Latest News

The 22nd Festival returned to the Norbreck Castle for its second year with a bright and glorious day, and those who were there in 2010 were delighted that the ‘conga-line’ check-in was a thing of the past, as 90% of the 400+ entry were installed within 20 minutes of check-in opening! A good start for what was to turn out to be a very good week.

At the opening address Festival Organiser, Steve Rigby, pointed out the irony that the event’s previous host’s Pontins had been taken over by the Norbreck’s owners Britannia Hotels, and that although the South Shore venue was demolished now, Britannia were learning the ropes of the other holiday centres, including Southport and Prestatyn. Steve also welcomed the many (more than usual) new faces to the event, as he tried to clarify the format of the event itself.

Overall, the weather was very kind to the bowlers who were utilizing ten greens around town with Cleveleys greens the most northerly, and Highfield Ladies the most southerly of locations; however, with the Promenade closed for extensive roadworks from Gynn Square to Talbot Square, all drivers and users of the bowling buses had to leave a little extra time to get to their venues – especially as there seemed to be other works in several other parts of town. No doubt Blackpool Council will hope the disruption is worthwhile when a more attractive Promenade is open to visitors, and bowlers will be able to see for themselves by the time the Illuminations Festival hits town in late September. But, with conditions fair for 95% of the week, the Singles qualifying stages on Monday and Tuesday threw up its usual mixture of expected and surprise results.

Mixed Pairs day, Wednesday, with each green having about the same number of bowlers, provided the perfect example of how differently each green would get through its games to produce a green winner. Each green winner was due to travel through to Layton Park for the knock-out stages, with some greens finishing by 3.00 p.m. and others at 4.30 p.m.! An enigma for the organisers, but once there the Mixed Pairs were down to a Final Four.

Again, good weather blessed the Finals Day, and an excellent Waterloo green as the Mens’ and Ladies’ Main , Mens’ and Ladies’ Consolation and Mens’ and Ladies’ Plate Pairs all ‘dove-tailed’ their finalists through to the Waterloo for an excellent Finals Day. The highlight for many was the outstanding performance of young Jess Robinson from Burton-on-Trent, who won the Ladies’ Consolation and went down to 13 in the Mixed Pairs Final with father Ray. Regular Mick Bower held his nerve to take the Mens’ Consolation, despite a few last minute scares, and Lynn Rimmer and Robbie Fitzpatrick showed their class to take the Champions crowns in the Main events.

Presentation Night, including generous donations of bowls bags and two sets of bowls from Taylor Bowls, all presented with the glittering awards in the largest room ever used for a Bowls Festival presentation, brought the event to a close, and many bowlers set and ready for the season ahead!

RESULTS

Ladies’ Plate Pairs
Maxine Crompton & Eileen Lonergan (Rotherham) 11
Margaret Sharman (Derby) & Nikki Potts (Burton-on-Trent) 3

Mens’ Plate Pairs:
Mick Heaton (Chesterfield) & Tom Hague (Sheffield) 11
John West (Derby) & Peter Shore (Wirksworth) 5

Ladies’ Consolation:
Jess Robinson (Burton-on-Trent) 15
Jean Howarth (Poulton-le-Fylde) 5

Mens’ Consolation:
Mick Bower (Manchester) 15
Kevin Burnett (Skipton) 14

Mixed Pairs:
Val Shore (Wirksworth) & Peter Brailsford (Kilburn) 15
Ray & Jess Robinson (Burton-on-Trent) 13

Ladies’ Singles:
Lynne Rimmer (Rochdale) 21
Val Young (Widnes) 6

Mens’ Singles:
Robbie Fitzpatrick ( Wirral) 21
Mark Garbett (Oldham) 13

Booking forms are now available for the Cliffs Classic in June, the North Wales Festival in early September and the Illuminations Classic at the end of September. Call 01257 450991 for a form, or download from www.essellesports.com and click on bowling holidays.