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Tenpin bowling

Vivienne14

Vivienne14

Kentish Brummie Moderator
Staff member
I recently revisited an old pastime by going ten pin bowling. And what fun it was. After the passage of 40 years, I’d forgotten how absorbing it can be to bowl with a group keen bowlers. I quickly discovered that old competitive streak is still there !

But one thing we ended up discussing was the poor range of bowling balls to suit all our different needs. They were either too heavy or the finger holes weren’t right. So how did bowlers in the 1960s deal with this ? Well they could try Maurice Deploy’s shop on Gravelly Lane, a specialist (and rare) shop for the bowlers every need. This snippet is from 1966. Viv.

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Well well Viv, I also (miss)spent my youth and my savings at the Pavilion Bowl. I too recall the problem with bowling balls, size etc. I used to hide my favourite ball.


I too recall the bowling ball shop, just by Brewers scrap yard. The Brewers also played ten pin too, I did think the shop was actually theirs.


It certainly is a great game
 
Vivienne14 said:
I recently revisited an old pastime by going ten pin bowling. And what fun it was. After the passage of 40 years, I’d forgotten how absorbing it can be to bowl with a group keen bowlers. I quickly discovered that old competitive streak is still there !

But one thing we ended up discussing was the poor range of bowling balls to suit all our different needs. They were either too heavy or the finger holes weren’t right. So how did bowlers in the 1960s deal with this ? Well they could try Maurice Deploy’s shop on Gravelly Lane, a specialist (and rare) shop for the bowlers every need. This snippet is from 1966. Viv.

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At about the age of 12 or 13 a group of us from school used to go bowling every Saturday morning at the Fairlanes (?) Bowl next to the Villa ground . We entered the league there and played for about two seasons until we each got Saturday jobs.
The last time I played was alongside my own children who were amazed at my technique! As I told them, "You never lose it!" LOL
 
I went with my daughter once a week to an Alley next door to Villa park she would have been in her early teens, sometime in the 60's until she developed other interests, she seemed to be able to find a ball to suit her smaller hand
 
The Pavilion opening event in March 1961. It had 26 lanes. I remember it being very popular. I liked the two-tone shoes you’d hire. Seem to remember one colour option was maroon and cream. Viv.

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An early view (Feb 1961) of modern “skittles”. It’s described as Americanisation of skittles, with automation being the means of resetting the skittles. I remember automation was a common word used in the 1960s, and usually implied in my mind modern and up to date processes. Viv.
 

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Not living in Birmingham at the time...I got obsessed with 10 pin bowling around 1962. Was a member of the BTBA and played in several leagues. Our team would travel around the country challenging teams, nothing serious though. We did go to Brum, I recall the Stirchley Bowl, maybe because I was in top form there. I still have achievement badges from Stirchley Bowl. I also recall a bowling alley at the bottom of Hurst st, it was upstairs...
Dave A
 
"Mid night" league at Villa Park on a Saturday night C1964. Also Stirchley, Acock's Green & Hurst St. throughout the 1960's & 70's. Content myself with short mat bowling these days. Much more gentile, but still competitive!
 
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10 pin bowling clubs were popping up everywhere in 1960's There was one planned for Hobs Moat Solihull that never happened, the bubble had burst. It opened instead as a theatre club,The Cresta Club.
 
Yes Jim. In March 1963 everything was looking optimistic with confidence that the game’s popularity would continue for many years. But by September 1969 doubts had started to creep in as the market slowed and with Rank in particular pulling out of the sport.

Doubtless the return on investment in bowling alleys wasn’t as lucrative as they’d hoped. They must have required significant initial investment in buildings, fitting out, machinery and maintenance. Viv.

March 1963
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September 1969
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Norman Wisdom giving it a whirl in Coventry in January 1963 while he was appearing in panto in Birmingham. It doesn't take much to imagine the antics he would have got up to. Viv.

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I still go 10 pin bowling once a month with a large group of friends at Acocks Green. Great fun.
Until I started going again a few months ago I hadn't been for about 20 years. I used to be quite good, but on my return I was disappointed in my form only finishing about halfway in a group of 20 of us. Gradually my form is improving and I managed to share the monthly cup we give the best player last month. I must say I don't feel as supple as I used to and I certainly know about it the next day.
Go on give it a go again, I bet you will enjoy it.
 
jmadone said:
At about the age of 12 or 13 a group of us from school used to go bowling every Saturday morning at the Fairlanes (?) Bowl next to the Villa ground . We entered the league there and played for about two seasons until we each got Saturday jobs.
The last time I played was alongside my own children who were amazed at my technique! As I told them, "You never lose it!" LOL
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Does anyone have photos of the Fairlane Tenpin Bowling centre next to the Villa ground. Trying to find any. Played my first game of bowling there and was hooked. Have now been playing for over 50 years and still love the game. Much appreciated Ken
 
My sister used to work for Fred Brewer in Gravelly Lane , and his son Brian was a ten pin bowler, his team was called Autospares.
 
I used to really enjoy tenpin, played every Friday after work at the Stirchley Bowl. Later at the one down the Hagley Road, forget what it was called, but it seemed to be where the real whiz-kids played. I did get quite good at one time, but haven't played for 40 years, since we lived in the USA. I remember I used a 14lb ball. Are there any tenpin alleys still in Brum?

G
 
adap2it said:
Not living in Birmingham at the time...I got obsessed with 10 pin bowling around 1962. Was a member of the BTBA and played in several leagues. Our team would travel around the country challenging teams, nothing serious though. We did go to Brum, I recall the Stirchley Bowl, maybe because I was in top form there. I still have achievement badges from Stirchley Bowl. I also recall a bowling alley at the bottom of Hurst st, it was upstairs...
Dave A
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Do I recall this correctly Stirchley Bowl was also a moving picture house ?
I recall my folks in a bowling league there and even going myself with friends to play, renting those cream and cherry red shoes.
 
Thanks, Elmdonboy. I'm surprised, to be honest, but good to know that tenpin is still alive. I'd love another go, but I don't think my old knees are up to it any more.

G
 
Big Gee said:
I used to really enjoy tenpin, played every Friday after work at the Stirchley Bowl. Later at the one down the Hagley Road, forget what it was called, but it seemed to be where the real whiz-kids played. I did get quite good at one time, but haven't played for 40 years, since we lived in the USA. I remember I used a 14lb ball. Are there any tenpin alleys still in Brum?

G
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hi G i am sure there must be one or two allys dotted around brum...i tried it a couple of times years ago but the problem i had was remembering to swing and let go of the ball :D :D
 
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Great bowling action in Photo 1, Lyn, but what happened in Photo 2? It hurts, doesn't it....? How do I know? Need you ask......

Slightly off-thread, I tried indoor short-mat bowling a few years ago, partly because my employer actually made the mats and as their sales-manager it was felt I should have hands-on knowledge. Obviously a much less dramatic and physical game than tenpin, but pleasant and also not at all easy.

G
 
Big Gee said:
Great bowling action in Photo 1, Lyn, but what happened in Photo 2? It hurts, doesn't it....? How do I know? Need you ask......

Slightly off-thread, I tried indoor short-mat bowling a few years ago, partly because my employer actually made the mats and as their sales-manager it was felt I should have hands-on knowledge. Obviously a much less dramatic and physical game than tenpin, but pleasant and also not at all easy.

G
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Any chance of a discount!
 
It's strange how the memory works, I just remembered how intreaged I was with the machine that cleaned the bowling balls it had a clear top and you watch it work and it was free !!!
 
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