The first of the bowling greens was opened a hundred and six years ago today. Below is a Yorkshire Evening Post drawing showing the entrance to the new bowling green as it appeared at the time of the opening in 1906:

And here is a photograph showing the same entrance as it appears today. Not very much has changed.

Accounts of the opening appeared in all the local papers. Here is the account that appeared in the Yorkshire Daily Observer on the 15th May 1906.

A LEEDS NEW MUNICIPAL BOWLING GREEN

The new municipal bowling green on Woodhouse Moor, Leeds, was opened last night by the Lord Mayor (Mr. E. Woodhouse), who was accompanied by Miss Woodhouse. The green, which is situated between the fountain and Moorland Road, is about 40 yds. square, and is surrounded by rustic railings and by shrubs. A rustic pavilion has been erected, and the whole has a very pleasing effect. The work of laying the green out was commenced in 1904, and provided occupation for fifty or sixty men for a considerable time. The charge to each player for using the green will be a penny an hour.

Mr H. B. James, (chairman of the Property Committee), presided at the opening ceremony, and said that they had there a bowling green which they believed to be the best in Leeds. The chairman caused some amusement by mentioning that it was the body known as the “Woodhouse Parliament” that had pressed the Corporation to lay out the green, which had been the means of providing work for a number of the unemployed at a time of great need.

The Lord Mayor, in performing the opening ceremony, mentioned that he was an old bowler himself. He referred to the fame of Yorkshire as a bowling county, and said he hoped the residents of the district would appreciate the green and use it. A vote of thanks was passed to the Lord Mayor, on the proposition of Alderman Hepton, seconded by Mr. W. Marston, and the chairman was also accorded a vote of thanks. Subsequently an exhibition game was played on the green by teams composed of well-known local bowlers.

After the opening, the band of the Leeds Engineers played selections of music.