Inverness Bowling Club keeps on rolling after 150 years as it marks anniversary
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INVERNESS Bowling Club celebrated its 150th anniversary as it introduced a new competition played for by clubs across the city.
The 150th Anniversary Cup saw the format of the competition played by teams of four, with a total of 48 players taking part in the competition on Saturday.
Teams from Bowls Scotland, Northern Counties Bowling Association/Northern Counties Ladies Bowling Association, Fraser Park Bowling Club, Inverness Highland Bowling Club, Planefield Bowling Club and Waterloo Bowling Club were competing in the tournament.
The competition was won by Jackie Sweeney, Barry Fraser, Graham Pearson and Matthew Sloggie from Inverness Bowling Club.
Guests were invited to the anniversary including Inverness and Area Depute Provost Jackie Hendry, Drew Hendry MP, Frances Sandilands, President, Bowls Scotland, Stuart Bell, National Development Officer of Bowls Scotland and Councillor Bill Boyd.
Secretary Jim Dow says it was an excellent way to mark the anniversary of what is believed to be one of the oldest sports clubs in Inverness.
He said: “It is one of the oldest sports clubs in Inverness, there aren’t many sports clubs that have reached 150 years.
“The club was established in July 1874 although we don’t know the exact date. We know it was founded in Bellfield Park before it moved to the Crown area and then it moved to Bishop’s Road.
“There were 48 players on the green, there was a lot spectators watching and then we had a celebration in the evening.”
A civic reception to mark Inverness Bowling Club’s 150th anniversary as well as a friendly against Midlothian are planned later this year.
A book about the club’s 150 years of existence has also been published.
Dow says the club has a healthy membership, but are looking to attract more players to help boost their numbers and grow the sport.
He said: “There are 85 members at the club at the moment. Membership at the club is going up and we are inviting more people to join us.
“We are always looking for new members. We would be happy to have more to come and join us.
“We are also in talks with High Life Highland for primary and secondary schools pupils to come in for term times for training sessions. We have qualified coaches and have been awarded by our parent body the silver bowls mark. Only two clubs in the north of Scotland, ourselves and Thurso, have that award.”
