BOWLS - BANISTER Park celebrated their birth exactly 100 years ago to the day when 110 bowlers, members and guests gathered to mark the centenary at the club's Stoneham Lane headquarters.

As well as officials from the Hampshire and Southampton associations, the guest list included members past and present who had served in various capacities to develop the club both at the present outdoor/indoor facilities and previously at their original Northlands Road home.

The gathering included club life member Peggy Soar, a former Hampshire County Women's BA president, who, at 92, is just eight years younger than the club.

Although the April 6 Founders' Day recognised a milestone for the outdoor club, the party began with an afternoon of indoor bowls played in the best possible spirit with ten full rinks having to be accommodated on the eight rinks, the two other rinks being drafted in at half-time.

Each player was presented with a newly-designed centenary badge.

The menu for the after-match four-course meal, prepared by the club steward and his team, was illustrated with photographs of the original founding committee members along with the first club president Lord Lee of Fareham and current president Bob Kirton.

Gifts were presented to principal guests Peter Cox, president of the Hampshire County BA, Molly Shutler, county women's president, and Southampton and District association presidents Mick Barrett and Josie Munday.

All guests received a 36-page booklet outlining the club's first 25 years produced and edited by indoor secretary Bob Fawcett. The history covering the remaining years is to follow shortly.

Next major event is the visit of national president Ian Woodcock of Yorkshire and his English BA team on May 11 while on June 9 Banister Park commemorate the opening of the Northlands Road green on that day in 1906.

The Stoneham Lane clubhouse contains photographs and memorabilia covering events from those pioneer days to the present time, including the London and Southern Counties' Shield won in 1907 and banners recalling Peter Line's national singles championships (1961, 1964) plus items remembering the successes of one of the most prominent clubs in the Southampton and District BA.