April 1929
April 1929
April 1929
Opening of the season
Opening of the season
On 21st April 1929 the Consett Guardian reported on the opening of the season.
To understand the "laughter and applause" regarding Mr George and Mr Clough, you need to know that they were both preachers in the Primitive Methodist chapel, where the bowlers where having tea.
CONSETT PARKBOWLING CLUB.OPENING OF THE SEASON.USUAL WEATHER.Somehow or other the members of the above club never catch the Clerk of the Weather in genial mood, and the popular president Mr. E. J. George remarked upon this fact to us last Saturday at the opening of another season.We remember quite well the terrible weather that prevailed when the club was first inaugurated, and the green opened. A severe snowstorm was in evidence, and it took some pluck to brave the dreadful elements which existed that day. The members, however, were there in force and have since proved that they do not allow matters of this kind to daunt them.There were slight showers of snow on Saturday, the date fixed for the opening of the present season, whilst the weather was bitterly cold. In spite of this there was a capital turnout of members and some ladies even had sufficient courage to put in an appearance.Without any ceremony, Mr George inaugurated the proceedings by sending down the first “wood”. After that followed an interesting game between teams selected by the president and chairman of committee (Mr Alsop) respectively in which the latter side proved victorious by 54 to 44.At the conclusion of the match, the players, in accordance with the usual custom sat down to an excellent tea at the Blackhill P. M. Schoolroom.After the wants of the “inner man” had been satisfied,Coun. R. Clough said that he had been requested to move that the thanks of the club be accorded to the Consett Iron Company for their kind invitation to tea that day, and to Mr. George for coming to open the green. Personally, he was glad to be one of the members of the Consett Park Bowling Club. He has found nothing so valuable in his life as a game of bowls. They met men of all temperaments upon the green but one thing struck him over and over again, and that was the fine sporting spirit that prevailed amongst the members. (Applause.) He thought that upon an occasion like that the Consett Iron Co. set an excellent example with regard to the relations that should exist between employers and employed. (Hear, Hear.) In Mr George they possessed a president with a broad mind and generous heart always ready to help the club in any way. (Applause.) On behalf of the local Councils and the Bowling Club he asked them to accord their best thanks to the Consett Iron Co. and Mr. George. (Applause.)Coun. Ed Huntly, in seconding, said he could not add much to what had already been so well said by Mr Clough, with which he was sure they all agreed. Personally he was very pleased to be there that day to enjoy that excellent tea . They had enjoyed their first game on the green, and he hoped that might be the beginning of another successful season (Applause.) He thought that he knew his friends pretty well, but he never got to know them properly until he played bowls with them. They seemed to forget all their troubles when they were engaged in the game. It was to him a real pleasure to be associated with all that had gathered together that day. He trusted that the incoming season would be the best that they had yet enjoyed. (Applause)The motion having been endorsed by acclamation.Mr. George said that it was very nice to listen to the most kind words of Mr Clough and Mr Huntley. He did not quite know what Mr Clough meant when he said that he had often spoken in that room, but not to a company such as they had that day. As a rule he supposed Mr Clough spoke with a view to try to make sinners into saints. (Laughter and applause). He knew that there was no necessity for that that afternoon. (Renewed laughter.) With reference to the remarks regarding the Consett Iron Co., he knew that they were all very grateful to the Company for all the assistance they had afforded them in the past, and for giving them that opportunity of meeting under such happy auspices. (Applause.) The Bowling Club was formed in 1923 with a membership of 100, to which number it had to be limited owing to the available accommodation. When they added the second green the membership increased to 200, and if they had another suitable piece of ground for a further green no doubt it would increase to 300. (Applause.) The club had been of tremendous benefit to indoor men, and to outside men as well. (Hear, hear.) He had been told that they had largest membership of any bowling club in the county. They won Consett Iron Co’s cup in 1926, and again in 1928. Since the formation of the North-West Durham Bowling League in 1926 they had won the championship each year. (Applause.) It gave him great pleasure, on behalf of all connected with the management of the club, to welcome the members and friends that day. He wished the members a very successful year, which he felt sure would be the case if they had anything approaching decent weather. but the elements that day were what they were used to on the occasion of the opening ceremony. (Laughter and applause.).The enjoyable proceedings then terminated.
E. J. George
Photograph from the My Primitive Methodists website, with permission.
R. Clough
Photograph from the My Primitive Methodists website, with permission.
Blackhill Primitive Methodist chapel can be seen in the background of this undated photograph.
Consett Park Bowling Club.
Blackhill Primitive Methodist chapel can be seen in the background.
Consett, Park Road PM Chapel Co. Durham
Image from the Newcastle Methodist District Archives, used with their permission
