1895.
It was reported in 1895 that teams competing for the Durham County Challenge Cup and Wednesday Cup ( later known as the T.D. Marshall Cup and Black Cup) were; Durham, Jarrow, S.S. Marine, S.S. Borough, S.S. St. Aidens, West End, Saltwell, and Roker Park. the Cup was won that year by S.S. Borough..
1901/2000 The first President of "Durham County Bowling Federation" representing 'Jarrow BC' was Mr J W Moore in 1918, he was quickly followed by other Jarrow members namely:
1919. Mr P Judge. 1921 Mr P Judge (2)
1930 Mr A Mason 1932 Mr A Mason (2)
1944 Mr Stan Judge 1946 Mr Stan Judge (2) 1948 Mr Stan Judge (3) 1951 Mr Stan Judge (4)
1957 Mr Stan Judge (5) 1958 Mr Stan Judge (6) 1962 Mr Stan Judge (7) 1964 Mr Stan Judge (8)
1965 Mr Stan Judge (9) 1966 Mr Stan Judge (10) 1967 Mr Stan Judge (11)
1976 Mr R Morrison
It was in the early years that bowling in Jarrow was at its most popular, when members of the public and the Jarrow club bowlers had to rush there teas, dash down to the greens and put their names on the board in order to take part in a Jumble, or have a game of bowls in the summer evenings.
At this time Jarrow Bowling Club had a terrific following in the form of spectators who not only followed them at home but travelled to away venues as well, many was the occasion when a bus would be hired to follow the team to National and County championship matches.
Talk to any of the current Jarrow or dare I say it bowlers in the North-east and mention those names listed below, you can guarantee that most will either have known these men or have heard of them from the older bowlers.
Bob Davidson, who lived at 117 Bede Burn Road, whose contribution to the success of JBC cannot be overstated. Bob died in1977.
Wally Clark, who lived just round the corner from West Park at No: 10 North View, which incidentally is next door to one of the present Stalwarts of Jarrow Bowling Club, Don Calder. Wally was also a Professional Footballer, he started his career on the right wing with Middlesboro in June 1919 moved to Leeds Utd in 1921 stayed until 1923 during which time he scored 13 goals in the league, Wally moved on to Birmingham City in 1923, Coventry City in 1924 and Torquay Utd in 1927 where he ended his professional Career.
Stan Judge, Stan lived at 14. Breamish Street and was perhaps one of the North of England’s most revered bowls personalities, an Excellent bowler, President of ‘Jarrow BC’ for many years and President of ‘Durham County’ he died in 1972 at the age of 77 years.
The infallible Stan Judge what a Guy !!!!
George Keenlyside, Another personality that lived in North View (No: 3)
Colin Davidson, Bob Davidson’s son and perhaps one of the most consistent and successful bowlers in the north-east. Colin Started playing bowls at the age of 13 and by the age of 16 he was competing in the final of perhaps one of the premier tournaments in the area, he has won National and County titles on numerous occasions and represented Durham County for around 35 years he was an England trialist in 1975. Colin is currently Chairman of Jarrow Bowling Club and still winning County titles.
Colin Davidson. Summerhill winner 1949
Mac Johnson. Mac was perhaps the mainstay within Jarrow Bowling Club, he was elected Secretary in 1956 and remained in that position until 1994, that is a total of 38years, when due to deteriating health decided to slow down and spend a little more time with his wife and family.Mac passed away in 2008 and will be sadly missed.
Bob Cogle, at this time lived at 122 Wansbeck Road. Bob has also been playing exceptionally successful for approximately 50 years and still remains a force to be reckoned with in local bowls competitions.
Bobby Morrison, was living at 9 Victoria Terrace, an excellent bowler whose contribution was second to none in promoting the success of Jarrow BC.
Top Row
Doug Keenlyside, Billy McCullough, Jimmy McIntosh, Harry Burnett, / Jimmy Skelly, John Young, Tommy Maddison, Andrew Scott, Frank Thompson, Barney Doyle, Billy Watson, Joe Hanson, Jack Thomas, A Grimes, A Smith, Jimmy McCabe.
Front Row
Colin Davidson, Bobby Morrison, Bob Davidson, Stan Judge, Wally Clark, George Keenlyside, George Rounthwaite, Bob Cogle.
There were many more very prominent bowlers of that era who still hold a warm place in the hearts of the present day members, such as; George Rounthwaite, Joe Hanson, Peter Johnston, Tommy Urwin and Roly Clarkson, Jarrow BC at that time had approximately 70 members. (Some of whom are still playing bowls today and continue contribute to the success of Jarrow in County and National bowls championships.)
1952 was perhaps their glory year when they won just about every tournament they entered. (See photograph) A sample of some of the successes of that year were as follows: -
‘Stoddard Trophy’. English Federation Rink Championship, won by Colin Davidson, Bob Cogle and Bobby Morrison.
‘Worswick Street Indoor Singles Championship’ won by Wally Clark ?
‘Durham County Rink Championship’ won by Bob Cogle, Colin Davidson and Bobby Morrison.
‘All England Rinks Gold Cup’ won by George Rounthwaite, Colin Davidson, Bobby Morrison, and Bob Davidson.
‘Chronicle Infirmary Cup’ Durham County Pairs Championship. Won by George Keenlyside and Wally Clark
‘South Shields Open Singles’ won by Wally Clark.
‘Coats Memorial Trophy’ won by Bob Cogle.
‘North East Coast Chronicle Memorial Trophy’ this trophy was competed for by Northumberland and Durham Club Teams and again was won by Jarrow Bowling Club.
Jarrow BC continued to produce competitive bowlers during the sixties and seventies winning their share of Durham and National Championships. Below is a photograph of some of the 1965 bowlers along with their trophies.
Top Row.
????, Mac Johnson, Harry Brennan, Frank Sullivan, George Halligan, Andrew Whalen, George Howell, Dave Dobson, Tommy Urwin, Frank Ferguson, Colin Davidson, Bob Cogle, Frank Thompson, Bob Davidson, Len Robson, Wally Clark, Billy Beck.
Front Row.
Jack Arnott, Billy McCullough, George Cook, Stan Judge, Bobby Morrison, George Paxton, Jimmy McIntosh.
With the passing away of Stan Judge, Bob Davidson and other key members of the club it seems that the club lost its way a little, membership began to drop away, this coupled with the deterioration in the playing surfaces, poor facilities and vandalism, left the Jarrow BC in poor condition.
Having said that the Jarrow Clubs are fighting back, we now have in place 3 thriving Clubs namely ‘Jarrow Bowling Club’ Jarrow West End B C. and Jarrow Borough B C.
Since the early 90’s they have gone from strength to strength, this is confirmed by the results on the bowling greens. Jarrow now have some exceptionally good bowlers, continuing the great traditions of Jarrow Bowling Club.
EBA Federation Cup Final
Durham versus 'Hugh Duff's' Yorkshire County Team
. EBA Fours 1992 Out-Door County Champions Norman Holland, Bill Connor, Colin Davidson and Arthur Harrison.
Norman R Holland
Secretary. Jarrow Bowling Club.