Hilly House Bowling Club

History as we know it.

Known History Of The Club researched by Lee Maslin

The Hilly House Bowling Club was formed in the early 1900’s, when the green and pub were situated in nearby Corser Street, and moved to its present location in Himley Road in the early 50’s. Rumour has it the actual turf from the old location was actually relaid at the present site!

1914

In 1957, after Aston Villa had beaten Manchester United 2-1 in the F.A. Cup final, the trophy was brought back to the public house for all to see.

The Club was one of the founder members of the Dudley & District Bowling League and has always been proud of its reputation of a friendly well run club. Being associated with a Public House we don’t have the finances of a private club but have always enjoyed the support of Banks’s brewery who continue to provide encouragement to the club.

Although the green has a Dudley postcode, we could almost be described as being in the countryside, as the green is set in a lofty position enjoying fine panoramic views of nearby Worcestershire.

Some would say that the green looks easy to play, but many a top player has come down to earth with a bang realising that the green can be very tricky and advantageous to the home bowlers.

Trophies and Championships have been thin on the ground in recent years, perhaps the purple patch for the club came in the 80’s and early 90’s.

The club has won the prestigious Dudley Herald Cup on no less than three occasions and in 1989 the South Staffs team won the 2^nd Division Championship, winning 14 out of 18 games played.

Several members have been selected to play for the  county down the years including, Arthur Moore, Bill Naylor, (arguably the clubs greatest ever bowlers), Peter Harvey, Geoff Maslin, Ron Burton, Mark Brownhill, Martin Aston, Andy Hayes and Lee Maslin.

The club has around 40 members, fielding teams in the Dudley League, Oldbury League, Kingswinford League, Smethwick League and South Staffs League.

Hilly House On The Up

There is no doubt that the sport of Crown Green bowls has seen a steady decline in recent years, a loss of venues and players giving up the game may be to blame, but the Hilly House Bowling Club in Himley Road, Dudley has seen an upturn in fortunes in the 2006 season.

In 2004, Secretary Geoff Maslin & Chairman John Slimm, stood down from the positions they had held for 25 years, having bought stability and forward thinking, which laid a solid foundation for a small but friendly club. Their departure sparked a downturn in the club’s fortunes, both on and off the green. Club membership decreased with many first team regulars either leaving or having a break.

With the aid of help from a local charity, the Gordon House Association, the club managed to put out teams when all seemed lost though many of the club’s teams slipped out of the top divisions of the local leagues.
Following an increase in membership, previous members returning and new additions, the club is currently operating eight teams per week, catering for all age groups from 14 to 80. With only around 30 members the club has blossomed in 2006, with teams riding high in several local leagues. Junior members like Natasha Wright and Jamie Beddow are exceeding expectation and the senior members are still battling it out in the 1st Division of the Dudley & District Seniors League.

History
The club dates back to the early 1900’s when the public house and green were situated in nearby Corser Street, and rumour has it that in the early 1950’s the actual turf on that site was dug up and moved piece by piece to its current site today.

Being one of the founder members of the Dudley League the club has won the Dudley Herald Cup on no less than five occasions and gained one league championship in a twenty year stay in the top division. Many great bowlers have graced the green, Bill Naylor and Arthur Moore, well known on the Black Country bowls scene, won many competitions and represented Staffordshire at County level on many occasions. Julie Bullock is our latest star to earn county honours, and has represented Dudley & District Ladies on many occasions along with recent signing Val Goodyear. Several other members have been selected at County level over the years, Ron Burton, Mark Brownhill, Martin Aston, Lee Maslin, Peter Harvey & Geoff Maslin.

Having spent 50+ years at the club, Norman Humpage is the longest serving member, and has taken on many posts, including, captain & President, although no longer playing, Norman always has a tale to tell and keeps everyone amused on matchdays.

Electronic Age
The Clubs current secretary, Paul Hickman has bought the club bang up to date introducing a club website and magazine, the success of which prompted him to design and maintain a web site, www.crowngreen.com for the local area and its bowlers’, even he could not have envisaged how the project has taken off. The site has reached an audience of world wide proportions and continues to grow from strength to strength. If the game is to survive and be bought up to date surely this is the way forward.

Onwards And Upwards

Following the renovation of the Hilly House public house, the bowling club has also had a face lift in recent years, with new facilities and much work carried out on and around the green by a few dedicated members. Thanks to the work of these members and the support of the landlord, the club is a pleasant and friendly place to visit and an inexpensive place to play, with membership costing a maximum of just £12 per season.