The Early Days.
The Esso Bowling
Club was formed In 1945 and became affiliated to the Berkshire County
Bowling Association and the English Bowling Association.
In 1951 the
Bowling Green was extended from four to six rinks. A highlight for the
club occurred in 1959 when Esso hosted a match between the Berkshire
County Bowling Association and an Australian Touring side on the Esso
green.
In 1970 the name
of the club was changed to the "Esso Research Bowling Club" and in 1982
a Ladies section was formed. Around the end of the Sixties the Bowling
Green was sold as part of the Mansion Estate Grounds, of W.H.Smiths Ltd.
At the time of the sale Esso had an agreement of seven year lease on the
green, with an annual review thereafter, this was subsequently reduced
to four years and then altered to a yearly one before the contract was
terminated in 1985.
This new
green (below) was opened by Lenny Bernstein in 1986. At the end of
the1999 season the Social club and the Bowling Club became disassociated
with the Esso name and the bowls club was renamed 'Milton Hill
Bowling Club'.
In May 2000 the Company gave the
Club and the Social Club Members, notice to quit the Bowling Green and
the Club house because the Research Centre was moving from the site to
America. Some Compensation was paid by the Company towards the
cost of laying another green for the existing members of the Bowls Club
at another location.
The Club continued with its
fixtures in the 2001 and 2002 seasons by playing all of their matches on
away greens.
A debt of gratitude is owed to
the many clubs who allowed us to use their greens during this difficult
period. This enabled us to complete our League fixtures and was a major
factor in sustaining the Club's identity
This
site was last
updated
12/08/2008
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