As clubs prepare their bowls greens for the winter months, attention turns to the new indoor bowls season.
On Saturday, Lynnsport Bowls Club open their doors for a taster session between 10am and 2pm, enabling people to try this enjoyable and relaxing game at no cost.
Coaches will be on hand to guide and show visitors how to play the game. All the equipment you require is supplied. All you need are flat-soled shoes (over shoes can be provided).
This session is open to all ages to come and try their hand. To keep you nourished, there will be free hot drinks and biscuits available.
Stephen Winter, event organiser, said: “It would be nice to see families having a go together. There is nothing like friendly family rivalry. We can cater for all abilities, including wheelchair users.
“So, I encourage people to come and have a go. I’m sure they will enjoy it and have fun”.
If you require more information about the day, please contact Stephen Winter 07493 887060
Following on from the taster day tomorrow, the aim is to hold regular coaching sessions on a Saturday.
Details are still being finalised for these, along with potentially introducing a development league.
Currently, Lynnsport Bowls Club arrange various leagues Monday-Friday during the day and evenings, providing plenty of opportunities for the more experienced player to play competitively.
While allowing the chance for players to improve their game in a friendly atmosphere.
The new carpet bowls season is with us as village halls host roll-ups and the various leagues and competitions over the winter months.
Along with the regular Thursday evening leagues held at Lynnsport, organised by the West Norfolk Carpet Bowls Association.
For those not familiar with carpet bowls, the game was introduced to West Norfolk in 1983.
The game is played on a 30ft x 6ft carpet, which can fit in most village halls and with bowls weighing roughly 1lb 10oz, the game has proven very popular with all ages.
Especially with the disabled and those unable to continue playing the outdoor game due to the heavier bowls.
Also, it’s a relatively inexpensive sport with the host venue supplying all the equipment and often played locally in a village hall or similar local venues, saving travelling.
The villages of Wiggenhall St Mary, Pott Row and Marshland St James were the first villages receiving grants to buy equipment and start the game in their village halls.
The game made great strides forward in the 1990s, boosted by the loan-of-equipment-scheme administered by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Sports Development Unit.
This allowed a venue to borrow a set of equipment to hold taster sessions over six weeks to see if there was enough interest to form a club.
Numerous village clubs were established using the scheme, enabling the formation of regular leagues in 1992, played at Lynnsport on Thursday evenings, which still exist.
With so much interest, the West Norfolk Carpet Bowls Association was formed in 1996.
At the game’s peak, nearly 40 clubs were active within West Norfolk. Sadly, like many other sports, numbers have declined in recent years. The COVID pandemic didn’t help the situation.
The West Norfolk Carpet Bowls Association is only too pleased to help the development of the game in any way it can.
For more information, please contact June 07765131948.
Organised by the Norfolk Federation Bowls and sponsored by Howden’s Insurance, the Howden’s League is played on a Tuesday night.
Three blocks of three players deliver three bowls each (triples). This competition is open to all Norfolk Federation-affiliated clubs.
The 2025 season started at the end of April, with the last games arranged for the end of July.
The county is divided into areas with additional sub-areas. The winners of the sub-areas are promoted while the bottom teams in an area are relegated.
The Western teams play in Area and Sub Area A. The winning 4fourArea teams play in a semi-final, then a final to decide the overall county champions.
Having won Area A, Wootton Park successfully negotiated their semi-final by beating Potter Heigham Robins 56-36 before beating Cawston in the final 49-39, being crowned Norfolk Federation Bowls champions.
Shouldham A won the sub-Area comfortably and are promoted for next season.
For teams interested in entering the 2006 season or requiring more information, please contact the league controller, John, on 01493 751202 or mobile 07801 487711.
Meanwhile, at the start of the season, the NBA men’s team went on a five-day tour of Leicestershire.
Playing at various locations across the county, it proved to be a successful week with results and everybody enjoyed the tour.
The team contained some players from the west of the county, including the 2025 NBA President Chris Reynalds, who plays for Downham Market Conservative Club.
The serving presidents nominate a charity for the year. For 2025, Chris has nominated Tapping House Hospice, which is based at Hillington.
Next year, the touring team are visiting Bedfordshire.
Lynnsport Bowls Club urge members to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Saturday, September 27, at 12:30pm at Lynnsport Leisure Centre
The meeting has been called to discuss the regeneration of Lynnsport and the future role of the bowls club in the forthcoming redevelopment of the Lynnsport complex.
Members must attend this significant meeting to learn about the planned proposals and their impact on the future of bowls at Lynnsport.
Immediately after the meeting, the annual Ladies vs Gents match will take place, which will then be followed by the presentation of trophies to last season’s winners and runners-up.
Entry forms for the various outdoor competitions being staged next year are already being distributed by the various organisers. So, make sure your entry is included and returned before the closing date.
The deadline for Federation indoor competitions is fast approaching, Saturday, October 1. This is for the singles, pairs and triples. To enter, you must be a member of an affiliated outdoor club.
Howden Insurance, based in Norwich, have become increasingly active in sponsoring bowls within the county. In addition to offering very competitive insurance cover for bowls clubs, they also offer incentives to clubs and members.
Recently, Wiggenhall Bowls Club had no joy in contacting their previous insurer for renewal and contacted Howden, who quickly responded by sending an agent to the club to assist how they could help the club.
Returning a quote with better coverage and £150 cheaper than their previous insurance premium.
In addition to attractive premiums and service, they offer a £25 donation to the club of your choice, plus, should a member of your club take out an insurance policy with them, they will donate £25 directly to your club.
Should your club like to make the most of this offer, then contact Howden Insurance on 01603 863020.
