Ten Pin Bowling

I also remember Ray Pell. I used to bowl in one of the same leagues as him at the Forum. I think he represented the Midlands, and also bowled for England. He was probably the top bowler in this area.

I remember Ray very well plus other names likes Mick Monaghan, Craig Austin, Bri Copson and Dave Huxtable. I bowled against these guys many times. I then went on to get married and that severely constricted the nights out. Oh well!

This is a topic close to me as I have bowled for 35+ years mainly at Forum bowl and now at Tenpin Walsgrave and Nuneaton. My daughter is a England international and we both are qualified instructors. Forum bowl before it was closed was took over by a real 'cowboy' company, after it closed 3 parties were in talks of taking it over as a going concern but the landlord and AMF just didn't seem interested, to that ends it remained closed for approx two years, then this church took it on, as far as I know some of the machinery is still in place and the lanes were just boarded over, a lot of the machinery was stripped for use at Bowling Express, Wolverhampton which has since also closed. The bowling scene is still strong nationwide although could do with new fresh members but here in Warwickshire we're doing our best!! GVB Ray's still about and comes to watch us 'young-uns' bowl on a Tuesday night at Tenpin, Craig (Papa Joe) Austin has just started back again this year, Dave Huxtable has just sold his proshop in Tamworth and is enjoying retirement, Brian Copson (Copo) is still bowling regularly on Tuesday nights (Tenpin)

Yes I remember the Savoy being a bowling alley, I used to go with my older sisters occasionally. Perhaps someone should reopen some bowling alleys now, as I have 9 grandkids and they love playing it on my wii, as it's for most ages and gives them somewhere to go for all kids, as places like these are lacking in the town, for most kids that are not so well off.

Thanks for the update, it is appreciated

Not sure it would be the place for the "not so well off" - you taking your grandchildren, for a single game, would set you back around £50! I'd stick to your Wii if I were you!

£50 for kids!!! You've got to be joking, think I've stayed in too much, everything is to do with profit, as the saying goes, more chance of a camel going through the eye of a needle than a rich man entering heaven. I can see why so many here are moving out. Perhaps you should like me search the net for Cov kids opinions here, our comments are mild.

OK, here's a blast from the past

That place is somewhat sad looking these days, as is the row of shops opposite the school. Takeaways, discount stores and litter. Lots of litter. Having said that, the building is hardly quality architecture. What sort of half-wit sticks a big box in a place like that? They could have at least attempted to make it look half decent.

The car park underneath it is like driving into a dungeon, and not a good place to leave your car for any length of time

I used to live in Radford and went to the Savoy Bowl many times. I often went went with my mum and dad as well to the midnight bowl there. I also used to go there when it was a cinema. The first film I can remember going to see was the Wizard of Oz with my brother. We got into big trouble because we went out to see the matinee but there wan't one that day so we stayed and went to the 6.00pm one instead. Our parents were frantic when we got home!

Here is that GEC building in 1960

Midland Red. Did the bowling alley become Argos or was that a different building?

Sorry, Anne, don't know the answer to that Dutchman????

Anne, prior to Argos taking over their current location that shop was a lighting showroom. As far as I can recall the bowling alley was above the current Iceland shop (which I think was previously Bejam Frozen Foods & Tescos)