Complete

A bowling green has been replicated at Beamish, to help tell the story of leisure pursuits and community life in the 1950s.

The bowling green and pavilion, which have been replicated from John Whitehead Park in Billingham, will give visitors the chance to try this popular 1950s sport.

The John Whitehead Park Bowling Club was built in the early 1950s by Billingham Urban District Council, when many new developments were taking place in the area, largely linked to ICI and the Wilton site. A men’s club formed in 1953, followed two years later by a women’s club, and the teams later merged to become Billingham Bowling Club, which is still in existence.

Beamish has worked with the club to learn more about its history and the pavilion, as well as speaking to other local clubs, who have all shared their knowledge to help us tell the story of bowling in the 1950s.

Visitors to the bowling green are able to borrow bowls from the pavilion and have a go on the green. They will be able to discover more about this popular pastime and see photographs and other items from the original club on display. The pavilion will also be used as an education space and has a 1950s-style kitchen.

If you have any early memories of the pavilion or park in Billingham you would like to share with the museum, please get in touch with Geraldine Straker, Remaking Beamish Community Participation Officer. Email: geraldinestraker@beamish.org.uk.