Bowling in Narborough is celebrating a very special year this year, as bowling has been played in Narborough for 100 years from 1923 to 2023. When the game first started it was played on private land, before the club moved to its present site in 1934, and was a men’s only club.
Narborough & District Bowling & Social Club has grown and evolved to being a fully mixed club incorporating a very healthy social section. Narborough has a history of maintaining an excellent green which is regularly used to host county matches. However, you don’t have to be a bowler to enjoy the wealth of social events running throughout the year as anyone can join as a social member for as little as £12.00 per year. The clubhouse has a very good sized lounge and bar area, inclusive of full sized snooker table adjacent to the main hall and the club holds a 5 star rating for our catering. Over the years we have tried to work in partnership with local groups to open the centre up to non-bowlers through classes such as weekly line dancing and slimming world currently being ran. The club also run several other activities: monthly bingo sessions, fish & chip suppers and weekly indoor short matt bowls.
So how are we going to celebrate our centenary year? The first event was a Burns supper in January inclusive of the Haggis being piped in and a display of traditional Scottish Dancing, a great night was had by all. Other events include Pancake Day on 21st Feb, Quiz night on 18th March, a Coffee Morning 23rd March, and a Spring Fayre on 1st April. Each year our President (Jackie Franks 2023) will nominate a charity which will benefit from our fund raising activities throughout the year and our charity this year is Hope Against Cancer, which is a local Leicestershire and Rutland charity. Our first Charity Night event will be held on the 15th April, (details to follow), with regular fundraising activities at most games.
In addition to hosting our usual bowling county events in May, June and July, Bowls England has agreed to hold a centenary game against Narborough on 3rd August to celebrate our special year. There will be a President’s Charity game on the 23rd July, again raising funds for our nominated charity, followed in September by the Presidents’ Centenary Tour to Suffolk whereby bowlers will be playing against 3 clubs over the weekend.
If you would like to know more about the game of bowls or would like to have a go we have indoor short matt sessions running every Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 2.00pm to 4.00pm, beginners welcome. Our outdoor green opens on 16th April when we have an introductory session every Monday evening from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. So why not come along and have a go; it’s a great way of keeping fit, making friends and enjoying being in the fresh air with plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the activities and events on offer within the clubhouse, whilst raising funds for good causes!! Contact Jackie on 01455 699753 or Phil on 07941 468888.