The village bowling club reached its quarter-century in September 2023
The club was formed in 1998 by some very keen members of the indoor Short Mat Bowls Group, who were enthusiastic in wanting to add an outdoor bowls club to the sporting activities in the village.
Land had to be found and after several years of disappointment for the group, founder members Bob Marshall and Jack Pengelly negotiated with the parish council to lease land that formed part of the old village car park to enable construction of the rinks and clubhouse.
The group then approached Glyn Larcombe, who became involved in the design and construction of the clubhouse pavilion, along with all the hard work he did on ground preparation.
A big driving force in getting the bowls club formed was the late Bob Marshall, who put in an enormous amount of time and physical effort - and funds - in enabling the site to be cleared for this new sporting facility.
There was a lot of hard work and determination from many of the early members, including those who remained dedicated for many years - Harold Hutt, Graham Sinclair, Denys and Dorothea Webb, Margaret Perkins and Trevor Dobson.
Many an hour was spent perusing plans, discussing and finding the best surface materials for the rink and negotiating everything in great detail - alongside their wine making activities.
The inaugural Committee was Tom Wareham (chairman), Ernie Coleman, Ray and Mavis Buckingham, Sheila Marshall, Sheila Wareham, Jack and Anne Young, Jan Meerbeek, Jack Pengelly and Ray Perkins. Bob Marshall was nominated as President.
Eventually their efforts were rewarded when the Wraysbury Bowls Club opened its rinks on Sunday, September 20, 1998. The pavilion was officially opened a year later in September, 1999 – the ribbon being cut by Lord Peter Archer.
The determination not to give up has resulted in a special sports club being available for everyone to still enjoy 25 years later!
Celebrating the club's 25 years
Last Updated: 07 May 2024
The sun shone brilliantly on Wraysbury Bowls Club as the 25th anniversary was celebrated on Sunday, Sept 3, 2023, with the annual Ladies v Gents match in the morning followed by a champagne & buffet lunch then some fun games on the green.
The lunch was attended by a good contingent of current players and past members and friends of the club….. and importantly some who were at the club in its early days - Nancy Fuller, Avril Pearce, Trevor Dobson and Margaret Perkins who, reprising her catering prowess from the early days, prepared a superb buffet spread. 
Club chairman Graham Sinclair, who himself played his part in the groundwork which allowed the rink area to be built back in 1998, gave the toast and spoke about the role that the late Bob Marshall played as a founding father and driving force in the club’s formation.
Graham highlighted the clubhouse which was named ‘the Marshall Pavilion’ when it opened in 1999 after being built by Glyn Larcombe using timbers to match the Windmill.
Glyn, who is now the club’s President, was there for the milestone day.
It was an enjoyable occasion and with the enthusiasm of the current committee and members, Wraysbury Bowls Club looks forward to many more years as a popular village amenity.
