More than an “old man’s sport”: a look inside the Masonian Bowls Club

Why the Masonian Bowls Club might make a convert of her yet

Guest blog by Claire Bidgood

Lawn bowls was never exactly my idea of an exciting afternoon. However, my recent visit to the Masonian Bowls Club, a favourite spot for my dad and many other Chiswick residents, changed my mind – and might’ve convinced me, an unathletic teenage girl, to join.

The club is located behind the pavilion on Market Drive, where The Food Market Chiswick is held on Sunday mornings. The E3 bus towards Edensor Road takes you nearby, making it very convenient. Right when you step inside the club, the history and charm are apparent throughout, from the warm atmosphere to the sociable, humorous club members. However, it is more than a historical spectacle – it’s a great activity for all ages, and trust me, once you enter, you will be compelled to join.

After hearing my dad rave about his time in the bowls club – this is his second season since stumbling across it during a Sunday market stroll – I decided to check it out. I initially brushed off bowls as an “old man’s sport”, and I was afraid that I’d be a fish out of water as the kid with a big camera. However, this discomfort was overcome when I was greeted by Josh, the club’s second-youngest member, who joined as a teenager, indoctrinated into bowls by his family. The youngest active bowler is Marcella Richardson at 17. Marcella is a student at Chiswick School and followed in her dad’s footsteps down this same path to the club, which has welcomed members of all ages since 1920.

Current club captain Peter Moyce, who’s been a member for 10 years, joined the club for the close-knit team aspect. He came in “absolutely blind with very limited knowledge of the sport itself”, but was soon driven to recruit others to share his love for the game.

During my conversation with Peter, the idea of community was peppered throughout, from what he currently loves in the club to what he hopes to see in the future. He describes the club dynamic as one where “everybody’s working off the same agenda, and we’re working towards the same thing”, reflecting a team in both name and spirit. However, competition seldom seeps its way into the club’s dynamics.  “Everyone here is always willing to give you advice, and they’re very happy to help you learn and grow in the game itself”, says Peter.

So why might the Masonian Bowls Club be for you? Well, firstly, membership’s only £35 a year – and free for under-18s. If you become a social member (someone who doesn’t play bowls), it’s only

£10 a year, and you can hire the clubhouse for special events for a reduced rate.

These affordable rates are made possible by clubhouse bar revenue and subsidies from the Duke’s Meadows Trust. In addition to tea, coffee, and snacks, there’s a quaint clubhouse bar that offers another throwback to yesteryear. Bar volunteers Dave and Wendy Bell quipped that “there are a few people who joined because they need cheap alcohol on a Sunday”.

There are plenty of friendly and welcoming veterans, including Peter, who are more than happy to help new members get used to the sport. Some initiatives include new sets of smaller woods tailored for women and younger players, as well as competitions between new members to keep everyone entertained and involved.

Despite my initial reluctance, lawn bowls seems like an activity I’d like to do, as I’ve never been the fastest or sportiest amongst my peers, and the relaxing, social element would be a great break from a difficult academic workload, which many other young people and I face. It would also be a great place to bring friends and make new ones – like mini golf but more social.

The club is looking to attract new members from throughout Chiswick, but especially residents of the Chiswick Riverside area, who are right on the doorstep of Duke’s Meadows. Hopefully, these new members will bring along their friends as well, creating a “snowball effect” – transforming it from a small yet busy club to a lively, bustling social staple in our community.

Masonian Bowls especially hopes to attract a younger generation of bowlers. According to Marcella, young people may pass by without consideration: “They see a lot of older people, and they think ‘oh, this isn’t for me ‘”

However, both she and Peter emphasise that being younger is actually an advantage in the sport – younger people pick up skills more easily and have better endurance.  It is also perfect for those who prefer tactical games over high-impact sports, an element that drew Marcella into the sport. Another strategy the club is using to attract a broader age demographic is Instagram marketing (@masonianbowlsclub). “Hopefully [via Instagram] we’re sending the message that we are an open club, a friendly club, and we would love to see more people from the local community down there”, says Peter.

The older demographic of the sport shouldn’t put young people off – sometimes friendships come in places you least expect. Many curious bowlers immediately came up to chat enthusiastically, making me feel right at home and making interviews pretty easy (a special shout-out goes to Peter, Pam, and former pro Dave Pitt, who each treated me like I was already a member of the club).

As for the club’s ambitions? “We’d like to go to the national finals at some point,” Peter mentioned. “I’d love to win something, but I’d love the club to win something.” “Bowling as an individual is one thing, and it’s great to win. But since I’ve taken on the role as captain, it’s more about the club itself. It’s the team element and being involved in it with a group of people who essentially move in the same direction.”

However, without new members, the club could lose their space. “It is a local facility, and if we don’t use it, eventually we’re going to lose it, which is a great shame, because over the years, people have put a huge amount of effort into keeping it going”, Peter confesses.

So how can you join? Well, now is the perfect time to wander down. There’s friendly people, vitamin D, great-value refreshments, and hours of fun to be had. Masonian Bowls Club hosts themed events and open days throughout the year where anyone can try their hand at bowling – check the club website’s events calendar for more information.  The active friendly matches and competitive league season runs from April until September, but you’re welcome to swing by or contact the club anytime to learn more and hopefully join.

Peter’s words sum it up the best: “It doesn’t matter if you’re male, female, young, adolescent, or old. Our youngest member is 17, and she is a member of the same club as a 91-year-old. They could play together and compete in the same way. Bowls is one of those sports, and they don’t come up very often, where you can compete on a completely level footing with anybody.”

For more information, visit www.masonianbowlsclub.co.uk or visit the club at:
Masonian Bowls Club,
Market Drive,
Dukes Meadows,
London W4 2RX