TRANENT Bowling Club is marking its milestone 100th anniversary.
Based at the heart of Polson Park on Edinburgh Road since it was formed in 1926, the club has been a fixture of community life in the town for a full century, welcoming bowlers of all ages and abilities through its doors.
The official founding date is not known, so the club has stretched the celebrations throughout the year, bringing together current members, former players and friends from neighbouring clubs.
A centenary triples competition was held in May, with another event to take place on Saturday, when an anniversary gift will be presented from Bowls Scotland.
The club's long history is littered with national success, including Graham Robertson becoming Scottish Singles champion in 1987.
John McCrorie followed in that winning tradition when he claimed the Scottish Singles title in 2000, defeating William Francis of Fauldhouse in the final.
Triumph has not been limited to the men's game: Dee Hoggan, who grew up watching family members play at Tranent BC and joined aged just seven, won the Scottish Ladies Singles title in 2017.
More recently, the club's ladies' team claimed the Scottish National Ladies Triples crown last year.
Hoggan and McCrorie, who are niece and uncle, have also combined to great effect on the green together, winning the Scottish National Mixed Pairs title.
Family success also spans across multiple generations: Graham’s dad was a club champion and his son John has followed in their footsteps, scooping the same accolade last year.
It is likely to continue, with 18 grandchildren who could show promise on the green.
Graham, who has been a member of the club for 55 years, said: “It’s very much a family sport and that’s reflected within our membership currently.
“It’s a cradle-to-grave sport as well. You can start when you’re at the tail end of primary school and our oldest member in the club just now is in their 80s.
“It’s quite remarkable.”
To mark the centenary, the club also has a new flag, showing Tranent's logo.
Membership over the years has fluctuated between about 40 and 70, with currently about 60 across the men’s, women’s and junior categories.
It is organised into three sections: club level, where players compete internally against each other; county level, with league games against East Lothian teams, and Tranent has three teams of 12 for this in divisions one, two and four; and county and national competitions.
The green was originally built by the mining community and John Polson donated it to the members, still in the exact same location today.
It continues to succeed due to a combination of its competitive structure offering something for everyone, a dedicated committee, the social element – at practice and matches, as well as club days held on a few occasions each year when members enjoy barbecues and karaoke – and a strong performance in the sport.
Graham added: “The club is quite well known from a national level because not only do we have Scottish champions, we have British champions, Commonwealth medallists and world champions over its history.”
The history and membership is documented on honours boards, often showing the same names and families coming through several times over.
At the beginning of the season, the committee adjusted the changing area and put up a new hall of fame, documenting their journey and success.
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