Malvern Priory Bowling Club

Opened on 1st July 1937 the club’s green was laid on the site of a large, demolished
house in Orchard Road, adjacent to Priory Park and the Winter Gardens. The house
named “Gratenhurst” was originally built for Dr James Gully who was famed for the
Malvern Water Cure Treatment. Its land was subsequently donated by the Misses
Poulton and Greenslade, founders of Malvern Girls College, to Malvern Urban
District Council solely for recreation and specifically for a bowling green. With its
picturesque setting, having the 11th century Priory and the Malvern Hills as its
backdrop, the club remains a popular venue.
The club became an important part of the Malvern social calendar during the WWII
period when it provided an important outlet for leisure within the Priory Park
environment for the large influx of technical and military personnel supporting the
war effort in Malvern.
Throughout the years the club has been a strong ambassador for the game -
maintaining its traditions and achieving a notable standing across the County with a
string of bowling successes. The several years of amalgamation with the Malvern
Police Club was a successful period of Club history. During its Jubilee year in 1987
the Club provided the County pairs champions, represented the Club and County at
the National Championships and was the runner up in the County Champion of
Champions.
In 1996 the Club benefited from a “Sport & Arts” grant, and with additional help from
the Malvern Hills District Council the pavilion was refurbished, adding the current
changing rooms.
Bowls has for a long time had a rather dated and staid reputation, but this is not so at
Malvern Priory Bowling Club. There is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere both in the
clubhouse and on the green, supported by different social events during the year.
Interest in the sport is strong as the health benefits of the game are being realized.
The club supports a national drive to encourage more people to enjoy the exercise
and friendship of a game of bowls, claiming it is home to one of the county’s most
beautifully situated bowling greens.