Bowls International - July 2022

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www.bowlsinternational.com July 2022 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL 3
Disability Bowls England recently hosted a game against friends and supporters from The Friends
of English Bowling and to make the day extra special they were joined by some members of the
Royal Chelsea Pensioners bowls team. The game was played at Sawbridgeworth Bowling Club,
Hertfordshire, and DBE would like to thank all their members for making the afternoon a great
success. The Friends team came from all over the country to play and it was great to see them
all and to be able to thank them for the support they give to Disability Bowls England
CONTENTS
July 2022 (cid:149) THE GAME'S MOST RESPECTED NAME
NEWS
P.6 P.12
6-7 INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT
Bob’s love of bowls
8-9 THE INTERVIEW
Rednall reflects on 100 England caps
12 WELSH NEWS
Bowls Premier League at Barry
14 SCOTTISH NEWS
Under 25 pairs decided
P.8
P.14
4 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL July 2022 www.bowlsinternational.com
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Cover photo: From
top left clockwise:
Martin McHugh
(Ireland), Lucy Beere
(Guernsey), Aaron
Wilson (Australia),
Colleen Piketh (South
Africa), Paul Brown
(Wales), Siti Zalina
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Alex Marshall MBE
(Scotland), Amy Pharaoh (England)
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www.bowlsinternational.com July 2022 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL 5
RETIREMENT | Bob Love
A bowler for more than 40 years, Bob
shares that it is both the social side and
International
his competitive edge that he enjoys the
most about the sport, but stresses that it
is important to take things at a sensible
pace to start with.
retirement “Give it a go, but not just one go,” he
told us.
“Once you’ve got the bug learn to
enjoy the process of learning don’t
take it too serious at first. After time
for Bob Love your competitive instinct will soon
kick in.”
LOVE OF SPORT
Over the years, Bob has also competed
internationally at athletics and
swimming, and nationally at table tennis
and archery.
He explains: "I was always into things,
and loved sport, and I suppose I am
quite competitive. For table tennis and
archery, I used my mouth, and that
meant I had to ask a dentist if he could
produce a mouthpiece with which I
could hold and use a bat."
The dentist agreed – on the condition
that Bob would have five fillings done,
Regarded as one of the best
and he was then able to develop his
para bowlers in the world, skills at ping-pong and many other
Bob Love's sporting activities at a multi-disability
retirement from
sports club in Sutton Coldfield in the
international play will be a West Midlands. That was where he
discovered bowls.
huge loss to England
He uses his feet to pick up and place
the mat, to give instructions to his
partner, and applauds a good shot
Born without arms and taking with his right foot, and swings his leg, by tapping his left leg with his right
to the green in his bare delivering the bowl along the line to foot. He also 'shakes hands' using his
feet, Bob’s delivery style is the jack. right foot, and executes a high five,
recognisable far and wide – Bob recalls that one of his first clapping his right foot against his
delivering the jack with his right foot, international bowls events was when teammate’s hand.
and his bowls with his left foot. And, if was selected to play in the IPC World
you haven’t seen Bob bowl, you'd better Championships in 1990 in Birmingham, COPING MECHANISMS
believe it – he does so with unbelievable where he won one gold medal, two Born in 1954 in the Lozells district of
accuracy, finding the right line almost silver medals and a bronze medal. Birmingham, Bob was given prosthetic
every time. Bob also competed at the Paralympic arms as a child, but found them too
After years competing in athletics Games in 1996 for Great Britain where heavy and cumbersome, and has taught
and swimming, Bob first gave bowls a he was beaten in the bronze medal himself ways of coping without his
go when he felt that he was too old to play-off match. upper limbs.
continue with the required training to
compete at a competitive level.
"It was the short mat game to begin
with," says Bob, "And I was rubbish at
it at first, but I got the hang of it, and
then discovered the long mat game."
Bob has needed to use two quite
Top: different techniques indoors and out.
Born with no arms, Indoors, he 'pushes' the bowl along the
Bob uses his feet to chosen line, and gauges weight the way
deliver a bowl anyone else does. Outdoors, where the
greens are heavier, a push would not be
Right:
enough to send the bowl to a long jack,
Bob (back centre)
so he had to come up with an alternative
captained England
delivery action.
to success at the
Again barefoot, he straps what can
recent para
bowls home best be described as a 'cup' to the top of
nations event his left foot, lifts the bowl on to the cup
6 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL July 2022 www.bowlsinternational.com
MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION
Gill Platt: Bob you are magic. I have had the great pleasure
to have played with you and against you on many occasions.
You have always been supportive and encouraging and I
shall miss you very much.
Rosemary Ellman-Brown: Happy retirement to an
awesome player. Retired and will be remembered at the top
of his game.
David Stott: Bob will be a great loss to the international
team on the green – but so pleased to hear that he will still
be available to share his vast knowledge and experience. On
the playing front, it is so good to know that we have 'rising
stars' who are already proving their worth – and there are
more aspiring internationals 'knocking on the door'. Enjoy
your retirement, Bob!
Raelene Barry: A wonderful man, had the pleasure of
meeting Bob several times over in England and a fine
gentleman and asset to bowling.
Rosemary Lenton: Really sorry to hear the news, Bob
you’re a great ambassador for the sport and also to
everyone with a disability. Hopefully we will see you around,
you’ve a lot still to offer.
John Greaves: Enjoy your retirement Bob, you are an
awesome bowler and a true inspiration to many people. It
has been an honour to play with and against you over the
last few years and I look forward to meeting you again soon.
Best wishes for the future mate.
Pauline Wilson: Sorry to hear this, though I wish you a
very happy retirement Bob. I'm sure you will still be working
in the background and hopefully we will still see you on
the greens. A great bowler and an ambassador for sport.
Wishing you all the very best in what you do next.
Bill Blaney: Many happy memories of the time spent
Top: Bob (right) with Dave Fisher and Paul Brown with their bronze medals at the 2014 with you over the years. Always a great crowd puller when
Commonwealth Games Bottom left: Bob (right) with Joe Peplow at the recent home nations bowling at all the different locations. A great bowler and
internationals Bottom right: Bob has to adapt his delivery action depending on the surface lovely man. Enjoy your retirement.
Robert Dick: I have seen many Para bowlers within the
sport, but none better than Bob Love. It was always great to
After leaving school, Bob spent 20 and friends I have met. So far from
meet him and have a chat.
months at the Portland Training College being a negative, you could say that
in Mansfield, near Nottingham. "I my life has been enhanced because of Mark Adams: Being a new member of the Welsh para
found that watch-making (one of the my disability." bowls squad and meeting Bob, I had nothing but admiration
options he was offered) was a no-no, And has he any regrets? He has for his talent. He has been an amazing ambassador to the
and I eventually got a job as a clerk with proved that he can find a way to do game of bowls and especially para bowls. Enjoy retirement.
Birmingham City Council." most things, but is there anything he
Viv Tomlinson: A brilliant player, a terrific advert for
Bob worked at first in the licensing can't do, that he would really like
para bowls and a truly nice bloke. Happy international
department, then moved on to HR, to do? retirement Bob.
and was employed there for 26 years Tellingly, the question seemed
before taking voluntary redundancy in to trouble Bob when he was asked
October 2015. by David Rhys Jones in a previous
He was therefore still working for interview for Bowls International, has played at international and
the Council when he helped Dave “but he came back to me the next day Commonwealth Games events and is
Fisher and Paul Brown win a bronze to say he had thought of something,” regarded as one of the best para bowlers
medal in the para triples event at the DRJ recalls. in the world,” Mo said.
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow "One regret is that I didn't learn to “I would also like to thank Bob for
in 2014, and, when he returned, he drive, but it's probably too late now!", his dedication and leadership to the
received a 'Best Bowler in Birmingham' said Bob. international and Disability Bowls
award from the City Council. Bob recently captained England to England teams.
Perhaps we can learn a lot from Bob's success in the para home nations event, “He will be a huge loss to England,
answer to the question: "How has your and it was following that event where but he assures me that we can tap in
disability affected your life?" he shared news of his intention to on his vast experience to help future
He responded: "Mainly in a retire with Disability Bowls England’s England squads and to progress the
positive way. I most likely would not Performance Manager, Mo Monkton. sport where he will play an important
have travelled the world (through “Since my involvement in 2014, role in our planned review of the high
sport) or met the wonderful people Bob has been the England captain, performance structure and pathway.”
www.bowlsinternational.com July 2022 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL 7
INTERVIEW | DDaavviidd RRhhyyss JJoonneess
JOHN REDNALL – BOWLS LEGEND
WHY NOW? he went on to win, returning a 21-20
John received a special It goes without saying that everyone scorecard in the final. John’s meteoric
presentation from Bowls England
is entitled to retire and should be free rise continued when he was drafted
president Hazel Marke on the
to choose the right moment for their into Suffolk’s Eastern Counties side,
occasion of his 100th England cap
departure, but it was with dismay we and the next year – 1981, at the age of
all assumed that John’s principal reason 17 – he was selected to play lead in the
for calling it a day was the abrupt way Middleton Cup.
in which the home international series “I loved Arthur Haggar’s smart EBA
–the flagship of British outdoor bowls – blazer, with the red rose embroidered
has been axed. on the pocket, and my heart was set on
John, a very level-headed guy, has emulating him, and one day playing for
expressed concern that his decision has my country,” recalls John.
been described as some kind of protest. “I’ve played in the Middleton Cup
“That’s not true,” he told me. “Yes, it’s ever since, except for one year when
perfectly true that I was – and still am Katherine was born, and I am now
– heartbroken at the axing of the series, player/manager,” John says with pride.
because it was always my greatest love in “Most of my matches have been at lead,
the sport. Now it’s not there, I felt it was the although I have played third and skip
right time to retire – it’s as simple as that.” a few times. I have never ever tired of
How would I describe John Rednall? leading; it’s what I was born to do and
Versatile – consistent – talented – what I do best!”
ubiquitous – omnipresent – popular
–modest – self-effacing – likeable – THE BREAKTHROUGH
hard-working. Yes, John Rednall is all John’s big breakthrough came in 1986
these – and much more. Did you know when he was a proud member of the
he’s also a musician extraordinaire, a Marlborough Club octet that won the
pianist and composer, an athlete who national two fours title. His consistently
runs marathons, a dedicated coach and inch-perfect play at lead attracted the
pundit, and a seriously observant writer attention of the England selectors, who
on bowls matters? pitched him into the trial prior to the
1987 home international series.
THE BEGINNING “I really did not expect to get in the
Bowls International
In last month’s ,
John comes from a bowling family; team at the first attempt, but I did – and
we revealed that John Rednall, his mother Gwenda and father Don I was selected at lead in a dream rink
were immersed in the game. Born in with Peter McCall at two, my hero
Bowls England’s most-capped
1964, John was four or five when he David Bryant at three, and David Ward
international, had decided to retire first played bowls with his mum on the at skip.”
living room carpet, using “those tiny The late, great David Ward was John’s
from the international scene.
bowls that turn at right angles.” But he international skip for more than 60
It was clear from the reaction soon borrowed a set of dusty lignums matches and has a very special place
belonging to his grandmother and in his heart. “I loved leading for him,”
on social media that this was a
played on the front lawn. John says. “I still think of David a lot.
decision that shocked, stunned EBA regulations meant that at 14, He was a one-off, always so calm and
he was too young to join his parents’ unfazed, a bit of a gambler, he would
and, yes, saddened bowlers across
club – the Rookery Club in Stowmarket. fire even when we only had one bowl in
the UK, who admired the man who However, the EBF imposed no age the head, but he was a complete natural.
restriction, so he started rolling up at the Losing him was a really emotional blow
has made 101 appearances for his
Suffolk Iron Foundry Club. “They were and my little tribute to him each season
country, and who is regarded as quite happy for me to practise on my own after his untimely death was to take his
and occasionally, when a team member place at the back of the line in the march
one of the best leads in the game.
didn’t turn up, they drafted me in to play,” on. It was just a special moment for me
But who is John Rednall? The man says John. “I absolutely loved it!” each series.”
When he turned 14, John joined the
who seems to have been around Rookery Club, and also played regularly 101 OUTDOOR CAPS
forever is apparently playing as at weekends on the very fast Felixstowe John has missed only two outdoor
and Suffolk green, where he learnt a lot series since his debut – in 2000 and
well as ever? So, why is he retiring?
from Suffolk’s Middleton Cup bowlers. 2011. That’s a total of 31 series.
We asked another seemingly In his second year at the Rookery, he Indoors, he played in 14 series between
won the club singles title, beating one 1989 and 2006. In terms of national
ever-present stalwart, David Rhys
of his heroes Arthur Haggar, a former championships, he won the indoor
Jones, to tell us more about the England international, in the final. singles title in 2004, when he defeated
This gave him entry to the county Nick Brett in the final, and he almost
likeable legend from Suffolk
Champion of Champions event, which joined an exclusive band of elite players
8 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL July 2022 www.bowlsinternational.com
WLS LEGEND ‘BORN TO LEAD’
when he lost to Andy Walters in the started running 18 years ago just after
outdoor final in 2013. a teaching colleague and good friend,
Four years previously, he had beaten Richard Miller revealed in a staff
Andy in the outdoor Champion of meeting that he had been diagnosed
Champions final, and, altogether, not with prostate cancer. He asked us if any
counting team events, he has appeared of us would like to train to do a half
in nine national finals. Outdoors, he won marathon to raise funds for the Prostate
the Under 25 singles title in 1987 and Cancer Charity. Nine members of staff
the pairs title with Clive Webb in 2003. duly joined Stowmarket Striders, where
That was after he and Clive lost in the the coaches were brilliant, and together
pairs final in 2000. Indoors he has been we raised £23,000 for the Prostate
a runner-up in the triples and fours and, Cancer Charity.”
with his talented daughter Katherine, the John’s love of running grew and
family pairs. to date he has completed the Great
In 1994, John was selected to represent North Run seven times, as well as
his country at the Commonwealth numerous half marathons, the London
Games in Victoria, British Columbia, Marathon in 2010 and 2011 and the
where he played lead for John Bell, Dublin Marathon in 2010. He has
with his Suffolk colleague Roy Cutts run for Macmillan, Marie Curie, The
Left: John made the front page of Bowls International in June 2004
and Surrey Welshman Wynne Richards Royal Marsden, Disability Bowls
after winning the EIBA singles Right: John with the EBA Under 25
mid-rink. Needing to beat Zimbabwe England and Prostate Cancer Charity.
singles trophy in 1987
to clinch a place in the medal play-offs, His two London Marathons raised
they lost, “But,” he says, “It was a great over £3,000 split between the East
experience to rub shoulders with some Anglian Air Ambulance and the Ectopic
of my sporting heroes like Sally Gunnell, Pregnancy Trust. WHAT NEXT?
Linford Christie and Denise Lewis.” But, back to the bowls! As well as
At World Bowls in 2004, along with being a wizard with the woods, John is
Mervyn King, Rob Newman and Andy also a dedicated and inspirational coach, I“ have retired from international bowls,” he says.
Thomson, he won a bronze medal. And, who likes to bring on youngsters. “That’s all! I would like to stress once again that
if you are looking for more evidence of John loves writing about bowls and it’s not a protest. It’s not me standing up against
John’s uncanny drawing ability, just take has provided livestream commentary change. It’s a decision based on nostalgia. And in
on board these statistics: he has won the for the EIBA National Championships many ways, it won’t change anything. I will still play as
Suffolk county singles title nine times and World Bowls Tour. And, he is much bowls as before.
indoor and four times outdoors, and his proud of his current role as player- “I’m playing well and am just as competitive as
club two-wood singles title 24 times. I manager of Suffolk’s Middleton ever. That will never disappear, and neither will
rest my case! Cup team. the memories of so many fascinating international
series. Without the series, it’s the right time to retire.
THE MUSICIAN EARLY RETIREMENT
There are no regrets, no sour grapes, just a lot of
However, there is more – much more – When John announced his retirement, happy memories.”
to John Rednall than his bowling ability. he received hundreds of messages of So – John – it’s good to retire. You deserve a rest. In
A talented musician and brilliant music support from friends and admirers, who my view, your achievements will never be equalled,
teacher, his England colleagues were were reluctant to believe it was true, but let alone surpassed. But many of your admirers are
certainly aware that he was a gifted who wished to congratulate him on an sorry that your retirement has come in such an abrupt,
pianist – and it was his international skip unparalleled career. unseemly and untimely manner. You – and bowls –
David Ward who gave him the name The names of legends like David deserved better.
of ‘Fingers’! Bryant, Peter Line, Tony Allcock, John Nothing can take away the pride you must feel when
John’s teaching career spanned 33 Bell and Andy Thomson spring to you look at your honours board. On a personal note,
years, 24 of them at Needham Market mind as stalwarts of the English game. I have to say that, from the moment you and I first
Middle School. An inspirational teacher, They were all precociously talented, met (nearly 40 years ago), you have remained the
he composed and directed shows every and had stamina, too, so carved out same honest John Rednall, with a 100% attitude – a
year at the schools where he worked. long careers. Yes, they were known consummate master at getting your bowls near the
“Composing remains a great interest for for their longevity. But John Rednall jack. And you are universally admired for that!
me,” he says. “During lockdown, using has ‘outlived’ them all, breaking all If this reads like a eulogy, I apologise. It is
my studio keyboard, I recorded 38 of records with his consistency, reliability emphatically not an obituary. You have so much still
my compositions on an album called and resilience. to give. And I can’t help observing that your early
‘The Needham Years’ which has been John declared himself to be departure is not the end of the Rednall legacy. Another
sold to raise charitable funds for the heartbroken at recent decisions distinguished young Rednall is carrying on the name –
Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Special regarding the future of the international and gloriously! Good luck to you – and to Katherine.
Care Baby Unit. series, and it’s hard to find anyone But, at this time, good luck also to British bowls. It’s
who has spoken up in favour of the definitely needed!
MARATHON MAN sacrilegious destruction of the fabric of Written with warmth and affection – as well as more
Then there’s the running. I will leave our sport. Note, though, that he does not than a touch of sadness!
John to take up that particular story: “I describe his action as a protest.
www.bowlsinternational.com July 2022 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL 9
ENGLISH NEWS Matt Wordingham
Clash of the Codes challenge
The winning team from Heaton Hall BC The Lloyd Hotel crown green bowlers
Bowlers from Heaton Hall BC (flat green) and Lloyd Hotel BC and crown green pairs. More than £6,000 was raised for Francis House
(crown green) in Manchester faced off against each other in a Children’s Hospice who provide appropriate respite and end of life care
‘Clash of the Codes’ challenge match. for children and young people with life limiting illness and the necessary
The Ryder Cup style contest took place on the three greens at support and short-term care for their families.
Heaton Hall which boasts both flat green and crown green facilities. The event was incredibly tight with the Heaton Hall bowlers winning
Each member of the 12-strong teams played four sessions across the 19-17. Discussions have already commenced with the aim to organise a
day consisting of flat green singles, crown green singles, flat green pairs similar challenge match next year.
Action from the charity
SUMMER BREAK
tournament
AT POTTERS
Congratulations to Alan Giddings,
Keith Hutton, Sue Crockett and
Vic Crockett, who won the final
midweek bowls competition at
Potters Resort for the 2021-22 BUMPER CHARITY DAY
season.
Potters now enters its summer Dawlish BC in Devon recently held a
hiatus of bowls breaks, with the charity tournament for the Stuart Mayne
next one starting on Monday, Plate, named to commemorate a past
September 5. player at the club. Treasurer Noel Nickless
Join us on the next Bowls explained: “The day was held to raise
International 'Bowl with the Stars' money for Rowcroft Hospice. We’re still
break at Hopton-on-Sea, taking counting the money as it’s still coming in.”
place week commencing Monday, Sixteen teams of four from local pubs
November 28. Alan Giddings, Keith Hutton, took part and Noel estimated more than
You can book your place by Sue Crockett and Vic Crockett 200 supporters went along to watch during
visiting www.pottersholidays.com. the event.
Success for Edwards
FUTURE STARS
Scott Edwards won the seventh annual Under 12 and Under 18 tournaments for
Cheltenham Open Singles Bowls Dorset Youth Bowls Academy members will
Tournament and received the £1,000 take place next month at Poole Park BC.
first prize. The round robin competition, taking place
The 2017 winner, from Westlecot BC in on Monday, August 8, will also include a plate
Swindon, once again emerged the champion competition for those youngsters who don’t
from a field of 64 bowlers to win the cheque make it through the first rounds.
donated by tournament sponsor De Rose The event is free to enter with the winner of
Wealth Management. the Under 18 tournament being awarded the
The losing finalist was Stuart Hodges from Carol Williams Trophy, while the winner of the
Cheltenham BC who was pipped on an plate competition will receive the Joy and Sid
Scott Edwards extra end tie-break and received a cheque Steele Trophy.
(right) being for £500. Losing semi-finalists were Nathan The competition is being sponsored by
presented with Kitchen (Cheltenham BC) and Graham Bowls International and Biased Bowls. For
the cheque Phillips (Barnwood BC) who took home more information on the Dorset Youth Bowls
£250 each. Academy, visit www.dorsetyouthbowls.co.uk
10 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL July 2022