Guide lines and Rules of LawN green Bowling Ancient and Modern...
This week sees the eighth in a regular series of short articles by club president, Bert Barnikel. Scotsmen proved to be gifted organisers, many of whom were to be found running affairs throughout the British Empire. These talents were to see Scotsmen lead the way in setting up the National Bowling Associations. The various regions of Scotland joined to form the Scottish BA in 1892. One of their first actions was to select the best possible biased bowl as a standard for all games. A Mr. Thomas Taylor, another Scotsman, a well- known bowls maker, had invented a bowls turning machine in 1871 and produced five different biased bowls from No. 1 narrow bias, up to No. 5 wide bias in sets of two or four. Tests were carried out by the serious bowlers and bias No. 3 was adopted by the Scots as their preferred standard bowl with a good draw. The Crown Green fraternity, which split from the newly developing lawn green bowling now played in lanes, continued the usual bowling in any direction, two bowls per player. They adopted bias No. 2. These are now fixed as standard for both factions of the game of bowls. Scotland also produced the first Rules of the Game, based on a formula evolved by a Scottish solicitor, a Mr. W. Mitchell in 1849, from an amalgam of Scottish regional rules, which differed from each other. The English BA formed in 1903, and after a brief skirmish regarding an alternative set of Rules for England, they too adopted the superior Scottish Rules, as did Wales on formation of the Welsh BA in 1904. Now 100 years later, with the development of bowling in the southern hemisphere, where the numbers of players dwarf those playing in the UK, and the advent of televised bowling matches, plus the disappearance of the amateur bowler, the rule book has developed into quite a bulky tome. Official umpires from each nation have to have a thorough working knowledge of the rule book and are a hard-working group who keep a very low profile ensuring the game flows without hinderance. One of the earliest set of rules of the game of bowls has to be those produced by 'Ye Olde Bowling Club' at Southampton in 1670, as agreed by His Majesty King Charles II. Although brief, they cover most points, which most modern bowlers will recognise, needed to play the game fairly. At this time, they were still bowling with a biased jack, as in the modern crown green game. Gambling was rife and it seems that the spectators and bettors followed the game actually on the green. There appeared to no umpires as we know them; the spectators in close attendance seemed to ensure fair play. Our modern book of bowling rules runs well over 70 rules. In 1670, there were just 20 rules. I print a small sample below. Ssee if you recognise them. My comments in brackets. The Southampton Bowling Club 1670 rules for the Game of Bowls as settled by His Most Excellent Majesty, King Charles II. Subscriptions per annum: members - £1-1s-0d, honorary members - 10s-6d. Visitors that bowl - 6d per evening. Rule 1. The party who hath the highest die shall lead the jack, keeping his foot on the trig (mat), which must be placed at least one yard from the edge of the green (no ditches). No cast shall be less than 30 yards. Rule 4. If the jack be bowled off the green (dead end), there shall be a fresh cast by the same party. Rule 5. If a running bowl be stopped by an adverse player, it shall be laid close behind the jack (this is novel, I wonder who got rid of it). Rule 9. If any bowl do lie between the jack and bowl that is to be measured, or the jack leaneth on the bowl or the bowl leaneth on the jack, it shall be lawful to bolster up the bowl or jack and take away the bowl that hindereth the measuring, provided it doth not prejudice the adverse party in so doing. If it appear to the spectators, not being bettors, that the adverse party was prejudiced thereby, although the bowl did win the measure, the benefit thereof shall be lost. Rule 15. Bowlers or bettors shall not do anything to prejudice or favour a bowl by wind, hat, foot or otherwise and if done the cast shall be lost (dead end). Rule 18. If any running bowl be stopped or touched by a spectator, not being a bettor, whether it be to the hinderance or benefit of the castor, the same bowl will take its chance and lie. Rule 20. Keep your temper! and remember he who plays at bowls must take the rubbers (rubs).
Whist results
Thursday, December 13: top score - Gladys Irvine, 183; 1st lady - Olive Frost, 177; 2nd lady - Muriel Griffiths, 169; 1st gent - Elsie Breadnam, 169; 2nd gent - Marnie Owens, 162; first half winner - Vera Burrows, 83; second half winner - Mary Draper, 85; longest sitter - Pauline Barnikel, nine times; lowest score - Sandra Milward, 145; raffles - Gladys Cleaton and Pauline Barnikel. Saturday, December 15: top score - Gladys Irvine, 185; 1st lady - Muriel Griffiths, 181; 2nd lady - Gladys Cleaton, 173; 1st gent - Elsie Breadnam, 168; 2nd gent - Bert Barnikel, 167; first half winner - Joyce Waters, 91; second half winner - Margaret Harries, 85; longest sitter -Ginnie Beeken, six times; lowest score - Fred Burrell, 155. There is now a Christmas break with many of the regular players jetting off to their families. Bowling Club whist recommences on Thursday, January 3. Merry Christmas everyone. Newcomers will be very welcome to join the group in the new year.
bonus ball
You'll never believe it, but Meryl Cook again picked up the 'loot'. How do you do it Meryl? Another winner was Brian Spencer, brother of our super efficient secretary Dai. Festive Spirits
These were certainly in evidence last Sunday as the club rocked with banter, wise-cracking, leg-pulling and 'craic'. Club chairman Jonathan Webb, 'razor sharp', as befits a solicitor, was especially in clinical form. Every time someone put on their coat, they were greeted with the question, "You're off then?" "No, only going outside for a quick puff on the balcony!" Tony Brown wants a smoking jacket for Christmas, one with a hood and fur lining! Don't know why they are complaining about the cold; they want to be in minus 30 and 40 with a 70-knot wind blowing from the south - now that is rather 'parky'. What is he talking about! The Christmas Draw is on this Sunday, with a late prize addition - the two-week holiday in Rome is now three! The draw starts at approximately 1 pm. Mike Gouldingay and his merry band of Five Arches players enjoyed a great Christmas lunch. Tony Brown walked in across the beach from Penally to get there. We reckon Ray Holly flew in, dressed in a 'natty' flying jacket. "Well, at least it keeps the cold out!" he said. Roy Powling, the most travelled member in the club, had just returned from Cyprus and is off again to Spain in the New Year. How the other half live. Ladies' Meeting
A very important gathering of our fairer sex is being called on Wednesday, January 2, at 7 pm, to discuss the proposed redevelopment of the kitchen. Please make every effort to attend as you have to decide between a four-range hob and an eight- range one! Only joking. But there are serious issues for the ladies to decide upon before the result will be discussed at our next committee meeting on January 8. Finally, to all members, friends, sponsors and supporters, a sincere stress-free Christmas and good bowling in the new season. Nadolig Llawen a Blewin Newydd Dda.