NESTLING beside a quaint country pub, picturesque alms houses, and an ancient church, is a little patch of sporting history.
Hurst Bowling Club, first documented in 1747, is probably the second oldest bowling club in England.
It must also be a strong contender for the nation’s friendliest.
Welcoming force of nature, and club fundraiser Ronnie Ashley showed Wokingham.Today around.
“The bowling club is a very special place with a lot of history,” Ronnie said, indicating sepia photographs of Victorian English cricketer W.C Grace on the green.
A century on Hurst Bowling Club is still very much alive and thriving.
But the days of its clubhouse are numbered.
Built around 160 years ago, its walls are damp and crumbling.
Club members can enjoy tea and Ronnie’s home-made cake in it for just a few more months before it is demolished.
“We need a new clubhouse to keep the club going,” Ronnie explained.
“This one is falling down.”
Replacing it will cost £260,000, of which the club has raised £173,000.
“We’re not sure yet where the remaining money will come from, but we’re working on it,” she said.
The club has recently been nominated for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Every Thursday afternoon it welcomes senior residents from The Link Visiting Scheme to play and socialise.
“Recently a new gentleman said to me that The Link had told him he could come along,” said Ronnie.
“ ‘Of course you can come,’ I replied.
“ ‘But I have Alzheimers,’ he said.
“I thanked him for telling me and explained that now we know, we can all look out for him.
“He will always find a warm welcome here.”
Another person, their playing days over, tried to donate their bowling kit.
Instead, Ronnie persuaded them to join the club.
“Now they play here regularly, and love the sport once again,” she said.
But bowling isn’t just for older people.
“It may seem that way, but it’s just that retired people have more time to enjoy the sport,” she said.
At it’s open day in May, the club attracted all ages, including families with children, and showed that bowling can appeal to youngsters too.
One current junior club member shows particular promise.
“When I saw our neighbouring pub landlord’s son watching a game from the pub balcony, I invited him to come over and try it himself,” said Ronnie.
“Now, aged 12, he’s a county player for the under 19s team.”
Ronnie jokes that she bribes people to join the club with cake.
The Castle Inn next door is another attraction.
And the club’s beautiful rural village location is a big plus.
But friendliness is probably the club’s greatest magnet.
“Anyone can join us,” she said,”it doesn’t matter if they play for England, or they’ve never played before.
Club member Nicholas Welch vouches for the club’s warm welcome.
“My wife and I are both members,” he said.
“And this really is the friendliest bunch of people we’ve ever met.”
For information, to join, or to support the clubhouse fundraising campaign, visit: hurstbowlingclub.co.uk
