BOWLING "KNIGHTHOOD"
• GREEN 640 YEARS OLD [>HO.\I A SPKCIAL COIIUKSPOXnENT] LONDON, Oct. 11 Air raids and the threat of invasion will not stop the annual contest to decide who shall lie "Knight of Southampton Old Bowling Green. This is said to be the oldest bowling green in the world, and dates from 1299. The "knighthood" was not instituted until 1776. "Once a knight, always a knight," is the order, and tradition compels the Knights of the Green, who supervise the annual competitions, to appear in frock-coats and top-hats with the medal of knighthood suspended on the chest. To gain a "knighthood" a competitor must win seven points before any of his rivals. The tournaments are seldom completed under three days. This year there are some 30 contestants. The green was about 300 years old when Drake took up bowls.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23816, 18 November 1940, Page 5
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139BOWLING "KNIGHTHOOD" New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23816, 18 November 1940, Page 5
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