We must thank our three founders (Messrs. Moore, Anthony and Weekes ) who were privileged to play on the lawn of Hampden in Sidcot Lane (the home of Mr Moore).
In 1921 they had that gem of an idea of establishing a bowling club in Winscombe.

The ground on Sandford Road was obtained and the club opened in May 1922.

The rest as they say 'is history'!

Click on these to enlarge and read a report of the
opening of the green : in The Weston Gazette 27th May 1922

The site of the former Railway Inn is adjacent to the Woodborough Inn (now the car park) and the buildings followed the line of what is now Woodborough Drive

NOTES EXTRACTED FROM FIRST MINUTE BOOK
These are the first minutes recorded for Winscombe Bowling Club:

Minutes of Committee Meeting held at the Railway Hotel, Winscombe, May 5 ^th 1921
Present:- Messrs. J.A.Dunster, Amesbury, Moore, Weeks, Todd, Compton, Wake and Anthony
It was unanimously resolved that the Club be designated the Winscombe Bowling Club Limited.
Rules for regulating the Club were considered and finally adopted and the Secretary was ordered to have 75 copies printed.
It was decided to call a meeting for Thursday 18^th inst. at 7.30pm.

Bert Fisher laid the first green with turf from Crook Peak
He was the grandfather of Mike Nash 2011 Club Captain

This picture is of the first game played on the new green in 1949.
This was after it was relaid following an infestation of 'leatherjackets'. Mrs Bob Cooper sent down the first wood.
Her husband (in blazer) , was club captain. Mr R S Brewer was the president.

1988 Opening Day

More Recent History in the Making

SOMERSET BOWLS ASSOCIATION
THE Properly Unified County Inaugural Meeting 14th November 2009 at Street BC

This meeting was attended by Club AND Ladies Secretaries
Mike Adams and Lorna Whatling.
A historic day ! The first time a lady from Winscombe BC has been able to vote at a Somerset County Meeting.

AGM Wednesday 24th February 2010

WBC now became a Unified Club in the “THE Properly Unified County”

Club Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion to integrate Ladies into Full Membership of the Club . With effect from the start of our New Season (1st April 2010) Ladies will, for the first time, have full voting rights and the right to hold office on the Management Committee. The Ladies captain Helen Watson and the Ladies Secretary Lorna Whatling will be the first Ladies appointed to the Committee.

A historic meeting as this was the first time in the clubs 90 year history that ladies had been able to vote at this meeting . It was also agreed that at long last Pushers/Gatherers would be purchased to help members gather their woods after each end. 

29th March 2010

First Unified Committee Meeting

The Ladies Captain Helen Watson and Ladies Secretary Lorna Whatling were welcomed onto the Management Committee by President John Baker who said that this was a Historic day for The Club. Lorna Whatling thanked him on behalf of the ladies and said they all looked forward to working with the men for the good of the club. John reminded the members that there was a Ladies Club in 1923 just 2 years after the club was formed but this did not continue.

Tuesday 6th September 2011

Winscombe retained the Weston & District Over 60's Cup v St Andrews

L to R: Andy Kiprianidies,Wilf ainsworth,Tom Ellis,Mike Hunt,Mal Hunter,Mike Adams ,Lew Collier, John Sprouting
Ken Whatling,Les Baldwin,Gerald Lloyd,Tony Watts,Tony Dudley,Graham Neville,Robin Lowman,Mike Roberts, Gerry Tofte, Mike Nash, Ronnie Wooten

Winscombe went on to win the Weston & District Over 60's league in 2014 and 2015 (see pictures below)

THE PARROT SHIELD WINNERS 2010

President John Baker receives the shield from President Barry Taylor of Banwell

As Captain Tony said after the match this was a team win but some need special mention......In the first leg a 22 shot win on Tommy Ellis's rink and a 10 shot win by Mike Adam's rink meant that once again we took a shot advantage back to Winscombe. This time however, it was not let slip and a fine win by Mike Adams rink by 16 shots ( despite dropping a 6 on the 20th end) and an 11 shot win by Mike Nash's rink (despite dropping a 5 on the19th end) saw Winscombe home by an aggregate 22 shots over the 2 legs.The Parrot Shield is back home where it belongs.

Winscombe 99 v Banwell 83 (The Parrot Shield Home leg): G Neville,M Hunter,A Watts,L Baldwin 18 -18 ;W Ainsworth ,G Tofte,R Feltham,M Adams 30 -14 ; K Whatling,R Lowman,J Baker,A Watson 8 - 20; R Knight,R Wootten M Roberts,T Ellis 18 - 17 ; N Hansford,L Collier,A Dudley,M Nash 25 - 14

The Winning Captain Tony Dudley

Winscombe continued a 5 year winning streak 2010 -2014

For History of the Parrot Shield Winners - Click Here

16th November 2010 -

The new Short mat has been delivered and installed........

Before delivering the first wood Club President John Baker wished everyone who played on it the same enjoyment
as those who had played on the old one for the last 20 years. Another historic day for WBC

2011 - 90th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Celebrated by a match v Barbarians

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January 2011 -

Wilf Ainsworth elected Chairman of Weston and District Over 60's League

18th May 2011

Pushers/gatherers were used for the first time on this green in a National 2 rink mixed competition against Fosseway .
Winscombe lost the match by 5 shots but each team won on 1 rink. The Winscombe team was Mike Adams,Mike Roberts,I Tofte and Mavis Adams; Mike Nash,Ken Whatling,Sheila Nash and Jan Kimmins.

8th November 2011

A Special General Meeting voted unanimously with 3 abstentions to reorganise the Club to recognise the Club's Mixed status.
From 24th November 2011, following the AGM, the club will consist of 4 sections:Men,Ladies,Estate and Social .
These sections will report to a Management Committee.

2012

- A New Terrace for the club under the new Veranda

Tony Dudley and Andrew Watson get grouting!!( Sadly both have passed away -2021)

2012

On  24th May 2012 Ladies and Men Teams from Winscombe and Victoria BC Weston super Mare celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the opening of Winscombe green on 24th May 1922

2013

- Sam Easterby selected for County under 25's

2014

We win Weston and District Over 60's League

2015

We retain our position as Champions of the Weston and District Over 60's League