Colchester Bowling Club was founded in 1902, the same year that the Town Hall was built, and is the oldest surviving bowling club in the Town.

The club met originally in 'Ye Olde Ben Johnson Pub' on North Hill, which became known later as the 'Cock & Pye'. There was a small lawn at the back of the premises which was used for bowls and croquet.

In 1939, following the outbreak of the Second World War, the pub became home to the Air Training Corps Club and Canteen. There is no longer any evidence of the original green today.

In 1947, the Colchester Bowling Club set themselves up at Lewis's Gardens which, at that time, was part of Colchester's playing fields. Situated in the middle of the town, this is well known today as the site of the old Bus station. By all accounts the Club had a long and successful period at this location. Its proximity to the Corn Exchange and Jacklins Restaurant, both in the High Street, prompted the interest of a large number of local farmers to congregate at the Club after the close of business on market days. Sparse Club records show a rent of £150 being required in its final year on this site in 1963. Sadly the playing fields on this site had to make way as the town developed, and the Club was forced to vacate its home.

In 1963 a derelict site was found behind the 'Bucks Horns' public house in Greenstead Road. A bowling club had existed on the site before the 1939-45 war, during which it was used as allotments to help food production. The original hut was still there but the green had to be relaid at a cost of £1,640. The Club obtained a grant of £300 from the National Playing Fields Association. During its 30 year stay on this site the Club provided Essex County Bowling Association with three presidents - Chris Jaggs, Stanley Grant and Gordon Lord. Many County and National competitions were staged on the Bucks Horns site.

In 1984 the lease expired. The Brewery which owned the freehold changed hands several times but the Club's occupation continued on a yearly basis until a developer appeared in 1994 and the Borough Council gave permission for the development of the site to go ahead despite objections from the Club and local residents. A further year of grace was obtained through a court hearing but, with nowhere to go, the Club finally vacated the site on 31st October 1994, salvaging anything that might be re-usable if a future opportunity arose. The Club was fortunate to be allowed to share facilities at the Severalls Bowling Club until a permanent site could be found.

In July 1996, the Club opened its new premises at Colchester Road, Ardleigh, with the financial support and generosity of members and grants from The Foundation for Sport and the Arts and the National Lottery.

John Gould

Life Member & Former President, Former Captain and Former Secretary