Great ‘Annual Fun Day’ was when our Bowls and Croquet teams came together to play in mixed 4’s led by Ringmaster Frank. High point of the afternoon was The Spider, followed by our usual raffle and High Tea, greatly appreciated by all.
Chelsea Pensioners
On 28th July we welcomed back the amazing Chelsea Pensioners on their second visit to the Club. Rain stopped play several times but our high tea during the breaks proved very popular!
A rousing bagpipes rendition of Auld Lang Syne was a fitting end to a wonderful afternoon spent with this amazing group of men and women and we look forward to another return visit.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday 10 October, 2020
The 5th Annual General Meeting of the Finchley Victoria Bowling and Croquet Club will be held on Saturday 10 October 2020.
Because of government restrictions on gatherings of more than six people, it is proposed the meeting will be a ‘virtual’ meeting with Members able to raise matters by email or telephone in advance of the meeting.
For the information of Members papers will be distributed in the next few days by email or by post to those Members for which we do not have email addresses. These will cover the following matters:
Minutes of the last AGM held on 12 October 2019
Report by the President on the activities of the Club and the Committee since the last AGM.
The Club accounts for the year ended 31 March 2019
Subscription Rates for the year beginning 1 April 2021
Election of Officers and Committee
Election of an Independent Examiner of Accounts
For any questions or further information please contact:
Any matters raised by Members will be discussed by the Committee and a response made.
If there are any matters which may require a vote then arrangements will be made for a ballot to be held. Members are reminded that only Full Playing Members and Honorary Life Members are entitled to vote or serve on the Committee.
100 years celebration 14 July 2019
We celebrated our 100 years on Sun 14 July 2019. A fun time was had by all.
We were thrilled that bowlers from the Royal Hospital Chelsea joined us to play last year at our club in Finchley.
In 2018, we were invited to play them at their home, The Royal Hospital in Chelsea, and we are really looking forward to that.
Mayor Brian Salinger spoke congratulating everyone for the skill and friendship displayed on the bowling green and for what had been a successful afternoon. The Mayor then went on to speak about the wonderful achievements that Finchley Victoria Bowling & Croquet Club had accomplished not only in terms of growth in its membership, but also in becoming a successful community within Victoria Park.
It was a glorious day and we played 14 ends of bowls and then settled down for tea, coffee and cakes.
As our day came to a close, a few of The Chelsea Pensioners comments were:-
‘What a warm and friendly Club you are’
‘We have had one of our best days ever’
‘Don’t wait until next year for the return match, come to us next week’
‘How lucky you are to have such a lovely Club, within beautiful green surroundings. It would be wonderful to sit, watch bowls and croquet with a cup of tea and also see and hear the birds’
History of the club
Finchley Victoria Bowling Club was formed in 1925. Bowls has been played in Victoria Park in Finchley for over 70 years. We have a rich history. There used to be a separate women’s club and men’s club.
A challenge in 2016
In July 2016, Barnet council announced they wanted to save £100,000 from their overall budget, and informed the six bowls clubs in the borough that they would no longer support them financially.
Barnet informed us they wanted us to become more self-managing and to now pay our own way, rather than be subsidised by the council any longer.
It was a bit of a shock to the system, after over 70 years of council funding, but we have risen to the occasion. We have taken this is an opportunity to inspire and galvanise ourselves and breathe new life in to the club and the wonderful club house in Victoria Park.
We launched croquet at the end of August 2016 on our second green and the Mayor came to visit and declare play open.
Finchley Victoria Park Bowling and Croquet Club 