Making bowling great again: Community Clothing and the East Lancs Crown Green Club
Photography: Lee Smillie. Julie wearing the merino submariner jumper and the denim midi skirt
Could we love Patrick Grant even more? To celebrate ‘ fellowship in an age of division,’ Community Clothing (Grant’s social enterprise) has joined forces with the East Lancs Crown Green Bowling Club. As part of a community relationship-building exercise, the clothing brand invited the club’s septuagenarian members to model their fine selection of not-so-basic-basics. The photographs are now proudly on display in the latest issue of Clarion the Community Clothing magazine. Based in Blackburn near to Grant’s textile factory, the club was established 1867 and is one of the oldest in the world. Bowling takes place all year round, come rain or shine, and as the feature states, ‘The game requires a great deal of skill and tactical nous.’ Which reminds me of the hours I spent as a child watching my dad compete at the local bowling green. I hadn’t thought about this for a long time and then my desk buddy mentioned her hen party 11 years ago, when we went to a bowling alley and, never having played before, I had a natural talent for the game. Must’ve inherited the skills from Mr Ralph Walsh.
I’m sure you’re all familiar with Community Clothing, and if you hadn’t already guessed, I’m a huge fan. ‘We’re called Community Clothing because we’re of the community and for the community’ says Grant; who better to showcase the range than Jim, Julie, Geoff and Dorothy and their teammates from the East Lancs Crown Green Bowling Club.
Geoff in the merino submariner and Dorothy in the merino cable knit
Jim in the lambswool grey cardigan
Geoff in the unisex pink sweatshirt
Dorothy in the submariner jumper
Shop Community Clothing HERE
Photography: Lee Smillie @leesmillie_1981
Models: With thanks to East Lancs Sporting Club and its members – who say, ‘ East Lancs welcomes new members of all ages with subscriptions at a very reasonable £25 per anum. Bowls are available for beginners to borrow and new set can be bought for £90. No other specialist equipment is required. A keen competitive spirit is useful but not mandatory.’
Discussion (15 Comments)
Karen says:
Love this article and my Community Clothing clothes. I am wearing the skirt from the first photo and some socks today. Well made and faff-free.
Mrs Tonia says:
Great initiative from Patrick Grant. I like him all the more after hearing you interview him on the most recent series of your podcasts. And really good to see real people wearing this gear here. Thumbs up Alyson.
Angelina says:
Always wanted one of those submariner jumpers but the original ones are made in very scratchy wool indeed. Imagine my delight then that Community Clothing have made theirs from lovely merino wool! Bought one….total win! Loved your interview with lovely Patrick Grant on the Podcast by the way.
LisaBee says:
OMG – I love him. He’s doing everything right. His social commitment (not to mention his immaculate style and the nice clothes at all his enterprises) is so inspiring – and I’m always happy when clothing brands show older and real people. Please keep updating us on him, Alyson- I’d be fine with a monthly Patrick Grant update. 🙂
Martine Large says:
Fabulous post. I’ve been looking for a jumper like the submariner and lo and behold, the perfect item from a company that feels good to buy from.
Josanne says:
Thanks for the post Alyson, such a lovely photo shoot. Wonderful garments and I so wanted that Full English TShirt but they don’t ship to US.
Karen Greenfield says:
Such a brilliant collaboration, I love the whole ethos behind Community Clothing!
Rosemary Eychenne says:
What a great post, Alyson. I too was brought up in the North West, not very far from Blackburn. Who would have thought at that time, as you sat watching your dad play, we would have bowling players of a certain age, or OAP’s as they used to be known ;-), modelling (so beautifully ) these stylish clothes. So it seems we are moving onwards and upwards, even if it’s taking
all these years !
Thanks for all your inspiring posts and for introducing us to Patrick Grant, the trailblazer .
Isobel 
Maggie Alderson 
Venice 
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I LOVE these images, they’re making me smile on a gloomy Friday. And I just love Patrick Grant – he’s bloody brilliant!