Overstrand Bowls Club is currently celebrating a hundred years since its beginnings in 1926. Although the exact date of its origination is not documented, what it is known according to local knowledge, that the club was originally started at Overstrand Hall, a grand country house originally designed by Edwin Lutyens for Charles William Mills that during the First World War, was used as a military hospital, after which the Mills family sold the house for use as a convalescent home in 1932.
Again, the history of the club is unfortunately not well documented, however there is an old photograph in the clubhouse dated 1926 that would indicate that the club may have originated in the latter half of the 1920’s.
The club has a pleasant clubhouse and excellent facilities but is also blessed with a beautiful location overlooking the village cricket ground with its renowned listed building being a rare, thatched cricket pavilion. Athis is all thanks to Lord and Lady Battersea who bequeathed the sports ground to the village of Overstrand in the early part of last century.
The club currently has over forty active members and plays in three Norfolk leagues, as well as hosting two friendly ‘roll-ups’ each week on Mondays and Fridays. However, like all bowls clubs in the region, it is always keen to welcome new members. Its recent recruitment poster says it best: ‘Bowlers live longer… don’t think it’s just an older person’s game… it’s a game for all ages and abilities. Come and join us for competitive sport, gentle exercise and social chatter!’
