Ropner Park is a large public park situated in Stockton -on-Tees, North East England. Major Robert Ropner - an immigrant to North East England, whose entrepreneurial skills made him rich and highly respected in the area, paid for the creation of the park in the nineteenth century for the borough of Stockton. Logos of Ropner Park carry the symbolic stars for his three sons, and also the Hart. The Hart is associated with Major Ropner and the area - a statue of this beautiful animal is prominent at nearby Hartlepool marina - it features in that town's crest. In June 1890 Major Ropner wrote to Stockton Corporation


"I think a park for a town like ours most desirable , if not absolutely necessary, and I have therefore much pleasure in offering to pay for the cost of the ground now under consideration, provided the Council will undertake to lay it out tastefully and keep it up for ever"

In 1893 the park was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George V and Queen Mary) In 1895 Ropner Park Bowling Club was formed. In 1899 The club and a team from Stockton Corporation played the opening match of the season. The centre picture shows that gathering. A century and more has passed - Thanks to The Association, the greens and their environs are now the flagship of the town in competitions such as "Northumbria in Bloom". Membership is strong, friendly competition is the rule of the day, and without doubt a great legacy from those early days. The third picture on the left is a scene from one of the Open Competitions held in 2006.


To mark the centenary of Ropner Park Bowling Club in 1995, various events took place; the club's history was recorded in a booklet - seen here in the bottom picture. Copies of this booklet may still be available - it provides a fascinating insight into that club and an invaluable "niche" in the town's history.

Mail us about booklet

In 1991 The Ropner Park Bowling Association was formed to co-ordinate the activities of the six Bowling Clubs.TOP