Bristol Arrow Bowling Club has celebrated its 130th anniversary.
It is one of the oldest clubs in the region and has been playing at its current green in Redland Road for more than a century.
The mixed club has about 50 members and plays in the Bristol and District League and the North East League as well as friendly games. It also holds a number of special events during the season, which runs from April to October.
The celebrations included a match against two other longstanding rivals, Mackintosh Bowls Club (Cardiff) and Victoria Bowls Club in Weston-super-Mare.
HISTORY:
1894 Bristol Arrow formed, playing at the County Ground
1900 First match with Victoria (Weston-super-Mare) on 26 July at the County Ground. Bristol Arrow won! On 15 September, Victoria won the return in the grounds of the Winter Gardens.
1902 The West of England and South Wales Coronation Bowling League was formed with four clubs: Arrow, Victoria (Weston), Macintosh (Cardiff) and Pontypool. Cardiff won.
1903 WG Grace challenged Arrow’s founder, J.W.Arrowsmith, to a match. It was played over three rinks at the County Ground on June 25. WG’s London County team played a team consisting of four players each from Arrow, Victoria and Mackintosh. The combined team beat London by 75-52.