Bowls club thriving in colourful new shirts thanks to local business
West Backwell Bowling Club has debuted its new kit at a special event at Windsor Castle, thanks to sponsorship from local business Parker’s Estate Agents and Letting Agents.
The club has historically played in whites, as is traditional in the sport, but as part of it’s new ‘Thrive with Bowls’ campaign, making the sport more fun and accessible to everyone, it was decided to update the shirts to a vibrant green and yellow.
The club was recently invited to play in the grounds of Windsor Castle versus The Royal Household, where the new shirts were worn and the team won their match.
Parker’s, which has its headquarters at newly-refurbished offices in Backwell, is both principal sponsor and shirt sponsor of the club.
Grace Higgins, Chairwoman of West Backwell Bowls Club, said: “We absolutely love our new and unique shirts and we’re delighted to have debuted them at this special game.
“The shirts really represent us as a club – we’re fun, forward looking and engaging and they fit perfectly with our Thrive with Bowls campaign which is all about promoting health and wellbeing, improving the lives of our members and increasing community engagement.
“Bowls truly is a sport for all and we want to support people in being more active. We have seen first-hand the difference bowls has made to our new members this year. We’ve had whole families playing together, and many say their physical activity has been increased by 100%. It has also helped with recovery from a stroke and by providing a social environment for widowers and people who were previously housebound.
“The invitation to play within the Windsor Castle grounds has been delayed since our 90th anniversary during Covid but came at the perfect time to show off our new shirts. Many clubs are now moving towards colourful shirts or at least a flash of colour on their kits and I think it’s a great reflection of what an inclusive and fun sport bowls is.
“Thank you to Parker’s for their continued support.”
The shirt’s design also features the club logo, a stag, which is a take on the Robinson Family crest. Theodore Robinson donated the recreation park grounds to the people of the village of Backwell. The bowling green was opened in 1929 by the Marquis of Bath who bowled the first bowl. Mr Robinson was made President of the bowling club and remained so until his death in 1959. The words on the logo are Audi alteram partem - which means hear the other side.
Andrew Simmonds, Director of Parker’s Estate Agents, said: “We’re thrilled to be shirt sponsors for this wonderful local team. The new shirts look really eye-catching and we’re looking forward to seeing the Parker’s logo in all its glory when we watch the next match.
“Supporting local community projects and clubs like this is really important to us at Parker’s. West Backwell Bowls Club is a vital resource for the people of our village and surrounding villages to become more active and to engage in social activities and we’re pleased to be able to back them.”
West Backwell Bowls is a village club run solely by volunteers. With over 120 visitors per week, the volunteers run regular events for their members and the community including a weekly ‘Tuesday Try’ bowls night and an engaging social programme at the clubhouse kitchen and bar.
The club also has a new Novices section with subsidised membership for all beginners to include all the support, coaching and aids required.
For more information visit www.westbackwellbc.org.uk
Parker’s is an independent agency, regulated by RICS, providing a trusted, high-quality service and offering extensive expertise in all aspects of the residential property market. The agency sells and lets properties in Backwell, Nailsea, Flax Bourton, Cleeve and villages throughout North Somerset.
For more information visit www.parkers-estate-agents.com
