Carlisle is leading the way in the revival of a once popular game which had been on the wane.
Table bowls used to be extremely popular in the city but has declined in numbers over the years.
But on December 27, in Harraby Catholic Club, the second staging of the Table Bowls World Cup will attract a new breed of enthusiasts.
One of the organisers is Colin Carter who is among a group of converts who now play in a Thursday night League.
“We have eight teams involved made up mainly of lads in their 50s and 60s who have discovered the game. There’s also a league for pensioners, more experienced players who were involved years ago and they play in the afternoons.
“Last year we ran a World Cup tournament and had 35 pairs involved, and I feel sure we are going to top that figure this time.
“There will be £300 for the winning pair and £150 for the runners-up and the pairs will be drawn out of a hat on the day. It’s £5 a person to enter,” he says.
Apparently, the game was popular in Hull and Blackpool, along with Carlisle and is also played to a high standard in Australia – and rules appear to differ.
Common denominator is the game being played on a snooker/billiard table.
Trying to trace the history or roots of these games has been all but impossible. However the general consensus indicates they were probably started in the Victorian era.
The game in Carlisle has been traced back to the 1930s and more research into the origins of the game in the city is taking place.
