From Humble Beginnings...

This is where our journey began. 1911 to the present day. Our history tells tales of success and community. Lawn Bowls has come a long way, and continues to develop into one of the most approachable sports there is. We also continue to grow and adapt to the modern age, but we will never forget our past and those members who helped build our club. We're glad you dropped by to see these precious images from our past.

Changing Times

Fashions change with the years. Always have and always will. Our old members played and dressed in style. Image taken in front of the Victoria Gardens Bandstand (Dismantled in the 1960's as it fell into disrepair) but our club continues to thrive in the footsteps of our founding members. Every wood bowled, is bowled with these gentleman still in our hearts. Today, the game welcomes Lady members and we are all the better for it.

Woods Were Made of Wood

Since the first ever game of Bowls played in the UK from 1299 in Southampton and famously in 1588 by Sir Francis Drake, Lawn Bowls were made of wood. Lignum vitae (Latin for "wood of life") is one of the world’s hardest and most heaviest woods. It actually sinks in water! Derived from Guaiacum trees, it was the most suitable wood to use as Bowls, however, unfortunately these were prone to drying out and it was common to see them split due to expansion. But at the time there were no suitable equivalent, and this is why, even today, we call ALL playing Bowls 'Woods'! (Yes! Even the modern Melamine Plastic ones)

1975 League Winners

Image to the Right...South Dorset League Trophy Winners back in 1975. A tremendous achievement for our boys. Sadly many are no longer with us, but the Club captain with the trophy on that day... is still very much with us and is a formidable member, gentleman and player. In the image below, Club SDBA Captain Colin Slade held the very same trophy 39 years later in 2014 albeit the trophy has had an extra large base added and many more shields since then.

ALL HAIL THE DARBINATOR!

Pictured Left, club stalwart and Honorary member Dave Darby had a most successful year back in 2005. Darbs' played a superb season, winning FIVE of the trophies pictured.

Quite the epic season for this unassuming, kind and gentle man! Darbs' continues to surprise us with odd Bowl now and again having taken a little step back from playing, he still remains a vital and loveable member of our club.

His support and welcoming of members old and new as well as his already well known friendliness towards EVERYBODY, he is affectionately known as 'The Darbinator', and remains a true stalwart of Portland Victoria Bowls Club.

Knights in White Linen

Playing in whites is all about showing respect. We play in whites for Competitions and Friendly matches. The match attire has been relaxed over the years as Bowls England strives to encourage new people to try the game in the modern age. The image below shows a typical match in whites. But looking at them, it makes our green look like a bath mat! :-)

And as Darbs' walks off into the sunset with a couple of lovely ladies under each arm and clearly under his spell, we would like to thank you visiting our history page. This is just a short gallery of such a wonderful and long tradition of Bowls at this amazing club. May you live long and never bowl an incorrect Bias!