Bowling

Since Monday's post was all about keeping fit, it seemed a good idea to keep those motivation levels high and devote Friday's post to bowling. A gentle way of keeping fit but with benefits of all the socialising that goes along with it! Bowling can also have a heritage component too.

Now for a look back in time at the large number of bowling clubs, which sprung up in the Auckland region over the years, particularly in the first decade of the 20th century. Check out the wonderful array of clothing worn by the Mount Eden and Ponsonby bowlers in 1900. It must have been pretty hard to bowl in those formal outfits!

Grafton/The Domain:

Ref: AWNS-19011031-1-1, Auckland Bowling Club's Grafton Green on opening day, 26 October 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Mount Eden:

Ref: 1-W1220, looking SW from Mount Eden - showing Mount Eden Bowling Green, 1905, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: AWNS-19001012-8-2, opening of the Mount Eden Bowling Green, 6 October 1900, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ponsonby:

Ref: AWNS-19001026-12-1, opening of the season at the Ponsonby Bowling Green, Auckland 20 October 1900, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Ref: AWNS-19001026-12-2, the first game of the season at Ponsonby Bowling Green, 1900, Sir George Grey Special Collections

St Heliers:

Ref: 4-5366, Looking north east from Auckland Road across St Heliers - showing St Heliers Bay Bowling Club, 1931, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Takapuna:

Ref: T1398, Takapuna Bowling Club opening day, no date, North Auckland Research Centre

Stanley Bay:

Ref: D_PS_0002, Club opening, Stanley Bay Bowling Club, Devonport, c. 1910s, North Auckland Research Centre

Northcote:

Ref: N0108003, Opening of the Northcote Bowling Green, 1909, North Auckland Research Centre

Ref: N0108004, gathering at the Northcote Bowling Green, c. 1915, North Auckland Research Centre

Henderson:

Ref: JTD-14K-01963, Henderson Ladies Bowling Club, 1962, West Auckland Research Centre

Oratia:

Ref: JTD-13A-01995-1, Oratia Bowling Club pavilion., 1963, West Auckland Research Centre

Otahuhu:

Ref: Footprints 03792, Otahuhu Bowling Club, c. 1907, photograph reproduced by courtesy of Otahuhu Historical Society, 3.3.1.1 (donated by B. Green), South Auckland Research Centre

Ref: Footprints 03793, Lawn bowlers, Otahuhu, c. 1915, photograph reproduced by courtesy of Otahuhu Historical Society (3.3.1.1), South Auckland Research Centre

Howick:

Ref: Footprints 02030, Bowling Greens, Howick', photograph reproduced by courtesy of Howick Library (from Mrs E. Taylor) / Howick Historical Society, c. 1915, South Auckland Research Centre

Pukekohe:

Ref: Footprints 02379, Members of the Pukekohe Bowling Club, c. 1920s, photograph reproduced by courtesy of Pukekohe Library, South Auckland Research Centre