April 1923

History > 1920s > April 1923

April 1923

Formation of Consett Park Bowling Club

On April 13th 1923 this brief notice appeared in the Consett Guardian.

PROPOSED BOWLS CLUB.A meeting is to be held on Monday night, at 6:30, in St. Aidan’s Hall, Blackhill, to consider the question of forming a Bowls Club in connection with the bowling green in the park.

The report below, from the Consett Guardian dated April 20th 1923, confirms the founding of the Club, and the election of the first officials and committee.

The membership fee was 2/6 (two shillings and sixpence, or half a crown), or twelve and a half (new) pence. Taking inflation into account, using the Bank of England's inflation calculator, that is equivalent to about £6 in 2023.

Membership was limited to 100.

BOWLING CLUB FORCONSETT AND DISTRICT--------------The Consett Park Bowling Club was formed on Monday evening at a meeting held in St Aidan’s Hall Blackhill. Coun. R. Alsop presided over a good audience of interested persons.In a few introductory remarks he said it had long been their ambition to have a Bowling Club in the district, and he felt it would be a great asset. The bowling green in the park would shortly be opened and in order that they might be ready he proposed to proceed with the formation of the club at once. He hoped that those present would take an interest in it.Coun. W.D. Reed as one interested in the game and desirous of having a club, and knowing the benefit and enjoyment to be derived from it, moved with great pleasure that the club be formed.Mr W. A. Brown seconded, and the resolution was unanimously carried.All present at the meeting signified their intention of becoming members.It was decided to limit the membership to 100. The membership fee was fixed at 2/6.Mr. E. J. George, general manager of the Consett Iron Co. was elected president; Messrs. Firth, A. H. Middleton, F. O. Kirkup, S.S. Horsfield, W.D. Reed, R.C. Foster, Dr. Murray, J. Turnbull, and R. Park vice-presidents; Coun. R. Alsop, chairman; Major Mangles secretary; Mr. Lake assistant secretary; Mr. J. Turnbull treasurer; with the following committee:- Messrs. Firth, Park, Moon and McFadzen (nominated by the Company), M. Hobday, T Simpson, W.D. Deed, and Dr Murray; auditors, Mr. A. Simpson and Capt. Barrow.A vote of thanks to the chairman closed a successful meeting.

The Consett Guardian ran a "Do You Know" section, which included the following entries on 20th April.

DO YOU KNOWThat at a meeting held in St Aidan’s Hall, Blackhill, on Monday night, it was unanimously decided to form a Bowls Club in connection with the new bowling green in the park?That is was decided to limit the membership to 100, and already over 60 members have been enrolled?That those who do not want to be disappointed should give in their names at once?That the new club is to be called the Consett Park Bowling Club?

You can read about some of the founding members in our Hall of Fame section.

In other news

The "Do You Know" section also included questions regarding the fountain in Front Street. The 25ft high drinking fountain was originally built in the middle of Front Street in 1878 to honour Mr John Gledstone, who was responsible for bringing piped fresh water to the growing industrial town. The fountain is now at Beamish Museum.

DO YOU KNOWThat we regret, however, to learn that the removal of the fountain is practically settled?That the Council have accepted the offer of a site from the Consett Iron Co., in the public park, upon which to place the fountain?That Front Street will not seem like the same with the fountain gone?That its removal will probably be welcomed by motorists of the “road hog” variety?

Front Street, Consett, showing the fountain and Town Hall.

The Fountain at Beamish Museum, November 2022. Photograph by David Harris.