Paul's testimony to the physical and social benefits of Crown Green Bowling at Formby Village Bowling Club.
Bowl for Health - An Experience
My plans for retirement had always included filling the extra time I would have with
activities that I would enjoy and stimulate. I was interested in researching family history
and also bowling. The first would be interesting but sedentary; the second would be
physical and social. Despite all the advice from colleagues who had already retired, I
hadn’t foreseen how busy I would be doing things that previously had slipped ‘under the
radar’. How had I found the time to work?
I was surprised by the large number of Bowling clubs in Formby. How would I choose?
How would I be received as a beginner? I knew nothing of the rules or etiquette of Crown
Green Bowling. Some years previously I had played a friendly game of ‘Flat Green’
bowling with my father-in-law in South Wales. However, I was to find out that is a very
different game.
I was rescued by an article in the local free newspaper about a scheme called ‘Bowl for
Health’. This sounded exactly what I needed - an eight week course which would instruct
me in everything I needed to know in order to take up Crown Green Bowling. I phoned
about the course and was told that I would need to commit one hour a week for eight
weeks. The course would be run mainly by the club coach - a qualified British Crown
Green Bowling Association coach.
I was one of four participants on a Thursday. There were another four on a Tuesday and,
for eight weeks, we were tutored in the basics of Crown Green Bowling. Of course, the
expectation is that you would join the Bowls Club following this initiation.
In my case, this was a no-brainer - I thoroughly enjoyed the social aspect of the game as well as the low-
key (in my case!) competition. I was warmly welcomed by existing members who were
generous with their time, patience and guidance. I invariably feel better after a session of
bowls - physically and mentally - and it is a sport which can continue to a ‘ripe’ age.
Paul Evans
Bowl for Health - An Experience
My plans for retirement had always included filling the extra time I would have with
activities that I would enjoy and stimulate. I was interested in researching family history
and also bowling. The first would be interesting but sedentary; the second would be
physical and social. Despite all the advice from colleagues who had already retired, I
hadn’t foreseen how busy I would be doing things that previously had slipped ‘under the
radar’. How had I found the time to work?
I was surprised by the large number of Bowling clubs in Formby. How would I choose?
How would I be received as a beginner? I knew nothing of the rules or etiquette of Crown
Green Bowling. Some years previously I had played a friendly game of ‘Flat Green’
bowling with my father-in-law in South Wales. However, I was to find out that is a very
different game.
I was rescued by an article in the local free newspaper about a scheme called ‘Bowl for
Health’. This sounded exactly what I needed - an eight week course which would instruct
me in everything I needed to know in order to take up Crown Green Bowling. I phoned
about the course and was told that I would need to commit one hour a week for eight
weeks. The course would be run mainly by the club coach - a qualified British Crown
Green Bowling Association coach.
I was one of four participants on a Thursday. There were another four on a Tuesday and,
for eight weeks, we were tutored in the basics of Crown Green Bowling. Of course, the
expectation is that you would join the Bowls Club following this initiation.
In my case, this was a no-brainer - I thoroughly enjoyed the social aspect of the game as well as the low-
key (in my case!) competition. I was warmly welcomed by existing members who were
generous with their time, patience and guidance. I invariably feel better after a session of
bowls - physically and mentally - and it is a sport which can continue to a ‘ripe’ age.
Paul Evans