Ballantrae Bowling Club
Hosting lawn bowls since 1888
Gill Sherry
There’s no denying the popularity of lawn bowls. Quintessentially British, the sport can be traced back as far as the 13th century. In Scotland, the Scottish Bowling Association (now Bowls Scotland) was formed in 1893. Prior to that, in 1888, Ballantrae Bowling Club was founded.
I caught up with Club Secretary, Anne McCulloch, who stays in Ballantrae and who has been involved with her local bowling club for the last 26 years.
“It’s a very sociable sport,” she tells me. “You don’t need to be particularly fit so it’s open to everybody. You don’t need to be a sprinter, a long-distance runner, or a weightlifter!”
I suppose the only thing you need to turn up with is bags of enthusiasm, because most clubs will have a set of bowls available for newcomers to borrow. And whether you’re playing competitively or purely for fun, it’s good for you.
“It’s gentle exercise. You’re out in the fresh air. You’re meeting different people, especially if you go to different clubs to play.”
Ballantrae Bowling Club takes part in the Maybole League in addition to competing in Carrick Cup games.
“We usually do quite well in the Maybole League,” Anne confirms. “And some of the guys play in Ayrshire ties as well.”
Ballantrae Bowling Club currently has around 40 members, served by a committee of approximately ten volunteers. I ask Anne if, like other bowling clubs, they struggle to attract new, younger members.
“This is a problem,” she confirms. “We do engage with Ballantrae Primary, it gives the pupils an idea of where the bowling green is. It’s tucked away in Ballantrae and some of them might never have been up there.”
Is there an ideal age for youngsters to take up the sport?
“Probably 12 or 13. If they’re younger than that, the bowls are too big for their hands. You tend to find that people bowl in the family, then their children follow. It seems to run in the family rather than other, new people wanting to join.”
To encourage new members, the club holds an annual bowler/non-bowler day, usually on the first Sunday of July.
“Anybody can play. They can be drawn with a partner – a bowler – and we have a wee competition. It’s always very popular. People that don’t bowl come and have a go every year.”
There is also an open competition (to be held this year on 18th July), and Anne encourages people to contact her if they’re interested in entering.
“We’ve got a full entry at the moment, but please get in touch because there might be cancellations.”
Spectators are always welcome, so feel free to pop along (Main Street, Ballantrae, KA26 0NB) and see how it’s done.
You can contact Anne on 07949 734136. Alternatively, drop her an email at annemcculloch1992@gmail.com. You can also follow the club on Facebook (Ballantrae Bowling Club).
