Words & photos by Kelvin Wakefield
More than 50 people came to Stanningley Park Bowling Club on Friday evening, where they were playing a fun version of bowls, known as ‘Killer’.
The event was open to all and many who came weren’t club members. There was lots of cheering and laughter. It was a beautiful setting to enjoy the beautiful weather. Quite a few newcomers said they’d like to come back and play socially.
Some of those attending are social members of the club. They don’t bowl competitively or regularly themselves, but they love meeting up there with friends, enjoy the facilities, and some help out with club activities.
The club organises different teams to play on different days, based on factors such as age or skill-level.
Phil Sutcliffe, who’s in his second season of bowling, joined the club after recovering from a serious illness that had kept him indoors for over a year.
He now bowls two or three times a week and said: “It’s made a massive difference and the social side is just as important as the bowling.”
Cllr Kevin Ritchie (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) had a go at bowling and said: “It’s great to see Stanningley on the way up, and the positive changes at other clubs, such as Bramley. The clubs are working together to bring the game to more people.”
As well as Killer, the new bowlers took part in a first past the flag competition, which helped them to learn some bowling basics. This event was won by Ruth Ritchie, who had never even picked up a bowl before the event, and is clearly a natural.
Off the green, there was a barbecue stand providing food and drink, a tombola, and competitions to help raise funds.
Club secretary, Alyssa Randell, said, “This ‘Killer’ bowls event was designed to open up bowls to the community by creating a really fun way of playing the game as well as being incredibly social.
“I think that was proved tonight by how many people showed up with lots having a go for the first time and doing better than they expected.”
The eventual winner of Ultimate Killer was club chairman, Andy Marshall. Sadly, the dogs weren’t allowed to play with the balls, though they showed keen interest.
Check out the slideshow of photos below:
The Stanningley Park Bowling Club hosts regular social bowling sessions on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, which are open to all, and anyone can learn how to play.
Details can be found on their Facebook page.
- More Stanningley news and views from WLD can be found here.
- Check out WLD’s what’s on section for more local events, groups and activities.
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