Prattens Bowls Club Midsomer Norton

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PRATTENS BOWLS CLUB Established 1930 Affiliated to Bowls England and Somerset Bowls Association

Green : Charlton Lane , Norton Hill, Midsomer Norton. BA3 4BD

A warm, friendly welcome awaits you at Prattens Bowls Club. Club Night is held each Monday from 6 pm onwards – come and meet us to chat about the great game of bowls. Coaching is available free of charge at a time to suit you – equipment is available to borrow (just wear a pair of flat soled shoes) and membership is free to new bowlers for the first year. We look forward to meeting you.

The Bowls Club was started by Mr Thomas, cashier at F Pratten & Co Ltd. Two rinks were laid in October 1928 and a third was added in July 1931. All work to lay and maintain the rinks was carried out by voluntary labour. Prattens Bowls Club also became affiliated to the EBA (the English Bowls Association) at this time. In 1937 the club played 37 matches (won 20, lost 16, drawn 1) when opponents included MSN Catholic, Wincanton, St Keyna (Keynsham), Ardagh (Horfield), Sutton Veney and “The Evening World” (the newspaper). A fourth rink was laid, with turf from Westbury, in 1948. In those times the team would travel to away matches by a canvas-topped coach. Players paid 1/6d each, wives and children went free. In 1960 the 5th rink was laid using grass seed. For many years men had to be employed by F Pratten to be eligible to play for the Bowls Club. The Sports Club, of which the Bowls Club is a section, had a green blazer which members wore, costing 1 guinea which was paid for in instalments. The Bowls Club had no pavilion and players changed and had teas in the Sports Club. Changing did not involve much as whites were not worn, just so-called casual wear. In 1960 L Turner, the then Secretary, and Harold Shearn built a Pavilion in their spare time using timber supplied by the company. There is a photograph of this in the club house. This building lasted almost 40 years. It was replaced in 1997 when the Club successfully obtained funding from the Foundation for Sports and the Arts. Prattens Bowls Club forms part of the Prattens Westfield Amateur Sports Club which used to include cricket and football teams and is on Charlton Lane, Midsomer Norton near the junction with the A367. Having started as a mens’club, this is now a happily mixed club participating in men's, ladies and mixed matches, both friendly and in various leagues. We also hold competitions within the club as well as taking part in Somerset and national competitions. All club members are also eligible to play for the Somerset Patrons team.