Irchester has had a bowling club since the 1930’s, but in those days it was sited in the Sports Ground in Alfred Street, and was known as the Irchester United Sports Club. During the 1939 – 45 war the facility fell into disuse, and was only resurrected, and moved to its present site due to the benevolence of a local employer, Mr. F. Parson. Records show that he bowled the first wood, on the new green in July 1950, and the “NEW” Irchester Bowling Club had 56 members at that time.

Sadly, in 1969 Mr. Parson wished to sell the site, offering the Club the opportunity to purchase the Club for the princely sum of £3,000.00 (later reduced to £2,300.00), or to Rent the site, which the Committee of the day opted to do. Ten years on, in 1979, the Club disbanded.

In September 1987 a Public Meeting was convened by the Parish Council of Irchester to ascertain if there was enough interest in the village to reinstate the Bowling Green. There being a very positive response, a Committee was formed, and the Club, as we know it today, was ‘born again’ with an initial 29 members. One year later this had risen to 77 members.

Much work was carried out to reinstate the Green, mainly by the Youth Opportunities Scheme, overseen by the Parish Council, who now owned the site, with the Club paying a peppercorn rent of £1.00 per annum. The Club also benefited from receiving an annual payment from the Borough Council of Wellingborough for several years, via the Parish Council, for expenses incurred in the maintenance and improvement to the Green, this work being done voluntarily by Members. At the Third AGM in 1989 members were shown plans for a permanent Clubhouse, and these plans were approved in March 1990. Building work commenced immediately, funded by Local Authority Grants, and 35% input from the Club Funds. With our Members doing all manner of labouring, bricklaying and other ‘skills’, building costs were kept to a minimum. The total cost was a little under £20,000.00. Our new Clubhouse was formerly opened in 1991

The Green was awarded an A Grade status in 1997 – a well-justified reward for all the hard work that previous and present Members had given, and continue to give.

In 2005 an extension to the Clubhouse was built, doubling it’s original size, this has been funded solely by Club Members, the monies being raised over the last 15 years. It provides better toilets and changing facilities to accommodate our growing Membership, and will give extra space to provide the playing short-mat bowls and New Age Kurling, thus keeping the Clubhouse in use, hopefully, all year round.

Since these early days the Club has gone from strength to strength, with a Membership of around 90 men and 50 ladies. It affiliated to the E.B.A. and E.W.B.A, (now Bowls England) and has an extremely full fixture list of all types of Matches. It plays a full part in all County Bowling Association Matches, regularly having members play in these. The Club is proud to have also provided the County with the N.B.A. President in 2001, and the N.W.C.B.A. President in 2005.

  Our future plans include working to increase our membership now that we have some of the best facilities in the county with accommodation for the disabled and younger members who are most welcome.
We would also be happy for any other clubs who would like to put Irchester Bowls Club on their list to visit and play a match and they should contact our secretary who will be please to assist you with your enquiry.
 During the winter months many social events are arranged including,  the odd Disco, Race Nights, Christmas and New Year Parties. Why not have a look at our latest Newsletter to see what's going on.

With commitment and confidence, Irchester Bowling Club looks forward to many years of successful Bowling in Northamptonshire

If you have a general enquiry or just want to know more please Email our Club Secretary  HERE