History

Bournville Works
Cadbury moved to Bournville in Worcestershire in 1879 and they actively encouraged sports.
Historically, the Bournville Athletic Club (BAC), as it was then known was founded on 13 May 1896. As originally formed, the club had two sections – Cricket and Football.
It was resolved on 18 May 1896 “that a set of bowls be procured by the Games Committee and that one night a week be set aside for their use”. On 1 June, the Secretary was empowered to purchase two more sets. The Crown Green Bowls Section was formed in 1896 and joined the Warwickshire & Worcester Association.
By mid-June 1896, it was resolved that “Monday and Thursday dinner hours should be set aside for the use of bowls, on condition that there are at least eight members willing to take part”.
The present recreation ground adjacent to the factory was opened in 1897. Before that, and for some time after, sports were played at close locations at Froggatts Farm (now the site of the Old Farm Hotel), on a field near “the Three Horse Shoes” public house in Stirchley (known as “the Celery Trenches”), Station Fields (now a housing estate) etc
Two greens were laid in the recreation grounds (one crown green, still in use) and one level green. Level green bowls at Bournville dates back to
1898.
The growth of the BAC between 1896 and 1914 made interesting demands on available playing space for all sections, which by now included swimming, gymnastics, angling and tennis. This shortage of space was overcome by Cadbury’s, in conjunction with Bournville Village Trust,
purchasing Rowheath Estate in October 1913.
Historically, the Bournville Athletic Club (BAC), as it was then known was founded on 13 May 1896. As originally formed, the club had two sections – Cricket and Football.
It was resolved on 18 May 1896 “that a set of bowls be procured by the Games Committee and that one night a week be set aside for their use”. On 1 June, the Secretary was empowered to purchase two more sets. The Crown Green Bowls Section was formed in 1896 and joined the Warwickshire & Worcester Association.
By mid-June 1896, it was resolved that “Monday and Thursday dinner hours should be set aside for the use of bowls, on condition that there are at least eight members willing to take part”.
The present recreation ground adjacent to the factory was opened in 1897. Before that, and for some time after, sports were played at close locations at Froggatts Farm (now the site of the Old Farm Hotel), on a field near “the Three Horse Shoes” public house in Stirchley (known as “the Celery Trenches”), Station Fields (now a housing estate) etc
Two greens were laid in the recreation grounds (one crown green, still in use) and one level green. Level green bowls at Bournville dates back to
1898.
The growth of the BAC between 1896 and 1914 made interesting demands on available playing space for all sections, which by now included swimming, gymnastics, angling and tennis. This shortage of space was overcome by Cadbury’s, in conjunction with Bournville Village Trust,
purchasing Rowheath Estate in October 1913.
Official Opening

Mr & Mrs Barrow Cadbury
The completed grounds and pavilion were officially opened on 11 June 1924 by Mr & Mrs Barrow Cadbury. In his opening statement, Mr Cadbury said that it had now become possible for games to be played simultaneously in summer on 16 cricket pitches, 41 tennis courts, 4 bowling greens and 2 croquet lawns. Similarly, in winter on 19 football pitches, 7 hockey pitches and 4 netball grounds.
The Rowheath pavilion was able to accommodate 200 for meals, contained 34 dressing rooms, 14 shower baths and 20 wash basins.
The Rowheath pavilion was able to accommodate 200 for meals, contained 34 dressing rooms, 14 shower baths and 20 wash basins.
Picturesque Grounds

By 1923, there were inter-departmental bowls leagues involving 24 departments at Cadbury’s, and to this day they are still played on weekday evenings throughout the summer.
In 1930 the level green bowlers joined the BAC, having previously been members of works and departments organisations.
The bowls club moved to its present site in 1986 when two greens were laid in the picturesque ‘girls grounds’, an area originally set aside for the sole use of female employees of Cadbury’s.
The facilities at Rowheath were taken over by a newly formed Rowheath Bowls Club.
Currently all maintenance of the greens, their surrounds and the pavilion are carried out and paid for by the members of the Bournville Bowls Club, including purchase of materials and machinery.
A New Chapter
Following the purchase of Cadbury by Kraft Foods in 2010 and subsequently Mondelez International in 2012 the Club moved from Bournville to the Tally Ho Centre on the Pershore Road to start a new chapter in its history.
In 1930 the level green bowlers joined the BAC, having previously been members of works and departments organisations.
The bowls club moved to its present site in 1986 when two greens were laid in the picturesque ‘girls grounds’, an area originally set aside for the sole use of female employees of Cadbury’s.
The facilities at Rowheath were taken over by a newly formed Rowheath Bowls Club.
Currently all maintenance of the greens, their surrounds and the pavilion are carried out and paid for by the members of the Bournville Bowls Club, including purchase of materials and machinery.
A New Chapter
Following the purchase of Cadbury by Kraft Foods in 2010 and subsequently Mondelez International in 2012 the Club moved from Bournville to the Tally Ho Centre on the Pershore Road to start a new chapter in its history.