A remarkable image I overlooked from Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington's book 'Memories of Old Brownhills'.
Here's a quick one I've been meaning to post for a while, and it seems like a bit of a glaring omission in our local history knowledge.
In terms of local sports and activities, we've covered football, cricket, pigeon racing and dancing – but I don't think we've every really touched much on bowls.
At one time bowling greens were a common feature of local pubs and parks, and bowls matches were seriously competitive affairs, with leagues being hotly contested and the quality of greens being a major source of debate.
So, I'm asking here can anyone help, not just with the great 1920s Shoulder of Mutton image above, but with memories, pictures or other ephemera of the sport locally.
Please comment here, or mail me: BrownhillsBob at googlemail dot com. Cheers.
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There was also a nice Bowling Green at the Hussey Arms but kids were not allowed through the gates that led through to the Beer Garden where it was situated
Lichfield Mercury, May 1909…
There was a good company present to witness the opening of the Brownhills Central Bowling Green, which has been re-laid at the back of the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, last week. The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor W Webster, President of the Hednesford bowling club, which had consented to come and play Brownhills their opening match to open the green. after the match, the scores of appended, about 100 were entertained, to a knife and fork tEa, by Mr G Roberts, mrs W Roberts, and Miss C Creswell.
Brownhills
G Roberts 15
William Taylor, Captain, 15
S Smith and SJ Williams, 15
William Haddon, 15
G Clegg, 10
T Heath, 15
J Corbett, 7
G.Emmery, 14
J Bevan, 15
J Dorsett, 15
T Parsons and SJ Harding, 15
J Biggins, 15
A Cockram, 13
H Poxon, 13
V Haines, 15
L Danks, 15
W Gearry, 15
J Jewel 13
Total 262 (Hednesford 245)
Sep 1926…BOWLING SHOULDER OF MUTTON (BROWNHILLS) v FOX AND HOUNDS SHENSTONE.
At the first named club on Saturday last, Shenstone winning rather easily by 30 points, obtaining 150 to the home sides 120.
Scores…Brownhills..
H Humphries, 10
H Cliff, 12
G Arblaster, 15
R Wilkes, 15
J Lamb, 15
Barrett, 9
H Leek, 8
Cook, 2
J Hill, 6
Clinton, 13
D Marklew, 15