Lots of Years Ago:
3 – 10 – 1907
After the name of the men’s centre was changed from the North Canterbury Bowling Centre to the Christchurch Bowling Centre of the New Zealand Bowling Association, the first meeting was held on the 30th October 1907. Mr F. J. Barlow had been the chairperson of the steering committee, and Dr Walter Thomas was elected president.
October 1927
The Elmwood Bowling Club, a men’s club then, was formed in 1927. The club obtained the use of a part of Elmwood Park, which had earlier been given to the Council by Sir Heaton Rhodes who had farmed the area, for a bowling green. A green was formed, now the No. 2 green, and as well a pavilion was built there on the east side facing Elmwood Park.
1 – 10 – 74
25th anniversary of the St. Albans Bowling Club held at the Redwood Hotel with 57 members attending.
Thirty Years Ago.
1 – 10 – 96
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First women’s club day at Elmwood.
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Front Row: Phyl Robinson June McPhail Noel McGregor [Club Captain] Mike Bridgeman [President] Joyce French-Wright
Second Row: Della Greenslade Olwyn Dalley Jan Taylor Meg Davidson Nola Franklin Sybil Sherlock
Back Row: Helen Robinson Noelene McIlroy Marjorie McCrostie Adrianne Read Rae Miller Cath Tillman
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Twenty-four Years Ago.
30 – 9 – 02
In its 12th year the South Island Chartered Clubs Women’s Fours Tournament got under way with 17 Elmwood ladies playing for various teams of which there were 78.
Bev Morel with a composite team won representing Richmond.
Twenty Years Ago:
6 – 10 – 06
After nearly 100 years, Bowls Canterbury has a home of its own, the old Fendalton women’s club.
The provincial body, preparing for its centenary in 2007 has taken over the clubhouse and green at Fendalton Park. It will be officially opened on Sunday week. The move made Canterbury one of the few associations with its own green. And it couldn’t be more timely as the centre prepare to host five international events in the next 18 months, culminating in the world championships in January 2008.
Bowls needed to move from the city offices at Colombo St that it had had for many years, said the then publicity officer Noel McGregor.
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Sixteen Years Ago:
4 – 10 – 10
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History in the making in the first Edwards Cup of the 2010 – 11 season as the merged club of Barrington United played for the first time. Conditions were good and the green, Elmwood No 2, played well. The St. Albans-Merivale team had a positive start to the competition winning 3 – 1 over Elmwood.
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Twelve Years Ago.
6 – 10 – 14
Disappointment as the first round of the Edwards Cup was not played due to bad weather; wet and very cold.
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Fourteen Years Ago.
29 – 9 – 12
The second special St. Albans-Merivale Bowling Club’s tournament took place with 46 members participating in the Mary Lu Patterson and Coxhead trophies. Conditions were far from pleasant, it was very cool and windy which made playing quite challenging.
The Mary Lu Patterson Trophy, U70, played pairs.
1] Peter Felton John Walcott
The Coxhead Trophy, O70, played triples and there were 10 participating teams.
1] Margaret McLennan Phil O’Malley Allen Reynolds
The sad aspect of this tournament is the fact that, as in past years, there were more more over 70 players than there were under 70. Suggested that more than a crisis in membership could be looming!!!
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Fourteen Years Ago.
7 – 10 – 12
St. Albans-Merivale’s first tournament of the year was held with a new format. Three different games of pairs were played.
1] 2x2x2x2
2] 2x4x2
3] 3 bowls
The format proved very successful and an enjoyable day was had by all. 22 teams were participating. Although it must be said that some of the more aged challenged found with all the walking it was a very tiring day.
First: Neil Johnstone David Vujcich Elmwood
Second: Graham Gridgeman Isobel Gridgeman Parklands
Third: Mark Young Bryce Young Belfast
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Ten Years Ago.
1 – 10 – 16
Some members of the New Brighton Bowling Club were using Hartmont Green to play some championship games as their green was not ready following planing. The St. Albans-Merivale Bowling Club welcomed them and particularly enjoyed their company at the end of the day.
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Nine Years Ago:
30 – 9 – 17
There was a good turnout of members, about 90, for the official opening of the newly formed Elmwood Park Bowling Club. A fine day with some good bowls played on a very good green at Heaton Street.
President Ian Rule welcoming the bowlers.
Bowls Canterbury representative Brian Barker presenting Bev Morel with her Centre award, 35 championships. What an achievement.
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Patrons John Elley delivering the first kitty and Owen Jones delivering the first bowl.
After the official opening members retired to the clubrooms for superb lunch. Then on to the green for a roll up.
A wonderful day that would have left the members looking forward to a great season.
Eight Years Ago:
6 – 10 – 18
The President’s Triples were held today in somewhat cool weather with a wind making conditions very tricky. It was a great turnout with a full green. Apparently it was the best turnout for some time.
Instructions and conditions of play.
The action.
Three games of eight ends were played and at the conclusion of the games the teams of MaryAnne Johnstone and Neil Johnstone were equal.
The playoffs.
First: Neil Johnstone (s), Lesley Campbell, Ron Phair
Second: Mary Ann Johnstone (s), John Irving, Mike O’Loughlin
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