The London Welsh Bowling Association

Little is known of the early formation of the London Welsh Bowling Association and after the end of the Second World War any reference to whether the Association had even existed had more than likely been lost and decimated by the horrors of the war. The UK was soon returning to some semblance of order and normality and people from Wales were beginning the move to various parts of the UK seeking employment and a better standard of living and a large number migrating to London and the Home Counties. Amongst the exodus were many professionals (teachers, doctors, solicitors) as well as those seeking to find alternative employment to working down the pit. Those who had played sport in Wales quickly integrated into the many sports clubs/teams in and around their new environment ranging from Rugby, Cricket and Bowls. Many joined their works sports clubs which offered a variety of sports including Bowls. Large companies such, as Mars, Kodak and Hoover were instrumental in providing opportunity to participate in sport and in particular Bowls. However over the following years after the war other exiles not just from Wales but Ireland and Scotland were getting together and forming their own exile sports associations. It was after speaking with other Welsh bowlers during the season that B. Lewis, W. Rees, J. W. Richards, and Alwyn Davies and others decided to set up a meeting at the London Welsh Club in Drury Lane in 1951 to discuss the probability of forming a London Welsh Bowling Association.

This meeting proved to be very productive and B. Lewis a barrister was tasked with drawing up a draft constitution to be discussed at an early meeting in 1952 Everyone from the initial meeting in late 1951 attended and approved the draft constitution and the London Welsh Bowling Association was formally refounded late in 1952 with a committee being elected from those in attendance.

B. Lewis was unanimously elected to become its first President for the inaugural 1953 outdoor season, he also took on the responsibility for arranging two or three fixtures in the first year.

Alwyn Davies was elected at the inaugural meeting as Secretary, a post he held for a number of years, and was with Edward Guinness CVO instrumental in founding the “mini international’s” or the Edward Guinness Trophy which was held for the first time in 1961 and played at the Kodak green in Harrow.

The association has been in existence now for 67 years and from small inspirational ideas back in the early 1950’s has developed and grown into the Association we know today.   An association that is not afraid to keep pace with the modern game and develop further with its mind firmly set on the future. London Welsh Bowling Association has continued its growth and modernisation by becoming the first exile Association to go open and welcome members both male and female.

The London Irish Bowling Association

The London Irish Bowling Association, which was originally known as the London Irish Bowls Club, was created in 1955, by recruiting Irish bowlers and those with an Irish name or connection, from a number of London Bowling Clubs.  Great support was given by the Guinness Club in many ways, not least by offering the use of the Guinness Club's facilities on match days.  Indeed the first President was C. E. Guinness whose earlier encouragement had been so instrumental in the successful creation of the Association.  By March 1956 there were 40 founding members who agreed that the Club should become an Association.  Hence, the birth of the London Irish Bowling Association.

As a result of a casual conversation, in 1961, between the then President (C. E. Guinness) and a member of the London Welsh there arose an annual outdoor competition, now known as the Miniature Internationals, between the London Welsh, Scottish, Irish and an appropriate team which could be 'dubbed'  the London English, who play for the Edward Guinness Trophy.  Since 1978 an indoor Miniature International has also been played.  Since 1961 the Association has gone from strength to strength and now has a membership of 320, and a waiting list of Clubs who wish to have an annual fixture.

The London Scottish Bowling Association

All too often, as years and people pass by, the history of Associations such as ours become neglected, memories are dimmed and records are lost - such is the situation of the London Scottish Bowling Association due mainly to the fact that the LSBA Council minutes from 1919 to the early 1980's have either been lost, mislaid or destroyed. What follows is an attempt to put on record a little of the history, however modest, of the London Scottish Bowling Association. Thanks to David Carson, Alan Alvey and Jimmy Bayne for the research and to Jim Lumsden for collation and editing

The London Scottish Bowling Association was formed on 2nd December 1919, just three months after the first seed had been planted at Bellingham Bowling Club in the previous September, when sitting on the veranda after a Rosebery Cup match, Mr William Taylor, a famous Dulwich skip, turned to fellow Scot, Jimmie Duff and congratulated him on the success of his Club's arrangements for the match.

He asked if he had ever thought of forming a Scottish Association - Mr Duff replied that he had mentioned such an Association to his old friend Mr James Manson of the Belmont Bowling Club. Mr Manson was not only a keen bowler but was the author of " The Complete Bowler" and a recognised authority on bowls, as the literary correspondent for the London and Southern Counties Bowling Association as well as bowls reporter to one of the Scottish papers in London.

Mr Duff invited Mr Manson to his home to discuss the formation of a Scottish Association of bowlers. Being in agreement, they then contacted Mr J O Grant (Mid Surrey) and found him also warmly responsive to their suggestion, whereby they agreed to call a meeting of a few Scots bowlers at Mr Grant's office. This and subsequent meetings were held among the pioneers, in addition to Messrs James Duff, James Manson, J O Grant and W Taylor were D B McBride (Westcliff B C), Tom Robertson (South London B C) and A Adamson (Crouch Hill B C).

James Manson presided at these meetings where plans and comprehensive precepts were formulated and decisions reached as to what the constitution should be and embrace.

The first General Meeting of the London Scottish Bowling Association was held at the Royal Scottish Corporation Hall on December 2nd 1919. This meeting was attended by 42 eager and notable Scottish Bowlers, who witnessed and acclaimed with applause the birth of the Association and consecrated as a chosen medium to cultivate and maintain ties of friendship with "brither" bowlers from the Homeland.