About Harrogate Indoor Bowling Club

History

Harrogate Indoor Bowling Club was first established when it came on the Harrogate scene in the early 1980’s at Hammerain House, off Hookstone Road. Following a period of deterioration, management turmoil and the eventual sale of Hammerain House, the club closed on 3rd August 1990; the club then bowled out of Ryedale, Malton some 40 miles away.

In 1996, the club reopened its doors at its present location following a £22,000 interest free loan funded by the then membership to cover the shortfall following the generous grants from the Sports Council and Lottery funding. These funds together facilitated the refurbishment of a local council facility for storing outdoor heavy equipment and the indoor bowls club was once again back in Harrogate; the club was established as a non-incorporated sports club.

Today the club is thriving thanks to the earlier foresight of the membership and this year (2023) it recently embarked on a transition from being a non-incorporated sports club to that of a Limited Company by Guarantee.

This transition was sparked off by the introduction of a HMRC anti-money laundering directive, which imparted stringent financial conditions on the clubs Trustees, such that as a club of volunteers the terms were an unacceptable financial burden on the Trustees, and so Harrogate Indoor Bowling Club Limited was born.

The Club

The club has four rinks, with an established daily league programme, social bowling, roll-ups, and an annual in-house club championship. The club is represented by both the ladies and gents sections in the Yorkshire County leagues and many members enter the Indoor National Championships. The club has volunteer bar and catering services providing the membership with refreshments and visiting clubs with hospitality.

The club boasts some of the best coaching in the County and welcomes new members to the sport.

With a catchment area including places as far and wide as Bedale, Grassington, Skipton, Pateley Bridge, Bishop Monkton and more, the club offers the nearest indoor bowling facility to York.

The club is represented by a Board of Directors charged with managing the business of the club, while the bowling is represented by a dedicated bowling committee.