The formation of the John G. Fleming Bowling Club was the outcome of the Diamond Jubilee of her most gracious majesty Queen Victoria.

Mr John Gilmour Fleming of Houstonfield intimated that he was willing to provide funds for the formation of a bowling green and clubhouse. This led to a great day in the village of Houston on 2nd July 1898 when the green was formally opened by Mr John Gilmour Fleming and his sister Miss Fleming.

In the evening a dinner was held in the village hall in honour of Mr John Gilmour Fleming with close to 100 including local clergy and Provost McKenzie of Paisley in attendance. It was a happy and harmonious occasion. Paisley’s elocutionist Mr Roxburgh was present and filled his audience with merriment.

The first competition on the green was the club championship and in 1906 John G Fleming donated a gold medal to the championship winner, John Buchanan. John attached his medal to his watch chain and in 1970 his son William Buchanan who was secretary of the club for many years presented the medal to the club to be used as the Presidents Badge.

The ladies section was formed in 1939 with the ladies being associate members only. In 1961 the title of Lady Convenor was changed to Lady President in line with the Men’s section, and in 1995 ladies were accepted as full members of the club.

In addition to our keenly contested internal competitions our gents and ladies play in the Johnstone and District Leagues as well as competing in national and regional competitions. In 2010 the Ladies Triples of Jennifer Yule, Isabel Gilchrist and Rosemary Speirs were crowned Scottish Triples Champions. Prior to this the biggest honour for the Club was in 1961 when Alan Whyte and William McGregor won the Scottish Pairs Title and followed this in 1962 by winning the British Isles Pairs Championship.

The original clubhouse has changed many times over the years to become what exists today. The hall, opened in 1992, now provides a first class venue for indoor short rink bowling, entertaining visiting bowlers and social events.

In 2008 the members of the club agreed to change the status of the club to a Community Club thereby relinquishing rights on any dissolution of the club to the Community or the sport of Bowling. This change reflected the aspiration of John G Fleming in 1898 to provide a sporting and recreational facility for the residents of the village and surrounding area. New members are always welcome from experienced bowlers to those who have never played the game.