Opening Of Consett Park Bowling Greens

Beautiful weather prevailed on Saturday afternoon when Mr. Harold Boot, Director and General Manager of the Consett Iron Co. Ltd., and President of the Consett Park Bowling Club, threw the first ‘Jack’ in declaring the greens open for the season. There was a good attendance of bowlers present and a Spoons competition followed when eleven ends were played. Tea was provided by the Consett Iron Co. Ltd, followed by the annual general meeting of the Club.

Mr. Boot presided and said it gave him great pleasure to attend the opening of the greens and to preside at the annual meeting, also to see such a large gathering present.

The hon. secretary, Mr. J. W. Lake, in his annual report said:

The club membership is very satisfactory and during the season new members were elected and a number of bowlers have expressed a desire to join the Club during the coming season.

Continuing, he said “The Financial position is satisfactory and we appreciate the services rendered by the Hon. treasurer, Mr. E. Wills.

Owing to the severe winter the Greens at the opening of the season were not in a fit playing condition but with careful treatment and attention under expert advice gradually improved. During the close season much work has been done on the Greens the effect of which will be shown during the coming season. For this we are indebted to the Consett Iron Co. and in particular to our esteemed President, Mr. Harold Boot and Mr. Sydney Bates. We, therefore, ask all our players to take care of the Greens by taking every precaution when playing the games. If this is done there should be no better Greens in the district.

The usual Spoons’ competitions were held and with the assistance of the Consett Iron Company Works competition the Club was able to make a donation of £5-5-0 to the National Life Boat Institution and also £5-5-0 to the N.S.P.C.C. These competitions will be continued during the coming season and we appeal to our members to support these efforts for such worthy and deserving objects.

The Club reached the Final of the North West Durham Bowling League and were successful in winning the championship by defeating Annfield Plain on the Allendale Green. We still hold the record of winning this championship, of which we are proud especially as the play in this League has now reached a high standard. In the Mid-week League we finished fifth.

Mr. P. Higgins has won the Club Championship for the fourth consecutive season and thus beats his own record. This is certainly an outstanding achievement and it gives us great pleasure to extend to him our heartiest congratulations.

Mr. Higgins also reached the district final in the County Singles competition.

Presenting the trophies to the various winners the President congratulated each recipient and paid tribute to the achievement of Mr. P. Higgins in winning the club championship for the fourth consecutive year, also congratulated Mr. J. Tait on reaching the semi-final of the Newcastle Open Tournament.

Election of Officers resulted: President, Mr Harold Boot, chairman, Mr. J. Barrow; hon, secretary, Mr. J. W. Lake; Assist secretary and Hon. treasurer, Mr E. Wilis; Committee: Messrs, W. R. Dixon, S.A. Simon, E. Tindie, R. Welch, G. S. Bird, R. Clough, R. Russell, H Heatherington.

A vote of thanks to Mr. Boot for presiding and to the ladies assisting with the tea was carried unanimously. In reply Mr. Boot said it always gave him great pleasure to come to the Bowling Greens and hoped during the coming season he would have the opportunity of playing on the greens. Following the meeting the Spoons Competition was concluded the winners being Messrs, T. Beeby, W. Scott, J.B. Richardson and S. Kashir (S.)