“Elmwood Lawn Bowling Club”:http://www.elmwoodclub.ca is tucked away in the middle of a block of houses in Wortley Village. I have been in the area many times in the past few years and never knew it was there. This year it was one of the places to visit during the “Doors Open London”:https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review?id=200821 weekend in September and I decided to check it out despite an aunt teasing me that I’m too young to go lawn bowling.
The entrance to the grounds is between two houses on Edward Street and the only thing indicating its existence is a sign by the path leading behind the houses. The club has been there since 1911 and was created when the home owners in the block each gave up part of their back gardens to create the two greens. This means it’s the only club in London that owns the land their club is on so they can’t be moved at the whim of the city council. There is now also a club house and in the winter months, the indoor green is put to good use.
On the day of the event the club house was open for everyone to read up about bowls, the club, and its members. Club members were interacting with the public and telling them about the jitneys (casual games), tournaments and the large age range of club members (12-93). It was a warm day and the lemonade and baking were welcome refreshments before heading outside for a lesson. The chap who gave me my lesson is from a town near Manchester and spends half his time “at home” and half his time in Canada.
Though I have watched lawn bowling many times, I’ve never tried it before. I have five and ten pin bowled and I’ve curled so it wasn’t a totally foreign activity for me. Next summer I might go back and give a jitney a try. Although there isn’t a senior’s rate the yearly fees are only $180. There are discounts for students, children and for those wishing only to participate in the indoor bowls in the winter months.
