History
Records show that for the first 3 years of its existence the Llanbradach Bowling Club was located in the lower field at the northern end of the village, just over half a mile away from it's present day site. This land was kindly donated to the club by Miss Clara Thomas following a request from the founder members. The Llanbradach mining explosion of 1901, in which 8 miners were killed, marked the beginning of a close link between the club and colliery owners. The rescue parties were led by among others, colliery Manager Mr Samuel Gregory and his son Mr John F Gregory. The pit top was controlled by Sergeant Owen Eastment, all of whom were club members.
The landmark day for Llanbradach Bowling Club came on Monday 13 June 1904 at 1 o'clock p.m. when the new green was opened at its present site. This momentous occasion came on a typical bowling day-wet and windy-very little has changed in the game of bowls since that day
June 12th 1914 will always be remebered as one of the saddest days in the history of Llanbradach as a bowling club and Llanbradach as a village with the announcement of the death of Miss Clara Thomas the benefactor of the ground which is now Llanbradach Bowling Club. This great lady was well known for her gifts to charity, Cardiff Royal Infirmary and many other institutions, she will be sadly missed.
Over the years since its formation as a green for local colliery officials the club has made headlines over and over again. The club is now the third oldest bowls club in Wales, and has enjoyed a record equalling, long and successful history. In 1912 the club had 33 members and a membership fee of five shillings a year. In 1973 there were 80 playing members and the membership fees were £4.40 a year including vat.
Twenty years earlier the Chairman W.H Westhead, J.P. said that the club "had pioneered the game in South Wales. The secret of their success was the fact that the club was rich in loyalty, though often poor in finances. This must have been true because the club is among the top teams in the country. In 1953 when the club had a mere 30 members they bought the green and raised the money by prize draws and donations and in 1963 completely rebuilt the club house at a cost of £6000 to make it one of the finest in the country.
During the rebuilding members were never turned away and it was said of the club that like a windmill they never close. The clubs impressive history shows that they had produced some excellent individual as well as team players. Among the bowling fraternity the club is admired and its achievements over many decades are the envy of many. Record to date......
Welsh Bowling Association Club Champions a record equalling 5 times
All Wales Private Greens Champions 6 times
East Wales Private Greens Champions a record equalling 7 times
11 Outdoor Internationals - 3 of whom have Captained Wales
12 Indoor Internationals including Wales Captains
And over 20 players who have won British Isles, National (Wales) and County Championship titles.
1996 was the last major trophy for the club following the completion of the double in the Welsh Private Greens Championship winning the Evans Bevan Trophy last achieved 14 years earlier. Following a thrilling nine shot win against Dinas Powis the previous week to win the Eastern Private Greens final the club beat Llanelli on their own green in an East v West final to take the overall Championship winning three of the four rinks.
