Old documents show that bowls was played at Basing House in the mid 1600s and at the Vicarage in Old basing in the 1800s.

In 1947 plans were drawn up  by locals to set up a bowling club in Old Basing, though the green was not to be ready until 1949. The club officially started in 1948, playing away matches only. Annual membership fees were then £1.50(thirty shillings!) and the ground rental just £45.

Membership grew slowly initially, to 35 members in 1950. At this time there was no Club House, with men changing in the nearby Youth club and ladies using a temporary hut! No members were allowed from outside the parish of Old Basing.

In 1952 an old pre 1914 army hut was moved to the side of the green and used as the Club pavilion.

The original honours boards were donated to the Club in 1958 and the flagpole in 1951.

In 1977 plans were being developed to construct the current Club House, with building work beginning in 1979. The new Club House was officially opened in 1980, with £15,000 being required to build it !! Annual membership fees hit the £7 mark! A further extension to the original building was added in 1987.The current fencing, hedging and gates were constructed in 1991, and the auto watering system was added to the green in 1997.

In the 1990s and early 2000s Club members achieved significant successes at both local, county and national events.

In 2004 a certain Pam Taplin became the first Lady Club president at Old Basing.

The next big anniversary – 75 years – is therefore in 2023 – and something we should plan for celebrating!

Malcolm Christian

Chairman

August 2020