Bowling-What is it good for?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 13 Oct 2006, 09:44

Well quite a lot actually. I don't play but several members of my family do and it seems a very good social, competitive sport that briges generations. Do you play and where?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 13 Oct 2006, 10:05

I don't but my Gran did.

Also, a close family member by marriage is Richard Corsie's cousin.

That is the entire extent of my bowling connections.

It's nice that it has survived as there have been a few clubs in that inbetweeny bit between Easter Road and Leith Walk that became green space.

I really hope they never build on those bits - especially Montgomery St.

Oh and I loved the matches they used to have on the telly between those 2 English guys - Allcock & Bryant? Remember the guy with the pipe?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 13 Oct 2006, 10:20

Yes I remember him or them rather. They looked so calm but must have been under intense pressure.

My mother-in law who is in her 70's has represented Scotland in the last few years and my father in law is an umpire. PoP's dad used to be president of Portobello bowling Club but he has moved to livingston.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 13 Oct 2006, 10:53

So true about the pressure they must have been under - I guess that's a measure of them, that they were able to perform so well under the spotlight.

When I was at Leith Walk primary, we had an event day where each classroom had the tables & chairs cleared and had some sort of sport, task or entertainment - and you progressed round all the rooms.

One of the rooms was bowling. Such good fun.

The only other room I can remember was "guess the smell".

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 13 Oct 2006, 11:09

Dadaist wrote:
One of the rooms was bowling. Such good fun.

The only other room I can remember was "guess the smell".

I've not got time to think about it at the moment but surely there must be scope for combining those two activities?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 13 Oct 2006, 12:23

Dada said

I really hope they never build on those bits - especially Montgomery St

There is a long story attached to that park - it fell into little use by the bowlers; it was going to be taken over partly by a brewery club that were ransoming part of the carpark at Meadowbank Retail Park but the person who had charge of the dosh for the club ran off with it to Spain with his fancy piece (or something); Morrison Homes started sniffing about, but neither the Council or residents (including me as I lived there at the time) very keen. After that a group was set up and things done to help the park be used by all - the area was dug up, the grass replaced with excess seed from Easter Road stadium and paths for elderly/disabled/pushchairs, area for sports, area for nature, etc. were created. The parks people were great.

I doubt that anything will be built there as there is very little other green space in the area - Hillside Crescent and London Road have green areas, but they are not suitable or safe for sport/children. It is used by your old Primary school for their sports day, D!

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 13 Oct 2006, 12:36

It's a green oasis in an urban desert.

The nice people you described deserve an award.

The brewery club - were they anything to do with Edina Home Brew?

Next to Pilrig, the park next to that bowling green was my main park as a kid, so I've been around it for the best part of 3 decades.

The guy in the brewery shop (nice man) has old photos of that park and also of the houses - long gone - on the other side.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 13 Oct 2006, 13:25

Poppy wrote:Morrison Homes started sniffing about, but neither the Council or residents (including me as I lived there at the time) very keen. After that a group was set up and things done to help the park be used by all - the area was dug up, the grass replaced with excess seed from Easter Road stadium and paths for elderly/disabled/pushchairs, area for sports, area for nature, etc. were created. The parks people were great.

Surely the council built thousands of houses in the end?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 13 Oct 2006, 13:34

Believe me, I've taken a few sobering looks at that park from two perspectives during the PHS debate.

You can look at it and think "this is going to get built on sooner or later", or you can think "this is proof of EDC's green space policy".

One day we can look back and work out who wis wrang.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 13 Oct 2006, 14:26

Dada - the bowling club was Scottish & Newcastle Moray Park Club (or summat).

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 13 Oct 2006, 14:34

Poppy wrote:Dada - the bowling club was Scottish & Newcastle Moray Park Club (or summat).

Ah - brewery club, not home brewing club. That would be another dumb thought then.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 13 Oct 2006, 21:34

Poppy wrote: the person who had charge of the dosh for the club ran off with it to Spain with his fancy piece (or something);

Forgive my Englishness, but does that mean he ran off to Spain with the money and a posh sandwich?

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 15 Oct 2006, 18:19

Don't know much about bowling, but going by her avatar Marya knows a bit about curling

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 15 Oct 2006, 18:53

Black Mamba wrote:Don't know much about bowling, but going by her avatar Marya knows a bit about curling

My girls are taking curling lessons on Sunday mornings...strange cos every other day, they're busy busy busy with their straighteners

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 16 Oct 2006, 07:45

Poppy wrote:Dada said
I really hope they never build on those bits - especially Montgomery St
There is a long story attached to that park - it fell into little use by the bowlers; it was going to be taken over partly by a brewery club that were ransoming part of the carpark at Meadowbank Retail Park but the person who had charge of the dosh for the club ran off with it to Spain with his fancy piece (or something); Morrison Homes started sniffing about, but neither the Council or residents (including me as I lived there at the time) very keen. After that a group was set up and things done to help the park be used by all - the area was dug up, the grass replaced with excess seed from Easter Road stadium and paths for elderly/disabled/pushchairs, area for sports, area for nature, etc. were created. The parks people were great.

I doubt that anything will be built there as there is very little other green space in the area - Hillside Crescent and London Road have green areas, but they are not suitable or safe for sport/children. It is used by your old Primary school for their sports day, D!

Yeah, it was when Abbey & Holyrood Bowling club were being closed down when they were building Meadowbank Retail Park. The above story is as I heard it too, and it was a shame because a lot of members joined other clubs, but I'm sure a lot never and probably never played bowls again.

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 16 Oct 2006, 07:51

Porty wrote:Yes I remember him or them rather. They looked so calm but must have been under intense pressure.

My mother-in law who is in her 70's has represented Scotland in the last few years and my father in law is an umpire. PoP's dad used to be president of Portobello bowling Club but he has moved to livingston.

I started my bowling at Portobello BC, and won the championship there twice. My grandad was president twice, and he also moved out to livingston from Adelphi Place (from the house where I was brought up!) and he has since moved to Redcar.

I still play at Portobello Indoor BC and now play outdoor at Craigentinny BC. I will probably know your Father in Law and PoPs dad!

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 16 Oct 2006, 08:49

Excellent results there PAMD - have you got a trophy shelf?

My grandma stayed in Hyvot, and I remember vivdly the objects I must have stared at as a tot - the enormous old bible in her bedroom, the wind-up clock in the front room, the bowling shields and the leather bag for the bowling balls.

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 16 Oct 2006, 09:13

Dadaist wrote:Excellent results there PAMD - have you got a trophy shelf?

My grandma stayed in Hyvot, and I remember vivdly the objects I must have stared at as a tot - the enormous old bible in her bedroom, the wind-up clock in the front room, the bowling shields and the leather bag for the bowling balls.

No trophy shelf, but have kept my better trophies (twice champion Portobello BC, twice champion Portobello Indoor BC, and once at Craigentinny BC!!), but I gave away a lot of my older ones to the Junior section at Porty Indoor to recycle and give out for Junior competitions.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 16 Oct 2006, 09:20

portyallmydays wrote:
I still play at Portobello Indoor BC and now play outdoor at Craigentinny BC. I will probably know your Father in Law and PoPs dad!

Bert Mcall and Robert Davidson are the culprits

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 16 Oct 2006, 09:28

Porty wrote:
portyallmydays wrote:
I still play at Portobello Indoor BC and now play outdoor at Craigentinny BC. I will probably know your Father in Law and PoPs dad!
Bert Mcall and Robert Davidson are the culprits

Yep, know them both, but not seen Robert for years. How is he doing?

Bert is a well known figure round bowling circles (as well as Jean) and I am good friends with Craig McCall (who also plays at Craigentinny BC)

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 16 Oct 2006, 09:37

portyallmydays wrote:
Porty wrote:
portyallmydays wrote:
I still play at Portobello Indoor BC and now play outdoor at Craigentinny BC. I will probably know your Father in Law and PoPs dad!
Bert Mcall and Robert Davidson are the culprits
Yep, know them both, but not seen Robert for years. How is he doing?

Bert is a well known figure round bowling circles (as well as Jean) and I am good friends with Craig McCall (who also plays at Craigentinny BC)

My Dad is doing great thanks and he was over yesterday for dinner. He had to move out of his beloved Portobello and now lives in Livingston. He still goes bowling and is a member of a club over there. Might be West Calder but I am not sure - I will ask him next time I see him.

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 16 Oct 2006, 10:01

Pal of Porty wrote:
portyallmydays wrote:
Porty wrote: Bert Mcall and Robert Davidson are the culprits
Yep, know them both, but not seen Robert for years. How is he doing?

Bert is a well known figure round bowling circles (as well as Jean) and I am good friends with Craig McCall (who also plays at Craigentinny BC)
My Dad is doing great thanks and he was over yesterday for dinner. He had to move out of his beloved Portobello and now lives in Livingston. He still goes bowling and is a member of a club over there. Might be West Calder but I am not sure - I will ask him next time I see him.

Good to hear....tell him that Archie Forrest's grandson is asking for him, and I'm not sure if he knows that Archie has moved to Redcar, but you could let him know.