Chislet Colliery Welfare Association Bowls Club is located in the village of Hersden, four miles east of Canterbury. This original village of 300 houses was designed and built around the 1920s by the Chislet Colliery Company to house the miners who worked at Chislet Colliery. The colliery was located on the south side of the A28, Margate to Canterbury Road and was operational between its commencement in 1914 and the final shift on 26th July 1969.
You can read our former Chairman, Michael Blackband's, detailed story of the full history of the Club here
In 2005, a further 210 homes were added at Chislet Gardens, immediately to the west of the village.
Construction work commenced in 2019 on the Hoplands Farm Residential Estate on the south side of the main Canterbury - Margate road. This will comprise of over 250 new homes and together, many families will be able to take advantage of our great facilities. This building work was severely compromised by the Covid outbreak but is now well under way.
In 2022 it was announced that there were advanced plans for a further residential development on the north side of the village that would eventually provide over 600 homes within the overall community. It is hoped that many new residents would be welcome to join our club and participate with us in our sport.
The Chislet Bowls Club was formed in 1936 after the Coal Board provided land on the west side of the village, close to the Chislet Colliery Miners Welfare Club. The Bowls Club has continued to use, and care for, this green continuously since then. The present Clubhouse, positioned on the north side of the green, provides a pleasant area from which to view the games as well as facilities for changing rooms, catering and a small licensed bar for members and their guests.
Throughout the summer season, the club hosts a full programme of matches and competitions against other clubs and within its membership. Qualified coaching can be made available for new members, who are always welcome to come along to practice sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon.
Outside of the outdoor bowling season, Chislet Colliery Welfare Association Bowls Club organises, and participates in, various indoor bowls events and activities.
Indoor Bowling at the main hall of the Chislet Colliery Welfare Club is popular and only costs £2 for the full evening, bowling on a roll-out mat, on Monday evenings - please be there at 7pm. Our 2021 season starts 20th September We must have at least 6 players per session to cover costs. Please contact Bob Hill on 01227 374327 for more information.
Chislet Bowls Club members also play in the East Kent Short Mat League, with 2 teams, known as "Chislet Labradors" who are currently in Second Division and "Chislet Cheetahs" in Third Division. Matches are played on Tuesday evenings for Labradors and Thursday evenings for Cheetahs from September through to March from 7p.m. Practice is on the same days when no home match is booked. For further info contact Bob Hill (captain) 01227 374327
May we just remind you that you can read our former Chairman, Michael Blackband's, detailed story of the full history of the Club here . It is a fully researched history of our Club within the mining community of Hersden and provides a wonderful insight into our past.
NEWS
From the Chairman
We are pleased to announce that we have recently purchased a number of bowling aids to help the disabled and those with impaired movement enjoy the sport of bowls. This was only made possible with a grant of £500 from the Aylesham & District Community Workshop Trust to whom we are very grateful.
For further information and booking a trial please contact our coach on 07395327964
18th January 2024
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
The Last Shift
I just wanted to thank everyone who helped make Sunday such a great success. I have to give a special thanks to Ian and Denise as the event was well organised and the food was excellent but without the many helpers it would not have been possible. For me it was quite heart-warming to see the club pulling together to make it all happen. My thanks to all the volunteers - the bar, the kitchen, the teas, the breakfast chef, the raffle and all those who worked on the garden.
My only slight disappointment is that we didn't bring the trophy home although we did come a very creditable runner up.
Thank you all
Bob
20th September 2023
CLUB PAIRS
Please note that the Club Pairs competition will be on Sunday 10th September starting at 10am. Could you please let me know if you want to participate asap so that I can do the draw.
Ian Sapsford
1st September 2023
Alzheimers Charity Day
The Alzheimer's Charity event took place on Sunday 13th August and was open to any bowls club who wished to enter a team. As everyone gathered for an early start, bacon rolls, tea and coffee were made available Twelve teams competed playing three matches each,
starting at 10 o'clock with breaks for refreshments, delicious cakes and lunch coming to an end at 4.30 with the presentation of the Charity Shield to the winning team from Margate Bowls Club. The day was a great success and £700 raised for the Alzheimer's Society.
Some photos will be put on the PHOTOS page in due course. You are free to copy them if any take your fancy.
16th August 2023
FUN DAY on 20th AUGUST
Just a reminder that this Sunday, 20th August, is FUN DAY at the club. You may not have seen the poster on the notice board or put your name on the list but that doesn't matter. Just come along at 10.30 and discover some fun ways of playing bowls and honing your skills. John Wickings organised one last year which was a great success. Refreshments, barbecue and games - what's not to like. Come along and support John and your club.
16th August 2023
Village Evening
Friday 23rd June proved to be a beautifully warm sunny evening when we hosted the annual match against the village lads and lassies.
The match was well attended with 6 triples playing over 15 ends. Some of the guests had never bowled before and they all achieved much pleasure fro the game and the social atmosphere. Our thanks go to Dave Hards and his friends for his organisation and for the raffle which benefitted the local Community Put Back Charity.
The evening raised just over £244.
Photos of the evening are now available to view, and download, from our PHOTO Gallery.
To read about the Community Put Back charity and the relationship that our club maintains with Hersden, please see the item on the HOME screen.
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24th June 2023
Bob Wakeford Cup
Last Sunday (18th June) Eamonn took some photos during the day which are now viewable on our PHTOS page.
19th June 2023
PHOTOS Gallery
Our PHOTOS page is now working normally and opening to the thumbnails as it should. If you want to print any shots, tap the thumbnail and use the Print command.
As the views have to be re-sized before loading, please send any series of photos that you want me to upload to Tony.
6th May 2023
Sunday next - 30th April
Sunday 30th April is the Wainwright Cup. This is an all day event starting at 11.00am. Everyone should turn up by 10.30am when names are drawn from the hat to decide who plays with whom. We play 3 games of triples breaking after the first match for lunch (burgers and hot dogs will be available) then 2 games in the afternoon. This is a great event with a cup to be won and I hope that as many of you as possible will turn up.
23rd April 2023
Tuesday Triples
May we advise advise members that Tuesday Tri[ples will start at an earlier time in future. Please note that the cut off time is now 3.15pm for a 3.30pm start.
23rd April 2023
Welome to our 2023 Season
The new bowling season will soon be upon us and our fixture list is complete and available to peruse on the "EVENTS" page.
Our opening weekend is over the weekend of 15/16th April, commencing at 11.00 until 1700 with light refreshments available and where you can get together with members old and new to enjoy the game of bowls and see the improvements that have taken place within the clubhouse during the close season. A huge thanks to all of those who gave their time to achieve this.
20th March 2023
We now have a defibrillator
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Thanks to the generosity of Benenden Charitable Trust we have been awarded a defibrillator (AED) and now await further instructions on the next steps. The AED should be in place by the beginning of the 2023 season.
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25th November 2022
Air Ambulance
Throughout the season we have supported Air Ambulance by having collecting tins on the tables for every match (an initiative by Jack Cramp). Those tins were delivered to Air Ambulance at Rochester earlier this month who opened and counted the contents which totalled £329.80. Well done Jack and also Denise whose cake sales boosted the funds.
24th October 2022
Notice of AGM
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The Annual General Meeting will be held at 1030am on Sunday 6th November at the Club House.
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23rd October 2022
2022 HONOURS
The Honours Board has now been updated to show the 2022 competition winners.
23rd October 2022
ANNUAL DINNER AND AWARDS
Our club are holding the Annual Dinner and Awards Night on Saturday 26th November.6.30pm for 7.00pm.
The venue is The Thanet Indoor Bowling Centre at Cliftonville where a full Christmas menu is presented.
Please contact Bob for more details on e-mail bobeslea@gmail.com
23rd October 2022
The new Bowling Arm now available
Thanks to the generosity of the Arnold Clark Community Fund we now have a small number of "bowling arms" to help wheelchair users or those with knee or back problems enjoy an active life in a very enjoyable social sport. Come along on any Tuesday afternoon during the bowling season (April to September) and try it out. There's no charge and our members will be happy to help.
Please go to the INFO page where a picture of this item can be seen shortly.
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6th September 2022
Bob WAKEFORD Cup Result
The Bob Wakeford Cup is an all day event being played for by teams of four over 3 matches. It was a beautiful day and a close fought battle narrowingly being won by Eamonn McGettrick, Paul Shakespeare, Paul Jarvis and Mike Webber. Our thanks go to Denise Sapsford for providing a superb lunch including a delicious choice of desserts and baking such appetizing cakes.
Bob Eslea
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5th September 2022
Bob WAKEFORD Cup Result
The Bob Wakeford Cup is an all day event being played for by teams of four over 3 matches. It was a beautiful day and a close fought battle narrowingly being won by Eamonn McGettrick, Paul Shakespeare, Paul Jarvis and Mike Webber. Our thanks go to Denise Sapsford for providing a superb lunch including a delicious choice of desserts and baking such appetizing cakes.
Bob Eslea
5th September 2022
CHANGES FOR 4th SEPT
SUNDAY 4th SEPTEMBER will now be the date for the BOB WAKEFORD CUP instead of the planned OPEN DAY.
It is open to all members and their guests and starts at 9am with lunches available.
For the full details, please click the INFO tab above.
20th August 2022
Match Cancellations
This coming weekend (20th and 21st August), the matches against Betteshanger and Wear Bay have been cancelled.
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17th August 2022
OPEN DAY ON SUNDAY
We have our OPEN DAY here on Sunday 14th August. Refreshments available and the bar will be open.
Come along and join in but wear a hat. It will be warm - like the welcome!
12th August 2022
The passing of Ted PollardIt is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of Edward (Ted) Pollard, who died on 16th June 2025 aged 82 years.
Ted was a past President, Chairman and stalwart member of Chislet Colliery Bowls Club for a great many years. He was known to many of our older members as a hard-working and experienced player, groundsman, organiser and friend. Most will remember him for his cheerful and knowledgeable attitude during his visits to the green. He will be sadly missed, especially at our social events.
Members who attended his Cremation Ceremony at Barham on 26th July formed a Guard of Honour.
See
copy of the proceedings4th August 2022 Open Day 12 June
Our club held an Open Day on Sunday 12th June when several new bowlers joined us for an enjoyable days bowling on a sunny and warm day. A satisfying luncheon was provided and the good conditions were enjoyed by all that attended. Some photographs will be posted in due course on our 'Photos' page.
12th June 2022
Our season opens
Sunday 24th April saw the opening game of our season when the captains side, led by Bob Eslea in the absence of Bob Hill, won the 4 match triples over the side led by Leslie Eames. The match score was Captain - 64, Vice Captain 54. There was a good attendance on a fine sunny afternoon.
25th April 2022
Short Mat
Chislet Labradors have moved their short mat to the Welfare club in Hersden on Tuesday Evenings 7pm to 10pm
24th September 2018
