| 29th July 2007 |
I was recently given a copy of a newspaper article
by Robert Glover that dates back to 1897 which tells the story
about the grand opening of Victora B.C. Below is the content of
that article.
OPENING OF VICTORIA BOWLING CLUB GREEN
June 23rd 1897
The new bowling-green in the East-end of Greenock was formally opened
yesterday afternoon in presence of a large attendance of bowlers,
members of the Victoria Bowling Club, and friends, including members
of Greenock and Port-Glasgow town councils. Many ladies were also
present. The green, which lies at the head of Ratho Street, is finely
situated, and was greatly admired by the assembled company. Flags
were extensively displayed, and altogether the decorations were
very pretty. Shortly after four o’clock Councillor N. M. Brown,
president of the club, performed the opening ceremony. He thanked
the ladies and gentlemen for attending in such large numbers, and
went on to refer to the gift of the ground by Mr James Aitken, a
gentleman who had for long been interested in the welfare of the
inhabitants of the East-end. The green had now been formed, and
he thought they possessed one of the finest grounds of the kind
in the west of Scotland. A good deal of expense had incurred, and
he hoped that before long their share-list would be largely increased.
He took that public opportunity of thanking Mr MacKnight Crawfurd
of Crawfurdsburn for his present of a beautiful silver shield, Miss
Chambers for her handsome silver cup, Captain William Orr for the
pair of bowls, and other kind friends who had gifted prizes to the
club for competitions. Councillor Brown also referred to the interest
shown by the police board in the scheme, and expressed the hope
that very soon they might see their way to take down the old wall
that remained and erect in its place an iron railing. Mr William
Morrison, vice-president, in name of the club, then presented Mrs
Brown with a silver jack as a memento of the occasion, and after
the first two bowls had been played the green was formally declared
open amid hearty cheers. The flag was unfurled by Miss Chambers,
and thereafter, on the call of Councillor John Black, three hearty
cheers were given for the queen. Photographs were taken by Mr Fergus
and Mr Norman Hunter. A short game followed, being taken part in
by rinks from Victoria, Wellington, and Grosvenor, Ardgowan, Gourock,
Port Glasgow, and Birkmyre Park clubs. During the afternoon tea
was served to the ladies in the commodious clubhouse. At the close
of play the bowlers and their friends were entertained, and several
toasts, including that of “The Queen” were proposed
and warmly responded to. The members of the Victoria club were heartily
congratulated on the success of the day’s proceedings, and
all the speakers referred in laudatory terms to the new green, and
hoped that the club which had that day commenced its career would
enjoy every prosperity. The President Auitably replied. The arrangements
for the opening ceremony were ably carried out by the committee
and Mr David Caldwell, Jnr, Secretary.
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