Downton BC: 1980-present
B&DBA: A History of Current & Bygone Bowling Clubs
Downton Bowling Club came into existence much later than most bowling clubs in the country. Prior to 1980, with no bowling green and little interest in the village, anyone living in Downton would have needed to bowl in Wilton, Alderbury, or S.E.B (now Salisbury Victoria) in Wiltshire, or Fordingbridge in Hampshire to get their bowling fix.
1980, however, was the year International bowler Ralph Bentley, a past President of the English Bowling Association, came to retire in the village of Downton and take up fishing as a hobby. Word got around of Ralph’s stature in the game, and it was not long before Ralph was persuaded to find a location for lawn bowling in Downton.
53 villagers who each paid a £5 inauguration fee, founded Downton Bowling Club. Ralph Bentley became the first Captain of the Club in 1980. The club’s first bowling green was on the playing field to the rear of the Downton Primary School, thanks to the kindness of the Headmaster Mr Offer. Great pleasure was experienced by bowlers of both sexes in playing on the school lawn when it was not required by the children. Club members would meet and set up the boundaries to a ‘green’ using lengths of guttering and bits of string. Although this could not be considered a purpose built bowling green, much valuable experience was gained. Ralph Bentley, a past President of the English Bowling Association, founded in 1980 At the 2023 AGM, a founder member, Bob Dymott, spoke about the club’s history:
“Prior to 1983, when people bowled on the Downton Primary School’s playing field. Club members did occasionally play on the club green at Alderbury, and under Ralph’s captaincy in 1982/3, an opportunity arose to build a green at what was to become the Brian Whitehead Sports and Social Club in Wick, to the west of Downton. At the same time, Downton Football Club was setting itself up on the same site. Many Bowling Club members helped to erect the original facilities.”
When a building was needed, Bob Dymott and Les Cousins moved a redundant village hall from the nearby Broad Chalke area to the new site, piece by piece. This construction is what you see as the bar area in the Social Club today. Others helped with the roofing, including Jim and Dave Galpin. Vic Bryant, Don and Ron Moody were also involved, as was Ralph’s son-in-law, Mike Hallam. Ralph organised contractors to produce a bowling Green to the required standard. Stubby Sherwood also devoted a lot of time and resources to this project.
The Club moved to Wick Lane in May 1983 after securing a long lease from Downton Parish Council, who in turn, have an enduring lease with the Radnor Estate. It is said that the bowling green is on land which had originally been a chalk walled enclosure for sick farm animals.
Downton Bowling Club will never forget Ralph Bentley; his portrait hangs in the Clubhouse and an annual competition is played in his honour. He and many others worked hard to establish the Club, but unfortunately, he died in October 1982 without actually playing on the new Green. Bob Dymott took over as Club Captain and Vic Bryant was the first Greenkeeper at the new site.
President Andrew Lunt performed the Opening Ceremony, accompanied by Mrs R. Bentley and members of her family. The opening match was versus Wiltshire County Presidents and their teams. The first visitors were entertained in an unfinished clubroom with unglazed windows and candle-lit suppers, prepared on camping stoves.
In 1984, both men and lady members were accepted into the Salisbury and District leagues, and later, the New Forest leagues in 1987. It was not until 2021, that Downton joined the Bournemouth & District leagues, as Saturday competitive bowling was an attraction to its members. Initially, coming out of Covid-19, Downton joined the Saturnoon afternoon league, which was Triples play for one season, but then moved to Saturday morning from 2022 to remain Triples, as the afternoon league reverted back to rinks.
In 1998, Audrey Collett started recording the history of the club, covering the first two decades, to date. Audrey recalled their youngest member, Kevin Cousins, had gained many honours, which included winning the England Under-25 National Championships, of which more than 400 bowlers took part in the competition. Kevin’s bowling career ended when he gave up bowling at a young age, however, his photo still remains in the clubhouse as a result of his outstanding achievements whilst at Downton Bowling Club.
In August 2024, the B&DBA League Secretary, Dave Whitt, had the pleasure of visiting Downton Bowling Club for the first time, after being invited by club member Ivan Buss. Having won promotion from Section 5, Ivan asked Dave to present the players of Downton Bustards with individual trophies to mark their fantastic success.
Downton is a very friendly small club whose membership 40 years after being established is lower than when they started. Whilst this alone is not an issue, attracting new members to the game of bowls is something their members have been actively trying, with a postal leaflet drop to much of Downton village, which yielded little reward. Downton head into their next chapter looking for people to carry out key roles within the club, so that the club can flourish once again.