Subscriptions were set at 10/6d (52½p,
and a price that remained static for twenty five years until 1920.)
Until the formation of the
Association, rules of play in England had varied from club to club.
By 1899 with the mutual agreement of
clubs this had been put to right, culminating in the publication of a
Handbook laying down a common code of law for the game of bowls.
An inter-Association game against the
Midland Counties was organised in 1897, the very first representative
bowls match of its type played in England. (With the exception of War
years this match has been played annually ever since as the
"Spring Cup").
In the same year a "Challenge
Shield" competition was born, organised as a means for member
clubs to compete against each other on a knockout basis. Initially
catering for three it was later altered to four rinks and is still
competed for annually.
