Early in 1984 West Devon residents were asked by the Council what sporting facilities they would like in their area. George Clemett suggested to a number of friends and associates that a bowling green in the field that was part of the new Cemetery would be more appropriate than a B.M.X. track, which had been proposed. All agreed and George wrote to the Council and received their approval to proceed. Notices were posted around the Village asking for support and a meeting was arranged in the local "Reading Room". About 26 people attended and it was agreed that a Club should be formed. The very first Committee was established and George Clemett was to be the Chairman with Bernard Brooks as Secretary and Treasurer with 7 others selected as Committee members.
The first site, as suggested, was at High Cross in part of the field that was the new cemetery.
Planning permission was granted in January 1986. The Sports Turf Research Institute were contacted for advise on the feasibility of the project. The report was not favourable, stating, that the site was not large enough and a slope would give problems for many years. They advised: Look for another site. Cost of report £200.00.
After a members meeting in March, the plan was dropped. The cost of the exercise was £640.00.
The second site was a one acre field at the lower end of Broad Park Road. This was found in May 1986 and was available for purchase, however, planning permission was refused for several reasons. The Committee considered that the objections could be countered and an appeal was to be prepared.
Then, out of the blue Bernard Brooks came up with site No. 3.
This was at Bickham on the perimeter of the Village and was available on a 30 year lease with a peppercorn rent. This became the chosen site in August 1986. Plans were submitted for approval and permission was granted in September 1986.
The cost of establishing the Green would be £23,000 and members were asked to pledge interest free loans of £100.00 each to help achieve this amount. An application was made to The South West Regional Sports Council for a grant/loan.
The application was deferred to their October meeting, which would mean delaying the start of construction to the Green.
To enable the project to proceed negotiations took place with the Bank and a loan of £10,000 was granted.
Local labour was engaged to proceed with making a level site for the Specialist contractors.
On Saturday 18th July 1987 at the Bickham site, work was started to establish the long awaited Green for Bere Alston Bowling Club.
Excavation work to level the site was completed in August and on the 17th, J. Roberts Bowling Green Contractors commenced work on laying the green. The contract called for the Green to be a surface finished with Cumberland Turf, this was scheduled to be completed by 30th September 1987.
Back in 1985, a sectional building (originally the Pro Shop) was purchased from Tavistock Golf Club. This is to be the Club Pavilion. It was dismantled by volunteers and transported back to Bere Alston on two tractors. Bernard Brooks had agreed to store it in his garage until planning permission was granted. The cost was £200.00, which Western Trust and Savings, then in Tavistock, donated to the club. One of the first things done at Bickham was the reassembly of the building.
This second hand building, with a few modifications, still stands today as the Club Pavilion.
How It All Began
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