive to get things done. Altogether such hustle was no mean feat in those leisurely, Victorian, bearded days. Interesting old photographs show the green and the bowlers in many cases with tall hats enjoying a game in the privacy of the green. The founders are deserving of our gratitude.
In the first year 66 members were enrolled at 12/6d entry money and 5/- of annual subscription. The election of members was by ballot and this method was continued until the first quarter of this century. It was only on the very odd occasion however, that a prospective member was blackballed. The greenkeeper was paid £4.10/- for the season with another 10/- at the end of the season, but that only "in the event of the Committee being fully satisfied with the manner in which the green had been kept during the season"!!
The earliest games were friendly games, home and away. An excerpt from the "Stirling Observer" dated 16th June 1842 says:-"Bowling" We regret that we have not had an earlier opportunity of noting a match which was lately played at this very interesting game between three of our townsmen and three gentlemen of The Falkirk Club. The game was fixed at 62 shots, the first 31 to be played in the Falkirk Green and the remainder of the game on the Guildhall green. The first part of the game was accordingly played at Falkirk on 21st May and the remainder at Stirling on the 28th May and the following is the result of the match. At Falkirk :-Falkirk 24 shots, Stirling 31 Shots and at Stirling:-Falkirk 24 shots, Stirling 31 shots. The Stirling players gaining by 14 shots.
Among the first clubs to play matches with us were Glasgow Wellcroft and Kingston, Glasgow, the first game against Wellcroft being on 18th June, 1850 and against Kingston on 3rd August, 1850. Those games continued, home and away each year until June 1867. It must have been no achievement to be able to travel to the Club, play a game of bowls and to return home that same day. It says a great deal for the efficient transport and for the keenness of the bowlers in those days. From 1853 to 1889 friendly games were played against all local clubs then in existence including Grangemouth, Alloa, Stirling, Pleasance (now Adrian) and other clubs in Stirlingshire.
Many games took place within the club itself. Apart from the usual President v Vice President, there were Married v Unmarried, Benedicks v Bachelors, North side of High Street v South side of High Street, Club v Cricketers and Club v Unionist Club. There were several matches, Masons v Non Masons when supplies, especially of whisky, were increased!! (the Masonic Trophy Association was instituted in 1900 and has been granted the use of rinks on our green for the competition every year since) The club's association with the Masons dates back to 1867.
In 1863, in the match against Stirling, the greenkeeper was authorised to buy 2 bottles of brandy, 4 bottles of whisky, 3 dozen bottles of beer, 4lbs of cheese, 3 dozen lemonade and 3/- of biscuits. it was some time after that water was laid on!! The game itself was 16 players each side. Minute records "this club gained the day"
Referring to the providing of drink, our club has held a liquor licence continously since 1903
In 1864, damage was done to the green, shrubs and fences by a flock of sheep. A claim was made by the club against the owner of the sheep to make good the damage done. The outcome is not recorded.
In these days, the sporting interest was strong and annually a pair of silver mounted bowls was offered by a President or Past President for those "who had not gained a pair" - a fine old word "gained" and never found in this connection now.
The minutes record That the Jubilee season of the club was inaugurated on 11th May 1887, when a friendly game was played between rinks chosen by the President and Vice President with the President's rinks winning by 4 shots. After the game 30 members adjourned to the Crown Hotel where a splendid meal was in readiness and in proposing the toast to the club, the President reminded the assembled company that the meeting that night was to celebrate the Jubilee year of the club. "Altogether a most pleasant evening was spent"
In 1914 the club became owners of the gound and club house following upon several leases of varying durations. In 1970 the ground and buildings lying to the south of the green were acquired. The buildings after having been let for several years were demolished in 1982. The whole area is now used for parking.
The original club house was renovated in the 1890's. A complete "new pavillion" was built and opened in 1916. In 1955 extension and improvements were made by the addition of an upper floor and with a furthe small extension in 1966 now forms the existing club house.
In 1900 a Mr Richardson from Stirling donated the Richardson Cup as an East v West Competition involving one rink from each club and played on greens in Glasgow. Our club took part every year until 1965 when the competition lapsed. The cup is now awarded to the winners of the Scottish Senior Fours.
It must be recognised that Mr John Wilson, president of our club in 1917-18 was elected President of the Scottish Bowling Association in 1923, the only member to be honoured with this distinction.
On 23rd December 1923, the club had a church parade from the club house to the Erskine Church where the Rev J.A.F.Dean, a member of our club and the church minister conducted the service.
Falkirk Bowling Club has been the host to many tourists and to the bowling fraternity of this and other countries as will be seen from this list of distinguished visitors and friends who have accepted our hospitality. We sincerely trust that those and other visitors to our green left us feeling that they would be welcome and feel at home with us. For our part we treasure the many happy friendships throughout the years. here are some of the distinguished visitors and friends:-
1913 Kennilwoth Bowling Club, Dublin
1922 London Scottish Bowling Association
1926 South African Bowlers
1936 Scottish Police Bowling Association
1936 Canadian Bowlers
1937 Coatbridge Burgh Police and Falkirk Burgh Police
1940,1946,1954,1961 Gosforth Bowling Club
1950 Blind Bowlers and Falkirk Branch Of The British Legion
1956 Darlington Wanderers
1960 Durham County Tourists
1967 Scottish Bowling Association
1987 Plessey Bowls Club, Nottingham
1988 Scottish Bowling Association
1990 Forehill Bowling Club
1998 Broughty Castle Bowling Club, Broughty Ferry
Our club has been honoured to be asked to give use of our green and to provide hospitality for some of the teams who competed for the Hamilton Trophy- The Scottish Counties Championship. On each occasion we have been complimented on the excellent playing condition of the green and even for providing "a beautiful sunny day" Our club has also been pleased to accomodate Stirling County and Eastern District Finals.
In 1838, our centenary year, the green was opened on 4th May in perfect weather and with the green in excellent condition. The centenary celebrations, however took place on Saturday 25th June and were voted a great success, 56 playing in the rink game during the afternoon. After the game the party adjourned to the Masonic Temple, Lint Riggs where dinner was served to 88 members and guests. Following upon the celebrations it was discovered that at the afternoon game, 57 discs had been issued and one prominent club member who had been denied a game was far from pleased!! The Committee was really "pushed" to find an explanation , but eventually found one acceptable to the member.
During The two world wars our club's activities were, naturally curtailed, but, in common with other Bowling Clubs and Associations, we played our part in raising funds for National Relief, the local Infirmary ,other hospitals and war-time charities. We also willingly provided play on our green for the services and hospitality for them and the war wounded.
Since our centenary and the last world war our records show that the club's activities and bowling trend have undergone dramatic changes.
For over 20 years there was an annual game between the club and the A.R.P. ex wardens and most enjoyable games they always were with a convivial social evening after every game. In recent years there has been an annual game between the club and the Veterans, also very enjoyable matches.
The word 'veteran' brings to mind the occasion when one sunny afternoon two of our elderly members were sitting watching play on the green. One of them remarked to the other, "What's a' this shaukin' o' hands when boolers draw the shot?" The answer from his cronie "it seems to be the thing noo" To which came the reply "I dinna ken, but if they got a kick up the a**e for a' the bad bools they played, they wadna be able to sit doon for a week"!!
Special mention must be made about the games with Edinburgh West End Bowling Club and Carluke Bowling Club, now annual fixtures, home and away. Our game with Edinburgh West End began in 1950. In 1962, Adam Horsburgh , a Falkirk Bairn donated a cup for annual competition. Records show that the "jousts" between the clubs, always most enjoyable, have anded about "peels".
Games with Carluke began in 1961, the first being on an evening on our club's way home from a tour at Dumfries. Games between the clubs have taken place ever since and many dour but never "dry" tussles there have been. In 1979 two bowlers of reknown both "tee-totallers", one home and one away, "Slim Jim" Haston and "the" Macgregor presented a shield for annual competition. At the game in Carluke in 1987, the whereabouts of the shield was unknown, but it was later discovered in a jewellers shop in Falkirk being engraved!! The Carluke club, having "lost" the shield presented a Jubilee Silver Salver inscribed Falkirk-Carluke, 1962-1987 which our club was pleased to win. The games between the two clubs have been one of the bowling highlights every year with the honours ending about even.
Over the years there have been several summer tours with an early start and a late arrival home!! But in between there have been many happy days, evenings and into" the wee sma' oors" gatherings , the "ongoings" at many of which are recalled to this day. Tours have taken us to "a'the airts" Great days always remembered and never to be forgotten! The organisers deserve praise and our grateful thanks. In recent years, the tours have been those arranged by "Toor Maisters" David Barclay and Bill Doig. Long may they continue.
On the subject of enjoying ourselves, the Annual Dinner and Presentation of Prizes is held at the end of each season, usually very happy occasions. But the club does not die in the first week in October. A games night is held every Wednesday until April and the battle for the "kitty" is usually keenly contested. It is believed that during these evenings as in the whole bowling season the "beloved" Bandit lives up to it's name by doing a bit of "thieving" to the benifit of the club.
The records show that during the last 25 years, tremendous efforts have been made by dedicated members in fund raising activities. The Open Pairs competition started in 1974 is still continuing. Special mention msut be made to the Gala Days of 1977,1979 and 1980 and to the marathon bowling match of 1978. Prominent in these activities has been the Bryce family ably assisted by many helpers young and old. The results coupled with funds donated by the 200 club (initiated by the late A.M.Crosbie) proved to be of considerable financial benefit to the club.
In 1984 the Automatic Watering System (Watermation) was introduced- an enormous asset to the club although since the installation much heavy rain has restricted it's use. Changed from the days , evenings and nights when some willing members trailed the hoses watering the green and often getting soaked themselves in the process.
Over the years it has been the firm belief that bowling is an "old man's game" but, in recent years that belief must be forever forgotten. We have young bowlers 14 and upward to 35 and slightly over that age who are indeed taking command of the bowling scene and proving to their elders that the old belief is a fallacy. This has been proved in our club. One has only to look at the Champions Board and at the Annual Dinner and Presentation of Prizes to listen to the names of young bowlers uplifting the trophies, and also being members of the winning pairs, triples and fours competitions. We cannot fail to recognise that the young ones are likely to continue to prove their ability and in no small way to influence the bowling world in the future. The clubs successes in competitions , listed elsewhere have been not too many over the years behind us, but in recent years several successes have come our way which augurs well for the future.
"Laidies Days" were instituted in 1908 and have been held every year since, but for several years the ladies had been exerting their wiles to enter the club as associate members. However, it was not until 1977 that a ladies section was formed. Whatever be the thoughts of the mere male on the wisdom of this move, no-one can deny that help and generous spirit of the ladies have done much to assist the club in many ways. Always in time of need, since their entry and before, they have served nobly by catering for and serving meals, holding coffee mornings and whist drives. They have given generously to club funds and equipment. No small thanks are due to the ladies.
The records tell of outstanding generosity of club members throughout the years in meeting the costs of repairs and extensions to the club house, in many ways willingly using their skills on a "do it yourself" basis. In 1945 the inscription at the main entrance was completed by Carmuirs Iron Co. Ltd free of charge. the garden seats around the green were all kindly donated as were the flowers and shrubs for the surrounds. This year the club is sound financially, artificial bankings have been added, the edges of the green raised and Falkirk have a club house of which they might well be proud.
A first priority of a bowling club is a fine playing green and this has been the aim and pride of this club during the whole years of its existence. An appreciative word of thanks is due to those members past and present who with special knowledge have for so many years guided the green maintenace. In this vein, this club will be eternally grateful to Callendar Miners Welfare Bowling Club who granted us the use of their green and for extending to us the friendship and hospitality of their members during the period when our green was unplayable in the early 1960's.
Throughout its long and honourable history, Falkirk Bowling Club has been fortunate in having members who have served the club with unfailing devotion, loyalty and service. Seldom does the opportunity arise whereby the members can envince their gratitude for such loyalty and service which have been given instinctively and with goodwill for the benefit of all.