Our Club

History

A Brief History of Mill Lane Bowls Club

Mill Lane Bowls Club has grown from a former industrial site beside the River Brain into an established community bowls club. First laid as a green in the 1960s and formally founded as a club in 1978, it has developed its facilities, renewed its membership, expanded its competitive play, and now looks ahead to celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2028.

Turn into Mill Lane from the top of the high street and you will find the bowling club tucked between an old high wall and a line of tall trees that screen the River Brain from view. It is a quiet, almost hidden spot: close to the town centre, yet softened by greenery and the semi-wild character of the surrounding land. For visitors today, the setting gives little hint of the industry that once occupied this narrow strip of ground.

From Industry to Green Space

The tranquillity of the site is part of its charm, but it also makes its earlier history all the more surprising. Long before bowls were played here, the land was used for more practical, and far less fragrant, purposes. A tannery once stood on this strip, serving a trade that was important in many market towns but often difficult to live alongside. It eventually closed for several reasons, not least the smell that came with the work.

The site later took on another industrial role when the tannery was converted into a precast concrete works. That phase also came to an end: the works were demolished, and the land was transformed once more. As one local historian put it, after the tannery and concrete works had gone, “now here is a bowling green”.

The First Green

The bowling green itself was first laid in the 1960s, probably with support from local industry. In the 1970s, it was gifted to the Town Council, giving the site a more secure civic footing. As far as is known, the council used it as part of its existing sports centre before a dedicated club was established there.

The Founding of the Club

It was not until 1978 that the first club was formed on the current site. A group drawn largely from Spring Lodge became the founder members of “Witham Seniors” Bowls Club. Their decision gave the green a new purpose and a settled identity, turning it from a useful local facility into a club with its own membership, routines, friendships, and sporting life.

By 1985, the club was thriving, with membership in the mid-eighties. This early growth suggests that it soon became more than simply a place to play bowls. It offered regular activity, companionship, and a reason for members to gather in a peaceful corner of the town.

Facilities and Improvements

As the club became established, its facilities gradually improved. In the early 1980s, the local Sunday market presented the club with a chalet, and lockers were also donated. These practical additions made a real difference, providing storage and shelter as the club continued to grow.

A more substantial step came in 1992, when the current pavilion was built, complete with changing rooms and toilet facilities. The pavilion marked an important stage in the club’s development, giving members a proper base and helping the green feel like a permanent home. In 2011, following the closure of the old sports centre, a new green was laid by agreement, and responsibility for its care and management passed to the club itself. Since then, members have worked hard to maintain and improve both the green and its facilities, including landscaping the site and building new storage.

Despite this progress, the club faced difficulties in 2006, when membership had dwindled to just 23. To encourage wider participation, members agreed to change the club’s name. The choice of Mill Lane Bowls Club reflected its location and gave the club a fresh identity. Membership gradually improved.

League Progress and Competition

In 2010, the club joined the Essex County Bowling Association, allowing members to play in the North- West Essex leagues. For a relatively small club, Mill Lane has enjoyed notable success and now fields two teams on Wednesday evenings, giving more members the chance to take part and gain competitive experience. The same ambition led the club to join the Central Mid-week Bowling League in 2022, a move that has brought further success.

Looking Ahead to 2028

In 2028, the club will celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking another important milestone and offering a moment to reflect on how far it has come.