History

Ormskirk Bowling Club was formed on Wednesday 9th January 2013 at a meeting held at Ormskirk Cricket Club. The meeting was attended by over 20 local bowlers and members of the Cricket Club. Bowlers who attended mainly came from the Comrades Bowling Club, and the Windmill Bowling Club, whose green was under potential threat.

The Club formed a committee and adopted a constitution and then began work to raise the funding to develop land at adjacent to Ormskirk Cricket Club that was disused, but which had been former grass tennis courts used by Ormskirk Grammar School .  Below are pictures of the site of the two proposed new greens taken in February 2014.

 Mallinsons were employed by the Council to draw up plans and a specification for the greens after which the work was tendered.  Mallinsons won the tender process and started works in November 2015.  Over the winter of 2015/16 two crown green bowling greens were  developed on the site of the former Grammar School tennis courts and the artificial green was ready for play just after the start of the 2016 season.

In addition to the two greens, there were paths constructed around the greens, some fencing provided as well as a small clubhouse and toilet facilities. An electricity and water supply were provided to the site, in addition to foul drainage. Ducting was been provided so floodlights can be added at a future date, and these were added in June 2018.

The Club was formed to try and develop the new bowling greens following the demise of the Comrades Club Bowling Green, which was forced to close when the Social Club closed in 2008. This green was regarded as one of the best in West Lancashire and many major finals, and County matches had been held on it in the past.  Its demise was sadly felt.

The Comrades Bowling Club was then forced to play on different greens across the area, although they always hoped to get a green back in Ormskirk. Several members of the Comrades Bowling Club joined the new Club.  The two photos below were taken of the Comrades green in February 2009 after the Social Club had closed and the green vacated. Any further information or photos relating to the history of the Comrades site would be gratefully received.