Miles Platting Bowling Green

The Miles Platting Bowling Green lay just across the street at the lower end of the ‘red rec’. It was protected by high spiked railings and divided down the centre by a broad tarmac path, at either end of which stood formidable double gates: unauthorised after hours entry was intended to be difficult. The subject of this defence system were two bowling greens. Paths ran round the perimeter; on these at regular intervals were park benches looking onto the greens. Between them and the railings lay a deep border of shrubs and small trees. One of the greens was carefully maintained, and reserved for use by experts and competitions. The other was made available for anyone else who fancied their chances with the ‘woods’. The green keeper resided in a small hut and cast a proprietorial eye over his domain. He was always ready to repel boarders, such as kids on bikes or even those on a dare, stepping onto the sacred turf for an illicit game of chase! Alongside the hut stood a summerhouse. It was closed on three sides, and raised above path level; the open side afforded a view over the greens from benches which lined the walls. There were notice boards, one showing in gold lettering the names of past competition winners. A door led into the storeroom, where numbered pairs of bowls for hire were housed in pigeon holes. Round rubber mats were issued to protect the turf from damage whilst ‘delivering’ the wood. The price for hire pre-war was something like twopence an hour (old money) or threepence for two hours. Dedicated enthusiasts would turn up with their own customised sets of bowls complete with ‘jack’ which were carried in neat black leather cases. Several of the gang to which I belonged progressed from playing the game for a bit of fun to taking it very seriously and keeping the interest into adulthood.

When I was eight or nine I found the green a good place to escape with something to read - a comic or the latest library book. One day, I settled myself in the corner of the summerhouse and was soon completely absorbed in my reading. Time passed. Eventually, I became aware of the fading light; the place was very quiet. I was alone, not just in the summerhouse. The green was deserted. I ran to the gates and realised I was locked in! A small knot of men had remained outside the gates, chatting after closing time. Whilst none seemed very keen to climb to my rescue they were soon directing my own efforts safely over the spikes and into their waiting arms.

I didn’t lose my love of reading but chose my spots more carefully thereafter.

Holland Street Bowling Club Cup Winners
1930 Henry F Dook
1931 Henry F Dook
1932 J Hanson
!933 J Barratt
1934 A Thomson
1935 H Corfield
1936 J Bent
1937 G S Southern
1938 S H Davies
1939 H Webley
1940 T Gillibrand
1941 G S Taylor
1942 H Stubb
1943 J Bent
1944 J Dalton
1945 B Sutton
1946 N Cryne
1947 W Harrop
1948 N Wilcox
1949 A Jones
1950 W Stone
1951 K Leeson
1952 A Wellings
1953 C E Farr
1954 S Bowden
1955 S Davies
1956 A Fox
1957 H Mason
1958 J Gomersall
1959 A Hawks- worth
1960 A Downing
1961 H Smith
1962 E Worsley
1963 W Stone
1964 E Worsley
1965 H Callaghan
1966 A Broadbent
1967 E Worsley
1968 W Elliss
1970 A Almond
1971 J Wood- house
1972 J Ferriss
1973 A Almond