History
In the late seventies, a group of Wroughton W.I. members went to West End Bowls Club to try out the game. This was arranged by Mrs Phyllis Keay whose husband was President of West End Men's Club.
After several sessions, some of us became very keen and approached the men with a view to forming a ladies section. They agreed to a formal meeting and after much discussion, agreed for us to go ahead. This meant applying to Swindon and District Wiltshire Association for membership, where we were voted in.
Our founding lady members were: Phyllis Keay, Norah Tocknell, Maud Baker, Beth Moore, Betty Jarvis, Gladys Gillett and Sheila Dobbins. We all had to put our names down for every match in order to raise a team. We were closely followed by:- Edith Martin, Una Rouse, Gloria Green, Liz Noke and Mary Codrington.
After taking part in everything possible in the way of matches and competitions, we were ready to tackle the almost impossible task of forming a bowls club in Wroughton. We needed men! Harold Tocknell, Bert Gillett, Peter Good and Ken Hayward came forward.
A meeting was held in the Ellendune Hall inviting interested people to attend. There was a good turnout with interest shown from men who already belonged to bowls clubs in Swindon. Then came the hard part, such as looking at possible sites for a bowling green, visiting other clubs to pick their brains, including a visit to Tisbury who had recently opened their green, sending a petition round, fund raising etc.
Armed with all this information we approached the Parish Council, who agreed to hear us at the General Meeting. After much discussion the Parish Council said yes! The tennis courts adjacent to the Ellendune Hall would be removed to provide a site for a bowling green.
Now we had to concentrate on fund raising and membership. We arranged a meeting/skittles evening at the White Hart. A large number of both men and women attended, a Committee was formed and everyone paid £1 as a start to forming a Bowls Club.
Decades later and the rest is history.