Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 30th November, 2014)

A hidden gem so close to the centre of Wigan and I bet most Wiganers wouldnt know where it is.

Another hidden gem is the Bellingham Lawn Tennis Club and Bellingham Bowling Club.

It is probably one of the oldest, Aubrey. Croydon Bowling Club in Surrey, was founded in 1749.
Nice shot.

It`s over 60 years since I was at this green. I was a member of Mesnes Park Bowling Club before becoming a member of Chorley Golf Club.
Am amazed at the sight of adverts here.

Colin,
Surrey is flat green bowling, I think our crown green could be the first in that category but there is one at Chorley that also claims to be first.
Ernest,
A sign of the times, the revenue helps running costs

One of the oldest is CROYDEN, but the oldest in the world is SOUTHAMPTON.

There are older clubs than that one Colin i would think, but the really old ones will still be flat green, this is probably one of the oldest crown green clubs. I suspect with it being so old, it was possibly a flat green originally, i know crown green was played in the 1890s. I lived for a short while only 50 yards from here, near the bridge on Park Rd, but never went through the gate to look at the green and club. Revenue Ernest, that's what the adverts are all about.Thanks for the photo Aubrey, as i said, i've never seen the place before.

Sorry Aubrey, i hadn't seen your similar post when i typed mine.

aubrey...you did'nt CROWN GREEN bowls.

Garry,the only problem with that is, Southamptons isn't a club, it's only a green.

Roy,
You said that you lived so close but never saw the Club, but you probably saw the gate at the end of Park Crescent West. A young lady said to me, when she went through the gate to visit the club, " It was like going into Dr Who's box."

Point taken, thanks.

Who's bothered anyway, who's the oldest, it's a boring game anyway.

Yes Aubrey, i knew the club was there and saw the gate many times but never considered going through it, it's never too late though.

I'm pretty sure that the club can be hired as a venue for weddings, birthdays, etc.

You're right Mick I got a taxi there from the station last year on my trip home , the driver had no idea that it existed let alone where it was. At least he admitted to learning something new every day.

My grandfather was a member and took me there several times in the late forties. There was a notice over the gate- 'Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here'.

I knew a guy years ago who went here, think his name was Tommy, or Bobby, but everyone knew him. Another guy was Derek , who married the secretary Alice . There was a group or about ten , who they said made the place by reputation . Big Frank is another who comes to mind. My aunts friend told me lots of stories.