A Short History of Bedale Bowling Green Society
 Although history implies that bowls was played in Bedale as long ago as 1772, the original site of the present Club was presented by Henry Peirse in 1791, and records began in 1794 when there were 28 original members all of whom were gentlemen - as it was to be for the next 165 years!
As the land given by Henry Beresford-Peirse was derelict it must have taken at least a year to prepare the bowling green, hence our estabished date of 1792.
To celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, (let's face it - Sir Francis Drake was a pretty well-known bowler) the present President's great grandfather presented a silver trophy to the club, which is played for to this day.
The Centenerary of the Club in 1892 was a huge milestone, and in 1899 the club was to change the name to Bedale Bowling Green Society, but it took about 20 years before ladies were invited to "watch" the gentlemen at play and a further 50 years before any member of the Scoiety was allowed to play on a Sunday and then only after 1.00 pm.
Like all good Societies, life was never allowed to stand still, temporary accommodation for the early gentlemen players grew into bigger and better pavilions - now with the ladies offering light refreshments at the side of the green (previously supplied by local hostelries). Equipment to up-date and constantly improve the green was constantly bought, replaced and in 1990 it was agreed to entirely re-shape and level the green. The shape of the site prevents a full-sized square, but this in itself only emphasises the unique atmosphere of Bedale Bowling Green Society.
The important year of 2000 marked the biggest investment yet seen on this pretty little corner of Wycar; the Arbour, (see picture above) as the first 'clubhouse' became known was to be enhanced by a brand new, purpose built and designed clubhouse. The originators of the Arbour however never had to deal with health and safety, building regulations, highways, utilities, planning permission, conservation, heritage and countless other beaurocratic hazards which have developed over the years as the Society has itself developed during it's long history. To be fair though, the instigators of the Arbour didn't receive financial support from the Sports Council, Hambleton District Council, Bedale Town Council AND the National Lottery and not forgetting the many members who offered interest-free loans to the project (all of which were repaid within the agreed time limit) and the brain-stretching fund raising activities to raise the required £125,000 - and all that without any damage to the green itself. Some feat when the restriction of the size and shape of the site is realised.
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