Jim King of Wimborne Bowls Club had the idea of starting up a Lignum Vitae Bowls group in 1996 and in April 1997 had an inaugural meeting with 12 interested bowlers and so the Timber Trundlers came into existence. They met on 4 occasions in the summer and during this time the number increased to 20. Annual subscription £3. By may 1998 there were 22 members and several games were played against Bournemouth and Poole Clubs with some success. In September a Gala Day was held at the Wimborne Club and 30 members turned up a few captured the Victorian atmosphere with their dress.

    Jim Contacted a friend in Gravesend Kent, Ken Lawrence who had started a group in Kent in 1976 and it still flourishes, and this year will be our 3rd meeting with them.

    Competitions had been introduced and these went well. By the end of the season the number had risen to 53. Games were arranged for winter indoors but these are not now played as most members do not like playing with lignums indoors.

    We have had one or two social events and a Gala Day each year which usually had a theme to it and most members turned up dressed accordingly.

    Unfortunately Jim was having a tough time health wise and handed over the Secretaries job to Ann Sellers and although he stayed Treasurer until 2002  Brenda Brown then took over the post. Jim managed to book a game at Southampton Old Green on 26 May 2002 and everyone enjoyed a wonderful day.

    Jim sadly died in October 2002 but his memory lives on. He really is missed by the bowling fraternity.

    During the last few years we have played at Sidmouth, Topsham Exeter, the World Lignum B.A. at Lewes, Egham and Worthing. They won the first game & we won the others so hold the trophy presented by the W.L.B.A.

    In 2005 Ann Sellers asked for help with the work involved and Arthur Lawrence came forward as Secretary and Norman Brown as Match Secretary and it was Norman who arranged this game at Worthing in 2008. Ann is now Treasurer. Our membership remains fairly static at just over 50 and this year we have had a full program of games.

    Last year we sent a donation of £200 to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and in future years we will be donating to charity.

    Let's hope the Lignum Associations survive for many years - it's really amazing the interest in these woods.

    Wishing you all the best and good bowling in the future.

            Ann Sellers

                    President T.T.B.A. July 2008