Have You Found the Local Bowling Green?

Residents of Ramsbury and Aldbourne, and the surrounding community, have been able to enjoy the sport of lawn bowls for over 50 years, playing on a small picturesque riverside green in the centre of Ramsbury immediately behind the old Portman offices opposite the ‘Bell’.

Since its inception in 1952, the Club has had a mixed membership, and currently has 30 playing members. During the Season, which runs from mid April to the end of September, there are practice sessions for all members every Tuesday and Thursday evening. The Club participates in a full programme of league matches against other local clubs. In addition, there is a wide range of internal competitions and social events throughout the season, all being organised by a Management Committee.

Could Bowling be for You?

Although one of the smaller clubs in Wiltshire, the Ramsbury and Aldbourne Bowls Club is noted for high standards. Within the present membership, the Club has five members who have played for Wiltshire, including a Champion of Champions, and eleven members who are qualified as English Bowling Association coaches. This means that the Club can properly advise new members taking up the sport for the first time.

To encourage new members the Club has for many years operated a ‘Come and Have Go’ policy that has never failed to dispel the popular myth that bowls is a sport for the elderly. Each year, the season starts with an ‘Open Day’ when potential members have the opportunity to bowl a few ends with a club member and can take advantage of a free month's membership before deciding to join.

A more structured way to sample the sport is to call Richard Badger and arrange a time to visit, usually on a club night when you can meet and talk with other members as well as your ‘coach’.

Please come and visit us to see if the sport of bowls is for you! The game is played on equal terms, unlike most other sports and our playing membership comprises roughly equal numbers of men and women. You need not come alone; your family is also most welcome. Also, bring along the younger members of your family as the sport of bowling is increasingly attractive to young people.

So What Does it Cost?

Footwear and bowls are the two most important items of equipment. To try out the sport you need only to come to our Club with a pair of flat-soled deck shoes or trainers, as Club bowls are available for visitors. If you decide to take up the sport these two items will cost in the region of £25 and £100 respectively, with used bowls readily available for about £45.

The Club has no joining fee. The 2006 subscription rates for the various categories of membership are set out in the table below.

Bowlers are an enthusiastic and friendly lot and we hope that you are sufficiently interested to pay us a visit. If you wish to join the Club or take advantage of our invitation to sample bowling, please contact

Richard Badger
3 Windmill Close, Aldbourne,
MARLBOROUGH
Wiltshire SN8 2DN

01672 – 540378