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Sauchyhall Road was in all probability the birthplace of the "Willowbank," which claims to have the oldest record-if we except The Society of Bowlers-of any club in Glasgow. There can be little doubt that the number of willow trees or saughs-a prominent feature of the locality-furnished the title of the club. Dr. Mathieson,' writing in 1849, says that "fifty years

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most places, during wet weather, only a quagmire. at one half-penny the stoupfull, which he collected through the streets of the city. 1821-Population was 147,043 (Henderson's Annals of Glasgow). 1 See also Glasgow Past and Present.

Then it was with difficulty that the foot-passenger could thread his path between the willows, weeds, stunted hedges, and mud, even when impelled by a love of adventure; as for anyone riding there in a wet season, he soon found himself in a slough of despond.'" Senex states "that this portion of the suburbs of Glasgow was originally called Sauchiehaugh."

A few items in the history of the Willowbank Club may be interesting to not a few. The sketch map shows the position of the green in 1821, and W. W. Mitchell says he well remembers "having played on the green, which was situated at the then west end of Bath Street, on or near the spot where Adelaide Place now stands, in 1828"; and that in 1831 the ground was feued, which necessitated the choice of a spot east of Elmbank Street. "It was opened for play in 1833, and continued open and in possession of the club until Martinmas, 1859."

Since that time the club has been in undisturbed possession of the ground off Woodlands Road, in Willowbank Street.

The champions for the years 1833-4-5 were, respectively, Gavin Walker, Thomas Ovington, and Andrew Milne. The earliest preserved list of members and transactions were in a book kept by the then treasurer, John Whitehead, in 1836. He was an ardent bowler, and was skip "of what was then well known and long after celebrated as the Wingate Rink." He also bequeathed £100 to aid the making of a new green for the use of the club. A complete list of the members for 1836, being the earliest record extant, will be found on page 88 of appendix.

The "

Albany" comes next in order, being founded

on the 13th May, 1833. Its first green was in Stirling Road, and continued there till its increasing membership demanded more room; and in 1847 the club removed to Glebe Street, behind the Deaf and Dumb Institution. Still expanding, a larger green, the present one with commodious bowl-house, etc., became the home of the club in 1856.

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The "Wellcroft" (first holders of the Eglinton Cup) was established in January, 1835, and the green was situated on the east side of Surrey Street, Laurieston, up to 1851, when owing to the district becoming too confined, the club opened two splendid greens, bowlhouse, dwelling-house for superintendent, and curling pond, near the head of Eglinton Street, immediately south of the Cavalry Barracks, on 6th August of that year. Here the club flourished till 1876, when the "Iron Horse" demanded a roadway demanded a roadway through their premises. Another move was made to the northwest corner of the Queen's Park, where they have not only continued to enjoy "ye anciente game the seasons come round, but have cultivated good fellowship and beautified their surroundings with nature's floral treasures.

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The superintendent's house (see illustration) is all that is left of the club property of 1851, and may still be seen at Eglinton Railway Station. About forty years ago, at the corner of Cavendish Street and Eglinton Street, "The Bowling-Green Tavern a favourite resort of the officers of the Cavalry Barracks opposite, who held high revel on the bowling-green attached thereto. Mr. M'Clure was the proprietor; a worthy sire of the senior partner in one of the largest printing establishments in the city, and others who have made their mark in city life. Major Scott of the 15th Hussars, a relative of Sir Walter, with other notables from the barracks, enjoyed the "trundling of the timber" on this old-fashioned green. The episode of one of the officers riding on horseback through the Argyle Arcade is well within the recollection of many of the citizens, and indicates the "high old time they must have had.

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and two large greens attached, mark well the progress of the game in the city. The reader is referred to the list of clubs in the appendix for further information on more recent clubs.

Last year, Sir John Muir, Bart., of Deanstoun, exLord Provost of Glasgow, presented a beautiful cup,1

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1 The makers are Messrs. Walker & Hall, Glasgow, who have produced a work of really artistic merit.

Tournament.

to be competed for by Glasgow clubs at their Annual It was won for the first time by the Willowbank. The inscription reads as follows:

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Edinburgh gentlemen played the game with much appreciation and much benefit, as the following extracts will clearly demonstrate, as early as the beginning of the eighteenth century. Excerpt from minute of meeting of the Governors of Heriot's Hospital, held 6th June, 1768 "The same day the committee reported that they

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