The Victoria Bowling Club was founded on its present site on Trafford Road in 1870, and for its first 153 years was a gentlemen-only bowling club. In 2023 the members voted for it to change to a mixed club, which now welcomes all adult bowlers, new and experienced.
The ethos is also reflected in the attire – no strict rules, just smart casual.
We do not compete in external competitions or leagues, although we do host visiting teams over the season and play friendly matches. The fellowship is more important than the result.
The essence of our approach is summed up here:
- Playing is as simple as coming along to the casual sessions or putting your name down for the structured events. You get to play with different people each time you play, all having varying abilities and are only too pleased to help a newcomer.
- Where structured play requires a team the organising officers ensure these are as balanced as possible with a mix of experienced and novice players. The result is that the novices get friendly and useful coaching during the match play.
- No need to find partners or teams, it’s all arranged for you. However we do like to encourage members to use the green as often as possible.
- No dress code here, as smart casual is the order of the day. However, no denim jeans or football shirts please! Bowling shoes with flat soles, no tread and no heels are essential; spares are available for newcomers to borrow in the locker room and the club has a wide selection of bowls for new comers to use until they buy their own. These can be found in the lower level of lockers
- There is a licensed bar where beverages and light snacks are available when the Club is open.
- There is a congenial atmosphere in the clubhouse where members sit around our long dining table and “mardle”.
- Plenty of literature and information is available in the clubhouse.
- The President writes a weekly newsletter which is emailed to all members.
- We aim to keep our website up to date and current with news of up-coming events, the season’s programme of club competitions, and any other news worthy items.
History of the club
It is thought that bowls has been played on the site since the early 1860s, but the first documentary evidence is a copy of a lease confirming that a bowling green was let to the Victoria Bowling Club for the 1871 season. This is dated 29th September 1870.
We have photos lined up around the picture rail in the club house documenting presidents of the club.
The Club has extensive archives going back to the 1880s and members are welcome to ask to view these if they wish but they must do so on the Club premises and not take away or remove any material for later use.
There are downloads available on this page on the history of the club and the stories behind the various competitions and trophies owned by the club – Select the one you want to view and it should download and open.
Downloads
| File | Description |
| Presidents list | A list of all the Presidents of the Club from 1871 to today |
| Potted history | A brief history of the club and its grounds |
| Competition list | A list of all the competitions played at the club during the season |
