HISTORY of WICKFORD BOWLS CLUB
Wickford Bowls Club was originally based at the Castle Hotel which is now Aldi's and was a public green.
In 1970 George Byford and Bert Martin approached Basildon Council after some consultation with local residents and the press about a need for a bowling green in Wickford.
A request was put to the council to lay a bowls green in Memorial Park as the park was left in perpuity for recreational purposes by Mr Silver Carter.
After some persistence the Council agreed in 1971 to lay a green and the work began in the October. Even though the green was laid by the summer of 1972 it was agreed not to use the green until April 1973 to give the green time to settle.
On the 28th April 1973 Mr J Costello, Chairman of Basildon District Council delivered the first bowl.
In 1975 Bert Martin was elected as the first President of the club.
In 2003 a new Lottery funded clubhouse was opened and named the Turner and Stibbs Pavilion after the work put into the project by Mick Turner and Stuart Stibbs.
The club is a member of the various bowls Associations including. Southend & District Bowling Association, Basildon & District Bowling Association, Essex County Bowling Association, Bowls England and The English Short Mat Bowls Association.
The club plays in various leagues including the Basildon & District League, Adams League , Affinity and Southend & District Group 6. Friendlies tend to be mostly played at the weekends though there are the occasional midweek afternoon fixtures.
We have two Open tournaments during the summer which are well attended sponsored events. The club also has its own internal competitions with a Presentation Dinner held at the end of the season.
During the Summer and Winter we hold social events including Quiz Nights, Bingo/Fish & Chip Supper and Thursday mornings there are Cribbage and Scrabble/Rummikub events.
