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Joining Bolton Flat Green Bowling Club.

 

New to the game of bowls? We have a pathway designed just for you. 

Crown Green Bowler looking for a new experience or direction? We can show you the way.

If you are new to the game, or have played Crown Green, and want to give Lawn Bowls a try, we have a taster programme, (a sort of "Try Before You Buy"), which you can access by clicking on the 'Play Bowls/Stay Active' header at the top of the page,  Fill in the form and we will contact you as soon as possible. 

 

Experienced Club Bowler? We can integrate you into Club and County Life.

If you are already an experienced bowler and would like to simply take out Club Membership, the Membership Application can be found under the 'Join Us' header at the top of the page.  The various categories of Membership are explained on the first page with the link to the Membership Application at the bottom of the page.  Once you have filled in the form you will receive an acknowledgement explaining all about the Club, how to pay your Membership Fee, and the Competitions we organise.

 

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 Competitions 2024

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 ​​​​​Winter Pairs League

​​​​There are now fourteen entries in the League and entry is now closed.  I will contact the teams with the details soon.  

 

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Bolton Open - Saturday 28 September 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pies were hot; the weather was not for this year’s Bolton Open Pairs Championship. Nevertheless despite the chilly conditions this festival of bowling produced a great day’s play. As the organiser of the event I must admit I was on tenterhooks in the days leading up to Saturday – heavy rain looked on the cards but mercifully we had blue skies if somewhat blustery conditions.

There is a lot of doom and gloom surrounding the future of bowls these days but this well subscribed event was a kick in the teeth for the naysayers. The eighteen teams competing spanned the decades, with the young guns mixing it with older heads to provide shocks and entertainment galore. 

On paper with names like Vaughan, Lockhart, Parkinson, Rimmer, Milligan and the venerable Gordon Niven on board there looked to be no easy games to qualify from the 3 groups and so it proved. As an example Peter Gillett and David Eccles had an amazing 11-5 win over hot favourites Lockhart and Parkinson and despite an impressive outing in their other games a one shot defeat to the canny pairing of Rhys Vaughan and Bob Wood meant their heroics counted for nothing in their quest for a semi-final place. Meantime my dark horses ( Rod Finnen and Phil Thorpe ) stealthily qualified for the later stages with an especially notable 9-4 victory over Lloyd and Stuart Milligan.

Lancashire Captain Ian Mayne alongside his colleague Shayne Rimmer had not put a foot wrong all day and topped their group in authoritative manner. Their opponents in the semi- final however were the much fancied pairing of Lockhart and Parkinson who confirmed their standing with a thumping 9-2 victory as they marched into the final. Meantime the Finnen and Thorpe combo played Louise and John Yates in the other semi in a tense confrontation that went down to the wire. The Yates’ were just one shot down going into the last end. John Yates had a chance to move the jack with his last bowl to win the game, but missed by a whisker to lose in agonising manner.

To be honest the final between Lockhart & Parkinson and Rod Finnen and Phil Thorpe looked to be running away from Rod and Phil. Somehow they clawed their way back to a two shot deficit with just one end to go but their gutsy last stand came to nought as their illustrious opponents ran out 8-4 winners. Congratulations to David and Jason – worthy winners in my view.

This year we decided to have each round on a timed basis and with Moira Ellis running the rule over proceedings it proved to be a wise decision with the tournament actually finishing ahead of time. I would like to thank all the competitors for participating in this year’s competition and for the positive feedback I have received. Without the help of our very own ‘Statto’ Peter Rogers, Paul Willcocks, Carole Partington, Moira & Graham Ellis, David Travis, Helen Braddock and John Muldoon this event couldn’t happen - so a thousand thanks to them. Big, big thanks especially go to Clare Fletcher who not only generously gave her time and expertise in the kitchen but also sponsored this year’s Open – what a star!!!

The last word goes to the legendary Gordon Niven who has played in a competition or two who commented: “ Looking back in years to come the 2024 Bolton Open will go down as a brilliant innovative event where everyone went home thinking ‘what a great day I've had today’ "

 

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 ​Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Bowling during the Winter Season.

 

 Monday Afternoon.

The Monday Random Roll Up will revert to an afternoon session on Monday 7 October 2024.  Paul Willcocks has volunteered to organise. Check in will be 12.45 hrs. for an 13.00 start.

Thursday Afternoon.

There will be a DIY session on Thursday afternoon.

Friday Night Frostbite.

A new innovation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday.

There will be a Roll Up on Saturday when the Green is not in use for a Club/County event.  Check the Club Calendar.

 

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Sale Room.

There are several sets of bowls for sale on the Sale Room Page, follow the link above to have a look.

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