The Adel Bowling Club of which I am a member permits use of the bowling green from 11am to 12.30pm every Tuesday from around mid March to mid October. The club also provides all the equipment including a selection of bowls which come in various sizes. A modest charge of £3 covers each session which includes tea and biscuits.

I have been a member at Adel for about 20 years, typically playing in 4 league teams during the week but also attending social bowling sessions and playing in both club and league competitions so generally 5 or 6 days a week. I also enjoy bowling outdoors in the winter at Potternewton and Harehills Bowling Clubs.

Most newbies have no previous experience of bowls so I will spend at least 30 minutes with every individual giving them guidance, tips and explaining the basic rules of crown green bowling. Thereafter it is simply a matter of bowling a lot of woods though I constantly offer tips and answer questions which arise from incidents during play.

Four of my 2025 contingent have become very proficient at bowling and have joined the club. Two have progressed to playing in matches and are gaining in confidence and expertise.

This year in one of our sessions we arranged a friendly match against a team from the club who we managed to beat resulting in them challenging us for a return match which will take place in a couple of weeks.

Particularly over the last couple of years the weather has been amazing with only an odd week or so lost to rain, though there are some hardy individuals who have turned up on some wet days.

Like any sport crown green bowling offers moderate exercise in the fresh air combined with social inter-reaction with like-minded individuals.