Our Story Since 1911
Over a century of bowls in the heart of Hertfordshire
Our Origins
Herts Bowling Club was inaugurated in 1911, originally known as Upton Bowling Club. The green at Mildred Avenue, Watford opened in 1912, and that same year the club affiliated to the London and Southern Counties Bowling Association. In 1927 the club joined the Hertfordshire Bowling Association, and in 1981 the Watford and District Bowling Association.
The First Annual Dinner
In November 1913, members of what was then known as Upton Bowling Club gathered at Jorimans restaurant in Watford for their First Annual Dinner. The souvenir programme — still in the club's possession — shows a group photograph of early members, along with the evening's toasts, a musical programme, and the presentation of the Horton Cup.
It is a remarkable piece of the club's early history, offering a glimpse into club life more than a century ago.
A Memorial to the Fallen
On 1 May 1920, fifty members gathered for supper at Herts Bowling Club. During the evening, President GB Dodwell presented the billiard competition prizes — but the most poignant moment came with the donation of a handsome clock by eight member families whose sons had been lost during the First World War.
The clock was installed inside the Pavilion and remains in the club office to this day — a quiet but permanent tribute to those members who gave their lives, and to the families who honoured them.
A Royal Connection
On 8 July 1922, Herts Bowling Club visited Royal Household, Windsor and won 93 shots to 46 — the beginning of a regular and prestigious fixture. In March 1927, in recognition of the matches played over the years, the Windsor and Royal Household Bowling Club presented the club with a remarkable gift: a 10-point antler from a stag shot by His Majesty King George V at Windsor.
The antler still hangs in the club foyer today — a unique piece of royal history that sets Herts Bowling Club apart from any other club in the country.
- The 10-point antler presented by Windsor and Royal Household BC, 1927
Reprinted from the West Herts and Watford Observer, July 12th 1924
A Remarkable Game
In July 1924, the West Herts and Watford Observer reported on one of the most extraordinary matches in the club's history. Herts took on Mansfield (Highgate) in an inter-club trophy match on the Rickmansworth Road green — and the game ended in a tie at 54 all.
Every rink finished level. In rink 1, the final shot had to be measured by callipers, with Mansfield winning by a fraction of an inch. The match started after 6pm and wasn't concluded until 9.30pm. The teams sat down to supper afterwards, and the chief incidents of the game were, as the paper noted, the subject of animated comment.
Not in the memory of the oldest bowler taking part has such a finish been seen.
The Modern Era
In 1959, indoor bowling came to Herts with a three-rink green at Mildred Avenue, expanded to four rinks in 1961. In 1988 the club moved to its current home at Bellmount Wood Avenue — a purpose-built facility featuring a six-rink indoor green, an outdoor green with its own pavilion, and a clubhouse with bar and social facilities.
In 2017, with funding from Sport England, the club undertook extensive refurbishment — new bowling carpet, new lighting, and the installation of partitioning in the lounge area, enabling social functions to be held without disrupting play on the indoor green.
George Watkins, creator of the mural
The Mural
In 2003, club member George Watkins undertook one of the most remarkable individual contributions in the club's history. At the age of 86, drawing on experience from his earlier career in the scenic departments of the film industry, George painted a 120-foot mural along the back wall of the indoor green — completing the entire work in just four weeks.
George considered himself an amateur, but the result speaks for itself. The mural depicts the outdoor green and clubhouse in vivid detail, complete with members enjoying the game under colourful umbrellas — a warm and characterful scene that greets every visitor to the indoor green to this day.
The 120ft mural by the indoor green, painted by George Watkins in 2003
Over a Century of Bowls in the Heart of Hertfordshire
Whether you're an experienced player or completely new to the game, Herts Bowling Club welcomes you. Come and be part of our story.