Bowling Club History

Ettington Short Mat Bowls Club was originally formed by Ettington WI in 1995 in responce to a Stratford District Council (SDC) initiative for sport and leisure in the community. Four members of the WI formed a club in the village which was open to all villagers and not just WI members. SDC loaned mats, fenders, blocks, bowls, jacks and a coach (Roy Bacon) to show us how the game is played. These sessions were originally in the afternoon once a fortnight but so many villagers were coming to these sessions that it soon became apparent that once a fortnight was not enough to cater for the demand. It wasn't long before these sessions became weekly and ultimately twice a week, one in the afternoon and again in the evening. This was not just in order to cope with the demand but also to make the club accessible to villagers that are were unable to take part during the day.

The club then set about raising funds to purchase its' own equipment. Stalls at bazaars, coffee mornings, sponsored walks, donations and a grant from SDC were among the various activities that took place enabling us to purchase 2 mats, jacks and a few sets of bowls. One of our members made the fenders and blocks saving us a fortune. To date we are fully equipped and can provide all necessary facilities required to both novice and proficient bowlers.

In June 1997 we took part, along with 11 other clubs in the district, in the first Short Mat Bowls tournament. The event was organised by SDC and was held at Stratford Leisure and Visitor Centre and we were fortunate enough to win the very first tournament, Since those humble beginnings we have taken part in the annual tournament every year and have won it four times in the first 8 years and have been in a further three finals.

The Stratford District League was set up in early 1998 and the first season began in October of that year and we were fortunate to lift the trophy. In total we have won the League three out five years and have been runners up in the other two.

It was significant that the last League match that Ettington played in the 2002/2003 season was played on the 28th March 2003 as this was the last event ever to be held in the old village hall. Needing one point to clinch victory in the League we managed to take three points from Knightcote and thus won the League for that season. The very next day, 29th March 2003, we transferred our equipment to the new Community Centre and took part in the Open Day giving a demonstartion of Short Mat Bowling.

The 2002/2003 season saw Ettington win the League Trophy, The Annual Tournament and also the Knockout Trophy. We had never won the Knockout trophy before. This was the first time that one club had won all three trophies in the Stratford District in one season.