Club History
Following is a brief history of the Club and its' Founder, Dr. George Charles Gaynor MC
Last updated 21/01/2025
Construction of the Green and formation of the Club
Construction of a bowling green in Wymondham's Priory Garden began in 1959. The work, carried out by the then Wymondham Urban District Council, was driven by an idea and funded by Dr George Charles Gaynor.
Following his retirement as a local GP Dr Gaynor wanted to provide a bowling green for use by the residents in the retirement homes situated in Back Lane, Wymondham. The idea developed to provide the facility for residents, over the age of 60 years, of all parishes in which he had served as a GP.
Dr Gaynor donated £200, worth nearly £6,000 in 2025, from his retirement fund, to fund the construction. In comparison, for his own use he bought a chair and cabinet.
The initial stages of the work involved demolishing the old Fives Courts which had previously been used by Wymondham Grammar School. Construction of the bowling green was completed in June 1960 and the Priory Garden Bowls Club was formed the following year, 1961. Dr Gaynor was elected as Club President.
Dr. Gaynor saw the main objective of the Club, as detailed in its’ original Constitution as to ‘Offer competitive opportunities in the playing of bowls, maintaining personal activity and peer companionship’. This continues to be the ethos of the Club today.
During the 1990’s and into the early 21st Century membership was in excess of 100 members with a waiting list to join. The Club took part in various external leagues including, the South Norfolk League and, at times had two teams competing in the AGE Concern League. In 2024 the club still had over 70 members.
In 1991 the Club celebrated when the old calor gas system used in the clubhouse was replaced with electricity.
Freda Peachment was elected as the Club’s first, and as of 2025 its’ only, Lady President in 1998 when she succeeded Ted (Edward) Fowler. At the time Freda had previously been the Club Treasurer for at least seven years.
Members at the AGM in November 1993 agreed to reduce the age limit for members to 55 years. As was the original requirement, members were still required to live in the areas which had been covered by Dr. Gaynor’s surgeries. They also agreed to limit membership to 110 members.
It was twenty five years later in 2018 when members voted at the AGM to reduce the age limit to 50 years. Two years later members voted to remove the age limit altogether. There is now no minimum age limit for joining the Club but the original requirement that members must live in the parishes once served by Dr. George Gaynor remains. Albeit that some parish boundaries have been moved or lost. Relating to this it is recorded in Committee meeting minutes for September 2017 that the Forehoe and Henstead boundary restrictions were removed.
In 2012, following two years of fund raising, the Town Mayor performed the official opening of a new club house in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
Dr. George Charles Gaynor MC 1893 - 1967
Dr. Gaynor, an Irishman, gave First World War service with the R.A.M.C in France during which he was awarded the Military Cross.
After the war ended he moved to Norfolk in 1919 with his wife, Mary, who he had married in Dublin in 1916. For four months he worked at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital before moving to Wymondham in 1920 to take over the GP practice of Dr. Clayton Heslop. Dr Gaynor continued to work as a GP until he retired in 1958. During his time as a GP he attended the birth of 1,500 babies.
Dr. Gaynor practiced as a GP serving Wymondham and the surrounding villages for approximately 38 years. During this time he was recognised as one of its best known and well-loved townsmen. He also served as a member of the Wymondham Urban District Council for 20 years being elected for the first time in 1946 and when he was immediately as appointed as Chairman. He went on to hold this post on four other occasions.
Dr. Gaynor also represented the Wymondham Division on the Norfolk County Council. He was also a long-standing member of the Norwich, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Hospital Management Committee, and the Norfolk Executive Council of the National Health Service, of which he was Chairman for five years.
Besides his public duties Dr. Gaynor had many other interests including sport. During the 1920’s he played outside-right for Wymondham Town Football Club, and continued his interest in the club as its President right up until his death.
He was keenly interested in golf and at various times Captained Wymondham Town Cricket Club, held the positions of President of both the Wymondham Amateur Athletic Club and the Wymondham Old Time Dancing Club.
He was known to be friendly, have a sense of humour and an ability to say exactly what he meant in a few well- chosen words. These characteristics reportedly won him many friends.
Such was his standing in the community; on his retirement 1,200 families recorded their thanks in a leather-bound album which was presented to him. The local community also raised £372, approximately £11,000 in 2025, as a patients’ presentation fund.
Following his death in 1967 at the age of 74 the congregation filled the Roman Catholic Church in Wymondham for his funeral service. The service was officiated by the Parish Priest assisted by two other priests. The Vicar of Wymondham was also in attendance. In the evening of the same day a further Requiem Mass was attended by parishioners. A memorial service was also held at Wymondham Abbey a few days later on Sunday 5th March.
During his lifetime Dr. Gaynor gifted an altar made of Portland Stone, known as The High Altar, to Wymondham’s Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St. Thomas of Canterbury.