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Every year, bowlers and guests representing all the clubs in West Glamorgan Ladie’s Bowls Association meet for a match and a celebration dinner courtesy of the President. This year the event was held on the 9^th of August in Resolven on Carwen’s home green.

The weather didn’t match the occasion thought! It poured down for most of the afternoon. But bowlers are made of sterling stuff.  They enjoyed a chinwag with old friends and a glass of wine and also melt- in the- mouth nibbles made by Ceri, Carwen’s daughter. Then everyone walked over to Cam Gears Club and had a rip-roaring time competing in the skittle alley

The meal that followed was delicious and much enjoyed by everyone

Then, to top it all off, Carwen’s son, opera singer Lee arrived and in his lovely tenor voice, sang a selection of songs from musicals chosen by his mother.

Carwen with daughter Ceri and son Lee

Carwen wirt her team Resolven Ladies, who say “Well done Madam President!”

IMAGES BY NATASHA WILLIAMS

Many braved the elements on Sunday 30 July, 2023 to participate in the Celebration Tournament marking 91 years of flat green bowling with Resolven Bowls Club.

Everyone who attended was honoured to see the Country’s top bowlers of all ages, showing off their skills and having a great time doing so, despite the incessant showery rain and drizzle.

Even under such wet and damp conditions the Resolven bowling green played very well and spectators were treated to some amazingly close competitive and accurately controlled bowling which was due in part to the hard work previously carried out on the green by various members particularly by Gareth Evans and the Groundsman Roy Gillespie with the cooperation of the Community Council.

Refreshments were provided throughout the day, with lunch included, all served by hard working volunteers.

The standard of play by the World class bowlers which local people rarely get a chance to see was extraordinarily entertaining and appreciated by Club members and all present. Many of those taking part will soon be representing Wales at the World Bowls Championships at The Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

The format for the tournament was 2 bowl triples with 6 groups of 4 teams (3 or 4 in each team) in a play off, and various points allocated throughout the 10 ends played.

After battling through strong competition the Winners of ‘The 91’ were Harlequins stars Jarrad Breen, Jack Davies and Ross Owen who you may have seen competing in the Commonwealth Games.

They were presented with the John Hopkins Memorial Trophy by RBC President, Hugh Lewis.

Runners-up were Ryan Thomas, Jamie Brown and Jon Tomlinson.

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It was decided and agreed by all concerned that due to the weather conditions that the final play-offs for ‘the plate’ would not be played, Instead, all 4 semi-finalists split the 1st and 2nd prize money. Seen Below receiving their cash from the hard working enthusiastic Organiser and Tournament Coordinator Mike Herbert are Ben Salmon on behalf of Dan Salmon’s team, Jasmine Staton on behalf of Martin Johnson’s team, Jon Williams on behalf of Robert Chisholm’s team and Rhys Colwill for his team.

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Congratulations and well done to all who weathered the conditions of the day.

The following are some photographs taken during the early rounds showing only a few of the many taking part over the day.

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Many prizes were donated and a raffle was held during the day of The Tournament which raised a total of £400 for Building Blocks Family Centre in Resolven.

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Photographs by Hugh Lewis and Natasha Williams