FOUNDED 1947
To promote good fellowship in the game of flat green bowls
A SHORT HISTORY
The Association was founded in 1947 by a group of bowlers meeting at the Kings Head Hotel in Romford. The prime mover was John Wilson who became the Association's first Secretary, Treasurer and Team Selector, holding these posts until he resigned in 1966. The membership at the foundation was 60.
The aims of the Association were (and still are) to promote good fellowship among the Essex clubs. There were few matches at first and some fixtures were played only on alternate years. As the number of Associations grew in Essex, the EVPA had to drop many matches against clubs, and now only Essex County B.C. is left of the original outdoor fixtures. When, however, a local club has an anniversary of note to celebrate, the EVPA is always pleased to participate in those celebrations.
Early match fees were 15/-
By 1958 there were 150 members with a 16 match programme. Coaches were used up to 1974 to take members to games as there were few cars available. Rising costs saw the end of coach hire.
The first Association tour was in 1948 to Edinburgh. Each year had its tour, the furthest being Scotland. It is now the President's privilege to nominate the place for the tour for his year.
Although the EVPA membership reached 172 at one time, a search of old minutes by the Secretary, revealed that our membership should be limited to 160 and we now adhere to this figure rigidly.
When John Wilson retired in 1966 the Association had, for the first time, a separate Secretary, Treasurer and Match Secretary. The annual subscription at that time was just £2 and even now is only £8.
The first indoor matches came along in 1967 and we now play sixteen indoor games and 21 outdoors although these figures do fluctuate.
The Association now boasts many members who have held high office at County level, both indoors and out.
There is little doubt that the small body of men who set up the EVPA nearly 60 years ago would be pleased to see how it has progressed over more than half a century. Long may it continue.
The following is an extract from the history of the Romford B.C. and which members may find interesting:
Romford Bowling Club was also responsible for the formation of the Essex Vice Presidents Association. This Association was founded in 1947 when a group of bowlers met at the Kings Head Hotel mainly at the instigation of the then County President John Wilson but with considerable support and encouragement from Albert Dyer. Mr. Wilson became the Association's first Secretary, Treasurer and Selector and retained these posts until his retirement in 1966; the Association continued to meet at the Kings Head until 1970.