Broadway Bowls Club (Founded 1929)

Broadway Bowls Club has been playing on their green since the 1920's although at that time they were members of Broadway Baptist Church. The area was very different from what we see today; being situated amongst fields on the outskirts of Chesham town where a few enthusiasts enjoyed a gentle game of bowls. Following the development of the area the members bought the site, unfortunately they could only afford 50ft and so became limited in size!

In the 1930's ladies were actively involved in the Club joining in the popular spoon drives and, not surprisingly, supplying refreshments. Minutes describe a full programme with competitions' entrance fees of 1 shilling (5p) or 3 for 2/6d; subscriptions were a guinea (£1/1s/0d), large sums of money in those days.

Broadway's first pavilion was erected for the princely sum of £26/10/0d. Prize giving and a concert ended each season, with refreshments and "minerals". We have since revived this tradition each Christmas, when a great time is had by all.

1943 saw ladies admitted as full members of the Club, perhaps as a reward for their "superb catering in spite of rationing"; their subscriptions were set at 15 shillings (75p.). They played competitions with the men and in 1947 a Miss Stephens made history by winning the singles cup. The Secretary's comments were very magnanimous! The 1950's saw gas laid, to make tea. This lighting continued until 1985. In the 50's the Club was struggling with low membership - a phenomenon not uncommon to many clubs at present.

The mid-1970's saw the formation of the Chiltern and Thames Valley League with Broadway a founder member. The 1980's saw us affiliated to the E.B.A. and E.W.B.A. We bought a small piece of adjoining waste land enabling us to site our new pavilion, our now well-known log cabin, membership was increasing with a lot of activity among menbers.

Although we are still a small Club, instead of nestling among fields, houses and traffic now crowd us. Our numbers have increased - holding at around 55 although more can be accommodated - our 'honours' may now have been many over the years; in real terms of enjoyment of playing bowls we have surely reaped a lion's share, justifying the hard work and dedication of our earliest members

Researched by Daphne Halsey.