Introducing Abbots Langley Bowling Club

Announcement Come along to our Open Day  And try out your bowling skills Saturday 2nd June 10am to 1pm Please bring trainer type shoes See the Open Days 2012 page for more details

If you were to walk down Langley Road - the road opposite the Post Office - in Abbots Langley behind the Scout Hut is Abbots Langley Bowling Club. The club was formed in 1930, initially as an addition to the cricket club, all under the philanthropic benevolence of Major Drake who lived in the Manor House.

From 1930 to 1935 the club continued variously using the cricket square, the tennis courts and the vicarage lawn. In 1933 the land which now comprises the present bowling green and club (which at the time was a field) was purchased for £60. The bowling club had found a permanent home! It took 2 years to prepare the ground until on 31st May 1935 the first match was played.

In 1960 the land was sold to Abbots Langley Parish Council whose staff are now tasked with its maintenance. The bowling club, having been paid one shilling by the council, now rent it from the council and do so whilst always recognising that it is a parish asset and accordingly is readily available for the use of the parishioners.

Though initially formed by "we men of the village" the club now has an active men's and ladies section. The outdoor bowling season is from April to September with the social side of the club, together with matches played indoors continuing throughout the year. As a club we always welcome new members.

Abbots Langley Bowling Club is a small club with around 80 members when at full strength and, prides itself on the friendly nature of the club. It is though a quite traditional club, especially in its dress code. Several attempts have been made to join the modern trend for coloured shirts but, but the preference is to remain with white shirts and ties. Currently, some men have begun to wear shirts with their names stitched into them which does aid identification for opposing teams.

In 2009 the ladies side of the club was amalgamated with the men to form a mixed club. Prior to this the ladies maintained their own accounts and arranged their own fixtures. Although, apart from the change in the clubs constitution and accounting very little has changed, as the ladies have played within mixed matches, alongside them and, against the men for many years. The ladies still maintain their own fixtures list.

Like many bowling clubs where there is the choice of several clubs in a quite small area Abbots Langley Bowling Club would like to attract new members to our club, to this end we run several Open Days early in the outdoor season (April to September) please see the open days page.

So if you are aged 10 to 90+ and are interested in learning how to play bowls or, are an experienced player at any level from beginner to county class, maybe just moved into the area and looking for a new club then please click the "Join us" page above or call the club secretary John Sutton on 01923 263605.

For a small club, we have numerous social events organised throughout the year which helps to generate funds for the club. Tuesday evenings a social evening takes place for all members to enjoy, this includes some mean Cribbage players. At the same time the following weeks inter-club matches are arranged and players selected. A small licensed bar is open.

Throughout the season hotly contested club competitions for singles, pairs, triples, mixed, veteran and husband and wife are played. A well attended prize giving and dinner and dance is held at the excellent venue of the Manor House Abbots Langley.