Get the bowls rolling! Great Yarmouth Festival of Bowls 2019 opens at seafront

Organised by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and managed by Brian Grint and the Festival of Bowls Committee, this year's festival is taking place on the Britannia Bowling Greens between Sunday, August 25 and Friday, September 20.

Tournament coordinator Brian said: "This year's festival looks to be another big year. Great Yarmouth is the UK's bowls capital and the seafront is the best bowls venue in the country - you can't beat it for atmosphere, and people come back year-on-year to meet old friends as well as for the high standard of play.

"It's not just about playing bowls, it's about Great Yarmouth as a place. The players bring their families and go to the different attractions in Great Yarmouth. Everyone enjoys fish and chips, a cup of tea with a doughnut and you can't go to Great Yarmouth without having an ice cream."

Attracting novice and expert players of all ages from across the UK and further afield, the annual festival is free to watch, with participants competing in men's, ladies' and mixed teams for singles, pairs, triples and fours titles.

Cllr Graham Plant, chairman of the council's economic development committee, said: "This free-to-watch festival attracts hundreds of players from all over, who stay in our hotels and guest houses, eat in our restaurants, visit our other attractions and really boost the economy. It's also a great attraction for local residents too.

"Having the UK's biggest outdoor open bowling event in Great Yarmouth is something to be truly proud of. I look forward to seeing the bowls start rolling again this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the festival sponsors, as well as the volunteers on the Festival of Bowls Committee, whose support makes this unique event possible."

The sponsors in 2019 are Eastern Counties North East Branch of N.F.R. Newsagents, Beach Terrace Tea Rooms, The Prom Hotel, Peers Premier Apartments, Sentinel Leisure Trust, Brewer's Chip Saloon, Potters Bowls Shop, Ocean Spray Restaurant, Belt Up Badges and Archant. Significant donations have also been received from Steve Smith, Bob Green, Mal Dixon and John Grey.