EBF Nationals Tournament in Skegness
The English Bowling Federation has returned to Skegness for its annual Nationals Tournament - with good news it will be back in its 70th year after concerns about the greens. We spoke to chairman Mike Carr about the progress that has been made.
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00:00We've come along to the English Bowling Federation national competition in Skegness.
00:17I'm with Mike Carr who is the chairman of the federation.
00:23Now you have some good news for us don't you because the last time we were down here there
00:29was concern that these competitions which have been held in Skegness for a long time
00:37something that all the hoteliers look forward to because people stay here, there was concern
00:43that the Greens are in such a poor state that you may not be coming back.
00:49What has happened since that public meeting?
00:52Well I'm pleased to say that since last year things have moved on quite considerably and
00:59there is now a new organisation being formed that hopefully will take over the running
01:04of the Greens from East Linsey District Council.
01:07The federation has backed this new committee and also the federation has put some money
01:14in to try and get the Greens back into a decent playable condition and I think we can see
01:21this morning the hard work that's being done on the Greens and we're more than satisfied
01:27with the progress.
01:29I'm sure that in the future the Greens will get back to pristine condition like they were
01:35a few years ago and I'm pleased to say also that the federation will be coming back to
01:41Skegness year after year if things continue in the way they are doing at the moment.
01:47Now you did express that at that public meeting that the federation felt that Skegness was
01:54their home.
01:56Is that how everyone's feeling today?
01:58It certainly is.
01:59I mean we had a national meeting after that public meeting and all the counties were represented
02:06there and they all said to one that they do not want to go anywhere else other than Skegness.
02:12Skegness is our home.
02:14Next year will be the 70th year that we've been at Skegness and we want it to continue
02:21for many many years to come.
02:23So it will be a big celebration next year.
02:25But talking about this year, I mean there's quite a lot of people here.
02:29How many people have actually come down for this tournament?
02:32Well today it's a team events day and there are teams from all over the counties qualified
02:39for the finals and of course during the week there will be many many more people down.
02:47The main sessions start on Monday afternoon but after that I will expect around about
02:55a thousand people down here every day.
02:58Most of them who come to Skegness and stay for the week.
03:02And there seems to be quite a few young teams as well here.
03:06Yes this morning we have a specific under 25 competition and we've got two teams who
03:13qualified for the national final of that and they'll be starting in a few moments
03:19with their final.
03:21Well good luck with this week and long may it continue.
03:25Thank you very much.
03:32You look like a real pro out there Councillor Findlay.
03:36Have you played bowls before?
03:38No, only a little bit at Centre Box but never before.
03:43Well you're always ready to get stuck in aren't you?
03:46Well you've got to give it a go if you're given the opportunity regardless.
03:50You must be really happy that the EBF are here and they're talking about carrying on
03:59coming back for years and years.
04:03Absolutely delighted as you can see from behind me.
04:05Massive turnout.
04:06All the teams in the beautiful colours.
04:08The greens are looking absolutely fantastic.
04:11The association has been set up, they've managed to find a professional greens carer
04:19that can look after the greens.
04:20It's got them looking fantastic.
04:21Still a little bit of work to do but they are getting there.
04:25But yeah it's quite exciting that the association is working hard along with residents and businesses
04:30to save these greens and keep them going.
04:32Get them a bit more established as they were many many years ago.
04:36Bring things up to speed and tidy up the whole area.
04:38Because it is important for the town isn't it?
04:41A lot of people come and they stay in our hotels and use our restaurants and pubs.
04:46I've been really fortunate to speak to quite a few people here that have been coming here
04:49for many many years.
04:51Some of them have actually been coming here since they were children with their dads and
04:54even their grandparents.
04:55They've taught me quite a lot about how these buildings have been used in different ways
05:02for this tournament and how important this tournament is.
05:05Both for the visitors as well as the locals.
05:11Yes we are reducing numbers over the years but that's like anything else.
05:17But generally it's still a very very sought after.
05:20As you can see from behind, this particular green has been dedicated to the young people.
05:26And there is a really good turnout of all ages from very very small and young and then
05:32behind me again all the way up to senior levels retired people.
05:37One lady up there I spoke to is in her 80s.
05:40So it really is important, a very broad age range.
05:47Betty can you tell everyone how old you are?
05:4986.
05:50And how long have you been coming to this tournament?
05:53Oh, to the tournament?
05:56Since 1985 when we came to the tournament.
06:00And are you playing this weekend?
06:02I'm playing in the tournament this weekend.
06:04Well it's certainly keeping you fit!
06:06It is, it's good exercise for everybody.
06:10What do you love about it?
06:12Outdoors, indoors, everything.
06:14It's my life, shall I say.
06:17You'd recommend it to everybody?
06:19Anybody that wants to take it up, it's the best hobby you can do.