Illuminations Classic 2009

It was always going to be an emotional week when the sad announcement by Pontins that they were closing their Blackpool Holiday Centre for good at the beginning of October and it became clear to organisers, staff and, of course, guests that this was to be the last ever Illuminations Classic Festival based at this famous location. And, indeed, it was for everybody who had shared years of memories at what really was a wonderful base for these successful Festivals.

However, once the bowling got under way all those thoughts were pushed to the backs of minds whilst a quality field got down to the business of sorting themselves out, and with nothing but the occasional feel of water in the air for the duration of the bowling sessions, and the greens in decent order, competition began. The organisers, Esselle Sports, had been able to secure mainly private greens to bowl on from Lytham to Layton, and once again the challenge of a different green every day proved a great test of a bowler’s ability to cope with different conditions.

As always, there were a few surprises, not least of which was Andrew Spragg not heading his group (despite having the best overall record of all bowlers in this competition), and having to settle for a place in the Consolation. However, with Pairs Partner, Pat Roscoe, and as holders of the Mixed Pairs title, he did get a good run in the Pairs Competition and then went on to take the Mens’ Consolation final against Tommy Hughes. Meanwhile, previous winner of Esselle’s North Wales Ladies’ title Barbara Bates held out 15 – 8 against Connie Mason in the Ladies’ Consolation.

Finals Day was a glorious affair with the sun actually forcing folk into the shade, and the Waterloo Green playing immaculately for a good crowd of guests and day-trippers who had come through to enjoy the finals. In the mixed Pairs Joe Callan together with his new ‘recently found’ partner Kathy Tunstall edged out Andy and Pat to 13 in a cracking final, and then Joe took his first Mens’ Singles title by defeating past Spring Champion and displaced fellow Midlander Mark Garbett. In the Ladies’ event, Ronni Lyon overcame Maureen Perkins to win her third title to bring the competition to a close.

At an emotional Presentation evening organiser Steve Rigby was delighted to confirm that both the Spring and Illuminations Festivals for 2010 would be based at the Norbreck Castle Hotel on Blackpool’s North Shore, which received a very positive response from the audience. And as the curtain drew on an era of Pontins Festivals, it was only fitting that referee Henry Milner received a 20-year service reward from Esselle for having worked every year from the very first Festival, and after playing such an important role in the development of the Festivals from their early days.

LADIES PLATE PAIRS

Sheila Proberts (Leeds) & Pat Batty (Castleford) 11
Margaret Halliwell (Wigan) & Rita Roby (Heskin) 0

MENS PLATE PAIRS

John Pajak (Stalybridge) & Ken Davies (Tarleton) 11
David Lamb (Batley) & Kevin Pinchbeck (Ossett) 7

LADIES CONSOLATION

Barbara Bates (Ashton-under-Lyne) 15
Connie Mason (Leigh) 8

MENS CONSOLATION

Andrew Spragg (Chesterfield) 15
Tommy Hughes (Kirkby) 5

MIXED PAIRS

Joe Callan (Coventry) & Kath Tunstall (Liverpool) 15
Andrew Spragg (Chesterfield) & Pat Roscoe (Wigan) 13

LADIES SINGLES

Veronica Lyon (Whiston) 21
Maureen Perkins (Wigan) 14