A Brief History

2026

One Hundred Years of Bowling 1926 – 2026

2004

It was agreed that the Club would accept ladies so we now have both male and female members which enables the Club to operate with one main committee with everybody on an equal footing.

1935

Branksome then joined the Bournemouth and District Bowling Association having grown to 74 members. Over the years we have had many successes.

1926

Branksome Park Bowling Club was formed in 1926 with 20 male members.

They had their first AGM by the end of that year when the membership had risen to 47. The Club became affiliated to the Dorset Bowling Association in 1930, playing in the Dorset County league and are former holders of the Dorset County Cup.

The Club

We are the proud owners of the ship’s bell from the Destroyer H.M.S. Rob Roy which was given to the club by Captain A J Abbey D.S.O. a former club member. For a time it was the practise to call players to tea by the traditional striking of ‘eight bells’. However we still use the bell for that purpose but by striking it only once.

Both the men’s and ladies have teams in the Dorset and B & D Association Leagues playing on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays.

An open afternoon is held once a week (known as 'Spoons') when anyone can come along. The winning rink can win a Branksome spoon. The club holds various competitions, many of which are handicapped based so that any member can be happy to enter.

New members are always welcome.

The summer months are always very busy with friendly and league matches, competitions, the Poole Tournament and social events.