More than 60 novice bowlers took to the green in Cockermouth for the town’s first Pub and Club Bowls Competition designed to get more people involved in the sport.
The event on Sunday, June 22, was hosted by Croft Bowling Club and saw 21 teams take part.
Several pubs fielded a team, with groups also taking part from community organisations including Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade and Cockermouth WI.
None of the teams had played lawn bowls before and the club gave them three practice sessions each to explain the rule and the skills they needed to take part.
There has been a decline in the number of people nationally enjoying the sport, which has is steeped in history and has been taking place for generations. A Fit for the Future strategy by Bowls England says the membership of 77% of clubs is in decline.
The aim of this event was to highlight how it can be a sport for everyone and to boost the club membership, as well as bringing Cockermouth’s businesses and community groups together. A raffle held on the day raised £217 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Organiser Andrew Marshall, a member of Croft Bowling Club, said: “It was brilliant to see so many people come and give bowls a go.
“On the day the competition was fierce and there was some fantastic bowling – even if the weather wasn’t kind and we had to play in the rain at times!
“We did this to introduce folk the game of bowls and have some fun but the best result is that the club is already receiving numerous new applications from people who want to become members.”
The winning teams were The Newbies from Croft Bowling Club, The Whisky Chasers from The Castle Bar, and Hope, made up of ex-Cockermouth Round Table members. The Shot of the Day prize was won by Sam Skillen of The Bounty Bowlers from the Fletcher Christian pub, and the Coach of the Day was Trevor Renney from The Castle Bar.
For more information about getting into bowls, contact Croft Bowling Club via email at croftbowlingclub@gmail.com
