The early part of the last century saw the development of this part of the district known as ‘Hill Crest’ by the construction of private houses by the builders of that time- notably Messrs Helliwell and Shaw of Burnley Road, and Mr George F. Wright of Hollins Bank. The building was piece-meal and it had almost reached saturation point. The local authority had prescribed the layouts and the intended roads; there remained only three sections of land undeveloped.
About the Spring of 1911 a group of business and professional men conceived the idea of constructing a bowling green, following upon discussions, Messrs J.K. Helliwell and Thomas Shaw along with Mr G.F. Wright jointly purchased on the 3rd June 1911, the plot of land on which the bowling green and pavilion now stand.