History
5th June 1909 Bulwarks Greens
The opening of this club took place on a Thursday afternoon. Although fine weather prevailed, the keen north-east wind penetrated even the sheltered confines of Bulwarks Greens and rendered matters somewhat uncomfortable.
The green was built in 1909 and the club was named ‘The Sandwich Bowling Club’ and had 17 bowling members. The green was played a few times in 1909. It was not until 1910 when a full season of fixtures was arranged, and the club was formally established.
The original green was adjoining the Bulwarks at Sandown Bridge, consisting of two rinks, and owing to the width of the site no side ditches could be made so when a wood hit the bank it was out of play.
The green was laid by Messrs. Clarks of Dover, the maintenance and upkeep was done voluntarily by the members and before play it was rolled with a farm roller and a six-foot rod was used for measuring.
Members were so keen they practised before business, raising about 6:30am.
In 1927 the Town Council decided to put a main sewer through the green, so it had to move. The green was eventually reinstated and taken over by the Working Men’s Club, and existed there for a few years.
In 1927, the club appointed Alderman H. Hicks, J.P Messrs, C.T Often, E. Lawrence and P.J Small as trustees and purchased Millwall House and Orchard for the sum of £940.00. The site was cleared, and a new green was laid by Clarks of Dover, The club was renamed ‘The Sandwich Bowling and Social Club’ and a new pavilion was purchased, also a full-sized Billiards Table and one small one (long since been replaced by 2 full-sized tables) and a small bar was opened.
Arthur Atkinson was the Secretary (1924-1932) and Alderman H. Hicks J.P was the Chairman (1909-1924). The latter arranged a mortgage of £1,000.00 on the property from W. Whigham Esp, the remainder was taken up in £5.00 Bonds by members, those were repaid in 1947 on the sale of Millwall House.
The current Ground and Club House at Millwall Place was opened by the Mayor on Saturday 28th June 1928.
- President: Mr Whigham Esp
- Chairman: Mr Alderman H. Hicks, JP
- Secretary: Arthur Atkinson
Information courtesy of the book “The History of Sandwich Bowling and Social Club 100 Years” published in 2010.
