New Age Bowls Winners
Last Thursday the final game of the North Tyneside new age bowls league was played at the Help Yourself to Health Day at West Moor Community Centre. The winners, from William Roberts Court from Killingworth, just led the final game against the runners-up from Cheviot View, West Allotment.
32 teams from sheltered housing schemes and community centres have taken part in a league over the summer – all having a go at playing ‘new age bowls’. This is a lighter version of bowls that can be played on any surface without any need for a heavy carpet. The weighted foam bowls are easy to play, both seated and standing, and the target is unrolled and ready to play in a moment.
Both teams reaching the final have enjoyed developing their skills at the new game and are keenly competitive. Jean Carr, Scheme Manager at William Roberts Court, said “When we got the set of bowls everybody wanted to have a go. We’ve been playing every Monday, it keeps us moving and, most importantly, having fun.”
Cllr David Charlton, Chair of the Age Takes Centre Stage Festival Planning Group was invited to present the trophies. “We have wanted to include a Bowls Challenge as part of the Age Takes Centre Stage Festival for many years so I am very pleased to congratulate the winners and all the teams who took part.”
Age UK North Tyneside set up the project with a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to promote physical and creative activities for older people living in sheltered housing. As well as the new age bowls there have been arts activities and healthy eating sessions to encourage people to develop new interests and look after themselves well.
Anyone who would like to try new age bowls for themselves is invited to have a go from 2-4pm at Age UK North Tyneside’s Whitley Bay Centre on Park Road.
