The club was founded in 1980 following the demise of the High Harrogate
Working Mens Club team. The green had been left unused for a number of years. A
new club was formed from existing bowlers such as Gino Mallatesta, Jack Whysall,
Peter Atkinson and Alan Kirk amongst others.
Alan Kirk encouraged a
contingent of beginners from the then Yorkshire Regional Health Authority to
take up the game and the seeds of a thriving new club were born.
The
beginners included Phil English, Peter Fabretti, Andy Mailer, Don Rider, Dave
Rowson and Mike Kay who in the early 1980's provided the driving force to
establish the Black Swan in the Tadcaster and Leeds Leagues as well as pushing
for improvements to the green and surrounds.
As the club gradually
increased membership and the ability of the new comers increased the team was
steadily moved up through the divisions. Without winning a league - no promotion
and relegation in those days. Individual success came first with Phil English's
success in the Harrogate Individual Merit and Mike Kay's victory in the Starbeck
gala competition signalling the arrival of Black Swan bowlers as a force in
Harrogate bowling.
The forward thinking of the committee headed by
Chairman Bob Ledger and Mike Kay in expanding to other Leagues outside Harrogate
and the general progressive atmosphere at the club attracted other notable
recruits such as the Hemingways(only two then) and the Fryers from other local
clubs. The arrival of Martin Hemingway, Geoff Fryer and the improvement of young
bowlers Roger Allison and Mark Wasley put the Black Swan in a position to
seriously challenge for the First Division title by the end of the 1980's
Harrogate Bowling had been dominated by the Dragon bowling club who had been
league champions every season from 1978 - 1988. The 1989 season was the closest
finish possible Black Swan and Dragon were locked at the top of the table and
met at the Black Swan on the final game of the season. It all came down to the
final game on the green the teams were tied on points. Agonisingly Geoff Prest
won 21.20 for Dragon and and Swan were left gutted in second place. As the
majority of us are Leeds supporters we know this feeling well !
The
ambition was fulfilled the following season 1990 with the First Division title
being claimed for the first time. This was followed by a first victory in the
Herald Cup in 1991 as well as victory in the Tadcaster League Richardson Pairs
Team event.
The title eluded the club in 1991 when the shock departure
of Mike Kay to Knaresborough to join a strong squad took the title straight off
us. Again in 1992 the title returned to the Dragon when a "freak" 9-1
away win at the Swan secured the title for them.
 Top Row Mark Wasley,Granville Spencer, Malcolm Ezard,Don Rider, Geoff Fryer Bottom Row Martin Hemingway, Phil English, Dave Rowson, Andy Mailer |
The Swan reclaimed the title in 1993. The victorious team is
pictured left. Subsequently with another influx of talent in 1994 the Swan
clinched the treble with the first victory in the 12-a-side Challenge Cup. A
double was achieved in 1995 with the League and Challenge Cup. The true strength in depth of the club was proven last season when the team lost four of the previous years team. Three to close rivals. However, the individual results overall were better than in any other season. As the Swan won its fourth league title in a row. |
The victorious squad was Dave Rowson, Martin Hemingway, Andy Mailer, Allan
Whittaker, Dave Smith, Chaz Charleton, Stuart Atkinson, Mally Ezard, Richard
Hughes and Roger Allison.
Swan will be striving for five years in a row this season.
The loss of four players in 1995 from the first team has hit the teams in lower
divisions who had gained promotion but were then forced to lose players to teams
above. All new members are most welcome to bowl
at any level.
Without doubt the Black Swan's most well known member on the Crown
Green Bowls circuit has been Andy Mailer. As well as personally entering
competitions far and wide Andy Mailer acted as secretary to the Harrogate
Amateur Bowling Association from 1986 - 1996 and was instrumental in further
developing the game in Harrogate, and also in bringing about the formation of
the North Yorkshire County Parks.
Andy was Black Swan's most consistent league bowler during our years of
success, and will be missed by all of us and we wish him well in his new home in
Sheffield.
Also it is only right to mention individuals who have put in a lot of
hard work and effort to get the club to the top and make it such a good club to
be a member of. In the early days Mike Kay devoted a lot of effort as secretary,
ably followed and surpassed by Andy Mailer. Latterly Barbara Fryer and Stuart
Atkinson have both kept up the standards set.
In relation to the green and surrounds John Rowson devoted a lot of time
and attention to move the club forward when we were not overrun with volunteers.
In more recent years Malcolm Ezard, Chaz Charleton, Cliff Barker and George
Moorey must be thanked for their efforts.
Also the ladies who have assisted in running the refreshment facilities
notably Heather Du Val, Kay Bailes and Dot Hemingway.
Then there is Barry Du Val who has organised the running of the external
competitions on the day and Martin Hemingway the club treasurer who also
currently oversee's the maintenance of the green. If we have missed anybody
apologies but we thank everbody who has and is contributing to make this the
best (our opinion) Crown Green Bowls Club in the district.