The green
was in a terrible state and no games could be played. However Matt Wood
continued to maintain it over the next few years in spite of its use as a
football pitch and at one time the site of a bonfire. Although the Bowling Club
was effectively dissolved the Recreation Club continued to press for advice and
grants to refurbish the green. It was regrettable that the Sports Council were
unable to help as grassed areas were ineligible. At one point it was even
suggested that the Club House be sold in order to release capital for the green.
By 1979 time
had taken its toll and the two buildings were in a sorry state of repair. The
Recreation Club were divided as to which option to to pursue and
“whether the 1st world war
wooden building, which is warm and dry and full of character and memories, or
the 2nd world war brick building, which is newer but uglier, was the more worthy
of our efforts.”
Following
reports from Bill Bland and Gordon Marsden it was agreed that the wooden
building be demolished and all efforts be diverted to maintaining the brick one.
(Sic transit Gloria Mundi.)
With
promised grants of some £5,000 from ADC,
Rothbury Parish Council and the Sports Council, together with a further £1,200
from local fund raising it was agreed to start refurbishment. Len Gregory was
chosen, with the final cost of building work amounting to £8,400: a substantial
sum in 1982.
It should be
recognised that the Tennis Club also suffered from a lack of members at this
time, in spite of the newly refurbished (1982) club house and were in financial
difficulties. There was a knock on effect with the Recreation Club running into
the red due to lack of subscriptions from the Bowling Club. With a grant from the
Sports Council to resurface the tennis courts it was felt that more members
might be attracted to offset the interim lack of bowlers and this was vigorously
pursued. 
This sad
state of affairs could not last. There were many keen bowlers and at a meeting on
21st September 1988 under the chairmanship of Ronnie Ramsay the Bowling Club was
resurrected.
Ronnie was later reported in
the Gazette as saying modestly:
“I
just felt like a game of bowls”.
Prominent
amongst these stalwarts were Ronnie’s brother Alwyn, Tom Foggon, Tom Gregory,
Tommy Proudlock, Ken Bucknall, Eric Davidson, Larry Richards, Noman Petty and
Bernett Crewther.
Tom Foggon
led the way to resurrecting the green, whilst other members cleaned up the
surrounding area and repaired fences in time to open the 1989 bowling season.
Funds were
raised from a variety of sources: raffles, tombolas, barbecues, coffees
mornings, dances, bingo, horse racing: to name but a few. Donations were
gratefully accepted and a sponsored walk raised over £600. As the age of
participants was, to say the least, “getting on a bit” there were those who
felt that some walkers would never get past the cemetery. The walk took place on
the 20th November 1988 in the snow, starting and finishing at the Turks Head
where a welcome bowl of hot soup did not come amiss. More donations flowed in,
including £200 from an anonymous well wisher. £500 from Alnwick and a further
£510 from Rothbury Parish Council boosted the funds and the club flourished.
The first years subscription was waived: members being asked for donations of at
least £20. In return for this members were entitled to use the green at any
time and tuition was provided free.
There was
much work to do and many volunteers. In 1992 the revitalised bowling club
purchased a new pavilion that was erected with an excellent view facing the
green.
Dick Dignan,
took the lead in the erection and refurbishing of this new pavilion over the
next few years with help of club members.
Dick was
retired from the building trade and was able to devote a substantial amount of
time to this work which seemed never ending. From replacing the roof, to
painting the outside, to refurbishing the kitchen, to erecting a weathercock,
Dick was in the forefront. This is not to say that other members did not
contribute. They most certainly did: not the least being Ken Bucknell who boasts
that although he did not understand what he was doing he accomplished more since
he never queried orders. (Thank goodness he was on our side.)
The green
was improved with a great deal of hard work; The club house was painted and
decorated and the kitchen upgraded. A sprinkler system was added and the club
prospered over the next few years, with the green gradually improving till it
was considered one of the best in the county.
New
members joined each season and all was rosy.
Except
possibly when the old hut blew over in
high winds
and ended up half way down the bank. Even this catastrophe was overcome with the
aid of local firemen who attached a rope and positioned themselves ready to haul
up the hut.
The hut rose: the rope broke and there were bodies all over the place: bowlers, firemen, helpers sprawled ignominiously on the ground.
A second
attempt was made and incredibly the hut rose from its side and with a final
heave dropped into place not half an inch from the original position. Not a
single pane of glass was broken. They don’t make huts like that nowadays!
Dick Dignan
was made a life member for his contribution to the club whilst his wife Alice
opened the new club house in May 1992.
Although the
club had to replace the grass cutter and install new toilets in 1996 grants of
£762 from Rothbury Parish Council and £3051 from Alnwick eased the burden.
At the 1996 AGM it was suggested that members might like to continue playing throughout the winter season. A number expressed interest and for the next few seasons Rothbury bowled at Cramlington during the long winter months. It was unkindly suggested that this extra practice out of season made little difference to the standard of summer play.
Over the next few years these winter sessions became a local derby: The Ramsay All Stars vs The Crewther Cronies. A pewter mug supplied by Joe Carter is presented at the end of each season at a small but well attended celebration in the Railway Hotel.
With the inclusion of Ivan Beer this select group increased in number and in 2002 a team was entered for the Cramlington winter season. Rothbury held its own against other teams that include county players. The Thursday derby continued with the main protagonists and an occasional ringer brought in to cater for holidays and backaches.
In addition
to friendly matches, the club now play in the North Northumberland League, the
Clegg Cup, the Challenge Cup, Edwardson Cup, and the Jubilee Cup; more than 60
games arranged in the bowling calendar, not counting internal matches. Players
are improving all the time with Alan Robson reaching the semi-finals of
“Champion of Champions” before losing to an English International in 1998.
But nothing is forever.