Page 994 - Reading Mercury

Tennis Club and was also associated with the Wokingham and District Arts Group a
member of which painted his portrait in Mayoral robes which hangs in the Town Hall.
He was also for some years a member of the Special Constabulary.
He was cremated at Reading on Thursday and is survived by his wife, son and
daughter.

th
Sat 4 March 1967
THE DEATH KNELL SOUNDS FOR THE HOWARD PALMER BOWLING
CLUB
Despite taking over the entire assets and membership of the Bear Wood Bowling
Club in 1964, it was agreed last week that the Howard Palmer Bowling Club,
Wokingham, formed over 30 years ago, would finally close. Apathy and loss of
membership has killed off a club which, with the amalgamation, seemed to have been
given a new lease of life. In 1963, the Howard Palmer Bowling Club found itself in
the position of having a good green and two useful pavilions, but without a strong
following of members.
The Bear Wood Bowling Club, by contrast had a good membership but were given
notice to leave because of the development potential of their green. Before the 1964
playing season opened, both clubs amalgamated and enjoyed two successful seasons.
Then member ship again declined; in 1966 there was a sparse fixture list and in recent
weeks it became clear that there was no prospect of fulfilling a programme of matches
for the coming season.
At the club’s annual meeting—attended by only six members—it was decided that
the secretary, Mr. W.E. Burden, should tell the owner, Mr. R.H.R. Palmer, that the
club was not in a position to continue, and would not be able to make further use of
the green which opened, in 1933, as a memorial to his father, the late Mr. W. Howard
Palmer.
Mr. E. Ketteringham, the chairman said, “It seems to me we cannot carry on. We
have had to cancel most of our fixtures throughout the year.”
Three years ago the club had over 40 members—now it has only eleven.
The present club green was, at one time, comparatively isolated, behind the former
Waterloo Restaurant. Now this has been demolished in connection with the proposed
ring-road scheme, and the bowling green site would have an access to the new road. It
is, however, designated on the Wokingham Town Map as a playing field.
Before the opening of this green, members bowled on three rinks behind the former
Wokingham Club, out of which grew the Howard Palmer Bowling Club.
The parent club itself fell a victim to apathy in 1960. After being closed it remained
empty while protracted planning negotiations took place. It was eventually sold in
1963 and the premises are still being redeveloped.
The news that the bowling club was to close came as a surprise this week to Mr.
C.T. May, the former president. When, owing to the financial difficulties of the parent
club, the bowling club section became autonomous in March 1960, he gave them a
financial start.
(Ald S.L. Bowyer was responsible for reviving, during his mayorality, the pre-war
tradition of a bowls match between the club and a team led by the Mayor.)

IN HONOUR OF FOUNDERS
Guides and Brownies from Wokingham and district packed All Saints’ Church,
Wokingham, on Sunday for their annual Thinking Day Service. The service is held
throughout the country to commemorate the birthdays of the founder of the Girl Guide

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