Bowls in Whickham

Welcome to Whickham Community Bowls Club

We are a friendly and welcoming club where people of all abilities can enjoy the sport of lawn bowls in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. Whether you are an experienced player or have never picked up a bowl before, you are always welcome.

Our club offers opportunities to play competitively, take part in social games, meet new people, and enjoy some friendly competition. We encourage members to support one another, develop their skills, and most importantly, have fun.

We are open mid April through to September why not come along to Chase Park in Whickham to meet the members, and give bowls a try? We look forward to welcoming you to our club!

Come along on a Saturday at 11:00am for a free taster session.

Benefits of Playing Bowls

Competitions 

The bowling green is open to members at all times for practice and casual bowling. 

We compete in the following leagues and competitions.

Monday Evening Northumberland and Durham Bowls Association 10s League

Tuesday Afternoon Durham County Bowling Federation Vets League

Wednesday Afternoon Northern Ladies Bowls Federation League 

Wednesday Evening Northumberland and Durham Bowls Association Cowan Cup

Thursday Morning Club Competitions, open to all members

Friday Morning Ladies Club Competitions, open to all lady members

Saturday Morning Jumbles, open to all members

History

Whickham Bowling Club has had a presence in Whickham since 1951. In 1964 Whickham Bowling Club moved to its present site in Chase Park, comprised of three clubs, Whickham Bowling Club, Whickham Veterans and Whickham Ladies. In 2019 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (GMBC) decided to reduce the number of bowling greens under their management as a result of costs cutting measures. Following assessment for the councils need for bowling provision it was decided that the bowling green would be no longer managed or supported.

Friends of Chase Park (FoCP) took over the pavilion and the maintenance of the green via an Asset Transfer giving the newly formed Whickham Community Bowls Club (WCBC) (which incorporated the Veterans, Ladies and WBC.) sole use of the green and access to the pavilion. In 2025 FoCP gave the Asset Transfer back to GMBC

Following the announcement our bowling club membership discussed the situation and then took forward a proposal to Gateshead Council for community Asset Transfer of the bowling green and locker room – this would involve taking on a lease for the site with a duration of between 25 – 35 years depending on the conditions externally set. Chase Park Community Group are expected to take over the remaining part of the asset, the pavilion and the public toilets. It is hoped that WCBC can come to terms with CPCG on some shared use of the pavilion in the future.

 In order to acquire the site and take ownership of the facility Whickham Community Bowling Club recognised the need to adapt and change. This required our unincorporated organisation to become a formal charity and to incorporate.  The model adopted is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This was also a requirement set by Gateshead Council along with the submission of a suitable and appropriate business plan. It was agreed that the bowling club apply to become a CIO at the annual general meeting held in August 2025. At this time the constitution of the unincorporated bowling association was replaced by the CIO framework and a team of trustees was appointed. The membership has agreed to undertake management roles within the facility, from keyholding to cleaning through to bowling green maintenance and creating new community activities within the site. On July 24th 2026 Whickham Community Bowls Club successfully became a Charitable Incorporated organisation Charity Number 1218993