New Members Information
Brief history
The club was formed in 1937. It was located in Passfield Avenue where the Holiday Inn now stands and had two grass greens. The club moved to its present site in 1980.
Facilities
The club complex has two greens – one grass and one artificial. Fleming Park plays most of its games on the grass green. The pavilion includes a large function room with kitchen, bar, changing rooms and toilets including facilities for those with disabilities. Whilst priority use of the function room is given to bowls activities, it is extensively let throughout the year for parties, receptions, conferences etc. Members may hire the room at preferential rates. They are welcome to use the lounge bar when the function room is let privately.
Membership categories
Full member
Associate member – full membership rights but choosing to play in roll ups, friendly matches and the Bounds and Freemantle trophies only
Social non-playing member
Junior Member – under 18
The season
The season runs from early April to late September. It traditionally begins with an optional lunch followed by a light-hearted game and finishes with a full day club internal tournament including refreshments.
The grass green is open from 1300 hours to dusk on Monday to Friday and from 1000 hours to dusk at weekends. Membership entitles bowlers to unlimited use of the green without further charge. However, a reasonable charge is made to cover refreshments for league and friendly matches. Use of the artificial green in the winter is not included in the membership fee but a winter season ticket can be purchased from the greenkeeper.
The game
Bowls is a game for persons of all ages and abilities. Fleming Park is a competitive club but there is a place for those who just want to play in friendly matches or roll up by themselves or with friends. In 2020 we intend to run a club night on Friday evenings to encourage more social bowls.
An outline of types of game follows:
Singles
4 woods each
First to 21 shots
Two wood singles
2 woods each
21 ends
Pairs
4 woods each
21 ends
Triples
3 a side, 3 woods each
18 ends
Fours (rinks)
4 a side, 2 woods each
21 ends
Men’s league Thursdays
4 rinks, 4 players per rink, 2 woods each
21 ends
Men's league Tuesdays
3 rinks, 4 players per rink, 2 woods each
21 ends
Ladies league
2 rinks, 4 players per rink, 2 woods each
21 ends
Bowls is played to a set of rules that fellow members will be pleased to explain to you. It is a game where good behaviour and sportsmanship dominate. Fleming Park is committed to uphold this tradition and if you follow the guidelines below you are unlikely to go wrong.
Etiquette
- Respect your opponent on and off the green
- Do not ‘talk’ to your opponent's woods (i.e. wish them bad luck)
- Do not distract your opponent
- Do not walk behind the head when someone is about to bowl
Green care
- Do not drop your woods onto the green
- Seek help if your delivery damages the green
- Vary the mat position during friendly matches and roll ups
General courtesy
- Return all equipment to the storage areas
- Play your club competitions by play off dates
- Accept wins and losses with equal humility
- Enjoy your game and support your club
Club matches
Men play league matches on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. These matches are on a home and away basis in the Southampton area. Light refreshments are usually available after the match. Our ladies used to play league games on Thursday afternoons but this is difficult for ladies who work and we had to withdraw from the league. There is a possibility that ladies will be able to play in selected men’s leagues from 2020.
Friendly matches are played against touring sides and an after match meal is provided at reasonable cost.
Club competitions
Separate men’s and ladies knockout competitions are played throughout the season culminating with finals day in late September. Some men’s competitions are handicapped to help the less experienced bowlers. There are also `handicapped mixed singles and pairs competitions.
Perpetual and individual trophies are presented to winners and runners up. For senior competitions winners’ names are recorded on honours boards.
Dress code
Like other sports bowls has a dress code. Bowling shoes must be worn on the green to protect the surface. However, during initial stages of membership, we allow flat-soled shoes, trainers or plimsolls and smart casual dress to mitigate the cost of starting a new sport. Our full dress code can be found at the end of this document.
Parkside Bowling Club
Fleming Park Bowling Club sub let the artificial green to Parkside Bowling Club. Parkside has full use of the club facilities. It runs its own league teams and competitions.
Administration of the club
Most bowls clubs are run by a handful of members. Fleming Park is no exception. The management committee handles day today matters. Whilst some decisions may not be to our individual liking, they will be taken for the greater good of the majority of members.
Hopefully you will not have reason to be unhappy but if you are upset please speak to either the ladies or men’s captain in the first instance.
Enjoy your bowling.
Dress Code
Ladies
All external competitions
White club top, white skirt, trousers or cropped trousers
Club competitions – until finals
White above the waist, grey skirt, trousers or cropped trousers
Club competitions – finals
White club top, white skirt, trousers or cropped trousers
Mid-week friendly matches
White above the waist, grey skirt or trousers
Other friendly matches
As advised per game
Roll up, Bounds and Freemantle trophies
Traditional bowls wear or casual dress
Men
League and national team competitions
Club shirt, white trousers
Club competitions – until finals
Club or white shirt, grey trousers or tailored shorts
Club competitions - finals
Club shirt, white trousers or tailored white shorts
District and County competitions-until latter stages
Club or white shirt, grey trousers; teams must wear same dress above the waist
District and County competitions-latter stages
Club shirt, white trousers
Mid-week friendly matches
White above the waist, grey trousers or tailored shorts
Other friendly matches
As advised per game
Roll up, Bounds and Freemantle Trophies
Traditional bowls wear or casual dress
Shorts: Tailored shorts can be worn where permitted by an Association’s rules.
Footwear: Bowling shoes must be worn on the greens to protect the surfaces.
New bowlers: In early stages of membership, flat-soled shoes or trainers and casual dress is allowed to mitigate the cost of starting a new sport.
Markers: Appreciated if markers could adopt above code and must do so for club finals.
Opponents Green: Fleming Park members must respect the dress code of the club concerned.