Extract from Merthyr Express 1919

 "PROPOSED NEW BOWLING GREEN AT MERTHYR

 A company under the style of Merthyr West End Bowling Club Limited has recently been formed by a number of local gentlemen interested in bowls, with Mr Thomas Nibble J.P. as Chairman, for the purpose of acquiring the College Field at the rear of The Avenue and which at one time was the rendezvous of Northern Union football enthusiasts, and laying out the same as a first class bowling green, and croquet lawn, etc, including an institute, which will comprise ladies' and gentlemen's' retiring rooms, a common room capable of seating 200 persons, and which can also be used for billiards, refreshments, etc. A covered promenade will run the whole length of the buildings.

 The scheme has been laid out to provide a 6ft footpath running around the bowling green and croquet lawn, and a margin is left around the whole site for the planting of a shrubbery and flower beds. The scheme has been designed and will be carried out under the supervision of Mr T. Edmund Rees architect and surveyor of Express Chambers. The solicitors of the company are Messrs John Vaughan & Son; the secretary is Mr W. Herbert, 43 Union Terrace Merthyr and the bankers are National Provincial and Union Bank of England Limited. The capital is £3000 divided into 600 shares of £5 each.

 The contract for the laying of the green has been let to the famous bowling green contractor, Mr Robert Provan, of Glasgow, who has constructed some of the finest greens in the British Isles. The contract will be for erection of the pavilion, etc, will be let out for tenders to local contractors. The green which is to be laid with sea-washed Cumberland turf will be completed and ready for playing by April next year.

 The directorate which includes many well known bowling enthusiasts is as follows - Mr T. Nibble J.P (Chairman), Dr A. Duncan M.O.H., Mr John Evans J.P., Mr W. Burr, Mr Isaac Edwards, Mr Milton Thomas (Chief Sanitary Inspector), Mr R.A. Pring, Mr D.J. Humphreys, Mr T.L. Phillips, Mr W.H. Williams.

 The subscription list for shares is now open to the public and any person desirous of acquiring shares should do so at once as the list closes next Monday, the 3^rd inst."  

 

Extract from Merthyr Express 19^th June 1920

 "The new West End bowling green situated behind The Avenue, above the tennis grounds, was opened in June 1920 under the most depressing of conditions.

 The name West End was given to it because the popular and energetic President, Mr Tom Nibloe J.P. had been identified with a club of similar name in his native town, Stranraer, Scotland for so many years.

 A large number of Merthyr's leading residents assembled for the occasion, despite the continual downpour of rain, and the proceedings were of an extremely interesting and enthusiastic character.

 Among those present were -

          His Worship the Mayor and Mayoress

          Mr Seymour Berry J.P. and Mrs Berry

          Mr Tom Nibloe J.P. President

          Mr William Griffiths Pencaemawr

          Dr Duncan M.O.H.

          Mr & Mrs Rees, Langdale; Mrs Griffith Llewellyn

          Major & Mrs D. Cope-Harris; Mr & Mrs Arthur Harris

          Mr & Mrs Isaac Edwards, Mr W.R. Southey

          Mr Alfred Evans (Editor of the Merthyr Express)

          Chief Constable and Mrs Wilson, Revd E.T. Davies (Cyfartha)

          Officers of the Club, their wives and daughters

 For a long time past it had been felt by the more keen bowlers in Merthyr that some effort should be made to establish a ground which would be worthy of the ancient game, as it was impossible on other links in the vicinity to play with scientific accuracy.

 A company was formed with a capital of £3000 and thanks to the energy of Mr Milton Thomas, Chairman; Mr T.L. Phillips Vice-President; Mr R.A. Pring, Club Captain; and Mr W Herbert, Secretary; the subscriptions soon came rolling in, so that the Company was able in a comparatively short time to lay down one of the best greens in South Wales.

 Proceedings were opened by a speech from Mr Tom Nibloe, President. He indulged in interesting reminiscences with regard to the famous green in his native town of Stranraer. He as a small boy had noticed that the game had a wonderful effect in stimulating friendship amongst members and the frequency of club members went into the clubhouse to refresh themselves with aqua purae. He noticed that when they came out they would swear eternal friendship to each other and had become particularly affable. He had not observed the same effect on people when they came out of their respective Kirks.

 Mr Nibloe described the lamentable condition of the municipal bowling green and said that a few enthusiasts seceded from the Cyfartha Club, took courage in both hands and formed a limited company with a capital of £3000. He never anticipated the enormous success which attended their efforts. He paid tribute to the Mr Provan of Glasgow, the contractor for the admirable work done.

 Mr Nibloe presented a beautiful silver Jack, suitably inscribed to Mrs Seymour Berry, who stepped onto the green and threw the jack with an accuracy which is not always displayed by ladies, and immediately afterwards two pair of bowls were trundled up by Mr Seymour Berry and Mt Tom Nibloe.

 Mrs Berry in a neat little speech declared the green open.

 Henry Seymour Berry was presented with a set of silver mounted woods and in his speech of thanks, concluded he considered that the enthusiasm of the West End was 

 A  HAPPY  AUGURY  FOR  BOWLS  IN  MERTHYR"