The sport of bowling has been active in Alresford since around 1650 and it is possibly the second oldest recorded bowling club in the country. The current bowling green on Sun Lane is known to have been in use from 1823.
Records suggest that in earlier times the bowling green was on the east side of Sun Lane, the opposite side of the road, and it was probably relocated to the current site when Langstone House was built in the 17th Century.
The current club was reformed in 1937, through the efforts of Sidney Lane, who had moved to Alresford during the First World War with the firm of solicitors run by George Ridley Shield. After the First World War he returned to London but moved back to Alresford on his retirement in 1937.
The first members of the re-established club included such people as Canon AJ Robertson, Lord Templemore, Sir Anthony Tichborne, Sir Francis Lindley, Doctors Leishman and Meryon, and George Ridley Shield. Cameron Black, the publican at The Sun Inn, agreed to rent the green to the new bowling club for £10 per year.
The 1938 members of the bowling club are shown in the photograph and the people include Edgar Blake, of the World’s Stores in East Street; Canon Robertson; Sidney (Lofty) Lane; George Wigmore (Barber); Claude Hunt (Tobacconist); HC Godwin, of Langton’s Farm; Bert Davy; and Mr Bascombe (Postmaster).
Currently, Alresford Bowling Club has more than 70 members, plus 10 non-playing social members. For more details, call secretary Barry Morgan on 01962 733477, visit the Broad Street library to see the display, or visit alresfordbowlingclub.org.uk.