Statement from the British Crown Green Bowling Association

Please find attached statement from the BCGBA in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, following the recent UK Supreme Court ruling.

Please find the link to download a copy of the programme for today’s BCGBA Men’s Senior County Championship Match between North Lancs & Fylde and Warwick & Worcester

North Lancs & Fylde v Warwick & Worcester

The first Men’s County Match of the season takes place this Sunday 4th May at Lonsdale Sports & Social Club, Fulwood Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8DB.

North Lancs & Fylde will be competing in Section 2.

Match Starts at 2pm. Spectators welcome. Entry with Programme £2

Bar, Refreshments and Car parking available.

Teams playing at Londsdale Sports & Social Club (NLFCBA – Home team)

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Away leg is taking place at The George Bowling Club, George Road, Oldbury, Warley, B68 9LN

Teams playing at The George Bowling Club (W&W – Home team)

Live match scores and results can be found be visiting the Bowling Results website. Please click on the link on match day https://bowlsresults.co.uk/countyresults/teamsheet.php?yearid=2025&web=bcgbaseniors&leagueid=1

Best of Luck to the North Lancs & Fylde team and we hope to see many of you there on Sunday to give your support.

This is a polite reminder to affiliated Clubs and Leagues that the the North Lancs & Fylde and BCGBA Affiliation fees are due for payment, with the deadline of 30th April 2025.

Affiliation forms can be downloaded from the NLFCBA website. Please click on the link: https://nlfcba.com/documents/

Payments can be made via BACS (Bank Transfer) or by cheque in the post to the County Financial Officer, Neil Payne. Forms can be downloaded and must be fully completed and sent with the payment. (Note: if payment is by BACS (Bank transfer), then please email the affiliation form to financeofficer.nlfcba@gmail.com

Many thanks to those Clubs and Leagues that have made payment to date.

If any Club or League has changed their Secretary recently, can you please email the County Secretary at secretary.nlfcba@gmail.com so we can update our records.

For any payment queries please contact financeofficer.nlfcba@gmail.com

Please see below information regarding the Ribblesdale Classic 2025 which takes place during April and May at Ribblesdale Wanderers Sports Club in Clitheroe and is now a qualifying event for the end of season BCGBA Champion of Champions

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COMING SOON! Starting on Saturday 12th April, one of the sports biggest events gets underway in our County, please share to your fellow members & friends. Finals Day is Sunday 25th May.

The sixth running of The Ribblesdale Classic gets underway next weekend as players from across the UK & IOM do battle for the respective titles. The action kicks off with a double header on the opening weekend as the qualifying action starts on Saturday 12th April 11am and continues on Sunday 13th April at 6pm. These are the first sessions of eight qualifying sessions to take place over April & May at Ribblesdale Wanderers Sports Club in Clitheroe. 

This years competition is once again the largest of its kind. With an increased total prize money of £8000 and is the biggest of any competition with 128 entries. We are delighted to have the sports elite coming to the picturesque Ribble Valley for our event once again. 

128 bowlers will do battle to try win the magnificent trophy and the first prize of £1600!!

Starting on Sunday 20th April at 2.45, The £1300 Junior Ribblesdale Classic gets underway showcasing the future of the sport. Battling it out over 2 qualifying sessions the 32 juniors are looking to win an impressive £400 first prize. 

All juniors will receive merchandise from Drakes Pride. This will include a Drakes Pride Microfibre Towel, Cap, Stickers and Footer. Thanks go to Drakes Pride and Clitheroe Town Council for their support. The qualifiers will also get shirts for the finals day thanks to The Mel Evans MBE Foundation.

We have loads in store across April and May. As well as the top quality bowls action we have Bowland Brewery Towels for all competitors in The Ribblesdale Classic.

We also have a Bowland Brewery outdoor bar with range of their fantastic products for all to enjoy on Finals Day.

Why not get involved in The Ribblesdale Classic Predictor League. It’s simple each week pick two players per qualifying sessions and the more games they win the more points you get. There is also double points on Finals Day. It’s just £5 entry and a large entry so far sees a big prize pot. Whether you’re a fan or in the event why not have a go! 

Want more information and want to follow this years event?

Find us on Facebook and Instagram @The Ribblesdale Classic!

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/share/1BcHicH4rS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/the_ribblesdale_classic/?igsh=eGtjbjI3N2ZtY2g5&utm_source=qr#

The £8000 Ribblesdale Classic 2025

Qualifying Dates:

Q1 – Saturday 12th April 10.30/11.00

Q2 – Sunday 13th April 5.30/6.00

Q3 – Saturday 19th April 5.30/6.00

Q4 – Sunday 20th April 5.30/6.00

Q5 – Saturday 26th April 10.30/11.00

Q6 – Sunday 4th May 6.00/6.30

Q7 – Friday 9th May 6.00/6.30

Q8 – Sunday 11th May 5.30/6.00

Practice/Start

Finals Day – Sunday 25th May 2.30/3.00 (Bank Holiday Weekend)

Total Prize Money – £8000

Winner £1600

Runner Up £1000

Semi Finalists £550

Quarter Finalists £325

Last 16 £175

Losing Qualifying Game £100

The winner will qualify for the BCGBA Champion of Champions

Find out who’s playing when on our social media platforms, on BWLS and Brighton Bowler.

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The £1300 Junior Ribblesdale Classic 

Qualifying Dates:

JQ1 – Sunday 20th April 2.15/2.45 

JQ2 – Saturday 17th May 5.30/6.00 

Finals Day – Final 8

(Bank Holiday) Sunday 25th May 12.00/12.30 (QF & SF)

The actual Final will take place during The Ribblesdale Classic Finals Day between the QF & SF around 6.00pm. A unique opportunity for the juniors to play infront of a large crowd!

Total Prize Money £1300

Winner £400

Runner Up £200

Semi Finalists £120

Quarter Finalists £60

Losing Qualifying Game £25

Highest Break on Finals Day £20

Juniors who win one match will receive £25

The Winner will also receive a free entry into The Ribblesdale Classic 2026.

We would like thank all our amazing sponsors, partners and supporters. Please check the out and support them where you can.

Also be sure to join us at Ribblesdale Wanderers over April & May for one of our sports biggest events. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and let all your friends and fellow members know about the event.

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Main Sponsors & Partners of The Ribblesdale Classic 2025:

Bowland Brewery, Home Eco Group, Farnsworths Fresh Foods , Clitheroe Town Council, Alpha Graphic Machinery UK Ltd

Sponsors, Partners and Supporters of The Ribblesdale Classic & The Junior Ribblesdale Classic

RPF Commericals & RPF Truck Hire, Studio Eleven, Kepak Home of Rustlers, Harrisons Engineering Lancashire Ltd, Ellenby Construction, Grange Valley Amusements, The Grass Doctor, DW Electrical (David Watters), Bowls Buddies, Well Bowled, Isle of Man Bowls Festival, Mel Evans MBE Foundation, Fort Vale Foundation, Jon Metters, Bob Horrocks & Members of Ribblesdale Wanderers. 

Want to know where we are?

Green Location:

Ribblesdale Wanderers Sports Club, Church Meadow, Brownlow Street, Clitheroe, BB7 1HQ

Why not come along and watch the top quality action? On any of our qualifying sessions it’s free entry! Or join us on our Finals Day where we have loads planned for players and spectators on Sunday 25th May.

Please find the April Safeguarding bulletin from the Bowls Development Alliance

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Please find the latest news from the easyfundraising team.

Clubs can take advantage of the easyfundraising pack on offer to the first 250 clubs so get your application in quick.

Champion of League Champions 2025 – Saturday 5th April at St. Andrews Cricket & Bowling Club, Burnley

Simon Coupe became a 4th time winner of North Lancs and Fylde County Bowling Association Champion of Champions. He beat Jonathan Lacey 21-20 in a superb final. Thanks to St.Andrews for hosting and everyone who helped out. Excellent day of bowling in the sunshine.

Quarter Final Results:

Jonathan Lacey 21 Callum Danson 5
Andy White 21 Whelan 15
Alan Davies 21 Eamon Hernen 20
Simon Coupe 21 Scott Taylor 11

Semi-Finals

Jonathan Lacey 21 Andy White 19
Simon Coupe 21 Alan Davies 7

Final

Simon Coupe 21 Jonathan Lacey 20

Please find this month’s County newsletter and share with your bowling members

Its now time to register your club for this years’ Bowls Big Weekend, 23rd – 26th May 2025

By participating, your Club can attract new members, raise awareness, and strengthen its ties with the local community.

All Clubs that register will receive a full marketing pack (in early April) to help you promote your event within your local area and on social media.

When you’re registering, select ‘BCGBA’ for Governing Body and then start typing your Club name BEFORE selecting your County. Doing that ensures that your Club appears on the affiliated list.

Simply register your club by clicking this link to the website https://www.bowlsbigweekend.com/club-registration/

Please find the February Safeguarding Bulletin from the Bowls Development Alliance