New Book Celebrating Peterborough Lawn Bowling to Launch at Trent Valley Archives Open House

By Scott Arnold

A new book documenting 125 years of lawn bowling in Peterborough will be launched during an open house at Trent Valley Archives on Saturday, September 19th.

trent Valley Archives is hosting a public Open House and launch for its newest book, “Bowling on the Green – 125 Years of Lawn Bowling in Peterborough” by archivist Dr. Elwood Jones and member Steve Russell

Trent Valley Archives, located at 567 Carnegie Avenue, is inviting the community to drop in from 11am to 1pm for the open house and launch of Bowling on the Green – 125 Years of Lawn Bowling in Peterborough, written by archivist Dr. Elwood Jones and Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club member Steve Russell.

The book looks back at the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club’s history, which dates to its beginnings at the Stevenson Greens in 1901. Over the years, the club faced challenges involving locations, expertise, lighting and lawn maintenance while moving between several sites in the city.

One of the more unusual moves came in 2011, when the club relocated from downtown to Nicholls Oval. The clubhouse was transported across the Otonabee River at the Inverlea Bridge, allowing the historic building to make the move to its new home.

At Nicholls Oval, the club shared space with the Peterborough Rugby Club for awhile before relocating in 2015 to the McDonnel Street Activity Centre, where lawn bowling continues today.

The book explores not only the club’s history, but also how it reflects the changing lives of Peterborough’s professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs and employees, as well as the support it received from different parts of the community over the years.

During the open house, visitors will also have an opportunity to explore the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club collection at Trent Valley Archives, along with more than 1,200 other collections held by the Archives.

Copies of Bowling on the Green – 125 Years of Lawn Bowling in Peterborough are $45 and will be available for purchase at Trent Valley Archives and the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club.

The open house is free to attend and offers a chance to learn more about both the history of lawn bowling in Peterborough and the archival resources available to the community.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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125 Years of Local Lawn Bowling Set to Be Explored During Peterborough Historical Society’s Speaker Series

By Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Historical Society’s Speaker Series returns September 15th with a look at the 125-year history of lawn bowling in Peterborough.

the peterborough lawn bowling club moved to its mcdonnel street location in 1928, where it is still located today (photo courtesy of trent valley archives)

Elwood Jones will present “125 Years of Lawn Bowling in Peterborough” on Tuesday, September 15th from 7:30 to 9pm at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre at 347 Burnham Street.

Jones will discuss his new book, Bowling on the Green: 125 Years of Lawn Bowling in Peterborough, which he co-authored with longtime Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club member Steve Russell.

The book chronicles the club’s creation in 1901, its various locations over the decades, the stories behind its moves and the people who have helped maintain the sport. It also looks at how Peterborough’s sporting scene has changed over the past 125 years and the impact those changes have had on lawn bowling.

Admission is free, with donations welcome.

The Peterborough Historical Society’s monthly speaker series is held on the third Tuesday of September, October, November, January, February, March and May. Members, guests and the general public are welcome.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Ontario 55+ Summer Games Rolling With Casual and Serious Competitors

As the final day closes on the Ontario 55+ Summer Games, many athletes have a laugh while facing fierce competition on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club.

The opening ceremony began on Wednesday with the games running on Wednesday and Thursday. There are 17 events and over 750 competitors around the province participating.

The events are hosted at several venues including Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, Trent University and Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre.

The Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club (PLBC) held both lawn bowling and shuffleboard with both events having no competition shortage.

“They were very competitive,” said Steve Russell, PLBC volunteer. “They played fairly and we had a tie. (It was) Tied right up until the last game. That tells you how skilled they are.”

Russell said he was happy to see how friendly and laidback the bowlers were despite their competitive nature.

“The social aspect of bowling is very important because a lot of people hibernate in their condos or their homes and don't get out and socialize with people,” he said. “So part of it is with the physical exercise, coming in and having a coffee or beer, a conversation and then meet new friends.”

Deb Slocum and Brian Slocum earned gold in the doubles event while Marilyn Pickett, Brenda Wilson and Regina Ko got the gold in the triples.

There were a total of 21 bowlers competing in the event with 12 in the doubles and nine in the triples.

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