October 1929

History > 1920s > October 1929

October 1929

Seventh Annual Report

On 1st November 1929 the Consett Guardian printed the Club's seventh annual report.

A singles handicap competition was introduced, and won by Mr. E. Tindle.

The club also took part in the various competitions held under the auspices of the North-East Coast Exhibition. The North-East Coast Exhibition was world's fair held in Newcastle from May to October 1929. It was opened by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) in what is now Exhibition Park. On average, there were 30,000 visitors per day. Tyne and Wear Museums have produced a video about the Exhibition, and the map towards the end of the video clearly shows a bowling green. If you know anything about the North-East Coast Exhibition bowling competitions please let us know.

Major Mangles resigned his position, because he was leaving the area, and was succeeded by Mr Lake.

A transcript of the article is below. Also included is the banner from the front page of the newspaper, including a pointer to "CONSETT PARK BOWLING CLUB ANNUAL MEETING" on page 5.

CONSETT PARK BOWLING CLUBCoun. R. Alsop, J.P. presided over a large gathering of members at the annual meeting of the above club on Monday night.The Chairman said that before taking the business of the meeting, they had five new members who have not been actually elected, and in order that they might become members and take part in the business he would read their names:- Messrs J. Moss, A. McWilliams, W. Walker, J. Peirson and W. Stephens . It was proposed, seconded and carried that these gentlemen be duly elected as members .SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORTThis read as follows:- The membership has been fully maintained and the few vacancies which occurred were readily taken up by those who were on the waiting list. The financial position continues satisfactory and we are grateful to hon. treasurer Mr. J Stockdale for the care he exercises in this department.The season has been a most successful one. The programme of matches and competitions has been very heavy, but as we have had real bowlers weather no difficulty was experienced in completing it.The greens were opened for play on the 20th April, the ceremony being performed by our esteemed president, Mr E J George. The usual game was played between sides chosen by the President and the Chairman , and resulted in a victory for the latter. After the game the players and friends were entertained to tea by the Consett Iron Co. Members of the local Councils were present, and in their speeches when submitting the vote of thanks for the hospitality received spoke of the value of recreation, especially the game of bowls, and how grateful the public were for the increased facilities given in the park by the Consett Iron Company for the enjoyment of the various forms of recreation.The club held its annual social and whist drive on Wednesday 3rd of April. when a very enjoyable evening was spent by a large number of members. We are very much indebted to all of those who so kindly subscribe to the fund to provide whist prizes, and we can assure them that their generous support is very much appreciated.The club competitions have been very successful. Many new names appear amongst the prize winners, which tends to show an improvement in play amongst a greater number, and which is all for the good of the club and will make the competitions in future seasons more interesting still.The club championship was won by Mr. R. W. Bell, who has shown excellent form all the season. Our congratulations are extended to him on his success. The runner up was Mr. T Dunn, an enthusiastic bowler and one of our most popular members. Messrs Hornsby and R.W. Gowland were equal third.The rink competition was won by Messrs S. Bates, R. Iley R. W. Gowland, and F.J. Simpson (skip), runners up being messrs G. Turnbull , J. Million, and E. Tindle (skip).The pairs competition was won by messrs J Fleming and J B Richardson, the runners up being Messrs J. Million and E. Tindle.The jumble competition resulted as follows:- 1st Mr E Wills p.c. 12.38, 2nd Mr. R W Gowland p.c. 12.14; 3rd Mr H. Hornsby p.c. 11.96 4th Mr J T Davidson 11.88 p.c.; 5th Mr JW Proud 11.76.Six spoons competitions were held during the season and were well patronised by the members.About halfway through the season and additional competition was started - a singles handicap - which resulted as follows 1st Mr. E. Tindle 2nd Mr. H. Hornsby 3rd Messrs Oliver and D. Scott.The club was well represented in the N. W. Durham League competitions, the following entries being made:- Rinks 2, pairs 12, singles 14. The following rink succeeded in winning the rink competition:- Messrs R. W. Bell, R. Wilson, T. Dent, and A. Mangles(skip) . The entries from the club in the county competitions were up to the average of previous seasons.The club again took part in the North-West Durham league, but did not meet with the success of former years finishing sixth in the table of results.The competition for the C.I.C. Challenge Cup was held on the green in Consett Park. Five clubs took part; Langley Park were the winners and our club were runners-up. The club also took part in the various competitions held under the auspices of the North-East Coast Exhibition.The club was represented in the county trial match by Mr. D. Tindle and Major A. Mangles, and these members also took part in the county match versus Northumberland.The club played 16 matches during the season which resulted as follows:- Won 5, lost 10, tied 1; shots scored for 1245; against 1231.The management committee held eighteen meetings during the year .In conclusion, we again express our thanks to the members for their kind cooperation, which has made the task of your committee so pleasant. We trust that the same happy relations will always exist amongst the members.(On behalf of the Management Committee),Yours faithfullyA MANGLES, Hon. Sec.The chairman, in formally moving the adoption of the report, thought he could safely say that at the end of their seventh year they were in as strong a position as a club as they had ever been. The interest taken in the Bowling Club, went on the Chairman, must not be judged by its financial position. It must be judged by the interest shown in the games and competitions, and by the esprit- de-corps and good fellowship that existed on the green. (Hear, hear.) He thought that all had had a good time. There had been an entire absence of friction, and much enthusiasm had been shown in the games, which indicated that the same interest was being shown in the club as had existed since its formation. The club champion was Mr A. W. Bell. He congratulated Mr Bell, and probably each one of them hoped that he would be the champion next year (Laughter and applause) His own experience had been a very depressing one, but nevertheless he and others that had been knocked out would come up smiling next season. (Hear, hear) They had not been so successful as usual in the league, which they won three times in succession, but they must look forward to doing better next season (Applause.)Mr. G. T. Wilson seconded the motion, which was carried.FINANCEThe Chairman said that they started the season with a balance in hand of £20 19s 2d, and they finished with a credit balance of £22 5s 3d, so that he thought they were in a very satisfactory position. (Applause.)The report was approved.ELECTION OF OFFICERSMr E. J. George was re-elected as president of the club.Mr. J. W. Lake, in proposing the re-election of Mr. Alsop as chairman said that they owed a great deal to the enthusiasm and assistance of Mr. Alsop. (Applause). He sometimes wondered what they would do without him. As they knew, Mr Alsop was a very busy man but yet he inconvenienced himself to attend the committee meetings and the matches of the club. The club, he said owed a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. Alsop. (Applause)Mr J Ellison, in seconding, said that he endorsed all that the mover had said respecting Mr Alsop (Applause.)The motion having been carried by acclamation.The Chairman said that it was very kind of them to elect him so enthusiastically. He could assure them that he greatly enjoyed the games on the bowling green (Applause.)The vice-presidents were re-elected.Mr. J. Stockdale having been re-appointed hon. treasurer the chairman said he was sure that all concerned were pleased that Mr. Stockdale had consented to remain in office. Their treasurer put in a lot of hard work .(Applause.)RESIGNATION OF HON. SECRETARYThe Chairman said that with regard to the position of secretary he had a letter there from Major Mangles who expressed his regret at being unable to attend and asking the meeting to accept his resignation as he was leaving the district . He had acted as hon. secretary ever since the formation of the club. He would like to thank the members for their many kindnesses shown and the willing assistance he had received from the members. He felt particularly grateful to Mr. Lake for the great assistance he had received from him.The chairman moved that the resignation be accepted, and that they express to Major Mangles their appreciation of the excellent work he had accomplished on behalf of the club. He had been an excellent secretary to the Bowling Club, and the interest he took in the club, had been valuable assets (Applause.)The motion was seconded and carried.The chairman then proposed the election of Mr. Lake as hon. secretary of the club and said that the work that Mr. Lake did on behalf of the club was known to all of them. Mr. Lake had borne a heavy burden during the past season. As he had practically carried on the club (Applause).The motion was seconded and carried by acclamation.Mr Lake thanked the members very much for the honour they had conferred upon him by electing him as hon. secretary to the club. They knew the good work that Major Mangles had done and he (the speaker) would do his best . With the Chairman behind him he thought that he would be able to carry on. He would like to say that the success of the club depended not only upon the members but also upon the assistance given to the secretary my the members. He had worked hand-in-hand with Major Mangles and they had had a very pleasant time together (Applause.)On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wills was appointed assistant secretary.When it came to the appointment of the Management Committee the chairman said that unfortunately Mr. W. D. Reed was ill, and they all regretted it. Mr Reed had been of tremendous assistance to the club. He suggested but they make him an honorary member, and when he came back they would find a place for him on the committee. Mr Reed had done work they could never forget. He had helped them enormously, and he felt sure that all hoped he would be out soon and with them next season. (Applause.)The Management Committee was elected as follows: Chosen by the Members: Messrs J. B. Richardson, F. J. Simpson, G. T. Wilson and R. W. Bell. Nominated by Consett Iron Co.: Messrs S. A. Simon, A. E. Brodie, G. J. Macfadzean, and E. Tindle.Messrs J. Barrow and A. Simpson were appointed auditors.PRESENTATIONSThe chairman then presented the prizes to the successful competitors and said that that was a very pleasing duty. The first was to Mr Bell who won the club championship (Applause ).Mr. Bell said that he would like to pay a tribute to his opponent in the final game, whom, he thought, deserved a consolation trophy and he wished him better luck next season. (Applause.) Mr. S. Bates received the trophy for the rinks competition and Mr. Richardson that for the pairs competition, who both received the congratulations of the Chairman .Mr. Richardson said that he had had a wonderful partner who played well throughout. If it had not been for his partner they would not have won. SPOONS COMPETITIONSA member suggested that the spoons competitions should be played on the progressive whist system.Mr Dunn said that this would be very enjoyable. There was a change of players and they moved onto another rink if they won and stood still if they lost .Mr Stockdale said they might try the first two games on this system and see how it worked.The Chairman said that it is quite in order to make suggestions. This one would receive the consideration of the committee before the opening of next season .Mr. Dixon said that there was a lot of grumbling about not getting games played off by the time arranged due to men being on different shifts. He was wondering if there could be some arrangement whereby this could be avoided .The Chairman said that this had been one of their difficulties ever since formation of the club. When the competition went on for a number of rounds it was difficult to get them played off by the time stipulated. That was a matter that would also be considered by the committee because they recognised that it was a cause of inconvenience and occasionally caused a grumble. They were trying to find some method by which it could be overcome.Mr. Allison asked who was responsible for notifying the players of games. The Chairman said it had always been supposed that the skips were responsible for the players. During last season the committee endeavoured to widen the range of the teams with the result that one or two skips who were not used to acting skips had not realised their responsibility. Mr. Lake would make a note of it and would advise the skips asking them to see that their members attended.Mr Lake said that it entirely rested with the skips.On the motion of Mr. Dunn, seconded by Mr. Ellison, the officers and committee of the club were cordially thanked for their services during the past year . The chairman in replied expressed his indebtedness to Mr. G. T. Wilson for acting in his absence at committee meetings.

The 1929 North East Coast Exhibition

Image EPW026658 on the Britain from Above website shows an aerial view of the North East Coast Exhibition 1929 . The Exhibition's bowling green is immediately below the lake. It looks as though there is another green across the road (below and to the left of the main green).