Club History
Established in 1937
The Club was formed in 1937, playing on one of the then 2 tennis courts in the Recreation Ground. This was then extended by the members who shared a wooden pavilion with the Cricket Club . Friendly matches with other local clubs were arranged.
Changing Facilities Created
New Members
Renewing of Banks & Ditches
Storm Damage
Caravan Changing Facilities
Brick Building Erected
Arson Attack
6 Rink Green Created
New Pavillion
Planning Permission Granted
New Pavillion Opened
Grant Received from Sport England
The Short Mat Section
The Short Mat section was originally formed in 1985 (formerly as Minster Short Mat Bowls Club), firstly playing in the Village Hall with 2 mats and equipment that the Hall Committee financed, on the understanding that the SM Bowls Club would reimburse them, which they did much sooner than expected.
Originally members were charged 1p for hitting the block and a tidy sum was raised by this means, but after a few years the novelty wore off and the practice ceased.
Minster SMBC, in the guise of member Eric Harber, who made the initial suggestion, were instrumental in the setting up of the East Kent Short Mat Bowls League, later to change their title from League to Association when membership had grown to 12 clubs.
The original Chairman of the EKSMBL was Ray Razzell from Minster and the first Hon. Secretary also from Minster was Ray Owen who remained in post for 22yrs before relinquishing the position, which was then split into 3 separate posts – Assn Sec, League Sec, and Comp Sec.
Ray continued to assist in the background helping to keep the website up to date and he was awarded the honour of becoming the first EKSMBA Life Vice President.
Minster SMBC was affiliated to the London & South East SMBA, but later dropped this affiliation in favour of joining the newly resurrected Kent SMBA. Minster had many successes in both L&SE and Kent competitions and have also held the EKSMBA Division One winners title.
The Short Mat Club made the move to the Bowls Pavilion in 2007 and became an integral part of the main Club.
Short mat bowls continues to be played at the Village Hall on a more relaxed and fun based basis under the auspices of the Village Hall Committee and not associated to Minster Bowls Club.
Thanks must go to all those members, past and present, for all their loyal support to enable us to do our bit now, for future generations of bowlers, the Club and the Village of Minster.