NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE ADULT BOWLERS: Whilst this web site is all about Stirchley Junior's and the future and structure of junior bowls, we are mindful that adults may visit this site and wish to take up bowling. We have therefore included a few brief notes herewith about our own club, The City of Birmingham Indoor Bowls Club, which we hope will be of interest you. If you are from further afield we have included a note below about where else in the county adults could take up bowls. Alternatively, there is a link in this web site direct to the EIBA (English Indoor Bowls Association). To contact us, please telephone, or Email from the index page.

NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE JUNIOR BOWLER'S: We believe that the junior's should be encouraged to have a sense of club loyalty and so we are therefore including a few notes about our club, for you also. There is so much of interest and so much that you can gain from fully supporting your home club, and we hope that in due course you will think about joining us. Membership is just a nominal £5. Anyway the first step is to join Stirchley Junior's -there is not a charge for joining -simply £1 to play for two hours (including coaching). "GIVE BOWLS A TRY". We will help you all the way...AND YOU WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. To contact us, please telephone, or Email from the index page.

We are located in South West Birmingham on the main A441 Pershore Road (which runs between Birmingham and Redditch. We are very close to Cadbury Schweppes and Cadbury World. For those of you who have been to the Warwickshire County Cricket Ground we are just a little further out of City on the Pershore Road (A441). A map can be found here Should you get lost look out for the brown tourist road signs 'Cadbury World' as this attraction is widely signposted from most motorway junctions and at various points in the City. Incidentally, many clubs who play here often arrive early and have a very enjoyable morning visiting Cadbury World before the match. It is well worth a thought.

To find us from the south, leave the M42 at junction 2 and you come immediately onto the A441. Turn right towards Birmingham and continue onto the Pershore Road (still A441) and we are situated in Stirchley on a small one way system. You will need to turn right at the small island at the Co-op Superstore, and taking the 'out of City' direction, and we are 100 yards up on the left hand side.

To find us from the north come off the M6 at Spaghetti (Junction 6) come into Birmingham on the M38 (with Villa Park clearly visible on the right hand side) continue from M38 along the A38 using the Ringway (tunnels) and then take A441 past the County Cricket Ground in the 'out of City' direction. We are on the left on a small one way system...just past the Co-op Superstore

Formed in 1947 the CBIBC have played at 3 previous venue's but are now based at Birmingham Council's Leisure Services Indoor Bowls and Community Centre, 1386, Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2XS, Tel: 0121 464 0784. We moved here in September, 1985 and we have a 6 rink green 34.2 metres x 4.2 metres with an excellent Greenweave carpet which is on a Dales wooden floor. At the end of the green, we have a small seated viewing area (with tables) at which you can take 'your pleasure'. This area is adjacent to our comfortable licensed lounge. There are also additional function suites available to hire for weddings/celebrations etc, or use by business as a training/conference facility. These are managed by Leisure Services, and they are available to the Club, as and when the occasion arises.

From time to time, articles appear in the press and leaflets drop through the letter box regarding the re-development of Stirchley. It seems that our existing building is involved in this plan. Our Committee are currently negotiating for a brand new 'purpose built' 6 rink centre with Birmingham Leisure Services and Partners -and our Committee, along with all of the members, are keeping everything crossed that this will go through OK -and fairly quickly too if possible. There is no available (official) target date, or even a full and final approval, but generally it seems we are looking for an early date but certainly not later than September, 2006. We are hoping that if we get the new centre, it will prove to be a catalyst /springboard to help us reverse the continuing steady decline in membership over recent years...a decline which sadly, seems to be the case at many other clubs also, other than real bowls stronghold's.

Unfortunately the club has no great historic wins or International's etc. but notable successes have been achieved by individual entries of Singles Pairs Triples and Fours. For example, in 2004, the men were runners up in the All England over 60's fours at Melton Mowbray and we had quarter finalist's in the All England Pairs over 60's in 2001. We have also had representation at other All England finals in the Men's Triples, Ladies Pairs and Mixed Pairs.

This year (2005) we came so close again... runners-up again...this time with our Chair and League Secretary Diane and Barbara, in the Ladies 'All England' Pairs... held at Nottingham. They came so,so close, with the game in doubt right until the last end. Other achievements are not readily to hand at the moment and have still to be authenticated, but there have been several notable efforts...but never 'the title'. Further news on achievements (after verification) later.

We are of course situated in a very strong bowls area, but it is in fact a predominantly Crown Green Bowls area, and this undoubtedly has had a bearing on the failure by 'us 'Flat Greener's, to produce 'actual winners' at national level. Certainly, there are plenty of 'top drawer' bowler's in this area...but Crown Green has the'fierce' loyalties of rather too many top bowler's for our Club to fully achieve as much as we perhaps otherwise would.

We also have facilities to accommodate wheelchair bowler's for members and visitors. Bowler's of all ages and abilities are warmly welcomed at CBIBC.

At this point (while mentioning we welcome wheelchair bowling) may we be allowed to be a little bit cheeky ...as this leads us to a rather tenuous claim to fame. This is that is we have one famous wheelchair bowler at our club, Vera Moore, who has twice won a Gold Medal for the World Singles title at the World Paraplegic games in Kuala Lumpur (held every four years). She successfully defended her title this year and she has also won a Silver this time, winning well in the Pairs. Congratulations from us all.

Bowls continues to provide Gold Medal winners...but surprise, surprise Vera (for Vera read 'The Game of Bowls) was refused funding from the Lottery and therefore she had to look for private sponsorship. Incidentally, Vera's grandson Luke, is an exceptionally keen and leading member of our junior section. He is doing really well for a lad 10 years of age, and long may they both continue to prosper.

We have one other claim to fame. In spite of an article in International Bowls in 1993, where a club was claiming otherwise, CBIBC was the first club to tour Holland in 1990. We had the most memorable time, Amsterdam by floodlight, nights around the piano with a sing a long, good games...some on film...culminating with our hosts virtually, 'locking us in' and refusing to let us go. We played the Dutch National Anthem on the piano click for photogallery which was much appreciated and this was a memorable moment for all at the end of tour 'gala celebration'. Then more... right at the end and...but that is a whole other story. We have some photographs promised but there is only one at the moment...and that was given to the editor at the time. We will change the 'photo's from time to time...but it gives the flavour and it will do for now.

Currently the Club membership is considered to be very reasonable at £21 pa with concessions for Seniors/Leisure Card and Junior's. The Committee have decided that junior membership should be increased to £7.50p. Social membership is also available. In addition to club activities there are public sessions available everyday of the week for those who just wish to play without becoming a club member. Generally these sessions are well supported.

Each sessions lasts for a standard 2 hours and there are 6 of these sessions throughout the day, commencing at 1015 hours to 2215 hrs. Matches and Nationals are played for 4 hours (using 2 standard two hour sessions) and these games are charged slightly differently to the normal sessions.

Charges for sessions vary according to whether you are a member, non-member or, OAP/'Passport to Leisure' Card Holder or junior etc. and whether it is a Club match, National or standard session. As a guide, prices for a two hour session range from £1 up to £2.90. Available for hire are bowls 70p and shoes 50p (and alternatively we have plastic shoe covers available free of charge). Also, small sized 'training' woods are available for the very young player. Casual play for the public is available on most days and can be pre-booked. Details of charges and to reserve (or check availability) of rinks, please contact reception Tel: 0121 464 0784. The Council web site with all charges and opening times, may be found here.

When playing club fixtures, we usually provide a bar and also tea and biscuits for our visitors, but we can also provide a meal if requested. Regarding casual food, regrettably we are not in a position to provide this, but we do know (from recommendations) that you can get a reasonable meal, snack or sandwiches from the Co-op Superstore across the road.