BOWLING FESTIVALS MARK PROJECT SUCCESS

Two “Crown Green Bowling Festivals” have been held at the Bellingham Bowling Club, to mark the end of a recent project which provided fifty two “taster sessions” in Crown Green Bowling to over 530 boys and girls, aged 11 to 15 years, from seven secondary schools in the Wigan area.

The first tournament on July 10^th consisted of teams from Deanery, Hawkley Hall, Hindley and Shevington High schools. The second tournament on July 12^th consisted of teams from Deanery, Kingsdown, Orrell St. Peters and St. John Fisher High schools. They played each other in a singles match play knockout competition, showing the skills they had learned in bowling sessions held on local greens during their P.E. lessons. The winners of the first festival were Hindley High School, just beating Shevington. The winners of the second festival were Orrell St. Peters High School, just beating Deanery. Both finals were close and the bowling from the pupils was high quality. Project and Festival organizer, Peter Forshaw, said “The purpose of the Festivals is to say a big thank you to both the staff and pupils of the schools involved, the thirty volunteers from our local bowling clubs and the Child Protection Officers Ken Jarvis from the BCGBA and Hilda Jones from the LCCGBA, all played major roles in the success of the scheme. By introducing a relatively new sport to children in their P.E. lessons, we did not know what to expect, but the enjoyment, enthusiasm, and satisfaction experienced by pupils and volunteers alike was there for everyone to see. I hope the links formed between each School and it’s local Bowling Club will continue to grow next year and allow Crown Green Bowls to become a part of the normal school program. Since the start of the project, Saturday morning coaching sessions have begun at Shevington Conservative Club and St. Aidans bowling club are planning to do similar work with the primary schools in their area. I hope further interest from local clubs and individuals will continue to emerge, as there are many more schools and bowling clubs throughout the Borough which would benefit from similar projects. Funding is possible from agencies like Awards for All, and the Community Chest, to develop schemes. If anyone is keen to extend this project, or similar, into their area, or requires advice, help, or support to begin with, then ring me on 01942-238559 or check the website www.shevibowls.co.uk ”.