A brief history and timeline of the Finchley Victoria Bowling and Croquet Club
1902: Victoria Park opened by Queen Victoria’s daughter as a memorial to Queen Victoria, following subscriptions from Henry Stephens of Avenue House and others. The intention was to create an open space, preserved from building, which was first known as The Victoria Recreation Ground and intended for sporting activity. The name was changed to Victoria Park in 1963.
1912: First record found (so far) of bowls in Victoria Park. A newspaper reported that the bowling green laid out two or three years earlier had not been much used, but was now increasingly used by members of the Finchley Municipal Officers’ Association, council staff.
1919: Mill Hill Bowling Club formed and played its first match against a team from Victoria Park.
1922: Finchley Bowling Club established in Etchingham Park Road.
1925: Finchley Victoria Bowling Club formed, at first called the Park Bowling Club (Finchley), to use the existing green. Renamed Finchley Victoria by 1931 at the latest.
1926: New bowling green built, the upper of the two present greens.
1931: Pavilion built to face the new green, and a match held between the English Bowling Association and the London Parks Bowling Association, with several FVBC members taking part. The Ladies Committee of FVBC provided tea.
1935: The Finchley Victoria Ladies’ Bowling Club formed, with proposal to form a three-rink green on the existing putting green in the park.
1937: Success of FVLBC leads to construction of new bowling green (the present lower green) and the moving and extension of the pavilion built for the use of FVLBC.
1959: Events arranged by the Finchley & District Bowling Association held at FVBC and FVLBC.
1963: Reference to the ‘usual’ match between FVBC and FVLBC. Match between Finchley & District Bowling Association and North London & District Ladies Bowling Association held in June.
1964: FVBC organised a bowling competition in connection with Finchley Carnival & Charity Week. First report found of vandal damage to the greens.
1965: Consideration of extension of FVLBC pavilion to incorporate public refreshment facilities.
2006: The traditional pavilions for FVBC and FVLBC were severely damaged by separate fires on 21 and 24 July 2006. Short-term Portakabin changing accommodation was provided by Barnet Council to enable play to continue.
2008: FVBC and FVLBC amalgamated to form a single club with the name Finchley Victoria Bowling Club. Barnet Council agreed to build a single new pavilion (the present pavilion) on the site of the former FVLBC pavilion.
2010: New pavilion opened by the Mayor of Barnet.
2015: FVBC won the Coronation Cup, a bowls competition between north London teams from Friary Park, Parliament Hill, Oak Hill, Muswell Hill and Mill Hill
2016: FVBC introduced croquet as an additional activity, the opening performed in August 2016 by the Mayor of Barnet.
2017: FVBC renamed itself the Finchley Victoria Bowling and Croquet Club. Chelsea Pensioners Bowling Club made their first ever visit to FVBCC.
2018: LB Barnet ended its maintenance of the bowling and croquet greens, and the club became responsible for its own finances and maintenance
2021: Pétanque terrain constructed
2020: A table tennis table was added to the club house facilities
2023: A dart board and six-foot pool table also added to club facilities
Because of the suspected arson attacks in 2006, all our club records, history and photographs were destroyed. But below is a photo of the ladies team from 1996, courtesy of the late Jean Bumstead:
We have since found two photos from 1938 – thanks to Mahendra Sajvani for finding them
This history was compiled by Frank Kelsall, former Club Secretary and former Bowls Captain who is also an architectural historian. Shown here with Joan Atherton, one of our bowlers, at a fun event.
Some additional material added by Nick Williams