Wadebridge Bowling Club was founded in 1920, as one of three sections of Wadebridge Sports Club: cricket, tennis and bowls. Now a completely independent club, we celebrated our centenary in 2021 and produced a commemorative book which went to all members.
At the Bowls England Awards in February 2025, we were named "Club of the Year" for 2024, a recognition of the excellent year we had both on and off the green. We were shortlised the following year for "Junior Development Programme of the Year'. You can look up our News pages for details.
We have over 100 playing members, plus social members, with Men’s and Ladies’ sections and a thriving connection with local schools for junior bowls. Two of our young members who came through the junior ranks, George Tinker and Harry Tinker, have represented Cornwall several times in the last few years at the National Championships in Leamington Spa.
The Ladies run two teams in each of the Tamar League and the Rippon League. The Men have three teams playing in Group 2. In 2026, the A Team won its league for the first time in 50 years and followed it up by winning the Croydon Marks knock-out trophy. Not satisfied with that, we won the Group 2 Top Team and went on to triumph in the Cornwall final. The B-Team came second in its league. The revived C team consisted mainly of players in their first or second year of bowling and made a creditable start, coming within a couple of shots of victory on two occasions. The club also plays in the East Cornwall Bowls League which became open in 2026, and our ladies took advantage of being able to play in that for the first time.
We also play numerous friendlies against other clubs, and hold internal club competitions and special club days and matches during the year.
We have a good club house with bar (named 'The Extra End') taking card and contactless payments as well as cash.
Our 'Taster Days' in 2026 saw about forty new members join us, but we’d love to see more new players in 2027, ladies and men, of all ages. Many of our best players started in their teens and have played now for decades. The bowling green is a great leveller, enabling an 80 year old and an 18 year old to play each other on equal terms.
So if you are looking for a sport combining physical skill and tactical challenge, or just to keep you active after your days of running around sports fields are done, bowls is ideal. Just ask our octogenarians how playing has been good for them!