Chalkwell Park was purchased by the Corporation of Southend-on-Sea in 1901, and it contained a bowling green, presumably of ordinary lawn turf, which was on the site of the present Garden of Remembrance.

By 1906 a group of enthusiasts had formed themselves into a club and in May of that year the Essex County Bowling Club was established with an original membership of 78. The Club was formally inaugurated by the Mayor of Southend who opened the green and the Mayoress rolled the first jack.

Full use of the green was made in 1906 and it became obvious that, with an increase in membership, improved and larger accommodation for members and visitors would be necessary. For this purpose the Essex County Bowling Club Limited was formed with many members of the Club as shareholders and the present ground in Imperial Avenue was purchased.

The ground has a frontage of 292 feet with a depth of 310 feet. In 1907 one green measuring 120 feet square was laid with Cumberland turf at a cost of £250, and the original pavilion was built at a cost of £350. Subsequent generations owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneers of the Club for their foresight, generosity, and public spirit in preserving for posterity a large open space which otherwise would have fallen into the builders’ hands.

On 6th July 1907, in perfect weather and in the presence of 300 members, visitors and friends, the Mayor of Southend declared the green open and the first jack and woods were bowled. The increasing membership made it necessary to have another green laid and the north green was completed and opened for the 1908 season.

The original Company was later liquidated and the property was acquired by a great friend of the Club – Mr. A.W. Robertson – and leased by him to the Club. Following his death in 1919, a new limited company was incorporated and the ground and premises re-purchased from his Executors by that company for £3,250.

The north and south greens were both re-laid in 1922 at a cost of £1,450, financed by an issue of debentures of £5 each taken up by members. Later, it was considered advisable to effect a fusion of the Club and the Limited Company and the arrangement was carried out in February 1926, when the officers and committee of the Club became Directors of the Company.

In November 1924 the pavilion was damaged by fire, and with 200 playing members a larger structure was deemed necessary, so the present pavilion was built on part of the ground then being used for tennis and croquet, and opened by the Mayor on President’s day in June 1925.

The cost of £2,500 was covered by the issue of 500 non-interest bearing notes of £5 each repayable over five years – but in fact redeemed earlier.

This building provided not only accommodation for the members but also for E.C.B.A. and L.& S.C.B.A. who availed themselves of its facilities for their various contests, whilst it was used during the winter months for whist drives and dances arranged by the Club and other organisations in the Borough.

In July 1931, the international matches of the English Bowling Association were played on the greens, teams from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England engaging in keen rivalry for three days – Wales being the winners. Touring clubs from New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Canada and other parts of the Commonwealth have also been entertained here.

The original Social Club built on the west side of the ground in 1907 had been damaged by fire in 1924 and when it was decided to erect a new Social Club on the same site, the members readily responded to the appeal for loans, with the result that the new Clubhouse costing £3,400 was opened by the President of the Club in May 1931.

Like every other club in the U.K., austerities inflicted by two world wars had to be endured, with reduced membership and severe restriction of inter-club matches and social activities. On Sunday, 12th August 1917, a bomb fell on the adjoining tennis court and the south green was smothered by debris without serious damage being caused to the green.

In 1956 the membership was 180 Full Playing Members and 60 Social Club Members.

In the mid sixties a number of members of the club, interested in playing Indoor Bowls during the winter months, got together with leading members of other local clubs and negotiated a licence from the Essex County Bowling Club Limited and also obtained a Bank Guarantee from the Company which, together with monies raised by loans and bonds, enabled the E.C.I.B.C. to be formed as a separate club. Play started in the newly erected Indoor Green in January 1968. The Indoor Club had free use of the pavilion and kitchen, etc., until l974 when arrangements were made between the E.C.B.C. and E.C.I.B.C. for an annual contribution to be made by the Indoor Club to the Outdoor Club.

In June 1977, the Club office was destroyed and the pavilion was seriously damaged by fire. The pavilion was re-roofed and repaired and brought back into use in December 1977 but at the instigation of the President, Mr. L.W. Johnson, the opportunity was taken to build new toilets and to convert the old toilets into offices at a cost of over £15,000 towards which a grant of £3,000 was received from the Sports Council.

In 1980 the Indoor Club did not renew its licence so that as from 1st May 1980 all bowling was administered by the E.C.B.C. as one Club divided into sections, i.e. Men Outdoor and Indoor, Ladies Indoor and Social.

During 1981 a new Changing Room was built for men of the Outdoor Section which enabled the old Changing Rooms to be converted into a carpeted lounge area. In the same year an Automatic Water System for the greens (costing £4,700) was installed.

A further major improvement took place during 1985 when the new Bar was built, the Indoor Bowling Pavilion and Lounge area were linked, carpeted and furnished and the Indoor Pavilion Ceiling was insulated all at a cost of £44,000.

In 1987 a further extension to the east was made by enlargement of the Men’s Changing Room which enabled the Ladies to move into a larger room and leave their old room for use of Administration.

All these many improvements have been carried out without the necessity for the Club to borrow money to finance them. The fillip given to Bowls through T.V. coverage has resulted in Full Membership and waiting lists for the Indoor Section which enables the Club to look towards the future with confidence.

In 1989 Paul Maynard & Dave McCathie won the Outdoors National Pairs championship at Worthing.

In 1989 the severe storms and gales damaged the roof of the indoor arena resulting in major repairs being undertaken.

The next major project was initiated by a proposal at the Indoor AGM of 1998 for improving the lighting & heating of the indoor bowling arena. This resulted in the Management Committee embarking on a major re-structure of the ceiling, lighting & heating systems. A sub-committee was appointed to manage the project. The ceilings were lowered and diffuse lighting installed in accordance with the latest practise of the more modern indoor arenas. Heating ducts were located under the roof structure and vented into the arena through the new ceiling. Installing a new carpet on the viewing area surrounding the rinks completed this project. The entire project cost in excess of £135,000.

Finally a new carpet & underlay was installed during the first week in July 2002.