WEBC Club History

GENERAL

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CLUB

A sporting club has existed on the current Mervyn Road site for almost 100 years. The West Ealing Sports and Athletic Club was formed in 1909 by a group of ‘break-away’ Christians from St. Paul’s church (Ridley Avenue) who wanted to play tennis on Sunday afternoons. The bowls section was subsequently formed in 1923 when the Club became a limited company (West Ealing Sports Club Limited, which does not now exist).

THE ROWE TWINS

Up until the early 1950’s the West Ealing Sports and Athletic Club (or WESAC’s as it was known) was a thriving country club and had a multitude of facilities including: 12 tennis courts, 2 bowling greens, a running track and a large clubhouse on the site of the present houses to the left of the driveway entrance to the Club.

As well as being a leading bowls club, the WESAC Club was a force in both tennis and table tennis during the period up to the mid-1950’s with a number of famous sporting stars as members including Fred Perry and twins Diane and Rosalind Rowe (pictured left).

The Club suffered some financial set-backs in the late 1950’s and the main Club facilities fell into disuse with the exception of the current bowls green and some small changing facilities. The old clubhouse adjacent to Mervyn Road was demolished in the early 1960’s and several smart new houses were built on the site.

The bowls club was effectively reformed in 1961 and worked hard to secure the site, including the field alongside the bowls club, for sporting and recreational purposes. This culminated in 1993 with the purchase of a long lease for the site from Ealing Council.

Throughout its history the Club has continued to produce fine bowling achievements which can be seen on the traditional honours boards on the walls in the changing room. One notable West Ealing bowler was the great Jack Holliday who played football with distinction for Brentford F.C. before being equally successful in the world of bowls as a West Ealing member between 1950 and 1980. West Ealing Bowls Club continues to provide players, both men and ladies, to represent their respective Middlesex County Bowls Associations.

The Club has also had the honour of providing the President of Middlesex County Bowling Association on no less than 3 occasions for the Men and once for the Ladies. The Club has also provided the Captain of England Under-25’s in recent years.

The Club buildings have been extended since the early 1960’s and, as well as supporting a full bowls fixture list for men’s, ladies and mixed Club matches, is also able to host various events including the later stages of Middlesex County and Ealing & District bowls competitions. The Club holds internal men’s, ladies and mixed bowls competitions throughout the summer.

The Club facilities, including licensed bar, are open to members all year round and during the winter the Committees organise many social events, including both snooker and darts competitions.

Celebrating the Queens Golden Jubilee in 2002

The Club has a reputation for being a very competitive on the bowls green and, just as importantly, providing a friendly family atmosphere. The Club hopes to provide sporting facilities for people in and around the Borough of Ealing for many generations to come.