From humble origins......
In 1922 Henry Faulkner, who resided at Staplake House in Starcross, founded the Starcross B.C. by creating two rinks on his front lawn so that he and other like-minded people could enjoy a game of bowls. Henry Faulkner died in 1933 and left enough money in trust so that the founder members were able to purchase a piece of land at the end of Bonhay Road in Starcross in 1936. That was large enough to create 4 rinks and establish the current site of Starcross & District Bowling Club. At that time only 3 rinks met official standards and the Club's affiliation to the Mid Devon League meant that they were only able to play official matches on 3 rinks. In 1937, one year after the move to the present site, the membership was 37 men and 26 ladies.
In 1945 the Club became affiliated to the Devon County Bowling Association but even in 1950 was still restricted to 3 rinks. The Club owes a large debt of gratitude to the generosity of a lady member, Ms B A Parker of Langdale, Starcross, who in 1954 purchased and donated an additional piece of land on the northern side of the existing green, thus increasing the size of the green to 6 rinks. A year later the pavilion (an old chicken shed) was re-sited and electricity was installed. In 1962 Ms Parker bought the Club an additional piece of land located on the southern side of the green which had been used as an allotment for many years. This was finally filled and levelled in 1993 so that the green could be enlarged to comply with EBA Laws of the Game regarding minimum size of greens.
A new pavilion was installed to replace the old chicken shed and was formally opened on 16th April 1958. However, the records show that by 1987 the pavilion was in a sorry state of repair with weeds and ivy growing through the floor and the walls covered with plastic sheeting to minimise the deterioration of the woodwork. In 1991, Teignmouth District Council approached the Club regarding improving the hygiene facilities, which was finally resolved in 1994 when planning permission was granted to build a new pavilion. The current pavilion was completed in 1998, financed by a National Lottery grant as well as by the generosity of several local organisations and Club members. Further improvements have included the installation of an automatic green watering system in 2011, a patio area in 2017 and Clubhouse internal upgrades in 2019.
A significant highlight in the club's history is the achievement of four lady members, Carol Walters, Jill Gush, Betty Mackerness and Sheila Turner, who won the National EBA Women's Fours Championship in 1990 and went on to win the British Isles Championship in Ireland.
Information from research by Peter Laing.