Bredon
Bowling
Club
Established circa 1963 - serving the community of
Bredon and its surroundings
Club Rules
The full set of Bredon Bowling Club’s rules are available as a pdf download.
Click here to download a copy
Bowling Etiquette
The etiquette of bowls is a combination of good manners, sportsmanship & sociability.
Ensure you are correctly attired. White or Club shirt and Grey or White Trousers or Skirt.
Always arrive in time to change & be on the green ready to start.
Make sure you have the correct stickers on your woods.
Support your Captains by putting your name on the nomination sheets.
Always have your bowl ready to play when the person bowling before you leaves the mat.
Never deliver your bowl before the previous bowl has come to rest.
Respect the green at all times. Do not drop your woods on the green.
Do not stand on the edge of the green or walk in the ditches.
Do not drop litter on the green, use the receptacles provided.
Possession of the rink must always be respected.
Be still & quiet at both ends whilst others are delivering their bowls.
Do not walk across the back of the rink when a person is on the mat.
Remember that direction for the skips are only given by the number 3 (2 in triples).
Other players must not intervene unless asked.
Likewise, the result of the end should only be determined by the number 3 (2 in triples)
Do not disturb the head until the result has been declared.
Remember that it is unsporting to verbally encourage failure by the opposition e.g. encouraging a bowl to miss/go through etc. It is also unsporting to verbally celebrate a shot by your opponents which gives your team the advantage.
Win or lose, always shake hands & thank your opposition for the game.
It is good manners after the game to offer your opponent/marker a drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start bowling?
Find a good bowling club and ask about welcome events and coaching sessions - get a few lessons and see if you enjoy it - that's the best first step. Bredon Bowling Club coaching sessions are on Monday evenings starting at 6:00 and on Tuesday afternoons starting at 2:00 - contact the club secretary - or just turn up wearing flat shoes and you will be made very welcome!
What ages are the people who bowl?
We have all ages from teenagers up to octogenarians. Bowls matches take place in most weather conditions and generally involve anything up to 21 "Ends" - which usually take about two and a half hours to complete a full game. So, being able to bowl and be on your feet for that amount of time are the main criteria.
What is the difference between Lawn Bowls and Crown Green Bowls?
Lawn bowls is played up and down on flat "rinks" - whereas crown green bowls is played on a green with a mound in it - or crown, which affects how the bowls roll. In lawn bowls, the woods themselves are generally a little heavier and have a little more "bias" and categorised by size whereas crown green bowls are generally categorised by weight. At Bredon Bowling Club we play lawn green bowls on a flat green.
Is there a season for bowling?
At Bredon Bowling Club our season runs from the end of April to the end of September - but with a little flexibility depending on the weather etc. Outside of the main season, bowling activities do continue - but generally within the clubhouse - an example would be carpet bowls.
What different types of bowls (woods) are there?
Lawn green bowls (woods) vary considerably in size, weight, bias (performance), colour and, to a lesser extent, construction. Sizes generally range from the smallest "Size 00" up to the largest "Size 5" (00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Weights vary between "medium" and "heavy". The bias of a wood determines how the wood performs when rolled. Each wood should describe a specific curve (in test conditions) during its transit according to its bias. Lower bias woods describe a narrower curve while higher woods bias describe a wider one - with some designed to"hook-in" at the end of their travel. Most woods are black but with a distinct emblem for identification purposes. However, with improvements in composite resin construction technologies, there is an increasing array of colours now available. Woods, as the name suggests, used to be constructed from wood - the majority of modern woods are now made from composite resins. To find out more, speak to the club coaches.
How do I choose the right wood?
The short answer to this is "try-it-and-see" - ask the club coaches if you can use some of the club woods and see what weight and bias works best for you. Generally, the size of the wood most suitable for you is determined by your hand size. A wood should be of a similar diameter to that of the imaginary circle created when you put your two forefingers and two thumbs together. But, again, there is no substitute for trying different sizes and weights and seeing what you are most comfortable with - before you invest in your own set.
What time are games played at?
Matches are generally held in the afternoons and evenings typically starting at around 2:30 and 6:00 respectively. But this varies depending on venue and travel times for away matches. Comprehensive details of Bredon Bowling Club fixtures can be found on our fixtures page.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, whilst on the Green, members are expected to wear flat-bottomed bowling shoes and the appropriate "Whites" or "Greys" which varies depending on the match type and day. Full details are provided at time of enrolment - or speak to one of the club's coaches or officials.
Where can I buy bowling equipment?
A good proportion of equipment can be sourced through the club. Before buying anything, it is best to talk with one of the club's coaches or officials as they will know what might be available or where any special deals can be found. There is a vast array of bowling equipment suppliers online and there is a very good bowling equipment supplier in Pershore.
Can I join just as a social member?
Yes, there is a "social-only" membership option - contact the Club Secretary for details
What bowling leagues do you play in?
Bredon Bowling Club play in 4 leagues:
1). Concorde men's league (4 rinks) ( Mainly weekend afternoons and two Friday evenings)
2). Concorde lady’s league (3 Triples) both played on weekend afternoons or Thursday evenings.
3). North Gloucestershire League (men’s) (5 Rinks Thursday evenings)
4). The Vale Mixed Triples league on Monday evenings (3 mixed triples) - Two teams MAROON and YELLOW
5). South Worcestershire Triples league on Tuesday evenings Two Gents teams, Bredon A and Bredon B
(Concorde/ SWT/ Vale all 18 ends / NGL 21 ends)
What happens outside of the bowling season?
Outside of the bowling season (late April to late September) the club remains open and a variety of activities are arranged on a regular basis including a Winter Carpet Bowls League. Contact the Club Secretary for more details or check our Planned Events page under “Social”.
History of Bredon Bowling Club
During 1934 or 1935, at a meeting in Kemerton of the C.E.M.S, (Church of England Men’s Society) the suggestion was made by the Rector, Rev. H. Austin, that a bowling club be formed. Mr Edwin Franklin was the first secretary. The subscription was 2 shillings a year (10 pence) and even in 1957, it was only one pound.
Mrs Till and Mrs. Luard, with others, bought the first woods, 8 sets and the first games were played in the orchard belonging to Three Gables (on the Cross) where the Rector lived – it was a pretty rough tennis court.
They moved fairly soon to the newly built Rectory and used a tennis court. This was in the middle of a very rough orchard and a lot of work had to be put in before any play was possible. They moved again, across the road to Wayside (approximately opposite the Victoria Hall) where they stayed for some years.
When this property changed hands they returned to the Rectory (now South Hey) where another green was made in the orchard behind the house.
The first match at Kemerton was against Aston Somerville. Amongst the original members was Mr Muskett – who was the only one who knew anything about the game!
All was well until about 1961/2 - when the new Rector needed this garden for his own use and the club had to find new premises.
By this time the club had grown; it was decided to split up, one half going to Bredon and the other to Overbury. Stan Priest was the founder President and Captain in 1963 of Bredon. Overbury was offered an old tennis court behind the cricket club by Mr Holland-Martin. Their membership was limited by Mr Holland-Martin to residents living within one and a half miles of Overbury. Soon they realized that they had a chronic shortage of bowlers and as their relationship with Bredon was excellent they were helped out on numerous occasions. This membership restriction was lifted in time.
The first minutes that were recorded for the new club were held in March 1962 to discuss the building of walls, Tarmac a path, a possible handrail mounted on the southeast corner of the green and a 7 x 5 foot shed to house machinery and equipment.
Those present at the meeting were Mr S. Priest, Mr R Leech, Mr W. Partridge, Mr J. Knight, and Mr W. Smith. - the bank balance in March 1962 was £90-0-3d.
At a committee meeting in April 1963, approval was given to build a clubhouse but it was only leased for 5 years. After some lengthy discussion, it was agreed to contact the Hancock’s Trustees to obtain a 21 year lease. It was also agreed to adopt (in principle) the club rules of Pershore Bowls Club.
Over the next 50 years, Bredon Bowling Club has gone from strength to strength and celebrated it's 50th Anniversary in 2013. A comprehensive history of the club was produced for the anniversary - hard copies are available from the Club Secretary.
Source: Bredon Bowling Club - 50th Anniversary Pamphlet
There is now a 60th Anniversary booklet updating from 2014 to 2023 written by Jill Marshment the Author of our 50th Anniversary pamphlet. This time with help from George Glaze our President. Well done Jill and George a really good read.
Bredon Bowling Club’s original clubhouse
Bredon Bowling Club’s original clubhouse - opening ceremony