The Early Years
Hillington Estate Bowling Club was formed
as a recreational facility for workers who worked within the Industrial
Estate on land provided by the Scottish Industrial Estates. The
greens were laid out in 1946 and the club was formed during 1947,
although it was 1948 before any bowling took place with the first
President being Mr H. Brown. The main firm to assist the bowling
club was Rolls Royce, although many contributed as can be seen
on the names of some of the old trophies, e.g. Glen Har
Trophy, etc.
Full membership of the club was for workers in the Industrial
Estate while associate members were drawn from the local community.
During the 1950s and 1960s the conditions of membership were altered
so that everyone became full members of the club, although twenty-five
places had to be kept for workers from the estate who wished to
join.
Ladies Section
At the AGM held on 19th February 1958 it was agreed by a large majority that a Ladies Section be formed, membership only to be open to wives of members. This condition has now been rescinded and membership of the Ladies Section is open to any lady provided she is proposed and seconded in the appropriate manner. The Ladies Section, while governed overall by the Constitution and Rules of the Club run their own affairs. At their A.G.M. in 1989 the Ladies Section was offered full membership but declined. Over the years the ladies have brought many honours to the club and Mrs C. Peacock represented Scotland 19 times between 1961 and 1985 and has also held administrative posts at national and international level.
Club Becomes Private
The club applied for a grant during the
1960s from the Scottish Sports Council to carry out much needed
alterations and improvements but this unfortunately was turned
down because of the conditions laid down by the Scottish Industrial
Estates.
The Scottish Development Agency took over Hillington Estate in
the late 1960s and immediately terminated all repairs to the club,
and these repairs then had to be funded by the members. In the
early 1970s the S.D.A. withdrew the subsidy we had enjoyed from
the formation of the club and this meant that the annual subscription
had to be increased and a licence for a bar and fruit machines
had to be obtained, to assist in covering the extra costs now
being incurred. This meant that it was now a private club, fully
self-supporting and at this time it was agreed in conjunction
with the adjoining tennis club to partition the clubhouse interior
with a brick wall instead of a curtain which had been used up
to this point.
In the mid-1970s the existing verandah was enclosed to provide
more space in the clubhouse and a new kitchen and toilets were
built. During 1979 it was agreed to build a new lounge and locker
room and this work was completed for Opening Day on 19th April
1980. At a short ceremony on Friday 18th April 1980 the lounge
was named "The McDonald Lounge" in honour of Honorary
President Mr James McDonald who assisted with much of the planning
and building of this extension. These alterations cost in the
region of £50,000.
On the greens an automatic watering system was installed in 1983
and new concrete ditches with new turf banks were installed in
1986.
Club Purchased from Scottish Development Agency
In 1986 our chartered surveyor informed the club that there were big changes planned for Hillington Estate in the coming years and that an attempt should be made to obtain a lease or even purchase the premises from the Scottish Development Agency. After many meetings at the Hillington offices of the S.D.A., the S.D.A. agreed on a sixty years lease, but after consideration of the terms of the lease it was agreed that an attempt should be made to purchase the club from the S.D.A. This course was pursued, and after much discussion with the S.D.A. a price of £60,000 was agreed to purchase the existing clubhouse, greens and car park. This was considered very steep considering the efforts and money the club had laid out, but for the long-term benefit of the club, it was agreed to accept this price and in April 1990, with the aid of a loan from Scottish Brewers the club was purchased from the S.D.A. Shortly after this the Scottish Development Agency became Scottish Enterprise and more recently the estate was taken over by Caledonian Land.
Club Refurbished
In early 1996 the club was completely refurbished which included moving the bar and gents toilets and increasing the size of the main hall considerably. This work was carried out at a cost of £90,000. Also at this time a further £16,000 was spent on installing artificial banks.
50th Anniversary
In 1998 the club celebrated its 50th Anniversary and during this year all friendly fixtures were played at home. A special game was also arranged against the Scottish Bowling Association, Glasgow Bowling Association, Renfrewshire Bowling Association and Scottish Bowlers' Fellowship. At these games all visitors were presented with a special badge struck to mark this occasion and the clubs and associations were presented with a 50th Anniversary pennant. In return the club was in receipt of many lovely gifts, all of which can be seen in a purpose-built cabinet in the main hall.
Into the New Millennium
In Spring 2000 Caledonian Land carried out
landscaping work throughout the Estate, including the club car
park and this enhanced the approaches to the club. This work was
carried out through a grant from Renfrewshire Council. At the
same time Hillington Estate was renamed Hillington Park, although
the club did not change its name.
On Sunday 23 April 2000 a special game to celebrate the new millennium
was played against the Ladies Section. The Ladies Section provided
trophies for the winning rink and runners-up, and a fish supper
at the conclusion of the game. Although the weather was a bit
wet, a good day was had by all the participants. Due to the success
of this game it was decided to make it an annual fixture with
the fish suppers being paid for by the members, although the club
subsidised the cost.
Remainder of Clubhouse Obtained from Caledonian Land
At the beginning of 2001 Caledonian Land applied for planning permission to build two industrial units on the car park adjacent to the club. After viewing the plans, George Palmer, Secretary, informed the Board of Management that the access enjoyed from the car park would be removed and that the height of the buildings could be detrimental to the south green. Following an objection lodged with Renfrewshire Council to planning permission being granted, Caledonian Land approached the club in May 2001 to attempt to find a compromise, which would allow the objection to be withdrawn. In due course Caledonian Land offered to build a new access gate at the north-east corner of the south green and offered the remainder of the clubhouse, once occupied by the now defunct tennis club to the club free of charge. After discussion this offer was accepted by the Board of Management and the transfer of ownership was placed in the hands of the club lawyer in August 2001. In June 2002 the club was formally given ownership of the complete clubhouse building. In the future it is hoped to refurbish this area, hopefully encompassing a boardroom and an extended games room.
New Roof
In June 2002 it was decided that due to increasing problems that a new roof be put in place. This was duly done.
Chris Peacock Resigns as Ladies Secretary
At the Ladies Section AGM held on Tuesday 5 March 2002 Mrs C. Peacock resigned as Secretary, having held that office since the Ladies Section commenced in 1958, a remarkable achievement. Chris was held in high esteem by both the Ladies and Gents of the club and will be a hard act to follow. Sadly Chris passed away on Sunday 5 December 2004 aged eighty-three.
Ladies Section 1958-2008
In the year 2008 the Ladies Section celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Various games have been arranged to coincide with this milestone.
