Bowls Club
Beckingham Bowls Club has been running since 1948 and is the only remaining sports club in Beckingham & Saundby. Club Nights are held throughout the season starting at 6 pm on Thursdays from the 3rd Thursday in April to the end of September. Teams compete in the Gainsborough Bowls League & Isle of Axholme Seniors’ League, and the Club’s telephone number for more details is 07935549045.
The season runs from mid – April to late September, and in addition to league matches, there are Club Singles, Pairs and Triples competitions for all members, as well as the opportunity to enter individual league competitions. During March, members and their partners get together for the Annual Lunch at a local hostelry (recent years have been at Gainsborough Golf Club), in July our Open Pairs Gala Day takes place over a full day with food and refreshments prepared in the Village Hall, whilst in October the Presentation Evening is usually held at the Willow Works, including a meal, drinks and entertainment.
The Bowling Green and site is wholly maintained and improved by a small band of Club volunteers to a very high standard, using free professional advice where necessary. Funding is raised from annual subscriptions, match fees, open and social events, visitors’ fees and hire of the Green for league team and individual competitions. In addition, funding/grants are sought where necessary from funding organisations
The Bowling Green will also be open for members to play weekdays from 12 noon and most weekends during the season (End April to End September). Please telephone 07935549045 to learn more. Monthly reports and other information can be found by clicking on the links below.
For latest Bowls Club news 2023 please click here – updated November 2023.
To view proposed plans for new Clubhouse please click here
For previous years news please click on the year 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Beckingham Bowls Club Diamond Anniversary
On Sunday 20th July Beckingham Bowls Club celebrated its 60th Anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Celebration Invitation Pairs Day. It was a “fun” day with quite a few people turning up in fancy dress. Captain Audrey Rogers arrived as “Wicked Witch of the West”, but no nasty spells were cast.
She came bearing the gift of a beautiful celebration cake, baked and iced by Paula Tomlinson, which Audrey kindly donated to the Bowls Club.
The Pavilion and Village Hall were decked with plenty of bunting loaned by the Village School with many thanks to the Headmistress. A display of old photographs and newspaper cuttings of past events were loaned by Freda Proudley. Members of the Bowls Club and other invited guests played a pairs competition which was won by Michael Taylor and Ian Hatton, both from the village.
Shirley Wilson and her wonderful band of ladies worked very hard throughout the day to provide refreshments and drinks as well as a delicious sit down tea in the Village Hall. Two prizes were awarded for the fancy dress, 1st prize won by Nev Hethershaw dressed as a “Cool Dude” and 2nd prize went to Ian Ransby dressed as a “Rugby Player”. Next year it is hoped to get more entries for the Fancy Dress. Many thanks go to all the players and everyone involved in the celebrations.
Beckingham Bowls History
Beckingham Bowls Club is the only surviving sports club remaining in the village and has been running since the opening of the Village Hall and Playing Field in 1948. The Green was set out by one of the founder members, Herbert Proudley along with others and the initial equipment was obtained through fundraising. Some of the original members include Jack Searson, Ben Madin, Doug Roberts, George Butler, Frank Adams as well as Herbert Proudley.
Captains over the years have included, Will Foster, John Taylor, Geoff Proudley, Liz Scott, Frank Penson and in 2008 Audrey Rogers, followed by Roger Platts from 2013 to 2021.
Originally the Village Hall was used for changing rooms until the Club obtained some cabins in 1980, which were placed around the Bowls Green. These provide changing facilities, toilets and a kitchen area for the provision of refreshments. The club is completely self sufficient through membership fees and fundraising and maintain the Green themselves. Ben Madin was the first Groundsman in 1952, and current Groundsman is Geoff Proudley. The Club has generally been well supported in the past with as many as 200 members, however in 2003 this was down to 50 and in 2008 there were only 27, but has risen in 2017 to 33. At one time there was a thriving Youth team but interest gradually waned and there are no longer younger members, although they are still very welcome to join!
Initially only friendly matches were played up until 1984/85 when the club joined the Gainsborough Bowls League, which now includes Melrose SSC, Scotter , Marshall A, Marshall Sports, Owston Ferry, Wheatley, Marton, Misterton, and Rose Leisure.
Beckingham also has 2 teams in the in the Isle of Axholme Pensioners’ Leagues and a team in the Isle of Axholme Evening League, along with local villages including Epworth, Crowle, Belton, Misterton, Everton, Haxey, Owston Ferry, Marton and Rose’s teams.
The season runs from mid April to mid September, and Singles, Pairs & Triples competitions are held on the 1st Saturdays in July August & September. 2017 saw the introduction of the Ladies Singles to be held in September. The Club has an Open Pairs Gala Day held on the 3rd Sunday in July, which was formerly called Invitation Day, which has been held since 1983 when it was made up of 32 pairs each consisting of one club member and one guest from another club. The pairs were divided into four groups of eight and played in round robin style. From then on the competition became a straight knockout with winners and runners-up from the groups going forward to play in quarter and semi-finals and the final. Recently, the format has been changed to 28 pairs playing in 2 leagues, with a final between the winners of each league and a play off for 3rd & 4th between the pairs finishing 2nd in each league. Food and refreshments prepared by members and their partners are available all day in the Village Hall. There used to be a Millennium Day which was changed to Anniversary Triples when only players from other clubs were allowed to play. An Annual Lunch takes place in March with the Presentation Evening in October, including a meal or buffet and a quiz
In 2008 the Club celebrated their 60th Year with a Diamond Jubilee Celebration Invitation Pairs Day. A fun day with members, some of whom were in fancy dress, enjoying a Celebration Tea, along with invited guests.
