BOWLED OUT
Oldest bowling club shuts its doors after 281 years
WHEN it was founded, George II was on the throne and Robert Walpole was Prime Minister.
But now Scotland’s oldest bowling club has shut down after 281 years due to dwindling membership numbers.
Kilmarnock Bowling Club was founded in 1740 and survived a devastating flood and fire, with not even the Second World War putting a dampener on its 200th anniversary celebrations.
But the clubhouse and bowling green are now under offer after being put on the market for £150,000 as a potential development opportunity.
In the 1980s, the club had a waiting list of five years for potential members.
But numbers later dropped and it was finally dealt a devastating blow by the pandemic lockdown restrictions.
Councillor Jim Todd said: ‘It’s really sad. They were lovely members and it was one of the oldest bowling clubs in the world. It’s incredible that they were playing bowls there as Bonnie Prince Charlie was coming back up from Derby in 1745.
‘But it’s a sign of the times. It’s such a pity, it was a great old club. Covid has played a big part. It’s not the same on the socialising side, and it’s the perfect storm. Without enough members it’s just not viable.’
Celebrations were held in 1905 when the club bought the land on which the clubhouse
Era: Prince Charlie and bowling green stood, and its future seemed secure. Even the Second World War could not stop the party in 1940, when dignitaries attended its 200th anniversary. By 2010, however, membership had dropped to 60, before the pandemic ended any hope of its survival. The site was advertised as having permission for assembly and leisure use, with potential for development.