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
23/06/2009
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