The inaugural meeting of Leicestershire Mens Clubs was held in 1921 and the outcome was the formation of Leicestershire Bowling Association (LBA) with E.M. Bowler from Spinney Hill Park being the first LBA President. The very first Presidential Tour took place in 1951 and has continued to this day.
On 24 May 1930 17 ladies from five clubs (Ashby de la Zouch, Market Harborough, Western Park, Rothley and Brookfield) met and formed the Leicestershire Ladies County Bowling Association (LLCBA). Officers were elected and a Club Affiliation fee of 5/- was set for the year. The Singles Championship was played for the first time, with an entrance fee of 1/- and the silver En-Tout-Cas trophy presented by the company.
The first City v County match prior to the annual ladies trophy presentation took place in 1934 as did the first ladies County tour for three days to South Wales and Monmouthshire where the first item on the programme was Reveille at 6am and a “Parade in Bathing Costumes”. Steady progress in terms of women’s bowling in Leicestershire was made and in 1938 it is recorded that the LLCBA had 19 clubs totalling 667 playing members and 125 associate members.
Leicestershire provided four Presidents of the English Bowling Association (EBA) – 1995 M. Swatland, 1954 F. Burton, 1931 F. Greenwood, 1907 E. Pickard – and five Presidents of the English Womens Bowling Association (EWBA) – 1982 A Parkinson, 1978 D Johnson, 1970 J Pickering, 1954 A M Walker and 1938 Mrs Whitbread.
International and National Honours have included Tony Allcock OBE in World Bowls, 1980-84 and Senior International appearances from 1978-84. From Leicestershire, Tony also won the Under 25 Singles Championships in 1974, 75 & 77. Dorothy Lewis (Oadby) represented England in the Commonwealth Games Fours team of 1990.
The only lady Life Member of the LLCBA, Pip Green represented England alongside Dorothy from 1987-90 inclusive.
In Inter-County Championships, Leicestershire won the Middleton Cup in 2018 and 1964, the Johns Trophy in 1993, Walker Cup in 2016, Balcomb Trophy in 1986 & 2009 and the White Rose in 1998.
In 2014, the Bowls England Certificate of Merit was awarded to Kate Kyle in recognition of her services to the Sport of Bowls. The EBA and EWBA were supported by Leicestershire in the form of International Selectors: Roger Kirkpatrick and Michael Swatland, with EBA Life Membership conferred on M Swatland, D.E. Partridge, H. Backhouse and F. Harvey.
Bill Smith (Goodwood) was Bowls England President in 2018.
The County is administered by an elected Board.
County Details
Contact: Steve Bacon
Mobile: 07870 327568
Email: admin@bowlsleicestershire.com
Website: www.bowlsleicestershire.com
Agreed Centre: Leicester