Records show that for the first 3 years of its existence the Llanbradach Bowling Club was located in the lower field at the northern end of the village, just over half a mile away from it's present day
site. This land was kindly donated to the club by Miss Clara Thomas
following a request from the founder members.
The Llanbradach mining explosion of 1901, in which 8 miners were killed, marked the beginning of
a close link between the club and colliery owners. The rescue parties were led
by among others, colliery Manager Mr Samuel Gregory and his son Mr John F
Gregory. The pit top was controlled by Sergeant Owen Eastment, all of whom
were club members.
The landmark day for Llanbradach Bowling Club
came on Monday 13 June 1904 at 1 o'clock p.m. when the new green was opened at
its present site. This momentous occasion came on a typical bowling day-wet
and windy-very little has changed in the game of bowls since that day
June 12th 1914 will always be remebered as one of the saddest days in the history of Llanbradach as a bowling club and Llanbradach as a village with the announcement of the death of
Miss Clara Thomas the benefactor of the ground which is
now Llanbradach Bowling Club. This great lady was well known for her gifts
to charity, Cardiff Royal Infirmary and many other institutions, she will be
sadly missed.
Over the years since its formation as a green for local colliery officials the club has made headlines over and over again.
The club is now the third oldest bowls club in Wales, and has enjoyed a record
equalling, long and successful history. In 1912 the club had 33 members and a membership fee of five shillings a year. In 1973 there were 80 playing members and the membership fees were £4.40 a year including vat
Twenty years earlier the Chairman W.H Westhead, J.P. said that the club had pioneered the game in South Wales. The secret of their success was the fact that the club was rich in loyalty, though often
poor in finances. This must have been true because the club is among the top teams in the country. In 1953 when the club had a mere 30 members they bought the green and raised the money by prize draws and donations and in 1963 completely rebuilt the club house at a cost of £6000 to make it one of the finest in the country.
During the rebuilding members were never turned away and it was said of the club that like a windmill they never close.
The clubs impressive history shows that they had produced some excellent
individual as well as team players. Among the bowling fraternity the club is
admired and its achievements over many decades are the envy of many. Record to
date......
Welsh Bowling Association Club Champions a
record equalling 5 times
All Wales Private Greens Champions 6 times
East Wales Private Greens Champions a record
equalling 7 times
11 Outdoor Internationals - 3 of whom have Captained Wales
12 Indoor Internationals including Wales Captains
And over 20 players who have won British Isles, National and County Championship titles.
1996 was the last major trophy for the club following the completion of the double in the Welsh Private Greens Championship. winning the Evans Bevan Trophy last achieved 14 years earlier. Following a thrilling nine shot win against Dinas Powis the previous week to win the Eastern Private Greens final the club beat Llanelli on their own green in an East v West final to take the overall Championship winning three of the four rinks
11 Outdoor Internationals - 3 of whom have Captained Wales
12 Indoor Internationals including Wales Captains
Over 20 players who have won British Isles, National (Wales) and County Championship titles.
Ellis Stanbury 1970
President of the Welsh Private Greens Bowling Association (Eastern Section) at age 41 the youngest elected in the 45-year history of the Association and the first from Llanbradach Bowling Club. Recently elected overall Patron.
Graddwyn Price 1983 and 1987
President Welsh Private Greens Bowling Association (Eastern Section)
Grenville Williams 1996
President Welsh Private Greens Bowling Association (Eastern Section)
Paul Morgan 2003
President Welsh Private Greens Bowling Association (Eastern Section)
Mike Richards OBE.
Hon: Secretary Llanbradach B.C (January 1996-July 1998)
Member 1977-1979 and 1991-1998. Former athlete and BAAB Coach. Awarded the OBE June 1996. Deputy President Wales Civil Service BA and Executive Member WPGBA (Eastern Section)
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The following are some snippets of information mostly supplied by Ellis Stanbury who has worked tirelessly putting together the history of the club, my thanks go to him. I have also taken bits from anywhere I could get them, not everything relates to Llanbradach bowls although most of it does. If you do venture to read through most if not all then I really hope you enjoy reading them. Please note the following is as accurate as records will allow.
K.A.Jones Club Treasurer
1904
The first known reference to the Llanbradach Bowling Club comes from the minutes of a meeting of the Cardiff Bowling Club dated 21st July 1904. A Letter was received from Llanbradach requesting a fixture at the Cardiff green. The committee resolved to reply to the request with the offer of a match on 6th August at 3.30 pm. On the 26 July the Cardiff Club received a further request from Llanbradach asking if they could supply bowls for the match, the Cardiff secretary was requested to acknowledge that they would be pleased to comply the request and at the same time mention that rubber soled shoes should be worn on the green.
What happened next is something of a mystery. The minutes of the Cardiff Bowling Club read:
A fixture for today had been arranged with the Llanbradach Bowling Club, the Llanbradach team however failed to turn up notwithstanding that arrangements had been made for the team. The secretary is desired to write to Llanbradach for an explanation and to say that the committee were surprised that nothing had been heard from them saying they could not come. Apparently no reason was given.
1905
The first match of the season took place on a Saturday afternoon in early May. It was reported that a large number of spectators turned out to watch the match between the "Surfacemen" (captained by Sergeant Owen Eastment) and the "Undergroundmen" (captained by J Farrell) of the Llanbradach Colliery. The result was a victory for the "Undergroundmen" by 90 shots to 64. It has to be said that during these early matches the club did not enjoy great success, as the following results show.
21st May 1905 Llanbradach played the Mackintosh Bowling Club in Cardiff the result: Machintosh 145 shots - Llanbradach 39 shots
28th May 1905 at Llanbradach,--Llanbradach 55 shots- Mackintosh 96 shots.
One historical note was the formation of the International Bowling Board following a meeting in the Park Hotel, Cardiff in July 1905.
1907-1908
1907 was the first year the Welfare Club players were allowed to play in International teams and following this decision T J Jones became the clubs first International bowler when he was selected to play for Wales which was held in Edinburgh.
First World Bowls took place at Crystal Palace. John Pollock of the Cardiff Bowling Club was the winner.
1908 Saw the the Final of the Llanbradach cup take place on the institute green; before a large number of spectators, the contestants being Mr Edward Mills (last years finalist) and Mr T J Jones, who, it will be remembered, ran into the final for the open Welsh Championship at Dinas Powis a few weeks ago.
The bowling throughout the match was of an excellent character, Jones especially being in A1 form. The result 21 shots to 10 in Jones's favour, rather exaggerated the difference in the form of both players, but, nevertheless, the little Welshman thoroughly deserved his splendid victory and was heartily cheered by the spectators.
1909
June - A somewhat bizarre incident occurred in June 1909. The team was returning triumphantly from Tredegar in a Banfields Motor following a famous victory, when one of the Llanbradach skips, J McGeever, jumped out of the bus while it was still moving and fell, breaking one of his wrists and dislocating the other
Those of you who think that International selection is something of a lottery these days will no doubt be interested in another report from the local newspaper which stated that Mr T Jones, who had been playing particularly well, had "omitted to send his name to the International Tournament Committee or doubtless he would have been selected". Imagine how much easier things would be today if it was simply a case of nominating yourself for International honors
!….. we can but dream
1910
Controversy hit the club in September when a letter from a member of the Mackintosh Bowling Club was published in the South Wales Daily News. The letter referred to Llanbradach as a "graveyard" to bowlers due largely to the patches of clover, which characterized the playing surface. The letter went on to state that "Llanbradach bowlers cannot win when playing away from home". The Club Chairman, Mr J F Gregory, said in reply, "We cannot understand the correspondent's point of view when it is remembered that Llanbradach defeated Mackintosh last year at Cardiff".
Work began on extending the green with an extra 6 yards being added, which would provide room for members to walk around the green. The Committee were confident that when completed, the green would be one of the best in South Wales - although I'm sure our friend from Mackintosh Bowling Club might disagree with that claim !
1911
A Keen struggle was anticipated in the Welsh Singles Open Championship at Dinas Powis between D Wilkinson (Dinas Powis) and T.J Jones( Llanbradach) and so it proved for ninety minutes of the game. Wilkinson then brought off a sensational finish, which counted him 10 shots in 3 ends. Beating the Llanbradach bowler at his drawing game. he left little room to draw in and Jones might have done better with a strike, he preferred, however, to draw and failed to get through the close and well placed woods of his opponent who counted 3,4,3 on successive ends. The eventual score was 21-15 to Wilkinson.
The team continued to perform well throughout June and July, although results didn't quite go their way in key matches. In particular loses against Mackintosh in the WBA and Penhill and narrowly to Cardiff in the league meant that the club was not as successful as everyone hoped it would be.
The local press reported that the players had been performing in an "admirable manner". Credit for the improved standard of bowling was given to the improvements made to the green, which encouraged practice and good play
1912
One of the more bizarre minutes of the 1912 Annual general Meeting was the agreement that a space at the top of the lane behind the Workman's Hall measuring 16' by 16' , be kept to allow a turning space for horse and carts. The space, albeit a little smaller, is still there today, although admittedly you don't see too many horse and carts using it for turning !
Mr J McGeever became the second Llanbradach player to win International honours when he was selected to play for Wales in the 1912 international series
1913
As well as being Club Champion and a Welsh International, T J Jones was a member of the locally renowned Black & White Minstrels (Tenor). During the Minstrel's summer tour of Devon T.J. (or Tommy Snibbler as he was nicknamed) entered, and won the Teighnmouth Open Bowls Tournament. Following the presentation of the winners prize the Minstrels brought a piano onto the green and entertained the crowd.
The first ever International trial was held this year. T J Jones was selected to play for Wales to lead against Scotland. The club gave him £1-10/- towards his expenses.
1914 to 1918 - The First World War Years
Records during the First World War are somewhat rare. Obviously during this period the game of bowls took very much a backseat. However, we have managed to uncover some little snippets of information:
The WBA scrapped their International trials and they were not to be re-introduced until 1925.
Club donates cash for train fares for soldiers coming home from war duties.
A major Army recruiting campaign made its way through the village. A large band entertained the crowd and over 1000 volunteers were recruited from the district.
Welsh B A Singles Champion David Wilkinson of Dinas Powis died tragically from tetanus after getting a splinter in his finger whilst gardening. He was 48 years old.
Close rivals the Mackintosh Bowling Club holds a bowling tournament in aid of the Arthur Pearson Blind Soldiers Fund. The tournament, which attracted a large number of entrants, was won by Mr Harold Grizelle.
1919
With the war over membership rose sharply to 75, and for some unknown reason there was a significant increase in the number of Doctors and Ministers on the membership list. A number of members were lost during the war and there was a general feeling among both the local press and the club itself that their presence in the team would be missed. The team started the season well with an early victory over Cardiff by 80 shots to 78, despite having only 1 winning rink !. However this was something of a false dawn for the club as a series of defeats to Radyr, Penylan and Barry Athletic followed
1921
Following pressure from Member Clubs complaining about fixture congestion, the Welsh Private Greens clubs decided to withdraw from this season's WBA Carruthers Shield competition.
International Bowling Board brings in a rule that one foot must remain on or over the mat when delivering a bowl.
1922 Growth of the game
To the new generation of Welsh bowlers it may be of some interest to trace the rapid rise in the popularity of the modern game of bowls. Twenty years ago in all of South Wales there were only 4 organised bowling clubs, Tredegar, Cardiff, Mackintosh and Pontypool and it was questionable if their aggregate membership exceeded 250. The Tredegar club was established in 1874-- four years prior to the laying down of the Sophia Gardens enclosure: but the green of the latter club was the only one of the 4 which fulfilled match playing conditions as now understood.
For the purpose of comparison it may be mentioned that to-day (1922) the clubs affiliated to the Welsh Bowling Association number over forty and with public clubs in South Wales and Monmouthshire Associations, unattached bowlers who use the public greens and the large number of Swansea public green players who have association of their own, it may be honestly computed that the total number of individual bowlers in South Wales ranges somewhere in the region of 10.000.
1923
WBA introduced the ruling that the semi-finals and finals of the Carruthers Shield competition would be played in Whites.
HP Jones reaches the semi-finals of the Llandrindod Wells Open tournament.
1924
1924 saw the formation of the Glamorgan County Bowling Association. Membership for the season stood at a healthy 78. Newport Athletic beat Penhill in the Carruthers Shield final.
And how about this for a raffle prize. Mrs. Rigby of 27 Victoria Street Llanbradach won a house (yes, you did read it correctly) a house, in a raffle organized by the Cardiff Royal Infirmary.
1925
Llanbradach started the season with 61 members, some of these members paid 6/- for membership and others paid a part membership and the rest into a box in the pavilion, which was so many pence per game, this is probably where match day fees originated.
1926
The club received a bill of 10/- from the Workmen's Hall for the rent of light.
WBA handbook printed for the first time,
Sid Perriman 18, fined 5/- for not having any lights on his bike.
1927
Cardiff City AFC play a game of bowls before the1927 F.A Cup Final against Arsenal.
1928
Moved to have an electricity meter fitted in club after receiving a bill from the Hall for £2.2/-
The club employed a cleaner, Miss Barnet, to set up clean the club once a week, wages were 2/6
Other purchases during that year included, a stove purchased for the pavilion 25/6, lawn mower £9-14-9p, the ladies were given 5/- travel expenses to by crockery in Cardiff. WBA subs were £2-2.0 and £9 donated to the table tennis team.
Lady Bowlers from Beechwood Newport along with other ladies from Glamorganshire and Monmouth get together to form the South Wales and Monmouth BA.
1929 Sex Bias in Bowls
Until last year the annual bowls match between Edmonton Urban District Council and Pymmes Park was an important and popular event of the local calendar. But last year ladies (on the council for first time ) were included in the Council Team and this led to some players of the opposite sex on either side boycotting the match. This years match is fixed to be played on September 7 but the Pymmes Park Club committee have sent a letter (signed by all members) to the Council stating that if ladies are included in their team then the club members will refuse to play and the game will have to be abandoned.
Despite this threat invitations have been sent to all 27 members of the Council inviting them to play the game.
Enthusiastic Women Bowlers- Several Cardiff ladies are determined that this is the last year that the leading Cardiff bowling clubs shall be restricted to men members. "is it fair " the wife of the Captain of a prominent Cardiff Bowling Club said, that at Beechwood Park, Newport Windsor, Penarth, Dinas Powis and Merthyr Bowling Club there are women members yet we are not allowed to play. As a special concession one club has offered to let us play in the afternoons! it just shows how far behind the times the Cardiff men are she concluded.
193 0
Llanbradach was to have the first children's park under the Miners Welfare fund it was regarded as a model for all Wales parks.
1931 Welsh Singles Champion
Despite the adverse weather conditions that had occasioned postponement of play during the opening week, the final tie in the nineteenth annual tournament organised by the Dinas Powis Bowling Club was decided on Saturday and the distinction of being declared Welsh Singles Champion for the season was gained by Mr W.H Harris (Llanbradach). No empty honour this even though the successful finalist is a player of international standing. Extended by worthy players, Mr Harris was at his best in the semi final stage and so outstanding in character was the play in his test with Mr. G. William that the game was referred to by Sir T.P. Thomas and Mr D.J Williams (president of the Welsh Bowling Association) as having been unsurpassed in any tournament brought under notice.
1932
Club down to 42 members, most paid £1.00 membership others paid 10/- and 5/-. The financial position at bank:
· Cash in Bank £6.18/-
· Cash in Hand £4-1-6d
Ladies committee presented a tea service to the club. Mr Chappels' contract for green advice was terminated for not complying with his promise. His fee of £20 was withheld and put aside for green maintenance.
1934
C Palmer and L Dowling appeared before the Welfare Hall committee with regard to the £4.4/- total bill which represented £2.2/- lighting bill per annum.. They told the committee that in 1932 and 1933 they had not used electricity in so much as the table tennis team had not played for 2 years. It was resolved that the club pay £2.2/- in full settlement and not the £4.4/- due.
H.P Jones installed as President of Glamorgan County BA.
Tom Head retains Cratchley Bowl. A Press report headed by the title "Clever Bowls Player" it was stated that Llanbradach produces good cricketers it also produces good bowlers too, for instance the Cardiff and District Private Green Cup ( The Cratchley Bowl) has been won by T J Head for the second year in succession. Mr Head is an extremely good player and in addition to the PG cup, has won the club Championship cup. He relinquishes Captaincy after 10 years
1935
Mr J.J. Plummer and old subscriber to the Hall and Institute appeared before the Hall committee to explain an incident which took place on August 17th when he was turned off the bowling green , he was informed by a bowling club committee member that only club members were allowed onto the green, he walked out protesting. It was resolved that the hall Sec. was to write to bowling club committee regarding the matter and that they were not allowed to stop anyone from entering the green.
Senghenydd join WBA and Glamorgan CBA
1936
Transfer of club lease, estate charges totalled £9.5.0. Membership was down to 40. Club played 6 matches in the WBA competition and won 5 with total shots for of 515 and against 425. Lost in the section final to Barry Romelly, 86-76.
Club treasurer H Price admitted to hospital for a short stay, in an effort to cheer him up he was sent 50 cigarettes, ( grapes were probably really expensive) can't imagine nurses today allowing this.
Cardiff and District P.G Champions 1936 beating St Fagans in the final by 76 shots to 73
1937
Membership up to 52, there are still 3 grades of membership, £1.00, 10/- and 5/- for a lower grade membership. It was agreed that when the team play they would pay green fees to the opposing team green keeper. ( a tradition that has now died out).
H.P Jones loans a lorry for 2/6 to pick up a roller from Ystrad Mynach for the green.
1939-1945 Second World War
1944
The Wingfield Hotel at the bottom end of the village were the H.Q for the club. Mr V Woods announced at the AGM that Llanbradach were ready to resume with competition bowls.
1948
H.P Jones elected vice President of the East Glamorgan BA. He stated to the PG committee that Llanbradach asked to be transferred to the Private Greens section of the Association. It was moved that hence forward Llanbradach be included amongst the P.G clubs and not the Rhymney Valley Clubs. This involved a change in the constitution, it was moved that the constitution be amended.
Llanbradach Team at Penylan first time for team to play in whites.
1949
Llanbradach transferred to W.B.A- East Glam BA- Glamorgan BA and PGBA
Lighting and heating points installed in clubhouse and thanks given to H.P.Jones for low cost of work. Electric fires to be installed 2 being used on trial. H.P.Jones donates mahogany honours board.
1950
Only 1 electric fire being used. I fire removed and is being looked after by H.P Jones at his home.
Lighting and heating points installed in clubhouse and thanks given to H.P.Jones for low cost of work. Electric fires to be installed 2 being used on trial. H.P.Jones donates mahogany honours board.
1951
1954 Last Founder Member
Mr H.P Jones passed away in October 1954 he was the last founder member.
1955 Whites
Rhiwbina send a letter to Llanbradach Bowling club informing the club that they will be wearing whites in the game against Llanbradach when they next play each other. It was resolved that all WBA games would be played in whites.
1957
1958
An American gent whose father became a member donated 21 dollars to purchase a cup for a competition. The cup was to be called The John Meadows cup. The type of competition was to be decided at the AGM.
1959 New Bar
The Bar was built by Billy Mills at the cost of materials only. Bar equipment bought for new bar. Drinks were:
First delivery was December 4th 1959
Magistrates registered the bowling club as a club from 16th November 1959. The club agreed to accept social membership forthwith.
A meeting was held with the social club about extending over our property architects agreed that the bowling club would be entitled to compensation. Social club agreed to build a brick wall in exchange for 100sq feet. The social club did not keep to this agreement but erected a wooden fence which the bowling club had to replace with a stone wall some years after.
1960 Bar Takings
In the first 5 weeks the bar made £80. The John Meadows cup to become the pairs cup and the Arthur Paul cup to become the triples. Social membership rose to35 and a TV was bought for the bar. An extension to the pavilion cost £94. It was agreed to employ a full time green keeper and bar person at £12. p.w
A special meeting was called because a second team maybe required and all people that were interested could enquire to enter a team in the 1962/63 PG2 competition.
V G John was selected to play for Wales
1961 Fruit Machine
July. A fruit machine is taken on 1 months trial. A concert party is hired for the Club Dinner at a cost of £8.8/-.
Sept. 9thA car was hired to take the ladies to Barry (I have no idea why, if you do please let me know.)
The tennis table was given to the boys brigade free of charge
Well done Llanbradach ! This bowls club formed 52 years ago and mainly comprised of mineworkers, has won the Carruthers Shield, symbol of the club championship of Wales for the fist time. Before Saturdays final at Bridgend many judges fancied Melyn Untited with their stars, including two internationals and the players who the week before won the WBA rinks and pairs competition. But Llanbradach without one of their star players, Sid Burgin, who was involved in a mining accident, established a lead of 2 shots after 5 ends and never looked back, eventually winning by 15 shots.
1962 New Club House
Arthur Young working on the new clubhouse
1963 Opening the green The new Clubhouse in the background.
50th Anniversary H P Jones , President and last surviving founder member delivers the first bowl of the new season
H.P.Jones (president) on reaching the 50th Anniversary.
Llanbradach win the Carruthers Shield after beating Llanelli
L/R A Paul, J Hughes, A Mathews, V.G.John, R Groves, S Borgan, M Jones, T Jones, E Davies, RDavies, G Newcombe, K Jones, M Evans, E John, W Mills, C Phillips, D Grimes, L Dowling, A Young, S.E.Evans, W Westhead, A Greenwood, I Thomas, W John, V Ston
V G John selected for Wales. Internationals at Eastbourne, V.G John end of third row left
In 1962 it was agreed to build a new clubhouse. The new clubhouse was started in 1963 and the cost was £6000, this was mainly due to Billy Mills who charged for materials only and did not charge for labour. There were many people who gave freely of the labour and many thanks goes to all those involved in making what we enjoy today.
Llanbradach win the 1962 Private Greens "2" Championship for the first time
R/L E Stanbury, S Thomas, C Jenkins, B Mathews, J Hoare, T Tovey, S Gardiner, K Wilkins, A Taylor, G Newcombe, I Spriggs, J Chipendale, W Harris, R Evans, L Dowling, V Stone (capt), W Westhead, J Hughes,
Stan Jenkins, President of the Private Greens, presenting the cup to Vic Stone (captain)
W.B.A Vice President opens the new Clubhouse.
Members of the WBA side, club members and others on opening day.
Annual Dinner Dance 1963
