A Short History of the Club
A public meeting to consider the founding of an outdoor bowling club was held on the 11th May 1988. Mr. Bob Scott presided over the meeting, attended by 22 people and Mr. Linty Ward was the secretary.
It was reported that the Mandeville Sports Club had received $10,000 from the Hillary Commission, $2000 from the Eyre County, with $3,000 to be set aside for the establishment of an outdoor bowling green.
Estimated costs for the setting up of the facility were $20,000, (for soil, a surrounding wall, fencing, irrigation, etc.). Some of the soil could be moved to the site from the excavation of the recently established tennis courts by contractors and the Eyre County Council. It was moved that a bowling green be established, and elections were held to form a committee.
- President Mr. Linty Ward,
- Secretary Mr. Tom Robinson,
- Steering Committee: Mr. Bruce Taylor, Mr. Richard Hamilton, Mr. Bob Scott.
- Works Committee: Mr. Ross Wix, Mr. Ian Buxton, Mr. Bob Ralls.
The Canterbury Turf Institute recommended that the green be established with Maniototo Seed and an irrigation system capable of flooding the green, (using storage tanks), be established. The institute suggested that a step-over wall, commonly used in the North Island, should surround the green. It was suggested that a fence surrounding the complete site be established before sowing the seed. Additional soil was required to be brought in from Rangiora, ($18 per cubic metre; $5,500).
Enquiries had been made for a suitable roller with the suggestions that one could be made, (by Mr. Ian Buxton), or a second-hand one be bought from Kaiapoi Working Men’s Club for $300, (Mr. Linty Ward.)
The Canterbury Centre, (now Bowls Canterbury), was approached to ask for a copy of its constitution and the possibility of loans to help develop the green in Mandeville. The possibility of setting up a Ladies section was also discussed. The advertisement for the meeting was covered by Mandeville Sports Club.
Later in 1988, further estimates of costs to establish the facility were: Soil $5,900, Fencing $3,250, Shed $1,000, Concrete surround $1,350, Mowing Rolling $2,300 TOTAL; $14,000
Consequently, all prospective members were given Debenture forms to help raise funds.
Following an inspection of the green, the Turf Institute suggested that the soil on the green be compacted by sheep. Mr. Brian McHugh drove around 150 sheep to the site to accomplish that. Concrete surrounds were being made by Mr. Ross Wix.
The annual general meeting, 4th August 1988, adopted a constitution and elected the following;
President: Mr. Richard Hamilton,
Vice President: Mr. Linty Ward,
Secretary: Mr. Michael Parrott,
Treasurer: Mr. Tom Robinson.
Greenkeeper: Mr. Ross Wix,
Centre Delegate: Mr. Linty Ward,
Committee: Mr. Peter Armitage, Mr. Brian McHugh, Mr. John Kapelle, Mr. Bill Gibson, Mr. Norm Barlase
Later in August, approval was given to buy a mower from the Kaiapoi Working Men’s Club. Progress continued with the foundations for the water tanks and the equipment shed, along with preparation and planning for the boundary fence. By mid-August the green was sown, the boundary fences and the soil shed were completed, and half the green surrounds were ready to erect. The opening day was tentatively set down for Saturday 19th November.
Unfortunately, the early watering of the freshly sown green, utilizing the existing Mandeville system during a period of consistent nor-west winds was inadequate. The green had to be re-sown, thus keeping it out of action for some time.
During November, 31subscriptions had been received and planning was underway for tournaments being staged at Rangiora on the 4th and 7th December. These tournaments were, however, cancelled and finally the last section of the green surrounding wall completed.
A Club team competed in Cheviot in March 1989. At the end of the season the following clubs were thanked for their support and the use of their greens and equipment during the season; Rangiora, Kaiapoi, and Kaiapoi working Men’s Club.
It had been a very active season for the Club, attempting to be playing on their own green. Working to a tight budget and accomplishing most tasks amongst themselves, was a grand effort. The delay in sourcing and installing the large water tanks and the construction of the water holding walls and drainage channels surrounding the green were difficult projects. This delay stalled the establishment of a good sound base and lost a few months.
The big water tanks the club sourced were acquired from a service station. There was lot of work to be carried out on them before installation. Thorough cleaning and painting with an anti-rust product was vital to maintain a clean supply.
The 1989 Annual General Meeting on 30th June was attended by 21 members with all office holders and committee members holding their positions. It was planned that the opening day be 16th September, but it was held over to until 23rd September. President Richard Hamilton welcomed club members, officials from Mandeville Sports Club, the Canterbury Bowling Centre, the Canterbury Turf Institute, representatives from local bowling clubs, and acknowledged the work of the many volunteers who had helped to establish this bowling complex. A ribbon to acknowledge the opening of the green was cut by Mr. Bob Ralls, president of the Mandeville Sports Club. The first bowl was delivered by Mr. Ross Wix, the green superintendent. To the delight of those present that first bowl touched the jack.
During the 1989 season the club organised two tournaments where members brought a plate and committee members brought sandwiches. The sponsors of these tournaments were “Goodyear” for November 16th and Pier Hotel for the 18th.
At the Annual Meeting it was agreed that the Club colours be green, similar to that of the Ohoka Cricket Club. The flagpole was erected in November 1989. In subsequent years shrubs were planted inside the fence line and eleven sun-shelters were erected around the complex. Some years later a number of these shrubs were stolen. These were replaced by camellias and bedding plants, considerably lifting the appearance of the green.
In 1991, the club competed in a match against Kaiapoi Working Men’s Club for the Hoff Cup, a trophy introduced to commemorate a former member of that club who had been very supportive of the Mandeville Club during their formative years. The first match for eight triples, was played in the evening. It was intended that that the trophy be competed annually, but this proved to be difficult as activity and members grew. Kaiapoi have won it every year it has been played.
Later that year the cost of an office block was contemplated. Initial estimates for the concrete block unit, 7-4 metres, was $6000. The following year John Kapelle became president and for the first time a Ladies Committee was formed with Elaine Mawhinnie in its chair. Several other clubs from throughout Canterbury, from small country clubs along with some from Christchurch, entered teams in the several inter-club tournaments that were hosted by Mandeville. Ross Wix, a foundation member of the club and its first green keeper was made a life member of the club in the 2001-02 season.
The Twizel Club visited in 2003. More new scoreboards were acquired in 2002 with the donation of a grant from the Lion foundation. Sponsors names were placed on several score boards. The prospect of having a cell phone tower created in the Mandeville complex caused some concern in 2004, but it was eventually sited in No 10 Road.
In January 2009, the club celebrated a 20-year reunion of members past and present. This included founding members Ross Wix, Tom Robinson, Bill Gibson, Brian McHugh, and Micheal Parrott. Past presidents of the club, Ian Smith, John Kapelle, and Tom Robinson were there to enjoy the day.
Micheal Parrott who served as club secretary for 20 years was made the second Life Member of the Mandeville Bowling Club.
From time to time the green had to be treated to counter infestations and various weeds. Fortunately, the club was able to obtain grants from Pub Charity for most of the funds required. In March 2010 the first ‘Richard Hamilton Tournament’, sponsored by the Ohoka Garage was held in memory of the club’s first president.
In 2015, the prospect of acquiring a disused classroom from the Halswell School was considered. Several of the committee members investigated the classrooms concerned as the school undertook an expansion. Further research however revealed the cost of transportation, new founding and refurbishment would be more than $30,000, so the project was abandoned.
Consequently, the possibility of extending the existing building was followed through with plans drawn up by Shelley Wood, (the club treasurers Daughter- In Law), in conjunction with Ron Dalley and an engineer. A major disappointment was the time it took for the building consent to be granted.
Ron Dalley was elected a Life Member during the following winter.
Two tenders for the building were considered before work on the project started, ground tests had fully checked the base of the site, the equipment shed had been moved to its new site near the entry gate and strengthening of the existing building had been completed. By early 2016 the project was underway, largely under the leadership of Les Cherry, with support from several club members and contractors.
The building was completed by the end of the 2016-17 season and was opened on the 22nd April 2017. Current members, past members, representatives from local clubs, Bowls Canterbury, sponsors of Mandeville Bowling Club and local media were there as the Waimakariri District Council Mayor, Mr. David Ayres and newly elected Life Member, Les Cramond, cut the ribbon to open the spacious expansion. All present shared afternoon tea. The final cost of the project was in the region of $20,000. Grants for a heat pump, refrigerator, and oven were sought.
Shortly before the building was completed the club had won the Manning Cup for the third time with two members from the 1990s contributing to the victory after it was necessary to play-off with the Cust Club. Les Cramond and Mike Wilkinson had been members of the team in the 1990s, and along with Les Cherry were elected as Life Members at this time.
While the building was under construction the club received a request from Bowls NZ offering the possibility of hosting one of the international teams that would be in Christchurch for the World Championships. The Club hosted the team from Namibia. The Namibia team spent an afternoon with several members of the club enjoying a roll-up for an hour, followed by a social hour sharing afternoon tea, before visiting Gordon Fulton’s farm where they viewed a large-scale dairy operation as milking was underway. They were then taken to the shearing shed where a few sheep were shorn, all new experiences for the visitors.
Later during the tournament, several Mandeville members were supporters of the Namibian team at the World Championships.
A point of interest is that in the 30 years of the Mandeville Bowling club there has been only 3 voluntary Green Keepers. From the establishment year of 1989, Mr Ross Wix. In 2005 Mr Bob Ralls, with strong support from Mr Micheal Parrott, held the Green Keeper role until 2012. Mr Ralls at that time was also the arborist for the entire MSC reserve. Mr. Ron Dalley then took over the role in 2012, holding the wheel until 2021. From that time the job has now been undertaken by Mr Ian Cole.
On the 28th of September 2019 the club celebrated its 30th Anniversary and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by many. Both past and present club members along with representatives from other bowling clubs in North Canterbury were invited to attend and compete for the Presidents Trophy.
Along with every other sporting club in NZ, the past two years have been severely challenged by the Covid pandemic. Great difficulty staging competitive events and a loss in club members. Mandeville however are enjoying a good return to normality with a warmly accepted intake of new members.
In recent times the club has hosted Twilight Summer Bowling competitions which have proved to be very popular with full fields of novice and social bowlers.
A strong group, they look forward to sharing their pristine and well managed green with members and welcome visitors as they move forward.
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