Broomfield Bowling Club

Joined in 1949 and was a Broomfield bowler until 1992. In the summer of 2007 aged 92, Wilf attended the Oldbury Seniors cup final. Although now suffering from dementia, in December 2007 he was still able to provide us with his thoughts about Broomfield bowlers from the the 1950's.

He won the club championship on four occasions, joining the likes of Fred, Roy and Nigel Freeman who achieved the same feat. His first championship was in 1961, then in 1975 aged 60 he won it for the fourth time. Also a three time winner of the Ken Wharton Handicap: 1961, 1968 and 1969. Wilf was the first ever winner of the Chairmans Shield in 1963 and retained the trophy in 1964. He also won the shield in 1971.

Club captain in 1963. Our last Harborne team captain in 1974. The first Broomfield Oldbury captain in 1970 before Ray Fletchers six year stint. Captained the Oldbury 'B' in 1975 then took on the Oldbury 'A' again in 1977 when several players moved to Lightwoods.

Perhaps most importantly he was someone who pushed for Broomfield to enter the Warwick and Worcester. While others of his era were reluctant to enter a Saturday league, Wilf saw the advantages that the move would bring to the bowls club.

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Ray Fletcher

Oldbury 'A' captain 1971 ~ 1976 which included three consecutive Division 1 titles in 1974, 1975 & 1976.

Club Champion 1974. W&W Premier club and league average winner 1980. Died 1987.

Chairmans Shield winner 1970 & 1976.

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Harry Kendrick

Club Captain 1968. Club Champion 1969. Chairman 1973 ~ 1975.

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Stan Thompson

Club Champion 1977. Club Handicap Winner 1972, 1973 & 1977.

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George Garbett

Handicap Runner Up 1980. W&W Premier Averages Winner 1981. Club Champion 1982.

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Jack Wray

Gave Broomfield over 30 years of service and started in the 1950's. Appeared in the Club Championship final in three different decades: Champion 1956 & 1971, Runner Up 1965. Club Captain 1962. Captained the Oldbury 'B' team from 1978 ~ 1980 and died in 1981.

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Arthur Woodward

Another long serving memeber, 'Waga' played for Broomfield in five different decades. Club Captain 1969. Secretary 1969 ~ 1975. Oldbury 'A' Captain 1979 ~ 1981. Died in 2000. Bowls section life member.

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Albert Brazier

'The Coach' was never considered a great bowler but his 40+ years at Broomfield saw him become an expert of our green. He was always willing to pass on his knowledge. He died in 1989.

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Fred Freeman

The first of three Freeman generations, Fred Freeman was the 1st team cricket scorer for many years. He won the bowls club chanpionship on four occasions: 1950, 1953, 1960 & 1964. He was a surprise winner of the Chairmans Shield in 1979 and died in 1988 after 40 seasons with Broomfield.

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Peter Gwilt

Many feel Peter Gwilt stopped playing bowls at his peak and could have gone on to compete when Broomfield reached the top divisions in the W&W. Secretary 1976. Oldbury 'A' Captain 1982, Smethwick 'A' Captain 1988. In 1983 he became the first winner of the Neale (from tennis section) Cup and subsequently was the first bowler to win all 5 club competitions: Handicap winner 1976, Pairs 1977 & 1979, Club Champion 1981, Chairmans Shield Winner 1982. He was named bowler of the year in 1983.

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Brian Male

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Harold Fletcher

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Roy Freeman

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Ernie Dent

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