NORFOLK COUNTY (EBA) ASSOCIATION
The First 75 Years (1936–2011)
The English Bowling Association (EBA) code of bowls was first played in Norfolk in June 1922 at the Norfolk Bowling Club, Unthank Road, Norwich, when a Norfolk Bowling Club rink comprising W. Edwards, R. J. Burton, Dr. C. H. Andrews and W. C. Webster played four gentlemen from the English Bowling Association, drawing 14 shots each.
From the Club’s minute book, it is clear that the prime mover in establishing the EBA game in Norfolk was Mr W. C. Webster, and as a result of his efforts, Norfolk Bowling Club affiliated to Essex EBA. At that time, Norfolk could not affiliate in its own right because it lacked the statutory six clubs with EBA greens required under EBA rules.
In the years following 1922—believed to be the founding year of Norfolk Bowling Club—the EBA and the “Norfolk Code of Bowls” continued to be played there, with Norfolk bowlers entering competitions via the Essex County Bowling Association. It was not until 1936 that Norfolk gained direct affiliation to the English Bowling Association.
Formation of the Norfolk County (EBA) Association – 1936
On 6th November 1936, at a meeting in the Royal Hotel, Norwich, seventeen gentlemen representing eight clubs agreed to apply for membership of the English Bowling Association.
The first officers elected were:
President: Sir Henry Holmes JP
Vice President: Mr G. A. Bales
Honorary Secretary: Mr Alec Page
Honorary Treasurer: Mr W. C. Webster
The eight founding clubs were:
Norfolk Bowling Club
Hunstanton Cliff Parade
Great Yarmouth
Wymondham Dell
Sheringham Morley
The Gladstone Club (Norwich)
Harleston Magpie
Heacham Social
Cromer joined shortly after, on 11th December 1936.
The affiliation fee at the time was:
Entrance fee: 5 shillings
Annual subscription: 1 guinea
The original rules have changed very little, a tribute to the foresight of early administrators.
From the eight founding clubs, Norfolk now has seventy-one EBA clubs.
County Secretaries (1936–Present)
The administrative workload of the Association has long been carried by its Honorary Secretaries:
Alec Page (1936–1964)
Phil Segger (1964–1967)
Peter Paul (1967–1975)
R. (Ronnie) Browne (1975–1977)
George Taylor (1977–1983)
Peter Beckham (1983–1984)
N. John Fox (1984–1991)
Alan Rowsell (1992)
Don Faulkner (1993–1996)
Graham Hobart (1996–2005)
Peter Bird (2005– )
The work begun by W. C. Webster was continued by Alec Page, who later became President of the International Bowling Board (1961), having also served as County President in 1947, 1948 and 1961.
Early County Matches & Championships
The first County match under EBA rules was played in 1937 against Essex.
At this time, the County colours and badge (Norfolk Coat of Arms on dark blue) were adopted.
County Championships began in 1937, featuring Singles, Pairs and Fours.
First Singles Champion: Charles Revell (Wymondham Dell)
First Pairs Champions: J. Brouch & C. Ayres (Great Yarmouth)
First Fours Champions: J. Bryan, John Bakewell, G. Brighton & Jimmy Batterbee (Norfolk BC)
A Triples Championship was later added in 1945, won by R. Farman, C. Gedge & W. Taylor (Norfolk BC).
Middleton Cup Successes
Norfolk played its first Middleton Cup game in 1938, beating Cambridgeshire 140–89.
Despite early challenges, Norfolk lifted the Middleton Cup for the first time in:
1966 – defeating Hampshire
1992 – defeating Cornwall
1997 – defeating Lancashire
2006 – defeating Cumbria
Introduction of a Team Manager system in the 1990s contributed to later success. Managers have included:
Basil Last, Alec Farrow, Denis Grint, Arthur Jermy, David Betts, Chris Ward and Brian Taylor.
Major County Competitions & Trophies
Bales Cup (1938) – Club Championship donated by G. A. Bales
Norfolk Benevolent Fund (1938) established
County Tour (1938) – inaugural tour in Kent
Lord Fermoy Cup (1955) – Double Fours Championship
Jermy Cup (1995) – Mixed Fours Championship
Development of Leagues
In 1966, a County-wide league was introduced, now involving 90+ teams and over 1000 players.
A Premier Division was introduced in 1982, and the league is one of the largest of its type in the country.
Wymondham Dell holds the record number of league titles (15).
Sponsorship
CPS Gas – first major County sponsor in the 1990s
Hansells Solicitors (from 2004) – continuing sponsor of the County Association and County League
International Honours – Senior Internationals
Norfolk’s first senior international was:
John Bakewell (Norfolk BC) – 1950 & 1951
Other Norfolk senior internationals include:
R. G. (Reggie) Taylor (1953)
Micky Long (1966–67)
John Youngs (1971)
Chris Ward (1978–83)
David Ward (1982–97)
John Ottaway (1985–2009)
Mervyn King (1990–2010)
Darren Rowsell (2004 & 2009)
Jamie Chestney (2008–2010)
Junior Internationals
Introduced in 1990, Norfolk junior internationals include:
Steve Utting, George Tubby, Neil Moulton, Tim Stone, Jamie Chestney, Steffan Adcock, Wayne Willgress.
National Titles
Norfolk did not win a National title until 1975, when Cromer’s rink (Rix, Whitwood, Ward, Ward) won the Fours.
Since then, Norfolk bowlers have won National titles in all the major competitions:
Singles – 5 wins (Ward x2, Ottaway x3)
Pairs – multiple wins (Bell & Wade; Ottaway & Guy; Wynter & Chestney)
Triples – West, Willgress & Willgress (2007)
Fours – 1975 & 1980 wins
Junior Singles – multiple winners
Club Two Fours (1985) – Wymondham Dell
National Top Club (2004) – North Walsham
Mixed Fours (1998) – Webb, Roylance, Webb, Ward
International Representation – World & Commonwealth Games
Norfolk bowlers have proudly represented England internationally:
Chris Ward – Commonwealth Games 1978 & 1986
David Ward – Bronze medal, 1986
John Ottaway – World Championships (1988, 1992, 2000), Commonwealth Games (1990, 1998, 2002)
Mervyn King – Commonwealth Games 2002, 2006, 2010; numerous World Championship medals
Eastern Counties Bowling Association
Formed in 1967 by six counties (later seven).
Norfolk:
Won the league first in 1968, and 13 times since
Won the Under-30 League three times
Produced several Eastern Counties Presidents
A Tribute to Norfolk’s Administrators
Norfolk owes a huge debt to W. C. Webster, Alec Page, and the many dedicated administrators who followed them.
The continued strength of bowls in Norfolk lies in both the quality of its administration and the ability of its bowlers, placing the County in a strong position for the future.