Tenby bowler, Julia King Thomas, has been honoured this week with one of Wales' top sporting accolades, the presidency of the Welsh Women's Bowling Association. Well-known throughout West Wales for her love of bowls, Julia was officially installed as president at the WWBA's annual general meeting on Saturday at the Park Inn, Cardiff. Whitland-born Julia, started bowling quite by chance in 1982 when she went with her husband Dave for a roll-up at Pendine. They were immediately hooked. At the time, the West Carmarthenshire club only had four lady members. One was ill for the next game and Julia was asked to play. Those five ladies went on to win the league that year making a successful start to Julia's bowling career. Now living at Clareston Court, Station Road, Julia joined Tenby in the 1989/1990 season and made her international debut in 1992, going on to represent her country for five consecutive years. A stalwart member of the West Wales county side, Julia was West Wales Ladies Bowling Association president in 2001 and previous to that was county competition secretary and assistant secretary. Julia, who is manager of the Cancer Research UK shop in Tudor Square, is the first bowler from Tenby to be Welsh president, and the fourth from West Wales. She follows in the footsteps of Helen Lewis John, of Milford Haven, Mary Cavell, of Saundersfoot, and Val Whiteford, of Whitland. Highlight of Julia's year in office is sure to be supporting the Welsh World Bowls team in New Zealand next month, while another honour will be leading both the senior and junior international teams out at the opening ceremonies for their respective Home Internationals. Later in the year, Julia will also be hosting the Welsh semi-finals and finals on her own Sutton Street green. Julia takes over from Corris Owen, of Carno, Mid Wales. At the association's annual luncheon that followed the AGM, a toast to the president was proposed by Ann Lewis, of Saundersfoot, current president of the West Wales Ladies Bowling Association, while Julia was presented with various gifts and cards, including ones from her club and county.
