Page 32 - Thrapston Life April 2025

playing area. Given in trust, the stipulation was
that the land be used for communal sport.
The first clubhouse on the present site was
the green shed which is still in the carpark and
now used for storage (photo EDF). The present
clubhouse has evolved over the past sixty years
to the present day where facilities match the
ambitions of a highly regarded county bowls
club. Around the internal walls are many
commemorative boards detailing men’s and
ladies’ winners of various club, county and
national competitions from 1942 to the present
day. Shown is the Singles Handicap winners
board between 1942 and 1972. A current-day
view of the bowling area, taken towards the end
of 2024, the building in the background in the
1943 picture still being present and now part of
Avondale Court flats is shown.
My thanks to Frank Jenkins for both giving
me the idea for this article and to him and his
wife for my guided tour.
The Club say that today, Thrapston Bowls
Club is a modern, all-inclusive bowls club.
Recent and past members have represented
Northamptonshire in The Middleton
Cup and England at international level.
The honours boards show a long history
of success at County and National
competitions. The club currently has over
100 bowling and social members. The Club
are holding an Open Day on Saturday 3rd
May for anyone who wishes to try bowling
and see the current facilities.
For more information visit their website
at thrapstonbowlsclub.co.uk or email
enquiriestothrapstonbowlsclub@gmail.com.
Eric Franklin can be contacted for comments
and suggestions for future articles at:
ericfranklin2@hotmail.com
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