Quorn Mills Park Bowling Club (QMPBC) is asking the residents of Barrow upon Soar to join them in celebrating 100 years.
Quorn Mills Park Bowls Club was established in 1920 for workers at the Wright Mills factory, and initially for men only (ladies were allowed to join in 1938). Messrs Wrights who have been manufacturing on Leicester Road, Quorn since 1870 originally produced fabrics for the footwear and corset trades. The factory today now produces high technology textiles for various industries including military, aerospace and leisure. Wrights supplied the bowls for their employees. Sidney Wright, son of William Wright was a keen bowler and organised inter-departmental matches.
The thatch roof pavilion is a distinctive feature of the bowls club and in 1987 Michael Wright gave permission for the club to erect a larger clubhouse
as the thatch pavilion became too small to house all of its members. Planning permission was granted by Charnwood Borough Council and work soon started. Alice Boon, club secretary at the time, had seen a prefab bungalow, used by a boat chandler in Kegworth, which would serve the purpose.
The club has gone from strength to strength and now has over 100 members. There have been many changes over the 100 years with a very successful social side to the club which complements the social, friendly, league and county bowling.
There will be lots of events throughout the year to celebrate the centenary including an Open Day on Friday May 8th. As part of the centenary celebrations QMPBC is offering new bowlers six weeks FREE tuition (a chance
to try bowling without any commitment) and then half price for the first year’s Full Membership. So with memberships from only £5 why not get yourself to Quorn Bowling Club (next to the Quorndon Fox pub) and enjoy some gentle exercise and a great social scene.
David Walters, Development Officer, QMPBC