Swanmore BC: 1931-2020
B&DBA: A History of Current & Bygone Bowling Clubs
At the 1931 Annual Meeting an application from Swanmore Bowling Club for affiliation was accepted. The club was founded on 22 July 1931 as a result of the Cooper-Dean family’s gift of land. Set in a garden environment, the site for many years was renowned for its unique collection of rose bushes that provided a riot of colour through the summer. Today, plaques can still be seen in the borders, highlighting uncommon plants from around the world.
In more recent years, Swanmore BC had a large ladies section, outnumbering a number of other local clubs, and with the men at good strength, membership was relatively strong. The men last experienced success in the B&D Saturday Premier, winning Section 3 in 2015, and their ‘A’ team finished second in Section 5 the following season. The women had their own team in the BETBA league, Swanmore Ladies, that were Champions of Section 3 in 2013.
Despite being a thriving club right up until their closure, the willingness for members to carry out key roles within the club dwindled, and this became a factor around the closure.
In their final years, Swanmore BC experienced local youths getting on to their green and often using it as a football pitch or to ride their bikes on. There was no protection around the green to prevent this from happening, and it was becoming an expense to resolve the damaged green and clubhouse. Windows would be smashed in, only to be repaired and smashed in again.
Amalgamation communications were held between Swanmore BC and their close neighbours, and also now defunct club, Iford Bridge BC. At one time Swanmore BC were going to join forces with Iford Bridge BC, whilst talks also involved Iford Bridge BC joining Swanmore. There were pros and cons for either to happen, but in the end, neither club could agree on the best solution, largely down to financial barriers, and therefore, unfortunately, neither option was carried out.
The club called time on its use of Swanmore Gardens in September 2020, and the pavilion was handed back to the council, which has since remained unused. With the space used less frequently, BCP Council has linked this to a rise of anti-social behaviour. The council is, however, currently investigating alternative uses for both the bowling green and the pavilion in the future.
Sadly, for many members, the closure of the club marked the end of their playing days, with the vast majority choosing not to join another club in the area. The outbreak of Covid-19 would have been one of the reasons behind members not wishing to continue playing elsewhere.